When the NFL lifts its lockout, one of the first free agents off the shelf will be Oakland cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha -- with the expectation that the Philadelphia Eagles are first in line.
Or maybe not.
There's no question that Asomugha will be a hot property. He's one of the game's elite defenders, so proficient that once he hits the free-agent market a bidding frenzy should erupt. But don't expect the Eagles to join the charge. I don't. And neither do others who are close to the organization.
They tell me there is an indifference toward Asomughha, mostly because he will cost a fortune but partly because he's a press cornerback who plays only the right-cornerback position. I know, I know, the Eagles need another cornerback like L.A. needs Sig-Alerts, and they could especially use one at the right-cornerback spot. But I've heard too many people say the Eagles aren't all that jacked up about Asomugha not to pay attention.
Another factor may be age, even though Asomugha turns 30 next month. That puts him in the prime of his career, but check the history of the Eagles. They rarely, if ever, sign or re-sign players 30 or older to long-term contracts. They let Brian Westbrook walk. They let Brian Dawkins and Troy Vincent walk. They traded away Donovan McNabb. All not only were accomplished starters; they were members of the Eagles' 75th anniversary team, too. But they were also 30 or older.
The point is: The Eagles could've re-signed them to long-term deals but did not, and I suggest they did not because there's a philosophy that cautions against signing descending players to extended contracts.
Now let's get something straight: I'm not saying Asomugha is a descending player. Heck, he was an All-Pro last season and is respected so much throughout the league that he was the least targeted cornerback in the NFL the last two seasons. Nevertheless, there seems to be a reluctance within the Eagles to move on the guy when he's available. From what I gather, the Eagles respect and admire Asomugha; they just don't think he's the right guy for them.
source:www.cbssports.com
author:clark-judge
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