Asomugha: Philadelphia experience 'not even close' to what he hoped
Nnamdi Asomugha said his experience with the Eagles is "not even close" to what he anticipated when he signed a lucrative contract before the 2011 season.
Asomugha: Philadelphia experience 'not even close' to what he hoped
Zach Berman, Inquirer Staff Writer
Nnamdi Asomugha said his experience with the Eagles is "not even close" to what he anticipated when he signed a lucrative contract before the 2011 season.
"I didn't know anybody, but everybody was on the same page that we were going to get it done first year out of there," Asomugha said. "Then we saw that we had to jell. Then we started to jell at the beginning of the season, things were on a roll, and we started losing, and that momentum went the other way around for us. I'm mentally strong because I haven't had the success in the league I've wanted since I was a rookie, so mentally, I've been able to deal with that and know, or believe, that it's going to turn around."
Asomugha said he's "fine" mentally and maintains belief that it will turn around. But Asomugha has been a source of frustration for fans who expected an elite cornerback when he signed. That hasn't always been the case in Asomugha's 1 1/2 seasons with the Eagles. He said fans are "just" in expecting from much him and being disappointed in the result, and that he holds himself to a higher standard than anyone else.
"If a fan has an issue with [how things have gone], they're not going to get me saying that's wrong," Asomugha said. "As a fan, I can look back to teams that I've liked, and when a player I've liked comes in, and expecting things to just change, and getting upset about that. So I can't be that guy and look at them and say, 'you can't be upset that we haven't won even though I haven't Superman on the field,' even though that's what's expected of me."
Asomugha said Philadelphia is where he wants to be, and that he does not regret coming to the Eagles. He said he does not wonder whether he'll be let go if there are changes in the organization, even though he's an aging player with an expensive contract. He emphasized his faith in things working out for him, although he hopes it happens in Philadelphia.
"I want to be around for this turnaround that I know is going to happen," Asomugha said. "My mind isn't there for, 'are you going to see it through?', what's going happen. It's just not there. But I definitely want to be here for it turning around, because I know it will."
Look for more in Saturday's Inquirer.
Oops, I also forgot, thanks for permission to comment on your performance.— bentlip- Nnamdi Asomugha...English translation...I SUCK!!— mainstreet
- He played for the Raiders for majority of his career. Losing breeds losing attitudes....goodbye #24, I hope you banked some of that salary.— JJReid
- Stop all the talking and take some serious self inventory.
What part does the corner back play in this series of losses?
How does one begin to overcome this?
These are just a couple of questions that could come to mind
Something has got to be done, this is a professional team, not
some peewee game.— donher - To his credit, the Eagles have Safeties who shouldn't even be on any NFL Roster. His defensive coordinator was not a defensive coordinator, and the zone scheme they played last year wasn't suited for his game. I'd be willing to give him another year with a restructure of his deal, granted they actually sign and draft capable safeties. The team is a total mess, it's far from just Asomugha.— DoctorLoads
- The coach thought that allowing a 800 year old geico commerical actor pick out his offensive line. Bad Idea.. Killed the potential in the team so fast that it made the entire team look worst than it actually is. One of many mistakes. Nnamdi might not even be as bad as he has looked with a defensive coordinator. Who knows. But this team is terrible. They need to draft the most physically talented O lineman they can find and leave the bottom of the draft alone.— Zeru
- Don't worry Nnamdi, the Asomugha experience was not even close to what Eagle fans hoped it would be. Next time somebody tells you, "This is our year," take a look at the roster.— Boru
- He hasn't been awful, contrary to what the overemotional fan will tell you. He just hasn't been a star.— bobbyd24
- yeah bash these players you fat f**kin losers who sit behind computer screens— AlexSp
The Eagles under the ownership of Lurie has spent well and wisely in free agency.....Jon Runyan, Troy Vincent come to mind. Real pros who played a great game and were very highly regarded players. Well this acquisition was a bust. There is no single play that comes to mind that stands out when I think of this guy. You know what stands out? The mouth. The comments. A hallmark of a losing team is the amount of chirping coming from those players suspect in the fans eye as not being "all in" Standout players rise above the fact the DC was in over his head. Standout players provide leadership by superior on-field play no matter the score or the team's record. A lot of smart NFL people got conned by this guy, but it's plain to see for the Eagles fan that the gig is up for Nnamdi and any future big paydays coming in Philly......- it's "gel"...not "jell"...— RadRaider
- yeah awesomewhat?s disappointment shows every time he lets someone catch a pass against him and keeps going.— bloodymess
- The guy sucks. He's become a doormat.— dogman5
- he stinks..... is their any more to say really, tape doesnt lie.... he has blown more coverage then a 20 dollar street hooker— pr0f3ss0r
- Nhamdi is a bigger bust then then the entire offensive line this year— pr0f3ss0r
