Nnamdi Asomugha signs with 49ers after "it just didn't work" in Philadelphia
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Nnamdi Asomugha signs with 49ers after "it just didn't work" in Philadelphia
Zach Berman, Inquirer Staff Writer
Nnamdi Asomugha's two years in Philadelphia were an unquestioned disappointment, and the Eagles released the former high-priced free agent last month even though they're on the hook to pay him $4 million. Asomugha signed with the 49ers, where he has a chance to resurrect his career in the Bay Area.
There are legitimate questions about whether Asomugha will ever be the type of player he was with the Raiders, when his production and reputation as one of the NFL's finest cornerback prompted the Eagles to offer a five-year, $60 million contract.
Asomugha's new deal, however, comes with no guaranteed money, meaning he will need to prove his worth by earning incentives included in the deal.
“It was a myriad of reasons," Asomugha said to Bay Area-reporters about why he struggled with the Eagles. "We could sit down and talk for a couple of hours. The bottom line is I didn’t get it done out there. It just didn’t work out. I have a chance to step back on the field and do it again, do it over.”
One reason often attributed for his struggles in Philadelphia was the scheme, which did not have the same man-to-man principles that he played in Oakland. Asomugha said he placed an emphasis on the scheme during this free agency period.
“I think 49ers have a good mix, what (defensive coordinator) Vic Fangio does I think has been awesome, over the last two years from what I’ve seen," Asomugha said. "Having a chance to do it again, definitely had to make sure the scheme was something I liked and I was able to find San Francisco with a scheme that I thought was really impressive."
He also noted the difference of the Bay Area and Philadelphia. Asomugha played at Cal and Oakland, and grew up in Los Angeles. Philadelphia was a major difference. He also has a prior relationship with 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh.
“I think the contrast is I didn’t really know anyone [in Philadelphia], and it was a new area for me," Asomugha said. "Those were probably the biggest differences. And then out here, there is that familiarity with the area and with players and coaches.”
What's clear is that Asomugha has much to prove. His time in Philadelphia is the last memory, but he can change the lasting reputation depending upon how he plays with the 49ers.
"I’ve never gone into a season thinking I didn't have something to prove," Asomugha said. "Always had a chip. The chip might be a little bigger now, but it’s always been there.
Wah Wah Wah -- good riddance moron.— Joseph DeSantis- It didn't work out because you suck.— Justaschmuck
- and remember we cut asante for this guy— jamarder
- A finger pointing bust who claims it was the scheme. Well, Nnamdi cry baby you blew it on man to man coverage also. Your entire career here will be remembered for inspiring Victor Cruz's salsa dance when you toasted you two seasons' ago. You are a poster child for a privileged, over hyped sports star who cares more about his hair style and his off field interests than in playing the game. You stole your money. You hoodwinked the league. You chose not to play hard. You gave up on plays. Didn't lead the secondary. Avoided tackles. Got pushed around like a rag doll. And here's the kicker, was paid $4 million to go away. $4 million! You were so bad that the team parted with $4 million just to keep your "I don't give a S***" attitude off the field and not infect other players who really do want to play the game. You walked around acting like you were the smartest guy in the world. Using words like myriad. But really, you couldn't even read a high school level coverage package that the coaches finally resorted to in order to see if it was the scheme or the man. The conclusion--it was the man. You need to take your so-called, self declared intellectual rear end and get out of football and into politics where people get ahead for not performing their jobs!— PFCzar
- He had so many people run past him - it was like he was handing out Gatorade!— knighn
- Nnamdi is a wimp and a turd.— MrBigDizzle
- How effective can a corner actually be? $4MM for a middle linebacker, I get it. Just like Assante Samuel. Is Durrel Revis that good? Think not.— boroughboy
- Right on Charlie Garner25— Robert Garber
- Non-D Awfulha! Now I know how to pronounce it. The 49ers lost their safety and got this guy. Their secondary is now suspect in a pass happy league. They will not win their division, the Seattle Seahawks will.— NC Eagle Fan
- its noy the playes its the lack of a organization there is a reason the team has never won a championship since 1960, and a reason they have never won a superbowl, and a reason they have only been to 2 superbowls and lost them both, AND HAVE GUTS TO WALK WITH A STRUT CALLING THEMSELVES THE GOLDSATNDARD AND DREAM TEAM, LOL IN REALITY THE G-MAN, 49ERS, PATS, STEELERS, AND YES I HATE THEM BUT THE COWBOYS ARE THE ONLY GOLD STANDARDS THE EAGLES ARE THE BROWNS, LIONS AND CHARGERS ALL WRAPPED UP INTO 1 AND THE GARBAGE STANDARD!! 100 PERCENT FACT!!!!!!!!!! I WILL ALWAYS SUPPORT THE PHILLIES 76ERS AND FLYERS FOR BETTER OR WERSE AND HATE THE EAGLES WITH A PASSION,, I HOPE THEY NEVER WIN A SUPERBOWL FOR ETERNITY!!!! GOOOO G-MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!— PHILLIES & GMAN FAN 4 LIFE
- TO ALL YOU EAGLES FANS IDIOTS WHO ARE BLAMING THE PLAYERS ALL THE TIME AND CRYING IN YOUR BEER IM SURE NORMAN BRAMEN WOULD AGREE WITH YOU AS HE AS A GREAT OWNER AND ALL THE PLAYERS FAULTS LOL HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH— PHILLIES & GMAN FAN 4 LIFE
- What is "Mister Softie" complaining about now?— fmMD
- Maybe that "chip" he's playing with on his shoulder this year will be big enough that it might actually trip up a ball carrier when he dives out of the way trying to avoid contact while feigning an attempt at tackling!— Colonel Angus
- He found out you actually have to tackle in Philadelphia before they like you.— Smooth88
- greensob, charliewhiner has trouble remembering his stance on things because he has gotten caught so many times in his revolving door of logic that it finally smacked him in the arse...giving him brain damage. Go easy on him, he is just a shell of what he used to be...which wasn't much to begin with.
Yeah, yesterday it was Peters is a perennial All Pro player but the Eagles wasted draft picks getting him...ya can't make it up.— tpizza
