Asomugha: Philadelphia experience 'not even close' to what he hoped
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Asomugha: Philadelphia experience 'not even close' to what he hoped
Zach Berman
Eagles cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha said Friday that fans were "just" in their criticism of his play. (Yong Kim/Staff Photographer)
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.
Comments (53)
This comment has been deleted.— waterdog- Is this what Asante Samuel meant when he accused Roseman of playing "fantasy football"?!?
Rosemen and Reid equally share the responsibility for what the Eagles have become, however the absentee owner Laurie shares the MOST responsibility for taking his hands off the wheel of real leadership when he promoted Roseman and concentrated power in Reid.— Professor1982 - Nice reference to Asante's fantasy comments about Howie. — watsonmr
- 24 should look at 'hisself' - and ask the question:
What have I done to earn this money?
What have I done to help this team (win)?
What have I done to gain the respect of fans here, and be a leader?
What have I done to have that 'better experience in Philly?
24, when you answer these questions, you'll feel better especially if you take most of the responsibility. We've seen the loafing. The laughing. The lackadaisical play. The blaming others. You sir, of the big contract, you should be ashamed of yourself.
24, you are a man to man guy, now put in a zone defense by a tragi-comedy of a defensive coach, now confused by a decent d-backs coach elevated to coordinator. We're sorry for this experience.
But the rest is on you, babe.— 24sDad - I would add, we're embarrassed by your play. And you should be too.
Now, you should be embarrassed by your comments. You are not a leader dude, but a whining crybaby. Man up and play to the best of your ability and earn the contract.
Too many talkers on this team. No heart. No guts. Therefore, no glory.— 24sDad - Had me confused for a moment; I though you went nuts and were talking to yourself, lol. Good questions.
— verve - Hey can't play..... let him go.— stevejones
- "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."
huh?— Bradley85 - Assomusha is considered an intellectual because he talks in incomprehensible circles. just like thw way he covers receivers.
— COskier - He obviously "hoped" to play defense. Because what he's doing is "not even close".— richojr
- He cannot tackle. He cannot cover. He cannot anticipate. Besides that, he was a brilliant signing. Pee Wee Roseman, Jeff Lurie, Gold Standard...what could possibly go wrong with the level of brain power running the team. Times yours.— kelprod2-freemarket
- He couldn't cover a chair if he was sitting in it!This guy can handle "LOSING" .WELL I CAN'T !!!— evenmix
- It's the safety's fault— bababooey2yall
- How did we end up with such a heartless bunch of clueless losers? Oh, I forgot, that would be due to Andy and Howie. HIRE JAWS!— bentlip
- Ummmmm....why? Last time the Eagles were in this situation, he was the quarterback. What has he coached? He's just suppoed to be a good coach because he does commentary on ESPN? Seriously dude?? — MrJayScott
- 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
- The feeling is mutual. While I find him well-spoken, his skills were highly-overrated. He was the best player on a bad team...that pretty much made him the smartest kid in summer school.— reasonableihope
- Your a total bust. Please leave and go back to Oakland. You even deceived Ray Didinger who thought you were a great acquisition. Nnamdi might cost the Eagles a slight salary cap hit but I will be glad to see him go. Draft a guy who might not have the talent but will have the hunger to compete.— Drew777
- Philadelphia fans should do just like LA. Liqidate the team Hostess style start relying more on your college teams. Los Angeles seems to be doing perfectly OK with USC/UCLA and good attendance too.I am sure not that many miss the Rams or Raiders and after some 60 years of misery save one dont think many will miss the Eagles either. Go Temple, Villanova, West Chester , Penn Delaware Your probably better than they are anyhow and a lot more worth the money— tastycake
- Let me make everyone feel even worse. RGIII is eleven games into his career and is already one of the top five QB's in the NFL. The Redskins will absolutely win a Super Bowl before the Eagles. It always has and always will suck to be an Eagles fan.— syddan26
- with the contract he signed and as good as he thinks he is he shouldnt need safety help so not to his credit really— pr0f3ss0r
- I will Quote myself from day one. " Nnamdi = Lance Parrish.— watsonmr
- He doesn't regret signing here, but the Eagles sure regret signing him. Just your typical player who once he got the payday, stopped playing. Easily the worse free agent signing in Eagles history.— antjam0507
- I would trade this whole soft roster for Chuck Bednarik.
Eighty-seven year old Chuck Bednarik.
— dasher -
He will be released, no one will pick up the contract and trade for him. If he wants to win, lets see if he goes to New England for 1 mil.
I doubt it, he will sign for another losing team for a few dollars more.— camasbud - Then luckiest man in the world is Joe Banner. Talk about getting out when the gettin' is good...— Bobphxville
- I want some of what Nnamdi must be smokin'— tyroneslothrop
- At least Lance Romance made an effort. If Asogumga moved his feet half as fast as he runs his mouth, well... (actually, I found the Parrish comparision amusing; good work watson.)— chocolatethunder
- He's good at acting like its the safeties fault. I think he has a future in that field.— comin4ya23
- he's atrocious, and none of what he says makes any sense whatsoever..— vicktorylap
- I never thought I'd say this, but I miss Assante Samuel. Asomugha is just as bad a tackler as Samuel but never intercepts anything. I've never seen anyone so obviously avoid contact, except when he's being pushed down the field by blockers. He's another Reid mistake.— charlied612
- What we don't need is another punk CB who doesn't tackle. As least Samuel made the big play every now and then. Asomugha is a punk and a fraud.— DiggityWak
- Nnamdi has played poorly....but to his defense....he is kind of stuck in this weird defensive scheme. Brought in to be a man to man cover guy, he always ends up in some zone coverage. Also, in zone, a safety shouldn't bite on a play fake.....which Coleman and Allen do all the time. They teach you that in high school. So while Nnamdi IS playing poorly, he isn't getting much help either.— MrJayScott
- I don't recognize any of these commenters dissing Nnamdi. Are they Eagles employees greasing the skids? Of course, he has been a disappointment ...— Copper34
- Nambi must be concussed also. In two years I have yet to see him
make and impact tackle or be the shut down corner he was supposed to
be. The Eagles were soft before he got here and now they are even softer.— naplesfan - Nnamdi Asomugha equals Izel Jenkins Toast 2.0— DumbAsHell
- Nnamdi Asomugha equals Izel Jenkins Toast 2.0— DumbAsHell
- Nnamdi Asomugha equals Izel Jenkins Toast 2.0— DumbAsHell
- Aso for obvious reasons you have not and never will be a winner in this league. Another all hat no cattle guy. And do we have plenty of those.— oldBird
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