Mike Shanahan Calls Asomugha 'Most Underrated Player in NFL History'

[maverick4]

Interesting, thought I'd pass it along:

“He is the most underrated football player in the history of the game,” Shanahan said of Asomugha. “I can’t believe this guy hasn’t been to the Pro Bowl or people don’t talk about him all the time. He is off the charts and as good as it gets. He doesn’t get the attention for the way he plays consistently. He is the most underrated football player that I have ever seen in my coaching career.”
ProFootballTalk.com - SHANAHAN: ASOMUGHA ‘MOST UNDERRATED PLAYER IN HISTORY OF GAME’

NFL.com Blogs Blog Archive Strange, but true: Shanahan praises a Raider

Nnamdi Asomugha - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Not even established star quarterbacks such as Brett Favre and Peyton Manning, neither short on confidence or receivers, would challenge him. Opposing quarterbacks tested him only 31 times with a mere 10 completions the entire season. One NFL scout told Pro Football Weekly that Asomugha was thrown at "less than any defender in the last 10 years" in 2007 *[4]. He finished the 2007 season with 34 tackles, 1 interception and 7 breakups and was named a Pro Bowl alternate.

NOBODY throws to this guy even though the Raiders have a horrible defense and pass rush. People say this guy is like Deion Sanders in his prime, except that he's a great tackler too. Mainstream media doesn't know him because he plays for the crappy Raiders.

 

[Richter]

Re: OT Mike Shanahan Calls Asomugha 'Most Underrated Player in NFL History'

Interesting, thought I'd pass it along:

“He is the most underrated football player in the history of the game,” Shanahan said of Asomugha. “I can’t believe this guy hasn’t been to the Pro Bowl or people don’t talk about him all the time. He is off the charts and as good as it gets. He doesn’t get the attention for the way he plays consistently. He is the most underrated football player that I have ever seen in my coaching career.”
ProFootballTalk.com - SHANAHAN: ASOMUGHA ‘MOST UNDERRATED PLAYER IN HISTORY OF GAME’

NFL.com Blogs Blog Archive Strange, but true: Shanahan praises a Raider

Nnamdi Asomugha - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Not even established star quarterbacks such as Brett Favre and Peyton Manning, neither short on confidence or receivers, would challenge him. Opposing quarterbacks tested him only 31 times with a mere 10 completions the entire season. One NFL scout told Pro Football Weekly that Asomugha was thrown at "less than any defender in the last 10 years" in 2007 *[4]. He finished the 2007 season with 34 tackles, 1 interception and 7 breakups and was named a Pro Bowl alternate.

NOBODY throws to this guy even though the Raiders have a horrible defense and pass rush. People say this guy is like Deion Sanders in his prime, except that he's a great tackler too. Mainstream media doesn't know him because he plays for the crappy Raiders.

There's a reason why as soon as the Raiders stop franchising him, I want the Pats to back the money truck up to his house. Normally I'd never consider paying a corner top money, but he's special. He cuts off half the field the way Deion Sanders used to. Having him in a Patriots uniform would immediately upgrade the secondary about 5 notches, and I don't think our secondary is in such bad shape.

 

[g-fresh]

Re: OT Mike Shanahan Calls Asomugha 'Most Underrated Player in NFL History'

I think an interesting question is when the Raiders do franchise him, is he worth the cost of signing him away from them? First and third round picks is a heavy price, and combine that with the massive salary you would have to offer makes me think that it would not be considered good value as far as the Patriots decision makers are concerned. That doesn't mean someone else won't try to make it happen though.

 

[signbabybrady]

Re: OT Mike Shanahan Calls Asomugha 'Most Underrated Player in NFL History'

I agree this guy is the most underated player in the League now I cant atest to the throughout all of history though.

And it has been this way for a few years....he actually is getting some credit this year but none the past 2.

 

[Richter]

Re: OT Mike Shanahan Calls Asomugha 'Most Underrated Player in NFL History'

I think an interesting question is when the Raiders do franchise him, is he worth the cost of signing him away from them? First and third round picks is a heavy price, and combine that with the massive salary you would have to offer makes me think that it would not be considered good value as far as the Patriots decision makers are concerned. That doesn't mean someone else won't try to make it happen though.

It would actually be two first round picks if he signed with us while under the non-exclusive franchise tag. More likely, they tender him an offer high enough to make him an exclusive franchise player, and he can't sign elsewhere, period, which is what they did last year.

 

[Disco Volante]

Re: OT Mike Shanahan Calls Asomugha 'Most Underrated Player in NFL History'

Maybe because people can't pronounce his name.

 

[Fencer]

Re: OT Mike Shanahan Calls Asomugha 'Most Underrated Player in NFL History'

Ironically, he's the worst thing that's happened to the Raiders in years.

Why? Because he was a brilliant Al Davis draft pick, and that slows Davis down from recognizing that it's finally time to delegate.

 

[Ice Cold Bruschi]

Re: OT Mike Shanahan Calls Asomugha 'Most Underrated Player in NFL History'

If we didn't pay Law Samuel or Milloy why would we pay him?

 

[Deus Irae]

Re: OT Mike Shanahan Calls Asomugha 'Most Underrated Player in NFL History'

If we didn't pay Law Samuel or Milloy why would we pay him?

They paid both Law AND Samuel, so I don't know what you're getting at here.....

 

[Ice Cold Bruschi]

Re: OT Mike Shanahan Calls Asomugha 'Most Underrated Player in NFL History'

They paid both Law AND Samuel, so I don't know what you're getting at here.....

When did we pay samuel? he played out his rookie contract and was franchised for a year? Law got a huge contract under parcells but Belichick didn't want to do it again so I don't know what YOU'RE getting at here since you're wrong.

By pay I mean sign them to big long term contracts, not pay them their salary while they're under contract which seems like what you think I'm implying

 

[Deus Irae]

Re: OT Mike Shanahan Calls Asomugha 'Most Underrated Player in NFL History'

When did we pay samuel? he played out his rookie contract and was franchised for a year? Law got a huge contract under parcells but Belichick didn't want to do it again so I don't know what YOU'RE getting at here since you're wrong.

By pay I mean sign them to big long term contracts, not pay them their salary while they're under contract which seems like what you think I'm implying

Law was offered another big money deal but chose to jump ship. This was, however, after he was kept around with a $10.2 million cap hit, according to Miguel's page. As you yourself noted, Samuel was franchised, so he was among the very highest paid players at his position last season. Your comment was that the Patriots wouldn't pay Law or Samuel, not that they wouldn't. That's clearly not true.

Ty Law signs with Jets pending physical [Archive] - SimCentral.NET Forums - For the sports and gaming lover in you

Law, 31, last year turned down a four-year, $24 million offer from New England, which released him in February for salary cap reasons.

The Patriots will pay big money for talented players. We've seen this time and again with this team, from the Colvins to the Thomases to the Mosses. They just won't overpay for them long term.

 

[wdkantro2]

Re: OT Mike Shanahan Calls Asomugha 'Most Underrated Player in NFL History'

I think Asomugha is absolutely filthy....but I think his value is a little inflated due to him being on such a miserable team, at least in terms of number of balls thrown in his direction. Why throw at someone who is good when you can throw at the other side of the field where the rest of the horrendous Raiders are? Maybe if he had a decent CB or safety on the other side, QB's might look in his direction a little more often.
That said, I am usually not a proponent of signing start CBs, but this is one guy I'd break the bank for. A 6'2, strong, dominating CB with great ball skills is so incredibly rare that Belichick and Co. should forget about their system of de-valuing CBs and go for it.

 

[Richter]

Re: OT Mike Shanahan Calls Asomugha 'Most Underrated Player in NFL History'

If we didn't pay Law Samuel or Milloy why would we pay him?

Because he's better than both of those guys put together. Law was never a shutdown corner, even in his prime, and Asante wasn't even close to being that kind of a guy. Law was a very solid cover corner and a great ballhawk, but he's not Asomugha.

 

[Batman]

Re: OT Mike Shanahan Calls Asomugha 'Most Underrated Player in NFL History'

The number of times he has been thrown at shows that he is not underrated by OC's and QB's. And everyone here seems to think he is the dogs bolloks so fans don't really underrate him. Only the mass media don't talk about him but it's cause he doesn't get the chance to do as much to get recognized by them.

 

[ausbacker]

Re: OT Mike Shanahan Calls Asomugha 'Most Underrated Player in NFL History'

Because he's better than both of those guys put together. Law was never a shutdown corner, even in his prime, and Asante wasn't even close to being that kind of a guy. Law was a very solid cover corner and a great ballhawk, but he's not Asomugha.

Agreed. Law and Samuel have been historically gambling play makers. Asomugha is a shut down corner and a game changer.

 

[TheComeback]

Re: OT Mike Shanahan Calls Asomugha 'Most Underrated Player in NFL History'

If we could somehow land Asomugha, our secondary would be in great shape. Our depth chart could be:

CB
1 - Nmadi Asomugha
2 - Ellis Hobbs
3 - Deltha O'Neal
4 - Terrence Wheatley
5 - Jonathan Wilhite

S
1 - Brandon Meriweather
2 - James Sanders
3 - Rodney Harrison/Ray Ventrone
4 - Tank Williams

If Meriweather continues to develop, the mere addition of Asomugha would give us a ridiculous secondary. Hobbs is a solid #2 and he seems to have improved this year. O'Neal is a former pro-bowler who has also been playing well and is a great option for nickelback. Wheatley was developing into a good player and Wilhite is a 100% effort all the time.

When you have two potential starting quality cornerbacks--Wheatley and O'Neal--playing at depth positions, you have a pretty damn good second layer to your defense.

I'd like to see Tank Williams come back next year and give us that big eigth man in the box we've been lacking since Rodney went down.

 

[ausbacker]

Re: OT Mike Shanahan Calls Asomugha 'Most Underrated Player in NFL History'

If we could somehow land Asomugha, our secondary would be in great shape. Our depth chart could be:

CB
1 - Nmadi Asomugha
2 - Ellis Hobbs
3 - Deltha O'Neal
4 - Terrence Wheatley
5 - Jonathan Wilhite

S
1 - Brandon Meriweather
2 - James Sanders
3 - Rodney Harrison/Ray Ventrone
4 - Tank Williams

If Meriweather continues to develop, the mere addition of Asomugha would give us a ridiculous secondary. Hobbs is a solid #2 and he seems to have improved this year. O'Neal is a former pro-bowler who has also been playing well and is a great option for nickelback. Wheatley was developing into a good player and Wilhite is a 100% effort all the time.

When you have two potential starting quality cornerbacks--Wheatley and O'Neal--playing at depth positions, you have a pretty damn good second layer to your defense.

I'd like to see Tank Williams come back next year and give us that big eigth man in the box we've been lacking since Rodney went down.

This would fall inline with the parallel universe thread. Asomugha would be the most important signing for this franchise, including Randy Moss.

He addresses a glaring need that we have on defense making the D so much better. A returning Tank Williams make the scenario even more interesting.

I'd contemplate 2 first rounders for him.

 

[WhiskeyBreath]

Re: OT Mike Shanahan Calls Asomugha 'Most Underrated Player in NFL History'

Underrated by idiot media people and fans who don't know football. Good coaches to not underrate him. I would love to see this guy in a Pats uniform.

 

[slash83]

Re: OT Mike Shanahan Calls Asomugha 'Most Underrated Player in NFL History'

This would fall inline with the parallel universe thread. Asomugha would be the most important signing for this franchise, including Randy Moss.

He addresses a glaring need that we have on defense making the D so much better. A returning Tank Williams make the scenario even more interesting.

I'd contemplate 2 first rounders for him.

No hesatation, I think theres a possibility the Raiders would take it, they need alot of help on both sides of the ball.

 

[VJCPatriot]

Re: OT Mike Shanahan Calls Asomugha 'Most Underrated Player in NFL History'

Draft Taylor Mays then sign Asomugha - here would be the new secondary.

CB Asomugha
CB Hobbs
S Mays
S Meriweather
Nickel Wheatley

How does that look?
Pretty nice to me.
The problem though is I think the Raiders will put the exclusive franchise tag on him.