Nnamdi: Being Targeted is 'Beautiful Challenge'
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Nnamdi: Being Targeted is 'Beautiful Challenge'
Les Bowen
It's been a new experience in Philadelphia for corner Nnamdi Asomugha, who saw teams avoid throwing at him for years when he played for the Oakland Raiders.
Last year, his first with the Eagles, Asomugha had to transition to a lot of zone play under new defensive coordinator Juan Castillo. This year he has been more frequently used in the man coverage he feels more comfortable with, but with Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie on the other corner, opposing offenses haven't avoided Asomugha. He's being thrown at on roughly twice as many plays as he was his final year in Oakland.
Asomugha, 31, said Friday it's a different challenge, but one he welcomes.
"It's a beautiful challenge, because that's what you want -- you want opportunities to play, instead of just being out there."
Asmougha said he is "kind of learning new things and getting back into it, as far as the competition level."
Asked if getting thrown at more means you're going to get beat more, Asomugha said: "You don't really think about it like that. In Oakland, you're competing on every snap, but you don't have an opportunity at the ball on every snap. My mentality since I've been in the league has been to play hard every time I'm out there and good things will happen, one way or the other.
"If a guy makes a catch, it's not because I wasn't playing hard. I've never proclaimed perfection on the field or anything like that. My whole motto has been playing hard, being focused on every snap, and if the guy gets one, he earned it.
"From the outside [looking] in, if you have a reputation for being perfect, and you have a slipup, all of a sudden, 'what's going on?' But on the inside, you know it's not going to be perfect. You're going to be a competitor, you brush that stuff off."
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Eagles coach Andy Reid said that as expected, LB Akeem Jordan (hamstring) will not play this week. The Eagles listed special teams ace Colt Anderson (knee) and DT Derek Landri (knee) as questionable, but Reid indicated they should play Sunday at Pittsburgh.
The problem isn't that fans expect perfection from him. The problem is that he is just not making any plays out there. 3 INT's and a handful of tackles since he's been here plus several interference calls is pretty far from perfection.— kse- I think fans do expect perfection from him because there was talk by many (not coach Reed or Namdi himself) that he was a shut down corner. Truth is that even without many interceptions he is one of the best corners that the Eagles have had in recent years.
That being said it wouldn't surprise me if Eagles fans make him out to be another Izzel Jenkins. Ive heard some Eagles fans say that "he stinks". But hey why would i expect anything different?— cok2004 - When they signed him i was like this guy cannot play.. he is sloppy on the field no kind body control when the ball is in the air. Soft and slow..— KangJahla
- Wow, soft and slow? Do you watch any games? He's not soft at all. He's as physical a corner in the game. He never quits either. He ran Benjamin from the brows down from behind saving a touchdown. Stop hating. Ever since they let him play bump and run he's been stellar. — montymiller
- Cok2004-ball in the air problems, yes, very weird
Monty, agreed, this guy tackles.Keep the receiver in front of him and he's really good. But if the refs want they can flag him every play, that's arms vs. quick feet— Blue Hens Rule 
There is nothing wrong with Nnamdi!!! Even the best corners get beat once in awhile!! Get off the mans back and let him do his thing!— JLingle3- He is average and over rated— Aussie Fan
- Nnamdi is getting the "Iggy Love". Under appreciated and judged by his contract, not what he brings to the team.— dmanphilly
