Eagles fans are wondering when “Nnamdi Asomugha, shutdown cornerback” will arrive on the scene. Asomugha may be wondering if he chose a team that knows what he can do well.
Asomugha struggled against the 49ers on Sunday and hasn’t made an impact with his new team. He played well against Vernon Davis in man coverage, but gave up a big 38-yard catch to Michael Crabtree late in the game. Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer writes Asomugha has “looked lost” when he plays zone.
Michael Lombardi of NFL.com breaks it down further:
“Asomugha plays more zone than man. In fact, if the opponent lines up in slot formation away from Asomugha, he becomes the free safety in the middle of the field. Not where Asomugha wants to be, or where he plays his best,” Lombardi writes.
Give Asomugha credit for facing the music after the game and trying to explain what went wrong.
Still, that attitude won’t quiet the criticism in Philly. The Eagles were called an “expensive mistake” by Phil Sheridan .
Asomugha and his teammates get their chance to change the narrative in the next two weeks in Buffalo and Washington.