New Orleans Saints Forums - blackandgold.com - Nnamdi Asomugha (All in one)

Count New Orleans Saints Coach Sean Payton as one of those within the NFL who thinks former Raiders and Eagles cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha can play at a high level in the league. More important, Payton thinks Asomugha can play at a high level with the Saints.

Payton said Monday afternoon at the NFL owners meetings at the Arizona Biltmore Hotel that he had a good visit with the former All-Pro cornerback Sunday morning before flying to Phoenix.

"It happens all the time in our business where a player has success and then maybe goes through a period of time where he doesn't," Payton said. "He had company in Philadelphia in regards to the struggles they had, and for two years we didn't see the same player we saw in Oakland for so many years. But that happens all the time. I think for us, you look at the body of work and look at what motivates the player and what he's excited about.

"I'm anxious to see how this unfolds."

Payton said he understands Asomugha is weighing his options after visiting San Francisco and New Orleans after being released by Philadelphia last week. When asked if he has a feeling of which team Asomugha is leaning toward, Payton said, "Nothing right now. Just waiting to see."

And despite the signing of former Steelers cornerback Keenan Lewis in free agency last week, Payton echoed General Manager Mickey Loomis' comments from earlier Monday and said they're in the job of finding good players to improve the Saints.http://media.nola.com/saints_impact/...1008-large.jpg"It's just an opportunity for us to look closely at it," Payton said. "We'll see where it goes. He had a good visit. He came in late Saturday night and we saw him Sunday morning before we left to come here (Phoenix) and spent a couple of hours in the office with him. We're constantly paying attention to guys who can help us, regardless of the position. He's a guy that we feel like he has an opportunity to help us."

Payton also praised the signing of veteran tight end Benjamin Watson to a three-year contract earlier Monday.

"He's versatile," Payton said. "He's one of those players when you watch the tape: he run blocks well, he's a threat in the passing game, he plays with great leverage, he plays with great experience. He does a lot of things well. When we watched the film on him, we kept getting back to how many times we were putting a tackle in the game to report eligible. I think his signing will maybe give us more versatility."

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