Re: New Orleans Saints Better Off Not Signing Nnamdi Asomugha
 

I don't care how old or young they are, I want to see a good CB in a Saints uniform.

Re: New Orleans Saints Better Off Not Signing Nnamdi Asomugha
 

That he hasn't signed yet should be a huge tell. Clearly teams have seen the hysterical tapes of his ineptitude in man or zone coverage, his lack of desire to tackle, and his overall confusion. If he was even half as good as he was hyped to be he would have been worth keeping by the Fecals. Three weeks in and no contract?

Yeah, sign him. Over pay. Cripple us further.

Re: New Orleans Saints Better Off Not Signing Nnamdi Asomugha
 

We have good corners in Lewis , Greer and Robinson. Rob Ryan will put Robinson in a place where he can succeed. Robinson is still young, give him a chance. We certainly know he didn't have much of a chance last year under that no coaching idiot Spuds. Greer was a good corner opposite Porter a couple of years ago, there no reason that he can't return to that same guy.

Re: New Orleans Saints Better Off Not Signing Nnamdi Asomugha
 

I agree with you 100%

Re: New Orleans Saints Better Off Not Signing Nnamdi Asomugha
 

Well since we didn't sign him we obviously didn't overpay or cripple us further.:)

At least not yet.

Re: New Orleans Saints Better Off Not Signing Nnamdi Asomugha
 

Him not having signed a contract yet doesn't necessarily have anything to do with teams not believing he's still capable of being a starter caliber CB - that's a far fetched correlation without any supporting evidence.

The fact that it has been reported that both the 49ers and the Saints have offered him a contract would suggest that at least those two teams feel like Asomugha would be a positive addition to their rosters. And those are the only two teams he has officially visited with, so who's to say that even more teams wouldn't have been keen on having him on their roster? I think that since Asomugha clearly made the wrong choice last time around choosing to sign with the Eagles, he's taking his time this time around to be certain that he chooses the right place for him to have the best success at.

You can't really blame the guy for doing that if the 49ers and the Saints haven't given him any deadlines for when he has to make up his mind - and that would suggest that he isn't going to be asking for a mega-deal.

Re: New Orleans Saints Better Off Not Signing Nnamdi Asomugha
 

Ineptitude in man?..... Ya know, I do my best to remain civil at all times, but I'm gonna break character this time and just say shut up. Don't talk if you don't know what you're talking about. 2 years in an awful system, coached by a DC who knew as much about defense as you probably do.. here's a little news break for ya, a lot of star power went to waste in that s#!t pile of a city.

I reeeaaaally wish we had a dislike button

Re: New Orleans Saints Better Off Not Signing Nnamdi Asomugha
 

Sorry to grind your gears, man. As I am stuck in Jersey with the Eagles being my Guantanamo torture for 20 weeks, I got a front row ticket to his performances. As a primo Eagles hater, I thought it a shame they let him go. His hugely undeserved salary squeezed out any ability to sign other capable players.

In Oakland, the other DB's were so bad by comparison that it wasn't worth throwing his direction as the payouts were so much better against the other backs. The opposing team's strategies made it appear that Numbdi was better than he really was. With the Eagles, there was definitely more talent in their defensive backfield. So more teams took chances his way, and he got exposed. It got worse as their season progressed - when you got him isolated, he was vulnerable. You could attribute it to scheme, but man coverage is man coverage. You could attribute it to "disinterest in the circumstances," but if he has that "I got mine" attitude, which it appeared, (it is not clear that he had enough pride to show up and do the job he was overpaid to do) then who would want him?

I'm not hating on him. I think he's an average NFL caliber player. But he is what WR's of the Keyshawn/Ochocinqo ilk are, media creations. The prettiest troll under the bridge is still a troll.

Re: New Orleans Saints Better Off Not Signing Nnamdi Asomugha
 

I'll go with Ryan's opinion of him for now. He's been offered a contract which says it all. He's not hurting for money and I think he's really working at deciding where he's going to be happiest. I'd bet the offers are similar, the Saints' and niners' idea of how to use him are also very similar, the chances of winning a ring with both teams are similar so it's going to boil down to where he thinks'll be the best place to be. As Xan so eloquently put it in his comparison of Philly to Guantanamo after 20 weeks, imagine 2 years there. He's not going to make that same mistake. Not signing is saying nothing more than he's going to be very careful this time up. He's been given a deadline by both teams and he'll probably take most of that (unless he has Dumervil's ex-agent) before he makes a final decision.

Re: New Orleans Saints Better Off Not Signing Nnamdi Asomugha
 

And some quality safety help on the back side would help our corners too. I Really want Vacarro....then again,I REALLY want j.jones! I wish we could find a way to get 2 first rounders.....especially in this draft.

Re: PFT-Bryant McKinnie, Nnamdi Asomugha on Saints’ radar
 

Nnamdi is still looking at Niners, Saints | ProFootballTalk
Eight days ago, it appeared that cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha and safety Charles Woodson seemed destined to join the 49ers.

Eight days later, crickets.

But Asomugha continues to consider the 49ers and the Saints as a potential next destination, per a source with knowledge of the situation. Other teams had expressed interest in Asomugha, but no other visits have been taken.

The Saints make sense, given the presence of former Raiders defensive coordinator Rob Ryan. Now running the defense in New Orleans, Ryan wants a Nnamdi reunion.

The depressed market for corners, along with questions about Asomugha’s skills and his interest level in football, surely have made it harder to do the right deal. Then there’s the $4 million that Asomugha already will make from the Eagles in 2013; the cash in hand could tempt teams to low ball Asomugha.That said, knowing he’ll make $4 million this year allows Asomugha to be patient. With the top of the market at $6 million annually, getting $4 million to not play at all provides an attractive alternative.

*sigh*

Raise your hand if you already have Nnamdi wallpaper.

Re: PFT-Bryant McKinnie, Nnamdi Asomugha on Saints’ radar
 

Patient yes, unrealistic NO

Re: New Orleans Saints Better Off Not Signing Nnamdi Asomugha
 

Wall or toilet?

Re: New Orleans Saints Better Off Not Signing Nnamdi Asomugha
 

On further review, I wish I had not broken character after all. Caught me on a rough morning, but we all have em, so I apologize.

I still think you're wrong about him though. I understand you got to see the worst of him and all, but my argument remains the same. Wrong guy in the wrong scheme.

I can't recall who he played alongside in oakland, I'll have to do some research on that later.. but I find it hard to believe his dominance was just an illusion based on the god awfulness of his teammates. I believe it was Danno who posted a snippet from an article that mentioned he gave up 13 completions and 2 td's in 3 years. The same article talked about how his strength is in playing press man, because of his long arms and ability to disrupt the wr's route off the line. Rob Ryan played to his strengths then, and I'm sure he would do it now too.

Now I get what a lot of you are saying about a good pass rush being a cb's best friend, and I agree. However, that's a 2 way street. If you knock a guy off his route, you disrupt his timing with the qb. If the qb has to hold onto the ball longer, the pass rush obviously has a better chance of getting there. I believe nnamdi can still do this effectively.. and really, we only need him to be effective. Not elite, just effective. His skill set is a necessary part of Ryan's defense, and outside of Lewis, I don't think any of our cb's are big or physical enough to do it.

I hope he signs and proves all the doubters wrong. I think he has it in him, whether with us or with san fran. I just hope its with us.

Nnamdi is still looking at Niners, Saints
 

Eight days ago, it appeared that cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha and safety Charles Woodson seemed destined to join the 49ers.

Eight days later, crickets.

But Asomugha continues to consider the 49ers and the Saints as a potential next destination, per a source with knowledge of the situation. Other teams had expressed interest in Asomugha, but no other visits have been taken.

The Saints make sense, given the presence of former Raiders defensive coordinator Rob Ryan. Now running the defense in New Orleans, Ryan wants a Nnamdi reunion.

The depressed market for corners, along with questions about Asomugha’s skills and his interest level in football, surely have made it harder to do the right deal. Then there’s the $4 million that Asomugha already will make from the Eagles in 2013; the cash in hand could tempt teams to low ball Asomugha.That said, knowing he’ll make $4 million this year allows Asomugha to be patient. With the top of the market at $6 million annually, getting $4 million to not play at all provides an attractive alternative.

Nnamdi is still looking at Niners, Saints | ProFootballTalk

Nnamdi knows its his last contract, he is waiting to see who twitches and offers more $.

Re: Nnamdi is still looking at Niners, Saints
 

Id like to think Nnamdi would like to finish his career on a high note, with the guy that coached him to 3 pro bowls

Re: Nnamdi is still looking at Niners, Saints
 

He's bent both teams over for better than a week now, it really doesn't matter anymore. Happy if we get him, if we don't it's his loss.

Re: Nnamdi is still looking at Niners, Saints
 

Its simple my fellow Saints front office workers...SIGN HIM!!! dont let the niners beef up! Pay him or play him.u do the math. Who Dat like u already knew dat!

Re: New Orleans Saints Better Off Not Signing Nnamdi Asomugha
 

I just want to highlight this. A great pass-rush artificially inflates the image of the secondary, because fewer good passes are thrown. However, a good secondary can turn a bad pass-rush into an average one, and an average one into a great one. From free agency so far it looks like RR believes that our rushers can get to the quarterback if we can shut it down in the back field. In addition, it is much cheaper to sign good help in the secondary than in the front of the D.
This is why Nnamdi and Keenan Lewis make sense for us, biggest bang for buck.

Re: PFT-Bryant McKinnie, Nnamdi Asomugha on Saints’ radar
 

We'll have to wait until Monday I guess. :roll:

Re: Nnamdi is still looking at Niners, Saints
 

How can the eagles can 4 mill with a new coach coming in and still has to take the hit against the cap? Now that i.m saying that j. Delhomme made 12 mill without missing a beat out of carolina

Re: New Orleans Saints Better Off Not Signing Nnamdi Asomugha
 

Hear! Hear!

Well Posted!


Totally different context, Nnamdi's negative criticism was football Brees was contract/business; and criticizing staff, football game-planning in-season is just plain awful, it it habitual, probably not, but I don't think he's worth the risk...

LOL

CLOL

We may disagree, but we're all friends and Saints Fans; I've gotten under people's skin, but it's not personal, though I don't back down when someone has crossed a line...

Now onto your point - not trying to see the worst, but I'm weighing risk/reward vs available cap room and I don't think he's the best direction for the team...

Re: Nnamdi is still looking at Niners, Saints
 

The more and more I read about Asomugha the more I hope we don't sign him. I think he can still be a productive player in the league. But, we still need to generate a pass rush for our defensive backs to be successful. With a diminishing skill set I'm not sure Nnamdi is what our team needs at this point. He might be in a better position to be productive with the 49er defense considering they have been in the 34 for about three years now, and their front seven can really put pressure on the quarterback, really hiding some of the declining skills that Asomugha possess.

Lets face it, although we played variations of the 34 under Greg Williams, it takes a team a few years to really get accustomed to a new formation. We still have the same personnel that has struggled to produce a respectable pass rush the past few years. Every dollar counts this off-season, why spend it on a player in decline who won't get the help necessary from the front seven... or the back two (Jenkins/ Harper).

Also remember this, just because Asomugha had success with Ryan in the past does not mean we are going to get the same type of player, tomorrow.

Re: New Orleans Saints Better Off Not Signing Nnamdi Asomugha
 

I just posted this in another thread. But thought it fit here as well...

The more and more I read about Asomugha the more I hope we don't sign him. I think he can still be a productive player in the league. But, we still need to generate a pass rush for our defensive backs to be successful. With a diminishing skill set I'm not sure Nnamdi is what our team needs at this point. He might be in a better position to be productive with the 49er defense considering they have been in the 34 for about three years now, and their front seven can really put pressure on the quarterback, really hiding some of the declining skills that Asomugha possess.

Lets face it, although we played variations of the 34 under Greg Williams, it takes a team a few years to really get accustomed to a new formation. We still have the same personnel that has struggled to produce a respectable pass rush the past few years. Every dollar counts this off-season, why spend it on a player in decline who won't get the help necessary from the front seven... or the back two (Jenkins/ Harper).

Also remember this, just because Asomugha had success with Ryan in the past does not mean we are going to get the same type of player, tomorrow.

Re: New Orleans Saints Better Off Not Signing Nnamdi Asomugha
 

This is a great post, but we're not going to find a pass rush this late in the game...

Re: New Orleans Saints Better Off Not Signing Nnamdi Asomugha
 

Well that same truism can be applied to your other points as well, and we can't know if Asomugha would still be a Pro Bowler under Ryan going forward - unlikely for certain but not impossible.

You pointed out that it takes defenses a few years to get accustomed to a new formation, but that's not always the case either. Wade Phillips was successful in implementing his 3-4 defense in Houston immediately, and if I'm not mistaken the Texans ran a predominantly base 4-3 before that under Frank Bush. Under Bush, the Texans' defense finished 3rd worst in total defense in 2010, but just a year removed they finished in top 4 of all the major defensive categories under Phillips. So, a quick change can happen and a bad defense can turn into a good one in just a year if everything falls into place - of course the opposite is possible as well, which could happen to the 49ers defense.

Re: Nnamdi is still looking at Niners, Saints
 

But our defense was better under those variations, because most of this personnel is better suited for a 3-4 defense anyway. There is a very good foundation for the Saints in making the switch. You could very well see players like Wilson, Galette, Hicks, Bunkley, Harper and Jordan play lights out in a 3-4, because that is what seems to play to their skill sets better. Picking up another pass rushing linebacker or defensive lineman in free agency or the draft just deepens the talent pool on the roster and could make our secondary look a lot better. It doesn't necessarily take three years for a team to pick up a system if that is what they are built to play. It didn't work with Spags, because his complex 4-3 zone system didn't play to the Saints strengths on defense. Under Gregg Williams, there was a lot more man-to-man coverage and heavy blitzing. It was ultimately successful, especially in the Super Bowl year, because of their ability to force turnovers and at least get in the faces of opposing quarterbacks. I would expect to see a lot of the same under Rob Ryan. I think this defense has a chance to be greatly improved this year, and not just slightly improved. There is really nowhere to go but up, but I do expect to see a lot more sacks and forced turnovers this year. I'm actually excited about seeing this defense on the field next year.

I'd also like to add that if it takes the Saints defense three years to pick up the system, then Rob Ryan will probably be without a job in New Orleans.

Re: Nnamdi is still looking at Niners, Saints
 

judging on his last few years i would much rather play him....

Re: New Orleans Saints Better Off Not Signing Nnamdi Asomugha
 

Your right about the Texans. They did make a quick transformation into the 34, so it can be done. I think it also depends on what type of personnel you have and who fits into your new scheme. If I'm correct Houston had some young players that fit into what Phillips was implementing. I guess that is my concern when looking at our personnel. In order for us to make the transformation we are going to need more production out of our front seven. Honestly, I'm not confident in Bunkley, Johnson or Hicks playing over center as a NT in the 34. I think Will Smith can still contribute as a starting de, even in a 34. He can still play the run pretty well, but would still be considered a bit smallish as a 34 de. We've always seem to struggle against the run, but we will be over matched physically with our personnel as it stands. I think we have all beaten the dead horse when it comes to Harper and his ability to cover out of the secondary. Jenkins shows flashes, but still is inconsistent and is not the ball hawk that I thought he would be playing the free. Obviously we need the upgrade at outside linebacker to really make this thing successful.

I guess going back to my original point... I would prefer us to go out and really sure up areas on this defense that will make our existing personnel in the secondary better. This is a enough of a challenge financially because it seems like we don't have the available cap space to really upgrade where its really needed.

Re: Nnamdi is still looking at Niners, Saints
 

Sharper was a declning former Pro. Bowler that worked out okay. Nnamdi is a player that. could make a difference. He really is not under any pressure to decide. We'll. see how it turns out.I for one hope he picks us.We aren't really taking mu h of a risk. The reward could be huge.

Re: Nnamdi is still looking at Niners, Saints
 

I think he picks the team that will offer him the biggest contract...

Re: New Orleans Saints Better Off Not Signing Nnamdi Asomugha
 

Yeah, I would only put Bunkley out of those guys who you mentioned in a 0- or 1-stance, the rest are better suited for the DE rotation. I'd prefer the starting DEs to be Jordan and Hicks with Smith, Johnson, Walker and possibly Romeus providing the rotational depth in those positions. I agree with you on Smith and I have stated as much in numerous threads before: I don't think he'll be much of a success at the DE position either in providing a forward push and/or tying up O-line double teams or defending against the run. But I do understand why it was financially a sound decision to keep him around with the reduced salary. Jordan and Hicks have the potential to be a dominating DE pair - Jordan has shown as much in his college playing days and Hicks has all the tools to be a great success at the position as well. So I'm not too worried about the guys who have their hands on the ground going forward, but they do need to add another high quality NT to the roster and the draft seems to be the place where they are looking to find that guy since they didn't invite any of the free agent 3-4 NTs to come over for a look-see.

As for Harper and Jenkins - they'll in all likelihood play better this coming season (which I give to you isn't saying much) and they have competent depth behind them in case of an injury happens to either of them. Financially, it once again would be troublesome to release either of the two, and it would not make any sense to sign a FA safety to replace either one as a starter and still be paying them like starters. Jenkins will enter a contract year, so he'll have all the incentive in the world to show us all what kind of a player he really is, and if he can't muster up a good season - he'll be gone the next offseason. Harper is a good in-the-box SS, and it'll all depend on Ryan and his scheme whether or not Harper will be placed in the best possible situation to succeed with his (limited) skill set. An in-the-box SS should not have to drop into coverage on a regular basis, so if Harper is being asked to do that - it's not all on him IMO. Harper still has one more year after this on his contract, but the financial burden of releasing him after this season will be a light one compared to what it would've been now. And we must remember that things might still happen with Harper depending on how the rest of the free agency develops - in him and his contract Loomis still has a good tool to manipulate the cap if the need for it arises.

CB is a good position to inject some depth of talent into, because CBs tend to get banged up a lot during the season with them most of the time being smaller in stature compared to the guys they are going against. So, quality depth is much more important at the CB position than it is in the safety position. Also, you tend to have packages that are fielding more than two CBs on the field at a given time, but three safety packages are rare if not non-existent. I still think that Asomugha won't brake the bank if he accepts the Saints' offer, and that's why he's been given all this time to make up his mind since either way he decides; it won't create any cap difficulties for the Saints.

I do agree with you on that the Saints do need an impact rushing OLB to add to their roster, and I don't know if Butler is/was that answer ever, so I'm not that disappointed with seeing him gone. I truly think that the Saints should use their 1st round pick on a pass rushing OLB like Jordan, Ansah, Mingo, Jones or even Ogletree, depending on who'll be available to them either at the 15th or later if they can trade down. Other than that one impact pass rushing OLB, I think they are set at LB and they do have some very nice depth within that corps. LT is a concern, but I do think they can manage with adding a rookie LT in the 4th or 5th and coaching up the guys they already have at the club house... and maybe still adding a vet in the free agency.

I'd like to see them draft an OLB, NT, LT, DE and either an offensive guy like WR or a TE or a defensive guy like CB or a S.


Overall, I feel very positive at the moment of how things have been progressing this offseason, and I'm very excited to see this defense take the field whatever its final roster composition will be.

Not sure the Texans defense is a Good comparison. Good players can make a transition easy and not so good players can make it rough.

JJ Watt out performs any two of our DEs combined. Cushing reminds me of a young Fujita but better.

Re: New Orleans Saints Better Off Not Signing Nnamdi Asomugha
 

Maybe not a perfect comparison, but a valid one for sure for the purpose I was using it for, and I would consider it a good comparison within these parameters even if the variables are not identical.

Re: Nnamdi is still looking at Niners, Saints
 

Just seeing if anything else comes in before he makes his decision. If the salary is the same or a mill less then he'll choose Saints. Here are the pros; born in Lafayette, RR, Great Team, Great Coach, Great City. San Fran does have a good coach and a great team last year but that's about it in my opinion. so the choice is obvious.

Re: New Orleans Saints Better Off Not Signing Nnamdi Asomugha
 

What did he say? Man it's turn early in the morning to be talking like my 10th grade science teacher at West Jeff. roflmao

Great explanation though. I just had to read it 10 times with my adhd.

Re: PFT-Bryant McKinnie, Nnamdi Asomugha on Saints’ radar
 

They will both sign this week. BM can certainly hold up for one year and Nnamdi will be back in his element which will make him one of the best CB's again

Re: New Orleans Saints Better Off Not Signing Nnamdi Asomugha
 

You weren't educated in Louisiana if your 10th grade science teacher was talking like that unless you had a private education on St. Charles Ave or you went to Ben Franklin...