NFL Free Agency: Why Nnamdi Asomugha Is a Great Fit For the New England Patriots

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Nnamdi Asomugha is a free man now that the Oakland Raiders declined the option on his contract.

Now Asomugha can pick who he wants to play for in 2011, once the league and the union get everything figured out.

Asomugha may stay in Oakland, or he may go elsewhere. One possible destination for Asomugha in the new season is New England.

The Patriots represent a great opportunity for the talented cornerback, and here are some reasons why.

A Return To Stardom

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Not that Asomugha is in danger of fading away in Oakland, but leaving Oakland for New England did wonders for Randy Moss.

Moss had a career-revival in New England prior to his trade last year, and Asomugha could see a spike in his numbers with better players around him and Bell Belichik on the sidelines.

Gives Patriots A Veteran Presence

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Asomugha would give the rebuilding Patriots a solid veteran presence in their backfield.

The Patriots still are supposed to be in the middle of a rebuild, not so you would really notice amid 14 wins in 2010.

The Patriots Are Closer To A Super Bowl

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The Raiders may be a better team than they were a year ago. Still, the Patriots are much closer to the Super Bowl than the Patriots.

The Patriots have real potential to win it all as long as Tom Brady is the quarterback and Bill Belichick is the coach.

Allows The Patriots To Eliminate A Draft Need

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Right now the Patriots have one solid cornerback (more on that in a bit).

Adding Asomugha really would eliminate the need to try and find another shutdown corner in the draft, freeing Belichick to focus on other areas.

Darius Butler

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Darius Butler isn't working out as well as Pats fans, or Bill Belichick, were hoping. Butler looks like he'll never be anything more but a backup.

Signing Asomugha acknowledges that fact without making a big deal out of it.

Devin McCourty

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With Devin McCourty and Asomugha on opposite sides of the field, it truly would be like Batman and Robin out on the field, doing everything they can to stop the passing games.

He's A Perfect Fit For Bill Belichick

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Asomugha is a smart football player known for his toughness. Bill Belichick favors draft picks who are smart, tough, and had to face some adversity to get where they are today.

Toughness doesn't mean anything if it's just bravado and Asomugha has proved over the years there is nothing false about his style of play.