Nnamdi on Asante: 'I'll Make it Mesh'
The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagletarian
Nnamdi on Asante: 'I'll Make it Mesh'
Les Bowen, Daily News Staff Writer
BETHLEHEM -- Nnamdi Asomugha can't practice with the Eagles yet, but he met with the media following Sunday morning's practice and spoke engagingly about the future he envisions.
Asomugha, 30, the top free agent prize in the NFL, signed a five-year deal with the Eagles Friday, stunning the football world.
He said today he had the Eagles in mind as a prime destination from March on, but they didn't seem to be heavily invested until the last day or so before he signed. He said he was as surprised as reporters covering the team were that he ended up an Eagle.
Asomugha said the organization has "a championship feel to it."
He acknowledged his style is more aggressive than that of the Eagles' incumbent Pro Bowl corner, Asante Samuel, but said: "It'll mesh. I'll make it mesh."
More highlights from Asomugha's lengthy first session with Philadelphia-area reporters, but first, an injury update. Before you hyperventilate, the Eagles swear up and down none of these is serious.
*Brent Celek left practice with a lower back problem.
*Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie tweaked his right Achilles. (He stayed out for the whole practice and was walking normally when he entered the locker room.)
*Dion Lewis pulled his right hamstring.
*Antonio Dixon suffered cramps.
*Juqua Parker got dehydrated.
*Darryl Tapp had cramps.
*Victor Abiamiri pulled a calf.
All are day-to-day, the Eagles said.
Now back to Nnamdi:
*He said Michael Vick made a "mini recruiting pitch" at the Pro Bowl, and DeSean Jackson texted and called him frequently about joining the Eagles. (No word on whether Nnamdi plans to text and call DeSean about Jackson joining the Eagles.)
*Asked about the Birds' flurry of moves, he said: "We might not be done yet."
*Asomugha didn't get too specific, but he did not dispute reports that other teams, such as the Jets, might have offered more money than he took to come to the Eagles. "There was money out there," he said.
*Asomugha said he wouldn't try to pry his familiar No. 21 jersey away from Joselio Hanson, He will wear No. 24. He seemed to be saying he really was attached to 21, but was willing to move on.
*Asomugha on Asante: "I've always said if there's a playmaker at the cornerback position, that's him. He really knows how to go after that ball, and I've always admired him."
Keep Asante....you can play with three corners....DRC doesn't mind being a nickel....who would you boys rather have out there? Hanson? Paterson?? There's no such thing as too many aces...no such thing as too many corners!— DavezMental.Com- davez and theanswer are dead right, you can and SHOULD absolutely keep all three corners, with the new NFL of spread formations it makes sense to have as many quality corners as possible. the Birds had about 40 million in cap room to work with so money is not an issue, they can still give DJacc his money too. lets not forget both Asante and Nnamdi are both 30, might as well ride them for a few years and whoever's wheels give first you can slide DRC right into the starting roll. i can't see any situation where it makes sense to get rid of Asante, unless you are trading him for Patrick Willis or some legit LB.— iceman77
- Money is THE ISSUE...Eagles can't pay $20 million for 2 cornerbacks.
This ain't fantasy football, it's a business.
Plus the Eagles need to come up with many millions to get DeSean to play for them.
Asante will be traded...book it.— frank105 
Birds reported $22 million in cap room at begin of FA - not $40. We still have to sign Vick and Djax. I love Samuel but they can't afford him.— sweet.sassy.molassy- Only those with no life — Ssteve115
- Lions signed Tullock. Now can everyone please stop asking for a LB. It's NOT going to happen. We are loaded up as is. Only moves left are to fill out the depth. THATS IT!!!— papabear702
- Abiamiri got hurt? SHOCKER!— mistahunter
- My goodness, did you hear his interview? He won't have any problems getting a job in broadcasting or politics or probably anything else after his career is over. I don't remember the last time I heard anyone, athlete or otherwise, handle an interview with such ease. His cup runneth over.
- Lofa Tatupu just released by the Seahawks. He would look good in Iggle Green. We still need a RT.— sweet.sassy.molassy
- The thing that I like is that he's so well spoken. Its such a rarity these days. I mean this time last year the immortal Ellis Hobbs spoke these words, maybe a year to the day "If you thought he (Asante) was goin to be here then you was a fool". word.— Onlineps2beast
- Having three corners is great and all. But it is not practical. It makes no sense to waste a talent like DRC on the bench for 50% of the plays as a nickel corner. Especially when you have a talented nickel corner in Hanson. I don't think people realize that Hanson has done a hell of a job as a nickel corner. Don't get me wrong, DRC is better. But, if you can clear significant cap space with a Samuel trade, snare a second round pick, and use the money to either acquire a RT or a LB or make D Jackson happy, that is what you do. It is great to have three Pro Bowl corners. But not at the expense of having to play Todd Herremans or King Dunlap at RT or having a very unhappy DeSean Jackson.— arrowamy
- it sounds like the eagles were surprised Namdi even took the deal...and now they have three corners and are scrambling to find something to do with assante
If Reid promises in the next press conference that Assante is our "starting Left Corner Back" then you know hes gone.
I hope they keep him.— CharlieGarner25 - they dont have to trade asante, and i dont know if they def will. THey have a lot of young players with small contracts which saves them money. Mccoy, maclin, all lbs, safeties are all bargain deals. They will keep asante, and maybe trade him next year.
— t.o.78 
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