Looking Past CBA: Free Agent Nnamdi Asomugha Won't Play for Detroit Lions

Now that the 2010 NFL season is officially in the books, fans everywhere are focused on whether or not there will even be a football season next year.  The attention has now shifted to straining for any words or signs of hope regarding the collective bargaining agreement.  I admit that I am guilty of doing the same.  But in the meantime, I have decided to do what we all would be doing if no CBA talks were happening (which, by the way, so far, they still aren't): making educated guesses at what teams will be doing during the offseason.  In this case, I'm talking about the Detroit Lions.

I have read what seems like hundreds of articles on Nnamdi Asomugha and where he will likely land as a free agent.  We all know he is a great CB.  We all know that the Lions need a great CB.  We now all know that the Raiders are not likely to fight to keep him.  So why not believe he will come to Detroit? 

Because he won't. 

However, it's not for the reasons most analysts have pointed to. 

Nnamdi Asomugha will not play for the Detroit Lions because Jim Schwartz will not pursue him.  Schwartz is a man with a plan.  A real plan (not a "Kill'em Matt Millen" plan).  One that can put the Lions in playoff contention in what has arguably become the best conference in the NFL. 

Schwartz has found the right blueprint to finally put Detroit in a position to show that the "rebuilding" process fans kept hearing about from past coaches and never saw, is happening.  Jim Schwartz wants flexible position players who can switch it up during a game in case a player is injured or just to keep the other team wondering.  Case in point: Who thought Ndamukong Suh would be called on to kick an extra point?  Okay, he didn't make it, but it still shows his willingness to do whatever is needed to help the team.  THAT is what Jim Schwartz wants in all of his players and why Nnamdi Asomugha will not play for the Detroit Lions. 

The coaching staff for the Lions will be looking for great players who can also adjust to different positions, as needed.  Is Asomugha that type of player?  Look for Schwartz to pick up a CB who might not be labeled as a CB just yet, but has all of the potential to be a great one.  This might happen in the offseason or during the 2011 draft, but it will happen, and it is not likely going to be filled by Asomugha. 

The one caveat to this scenario is that Asomugha could prove me wrong and show that he is indeed not only a great CB, but a team player who can step it up and become even more...for the good of the team.  Of course, he'd probably have to take a pay cut.

So, who has the best chance of becoming the next Detroit Lions CB?  More to come...