Do the Eagles need Asomugha?
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Do the Eagles need Asomugha?
Jonathan Tamari
With the draft behind us, all eyes are turning again to free agency (whenever it happens). For months some Eagles fans have been lusting for Nnamdi Asomugha, the most high-profile free agent on the market and one who would fill a glaring need: a cornerback to start opposite Asante Samuel.
But while the Eagles are expected to have money to spend, the question that has to be asked is this: is an All Pro cornerback the right way to spend it when you already have a Pro Bowler in the fold? Do you need two top level corners, or is one star and a strong complement enough, provided you also have talent elsewhere?
Let’s look at the top 10 scoring defenses from the 2010-11 regular season. Here were the starting corner tandems:
1. Steelers: Ike Taylor, Bryant McFadden
2. Packers: Charles Woodson, Tramon Williams
3. Ravens: Chris Carr, Josh Wilson/Fabian Washington
4. Bears: Tim Jennings, Charles Tillman
5. Falcons: Dunta Robinson, Brent Grimes
6. Jets: Darrelle Revis, Antonio Cromartie
7. Saints: Jabari Greer, Tracy Porter
8. Patriots: Devin McCourty, Kyle Arrington
9. Buccaneers: Aqib Talib, Ronde Barber
10. Chargers: Quentin Jammer, Antoine Cason
Only one team – the Packers – had two big-time corners. Some of them (Bears, Ravens, Steelers) had virtual no-names manning both spots (yes, the Ravens just drafted there, but they managed to do well in 2010 anyway). Others (Jets, Falcons, Bucs) have one great corner, and one pretty good one. The point is, they’ve been able to be strong without two stars.
The Packers, of course, are a pretty big exception, considering they won the Super Bowl. But even here, Woodson is less renowned at this point in his career for his shutdown ability and more for his contributions as a blitzer and extra run stuffer. The Packers still start just one lock-down cover guy. And, Woodson and Williams make about $18 million a year combined, on average. Asomugha might get $15 million himself, in addition to Samuel, who has a roughly $6 million base for 2011 (with a couple million in bonuses possible) and a salary that goes up to more than $8 million in 2012.
The point is that while the Eagles absolutely need a better option at right cornerback, it doesn’t have to be one on the level of Asomugha – as exciting as his signing would be. The defense can be strong if Samuel remains at Pro Bowl level and they get a solid complement, and find a way to upgrade the pass rush -- something that would be far harder to do if they tie up big money in Asomugha.
Which doesn’t rule out an Asomugha signing. Maybe the Eagles, who have been known to go in their own direction, think that with two shutdown corners they can have a unique defense that gets the job done differently than those other top teams above. The Jets have been a rumored Asomugha suitor, so maybe they think the same way. Maybe the Eagles have a creative way to get a pass rushing defensive end (Kolb trade?) and still go strong after Asomugha. And, as Domo pointed out yesterday, there might be very few other options in free agency - it might be Asomugha or nothing, unless a corner comes through a trade.
But I think it’s more likely that the Eagles want to both get a corner (or promote Trevard Lindley) and have money left over to improve their front seven, giving Juan Castillo and Jim Washburn the horses they need to get pressure on the quarterback with just four men.
Yes, in a fantasy world, every team would love to have a pair of star corners shutting down any receiver they face – they’d love to have Pro Bowlers at every position. But in a salary cap world, teams have to weigh the benefits of any one signing against what it might prevent them from doing elsewhere.
If signing Asomugha means failing to fix the pass rush, is it worth it? Sitting here in early May, before we know the free agency rules or salary cap structure, I would say no. If that's how the Eagles front office sees it, the question becomes what’s their back up plan? It could make or break their chances in 2011.
If AR can get Aso and still address other needs go for it. He's 30,but I think he could be productive for another 4-6 years. Charles Woodson is 34 yo,and he's still killing it. Woodson's also under contract for another 2 years too I think. How good of a pick up was that. I think it was 2006 when the Packers signed him to a 7 year deal. For a team that doesn't spend alot of money in free agency they sure struck gold with that one. Just an example of what a 30 something player can do for a team. I think it would be huge to get Aso. With Aso and Asante I think our defense could be really aggressive. We wouldn't have to roll coverages to help the corner out. We could run more safety blitzes. Everbody thinks we can't or were not going to get him... we can get him if AR pulls the trigger. When Asante was the top name in free agency we signed him.— Eaglecheesehead- The Eagles should contact the Bucs about Aqib Talib. I heard they were thinking of dumping the guy because of an incident. Could be a steal.— Eaglecheesehead
- just reading the headline... sounds like Joe and Andy and the gang heard what Snider's ready to offer and asked you to plant a little let us down gently seed.— raoool
- Problem is, where do you get an upper-tier pass-rushing DE? Everybody wants one of those. The Eagles have failed to draft somebody to make a significant upgrade at DE.
But I agree with Sheil's point: upgrading the pass-rush is more important that getting a big time corner. I'd love for the Eagles to get Babin and make do with a serviceable free-agent at CB. The Birds have some weak spots. No one's talking about it much, but safety's also an issue.— p-diddy - this team gave up touchdowns thru the air at a record clip. They have to get him, otherwise this offseason gets an absolute F. Promoting the O-line coach to improve the worst defense in 20 years, drafting waaaaay above the players grades and not addressing corner with a non-project... That's an F so far
- Asomugha, Babin, and Weddle should be priorities.— IdahoMoose
- don't overthink. it's simple. We need to go for broke....win this year or Reid is gone. So get the player available who is most likely to improve your team. NA is that guy. No one else will make as big an impact. So spend whatever it takes. Trade Kolb for front seven help. Pray Vick don't get hurt....enjoy the ride.— murdock101
- why do people ask like if we got Asomugha we cant afford to get anyone else?? Do people realize how much in contracts we got rid of last year? We had one of the top 5 lowest total salaries in the league and if we dont bring back Q at safety and replace him with a rookie and also trade away Kolb we will have even less total salary on the books for this season. We could get Asomugha, jason Babin and a couple other guys and still be middle of the pack of most teams spending.— MrSmithTP
- Yeah I don't think of Asante as a shut down corner. He can't tackle and can really only play "his way"... As opposed to schemes the DC may employ.. Good luck with that Juan. I agree with EJ's post above... Asante would be a nice compliment to Asomugha the true #1 cb, complete package. Let's be honest, theres room to upgrade all over this D... Be it DL, LB, or DB.— CripsyK
- Thinking of the receivers the Eagles face twice in the division alone would require that you get Aso to go opposite Asante. Get Babin back and get Haynesworth and go to a 34 defense. Use some of these undersized de's as linebackers and maybe even safety and you fix the defense a lot quicker. Otherwise you get beat to death opposite Asante and may never make it back to the playoffs!— VegasEagleFan
- We need someone to cover Tight Ends...and sack the QB...would love Nmandi, but we aren't gonna get him....bring back Babin...trade Korn on the Kolb aka the People's Champ for a 1st rounder...hope our offense carries us to the Championship next year...and then we draft smart for 2012
- Going into 2010 season 99% of fans believed that Eagles were under-manned at RCB. Team simply neglected to replace RCB. Ellis Hobbs and friends were all stop-gap measures. Lack of EFFECTIVE pass rush by McDemott's players also hurt the DBs.— Smashmouth
- Interesting. McNabb's been in Arizona working out with the Cardinals receivers.— ej610
- what about ray edwards? He wants out of Minnesota and could definitely help the edge pass rush. I was a fan of the Lindley pick but I don't see him being ready to start in the NFL this year, the Eagles need to do something. All the teams you listed might not have had 2 great corners, but they had a pass rush which is something the Eagles do not— jayw66
- Its important to reallize that when the Eagles sign NA it will make there D-line better. Face the facts if they have a alpro secondary it will force the QB to hold the ball longer equaling sacks. If the go the alpro D-line route the QB has less time to throw the ball equaling Ints. The EAGLES will pick up NA. Just look at the past Troy Vincent/Bobby Taylor, Sheldon Brown/Lito, Sheldon/Samual, Nnamdi/Samual. It just makes sense and Reid knows it, he is the fool.— urbnasty
