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."
i think that hanson should fork over #21 for aso.
They keep saying the thing that Vince young said abt being a dream team and we're like the heat of the NFL. Ridiculous. We still gotta put everything together and we're not like the heat. We got more humble players that aren't promising 6 SBs. Lol! They know they still gotta work hard, play and win. This team still has holes but as a diehard fan I expect nothing less than a SB win like I do every year. GO EAGLES!!!— wooshie123- Abiamiri hurt again! He's the one they should trade!— Geno D
- Bah they should keep all three and play a lot of nickel. LB is our weakness anyway, why not just remove one for the majority of snaps and play DRC at nickel? He said he be OK doing that.— lefty1117
- Half of the present day game is played with three corners...unless someone offers a super draft pick for Assante, they'll go with these three this year.— bearsfriend
Cowboy Gazoo. Back in Philly- I watched Nnamdi's press conference and after years of seeing this me, me, me attitude he is a breath of fresh are. Very intelligent, articulate but mostly just a really nice man with a great attitude. He will make a great roll model (hopefully) for young Eagles coming up. I just love the guy.— djlen
- if we win 4 out of the first 5, then I'll start getting excited. It is nice though so far.— jjjimjjj
- Keep all three
- With all the 3 & 4 receiver sets we see in the NFL these days, could anyone tell me the downside to having 3 premier CBs?— Doctor D
- Hanson, give up #21 or be cut!
-Andy R— dogbullet2000 - It's a little thing, but I like that Nnamdi is not pressing for #21. Hanson was here first; for once it would be nice to see a star not elbow his way in for his favorite number. This guy sounds like a team player and leader. Might actually be worth the giant salary.— armchairGM
- A) Eagles were trying to sign Doug Free (Dallas RT) at the beginning of free agency; so we're obviously still looking for OL help B) Asante Samuel is better than DRC - and not by a little; his cap nbr isn't too bad this year, and he was our best defensive playmaker in 2010 and C) I love the fact that nobody is worried about special teams - no Akers, no Sav, no experienced kicker or punter on the roster? Let's hope Henerey can punt, too.— neldogg77
- I pulled a groin just reading this.— Justaschmuck
- Save a few bucks and cut the Notre Dame loser.in fact cut both of them. 2 wasted second round picks. Keep all 3 of these CB's and drop Hason. Decent job but too short.— Ssteve115
