Asomugha was regarded as one of the leagues best shutdown corner backs in the NFL. Playing in the AFC West for 8 seasons, where he was a feared adversary for opposing QBs, week after week. And QBs had to deal with his ability to shut down a quarter of the field all the time.

When he signed with the Eagles in 2011, a huge deal was made out of it. He was going to be the savior for the team’s defense; he was going to be the one who changed everything in Philly. Beginning the “Dream Team” motto that will forever haunt Vince Young. Which put a load of pressure on the Eagles that they did not need. And certainly never even came close to living up to. Winning 18 games during the “Dream Team” mini-era, where as Asomugha played poorly for the team during his 32 game residency in the NFC East.

The Niners come in with a 4th ranked passing defense in the NFL. Nnamdi having a Safety behind him like Donte Whitner, to help out is gratifying.

Asomugha has a load to prove, to not just the Niners this season, but to himself. He knows he was a huge disappointment in Philly. Philly fans expected this guy who the team signed to a huge deal and waiting for the domination to happen when he stepped on the field, to shut down WRs week in and week out.

And they didn’t get that. Now he goes to a team that is a division winner, a conference champion, and a Super Bowl contender, everything the Philadelphia Eagles were not. But the entire 49ers defense isn’t relying on him to be “the man.” In Philly, he was a huge grab for them, when they paid him an enormous amount of money to come and change their defensive standards.

The Niners picked him up, simply as an addition, and see what he has left in the tank. He sat in the free agent market for weeks upon weeks, with not much interest. 3 years ago, that never would have happened.

He was awful last year, allowing scores of yards after the catch, getting torched frequently by opponents. QBs didn’t fear Nnamdi, in fact, in at times looked as if they would pick on him, like one would target a rookie CB. One man can’t change an entire defense, that’s what Philly expected from him. Can Asomugha play against big WRs? He will be going against players like Larry Fitzgerald and Sidney Rice. The NFC West is one of the improving divisions in football right now; does he have the speed to cover the likes of a Percy Harvin?

The pressure is off his shoulders to be the game changer; he just needs to play dependable. If he can play at 85% of what we saw when he was in Oakland, then the Niners snuck up and grabbed a bargain. The Niners pass defense has been first-rate over the last 4 years, ranking top ten in 3 out of the last 4 seasons, in TDs given up via airwaves.

The fact that the Niners only signed him for a 1 year deal with lots of incentives, for up to 3 million, speaks volumes about expectations. Play for pay is the direction the Niners are going with the 31 year old Nnamdi, and I love it. I know if I was in his shoes, I would want to prove to everyone that I was still to be feared, I am still a top notch corner. I would make other teams irate that they didn’t pick me up.

The Niners made out well, they grabbed a guy for cheap, with something to prove. Nnamdi now gets to return to the West coast, the Niners just plug him into a spot, with a defense that’s already excellent, a great signing for the Niners. He can line up straight across his WR; use the sidelines to cut off patterns, bump and bang. Keep him where he is comfortable, this will work out just fine.

Written by Gregg Price from VegasTopDogs.com
 

(TonyK) 3G-Sports - TonyK's 30 day all access test drive TonyK is the most recognized handicapper in the country, and one of the top finishers of the NFL Las Vegas Hilton Contest. TonyK & 3G-SPORTS is currently ranked #1 in the Nation as monitored by The National Sports Monitor. Get his monthly package now for 30 consecutive days of College and NFL Football plus NBA HOOPS, World Series action and HOCKEY for just $275. Start collecting that extra paycheck each week!

Click here to view all of today's premium picks.