The Raiders have certainly done their share of big spending this offseason, resigning key players and making big name acquisitions, all at an above market rate.
However, one man has been conspicuously left off the gravy train, and that man is superstar corner Nnamdi Asomugha, who has payed his dues in Oakland for his whole career and has yet to be reimbursed for it.
Although he was franchised, I bet that Nnamdi wants his piece of the pie, especially after seeing pro bowl corner Deangelo Hall move to Oakland and sign that monstrous contract.
Typical logic would dictate that Al Davis is simply waiting for the right time to ink Asomugha to a long term deal, but he already made a quick move to make Kelly, making him the highest paid DT in NFL history, some see Hall being paired with Namdi to form the most feared CB tandem in the NFL, I see Hall as Nnamdi's replacement.
For all the fans out there who have watched Al Davis run his team for any length of time, it is obvious that when Davis has something that he wants to keep, he doesn't drag his feet when he goes about keeping it.
I also doubt that he will simply let Asomugha walk, since the value of a good corner in the NFL has risen exponentially in today's passing centered NFL game.
Trading a tagged player is not an uncommon practice in the NFL (see Corey Williams) and the Raiders secondary is very deep, Asomugha will also command a gigantic contract and rightfully so, but I don't think said contract will be from Oakland.
There are plenty of teams in the NFL who are needy at corner and it's a safe bet that most of them would give an arm and a leg for a stud like Nnamdi.
Among the list of potential suitors would be Dallas, New England, New Orleans, Arizona, Detroit, both New York teams, the Chiefs, and possibly Minnesota.
One potential scenario that I could envision would involve Asomugha being shipped to New England for DT Vince Wilfork, who has shown the ability to consistently draw and shed the double team in the 3-4 and would give the Raiders one of the most fearsome DT duos in the NFL if he were paired with Kelly in a 4-3 set.
New England would of course have to pony up a draft pick or two and some cash as Asomugha is a franchise type player, but Wilfork should not be underestimated, while his on the field antics (he was fined thrice last year) may anger Bill Belichick to no end, Wilfork has the size that Oakland needs to stop the run up front and the rare ability to provide a middle pass rush in the face of the double team.
If this trade were to happen, the Raiders wouldn't have to worry about their D-line in the upcoming draft, which means that they would be free to draft Ohio State phenom Vernon Gholston to shore up their LB corps.
Gholston, who has been compared to Shawne Merrimen, is a prototypical 3-4 rush linebacker who could also play DE in 4-3 sets.
With that many weapons along Oakland's front seven, defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, who has coached Wilfork before, would finally have the personell to implement a multiple front defense, with Wilfork playing NT in a 3-4 and Gholston at LB and Kelly and Wilfork in the middle in a 4-3. Wilfork's arrival would also spell the end of the line for Terdell Sands, who has not come anywhere close to fulfilling expectations.
I'm sure every sports fan is aware of New England's miserable corner situation, if the problem isn't rectified soon, the starters going into this season would be Ellis Hobbs, who has been awful in his time in New England and Brandon Meriwether, who is still unproven, with washed up Fernando Bryant playing the nickel.
New England's secondary could use some starpower, as could Oakland's D-line, also, Wilfork just looks like a Raider to me, he has the swagger that is reminiscent of Oakland's golden age in the 70's.
However, speculation aside, the Raiders still have the number four pick in this year's draft and whoever Al Davis picks will want a massive contract and the only way that the Raiders could sign said pick and Asomugha would be if either Asomugha or more likely the number four pick would need to sign a Larry Fitzgerald-esque contract laden with incentives, and as illustrated by Fitzgerald's contract in Arizona, that is a gamble not worth taking.
21 comments Last one added 11 months ago — Leave a Comment
Diana about 1 year ago
It's Nnamdi-GEEZ, get it right!!!!!
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www.ProFootballPlanet.com about 1 year ago
So you are saying that the Patriots who can win with Troy Brown at corner are going to trade the best NT in the game for Nnamdi. No chance of that happening. I can see a trade with NE but for Fabian Washington to get our 3rd round pick back.
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Max Iascone about 1 year ago
they can win with brown at corner, but its not easy, someone like Asomugha would bring stability to a secondary in turmoil, Hobbs was awful last year and Meriwether is unproven, Vince Wilfork is the best when he's on his game but Belichick hates on the field shenanigans as is shown by how he constantly berades Rodney Harrison, Belichick doesn't care who you are (unless you're Brady or Moss) he doesn't take shit on the field and Wilfork's antics have gotten on Belichick's nerves, Asomugha is arguably the best corner in the league so it seems like a fair deal on paper and as for the 2 people who got all pissy about how I spelled Nnamdi's name, since when does spelling have to do with football knowledge? and also, explain to me why this swap wouldn't work, if I've said something stupid elaborate on why its stupid please
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Umer Waris about 1 year ago
Nmandi is a great, physical, terrific man to man coverer and Al Davis loves such players. Heck, its even been quoted by Mr. Davis that he believes that the most important player on defense is the cornerback, who keeps the QB thinking whom to pass it to and giving enough time to the D-line to take the QB down. He aslo added by saying that with a great cornerback, the safety doesnt have much pressure on him to block the reciever and if he sees a possible run situation, he can quickly stack up the line. With that said I believe Mr. Davis will do all in his power to keep Nmandi and Hall on the same time and bring back the 80's defense that clinched two superbowls in two years and was known for its brutal CB combination of Hayes & Maynes. I can understand your idea about why New England may want such a player considering the departure of Samuel and Randall Gay but its not something that Davis may risk knowing that Nmandi is still in the prime of his career and that they still have the draft to help rebuild them futher. As far as the seconday is concerned, the Raiders have probably compiled the best in the NFL. The Only thing that remains is the D-Line. Nonetheless great thoughts, Max! Take Care!
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john souza about 1 year ago
if the guy cant spell his name, how does he know shit about football, vince wilfork for asomogha, what dope
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Jeremy James about 1 year ago
Pats could of won with out a #1 wr but what did they do anyway??? went out and got Moss...
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
Pats could of won with out a #1 wr but what did they do anyway??? went out and got Moss...
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
Pats could of won with out a #1 wr but what did they do anyway??? went out and got Moss...
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Raider Bob about 1 year ago
How about Namdi for Marcus Spears and Big D's late first round pick?
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James Christensen about 1 year ago
The Patriots value DT way more than a DB. They let Law, Samuel, Gay, Milloy, et cetera walk, while they resign Seymour, Warren, Wright, Green, et cetera. If anything, the raiders would have to give US a draft pick. There just aren't that many agile 350lb guys to anchor the D-line and eat centers.
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Max Iascone about 1 year ago
they may but they are very deep along the D-line while their secondary is lacking, Ty Warren could play NT if worst comes to worst, thyis year has some potential NTs like Frank Okam, who would be a nice fit in new england because he is smart and huge
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
You can't spell paid or berate either. Who's the guy in your picture,kid?
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nick cont about 1 year ago
this article sucks
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
this article sucks
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
the raiders would never trade nnamdi..if they dont have money to sign him next year.. it happens they need to worry about their offense...MCFADDEN ALL DAY they dont need a linebacker..they should take a DE in the 4th round and hopefully not get cut
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Max Iascone about 1 year ago
i don't know about that, Davis let go of Marcus Allen didn't he? the way i se it, no one is off limits if the wrong circumstances or the right offer are present... it may not be Nnamdi who gets the axe but I have a hunch that someone will be gone, I happen to think that all the pieces are in place for Oakland to trade Asomugha for some bonafide help up front (not necessarily Wilfork that was just idle speculation) the main message here is that I think Nnamdi will not be in Oakland, for the sake of Raider fans, I hope i'm wrong cuz asomugha is special, the stuff about NE and Wilfork is just a scenario that I thought about
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Max Iascone about 1 year ago
see*
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big ROC Stockton, CA about 1 year ago
Sounds like wishful thinking from a Pats fan.
Nnamdi is NOT going anywhere. He loves the BAY AREA. He played at CAL and isn't a money hungry type of player. I'm sure he welcomed the signing of DeAngelo Hall. Now opposing teams can't just ignore his side all day long. The man only got 31 balls thrown his way all season. Hall, Nnamdi, Huff, and Gibril Wilson will form the leagues most dominant secondary. Now when we play teams that want to run all day we can bring one or both of our safeties in the box. Nnamdi would cover the team's best WR while D. Hall will have it easy against the team's #2 WR. I say Hall will have it easy because he has been ligning up against #1's his entire career. Now all we need is either Chris Long(not likely) or Vernon Gholston to reak havoc on the opposite side of Derrick Burgess. Our D should be a whole lot better this season. We already have one of the leagues best running games. All three of our RBs, Fargas, Jordan, and Rhodes hade multiple 100+ yard games last season. Jordan seems like he is the odd man out since he is due to make over 4 million this year. I look forward to seeing Fargas and Michael Bush wear down defenses and open up big plays to Javon Walker, Ronald Curry, and Zach Miller deep downfield.
RAIDER NATION 4 LIFE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Max Iascone about 1 year ago
you're half right, the Wilfork thing was wishful thinking on my part (go pats) but i really don't think Asomugha will be in oakland past next year, another possibility would be a deal with Cincy involving 85, fits Oakland's need at WR (provided either carter or Walker don't work out) and Cincy needs everything on D, I just doubt that Davis would leave Asomugha hanging for this long if something weren't about to happen either way maybe he gets signed, maybe he's traded, personally, i think he's gone by the end of next year at the most
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Ryan Hayes about 1 year ago
Mr. Davis had no problem tagging Sir Charles two years in a row, even though Charles couldn't finish half of a season. So unless Namdi wants to leave, Davis will gladly pay the money to keep him around.
Max this is a stupid rumor that you and only you think will happen. You need to go play make believe with some other team and just keep the word Raiders out of your mouth..
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Ra1d3r Nation 11 months ago
if i was mr davis id keep Nnamdi no matter what it takes or if its the last thing i did, one way or another, i wouldnt make that trade, although im right, this is just my personal opinion.
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