NFL Signings: Nnamdi Asomugha and 5 Big Acquisitions That Will Flop in 2011

Every year it's the same thing. 

"Did you see who they signed?" "Imagine this guy playing with that guy." "His numbers will be off the charts!"

It happens every year without fail. What also happens is some of those big names flop, and they flop hard. Albert Haynesworth with the Redskins is one name that comes to mind. 

With the shortened offseason, this year's signings have been magnified as they all happened in such a short span. With that, I give you five big names who will make a big splash in 2011, unfortunately it will be of the painful, belly-flopping variety. 

Kevin Kolb: No Experience

The Arizona Cardinals needed a quarterback. Scratch that, they were desperate for a quarterback.

Trading a star corner in Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie for backup Kevin Kolb, however, was not the best way to solve this problem. 

Yes, a very similar scenario occurred a few years ago with Matt Cassell going to the Chiefs. This scenario worked out well in Kansas City, with the team making a playoff appearance in 2010. However the odds against this success were very high. The chances of another backup having this happen are slim to none. 

On top of that, Cassell already had a full season of NFL games under his belt before the trade. Kolb has just seven career starts.

Kolb has the potential to be a good quarterback, but not this year. Unfortunately for the Cardinals, with what they had to give up to bring in the unproven Eagle, they may have just set themselves back even further.  

Sidney Rice: One Good Year

Sidney Rice had a great 2009; he just recently cashed in on it.

Brett Favre should be receiving a very expensive thank you card for that. What percentage of $41 million would be acceptable? 

Rice had—along with seemingly every other Minnesota Viking—an incredible 2009 season. He caught 83 passes for 1,312 yards. His eight touchdowns in that season also equal his combined touchdowns for his three other years in the NFL.

That last part is the problem. 

The Seattle Seahawks were in desperate need of a go-to receiver, and they severely overpaid for one who has all the makings of a one-hit wonder.

Favre's 2009 squad had all the characteristics of a blessed team that was destined to reach the Super Bowl. Almost everyone on the team put up career numbers—including Favre himself in terms of completion percentage.

The only thing that could stop that group was an equally-destined New Orleans Saints team.

With either Tarvaris Jackson or Charlie Whitehurst throwing him the ball in 2011, it is hard to believe Rice will earn his paycheck come season's end. 

Kevin Boss: Not an Improvement

This signing will be less of a flop, more of a letdown. The Raiders have never before been stingy with money, but not going after Pro Bowl tight end Zach Miller hard enough might be the cheapest move I can ever remember from the organization.

Kevin Boss is a good player and a tough blocker, but he is not going to put up the type of numbers Miller did. When you look at their stats over the last three years, the disparity is quite large. 

• Kevin Boss: 119 catches, 1,600 yards, 18 touchdowns
• Zach Miller: 181 catches, 2,268 yards, 9 touchdowns

The touchdowns are obviously an improvement, but Boss is also coming from an offense that put up a significantly higher amount of points, so that number should be higher. Would he have that many touchdowns if Jamarcus Russell had been throwing him the ball? 

I'm going to say no. 

Boss is not a bad signing for the Raiders and they didn't overpay for him at four years, $16 million, but he is not Zach Miller by any stretch.

Matt Hasselbeck: Washed Up

Matt Hasselbeck was let go by the Seahawks, the friggin Seahawks!

I understand the Titans taking a flier on a seasoned veteran that could pass on his wealth of experience and mentor newly-drafted Jake Locker, but Matt Hasselbeck?

Kerry Collins could've done just as well. 

In all honesty, Hasselbeck probably wouldn't be in the league if his team hadn't miraculously beaten the Saints in last year's playoffs. Most of the credit for that should go to Marshawn Lynch and his Beast Mode run anyway though (I could watch that video 1,000 times and never get bored).

By week three, when Hasselbeck is on the IR, the Titans will realize they made a mistake. I hope you're ready Locker, because you won't be on the sidelines for long.  

Nnamdi Asomugha: QBs Never Had Throw at Him Before

No, your eyes are not deceiving you. I believe Nnamdi Asomugha—Mr. you won't throw at me, himself—will flop come 2011.

I made sure to include a helmetless photo, because I'm pretty sure most people wouldn't recognize him even if they hit his car in traffic and had to exchange insurance information.

Much like Kevin Boss, a flop for Asomugha would be a career year for most. Unfortunately for the former Cal Bear, he has so much hype that the first time he lets up a first down anywhere near the state of Pennsylvania, the whole universe might implode.

There is no doubt in my mind Asomugha is one of the top corners in the NFL. That said, he lived in relative obscurity playing in Oakland and opposing QBs either made the conscious choice to avoid him, or the opposition was winning by enough already that there was no point even running the risk of tossing it his direction.

Now Asomugha is on one of the best teams in the NFL, playing in one of the toughest divisions and lining up across from another Pro Bowl corner in Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. Opposing quarterbacks will no longer have the luxury of avoiding him, and there is no way he puts up the kind of numbers, or lack thereof, that he was achieving in Oakland.

In 2006 Asomugha had his career year with eight interceptions. He only has 11 over his eight-year career. This is a man essentially living off of one stellar season. Maybe I expect too much, but with the reputation he has been given, if he can't put up similar numbers in 2011, he will be a flop come season's end.

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