Asomugha a hit on MMQB
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Monday, June 14th, 2010 at 9:03 am in Oakland Raiders.
If you’ve spent even 10 minutes talking with Nnamdi Asomugha, it’s no surprise his one week stint as a pinch-hitter for Peter King’s “Monday Morning Quarterback” column on CNN-SI was a success.
No athlete is more thoughtful and introspective, with the bonus being Asomugha has good sense of humor and a better sense of people.
A few observations:
– Take Asomugha’s tips on how rookies can make a smooth transition to the NFL and apply them wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey and it’s a much better explanation as to why DHB is making strides in Year 2 than the ponderous release issued by the Raiders Sunday.
“When I was a rookie in 2003, I was not only making the transition from college to the NFL, but also being asked to make the move from safety to cornerback. It took time for me to get comfortable, and realistically, it wasn’t until my third season that I began to feel at home,” Asomugha writes.
“Players often get a bad rap during their first or second year if they struggle with this transition, especially if they are high draft picks. I think it’s important to look at a young player’s work ethic, his football intelligence, and his desire to become great. Even if a player gets off to a slow start, it is those traits that will allow him to eventually become successful in his career.
– The explanation of Asomugha’s “Quote of My Career” was better than the quote itself.
“It’s not where you start, it’s where you finish.”
Indelible words from my then-defensive coordinator Rob Ryan to me, as I was walking onto the field for the first practice of my second year in the NFL. He told me this just after another coach told me, “I would have never drafted you.” It was right on time.
Wonder if that motivational ploy ever got back to Al Davis, the guy who drafted Asomugha (considering some teams didn’t have Nnamdi going within the first three rounds, it was one of the best picks he ever made) and how long it took the coach to hear about it from the boss.
– Asomugha, having played in the Bay Area, has a handle on the differences between the Raiders and 49ers and their respective fan bases.
“I think that Raiders fans and the 49ers fans would not be happy campers if they had to share a stadium together. There has been some talk lately about the possibility of the Raiders and 49ers following the examples of the Giants and Jets and sharing a stadium. Aside from the reasons why this merger may make financial sense, let’s discuss the fans. When it comes to fan bases, these two are polar opposites. Even if they never see each other, the concept that someone else will be sitting in their seats during away games may not sit too well with them. This will be interesting.”
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June 14th, 2010 at 10:41 am
Nnnamdi!!!!!
June 14th, 2010 at 10:41 am
I thought Warren was the problem?
June 14th, 2010 at 10:41 am
3rd!
June 14th, 2010 at 10:41 am
Nnamdi is the da man and yes the best CB Al has drafted in years.
June 14th, 2010 at 10:43 am
Nnamdi is a class act and represents the Raiders well.
Its a shame we have had too many players like Sands, Deangelo, HAll, Jamarcuss, Walker who collect big checks but produce little.
June 14th, 2010 at 10:45 am
I hope they get his name right, this year in Madden. I’m tired of hearing “intercepted by Asamooooga.”
June 14th, 2010 at 10:46 am
I thought Warren was the problem?
***
stay on topic. we’re talking about Kelly here, not that other scrub who couldn’t get it done
has Kelly earned over $25 million the last 3 years?
thats 95 solo tackles & 6.5 sacks from him over that span.
June 14th, 2010 at 10:48 am
the Raider awful run defense tells me all I need to know about Tommy Kelly, alright?
I don’t need Fire Baby’s stats on how many tackles he had. How many tackles does Kirk get every year?
If you’re gonna throw that stat out the window for 1 player, you gotta do it for both …
TK had 5 tackles for a loss last year.
Morrison, Howard, Branch and even Asomugha topped that!
June 14th, 2010 at 10:53 am
I don’t think TK has not been in the top 10 in tackles for a D-liner since he became a regular starter. In 2008, I think he was 2nd or 3rd amongst interion lineman.
Now does that mean he is the 2nd or 3rd best DT? Of course not. But I do think it shows he is at least average to slighly above average. To me, lineman tackles are much more impressive than LB tackles, they tell the storier a little better.
So I look at like the year Troy Murphy led the NBA in offensive rebounds as a Warrior. Certainly the Warriors shoot more than most teams, and in those years we missed a lot as well, so the numbers are a little skewed. But it showed Troy Murphy was at least a good offensive rebounder.
June 14th, 2010 at 10:53 am
PANTS!!
http://images.huffingtonpost.com/gen/127731/TOMMY-KELLY-PANTS-VIDEO.jpg
June 14th, 2010 at 10:55 am
No athlete is more thoughtful and introspective, with the bonus being Asomugha has good sense of humor and a better sense of people.
***
Nnamdi would make a better President than Barack.
Print that
June 14th, 2010 at 10:55 am
PANTS!!
http://bossip.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/kelly-smh.jpg
lmao
June 14th, 2010 at 10:57 am
Another break for the Raiders. Best year ever!!!
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/06/14/titans-linebacker-mcrath-suspended-for-using-performance-enhancers/
June 14th, 2010 at 10:59 am
Fire Baby: Jhill doesn’t like it when you compare football & basketball scenarios
he hammered me on that a week or two back.
pretty sad when you can only count on your premier highly paid DT only making 1 tackle behind the line of scrimmage every 3 games, no?
June 14th, 2010 at 11:03 am
LUNCH!
June 14th, 2010 at 11:13 am
Rockstar,
Where do you get your tackles for losses stats? Can’t find them anywhere.
Curious what guys like Haynesworth, Ngata and John Henderson have in that category.
June 14th, 2010 at 11:16 am
*yaaawn*
Jerry, now you are so lazy that you copy other stories… LOL
June 14th, 2010 at 11:21 am
Hey Vegas,
I found this…
http://www.advancednflstats.com/2010/05/individual-defender-stats.html
June 14th, 2010 at 11:21 am
Wow, good PR for the Raiders?
Who goofed?
I’ve got to know, who goofed!
June 14th, 2010 at 11:22 am
Nnamdi= intelligent class act!
June 14th, 2010 at 11:23 am
I would NOT sit in a seat shared by a 49er fan.
The end
June 14th, 2010 at 11:24 am
Bo Schembechler Jackson Says:
June 14th, 2010 at 11:23 am
I wonder which 2004 coach said he would never have drafted Nnamdi…
Head Coach – Norv Turner
Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator – Jimmy Raye
Quarterbacks – Steve Sarkisian
Running Backs – Skip Peete
Wide Receivers – Fred Biletnikoff
Tight Ends – John Morton
Offensive Line – Aaron Kromer
Offensive Assistant – Chris Turner
Defensive Line – Sam Clancy
Inside Linebackers – Don Martindale
Outside Linebackers – Pat Jones
Defensive Backs – Clayton Lopez
Quality Control/Defense – Chris Griswold
Squad Development – Willie Brown
Special Teams Coordinator – Joe Avezzano
Specials Teams Assistant – Martin Bayless
Strength and Conditioning – Jeff Fish
June 14th, 2010 at 11:27 am
Good work DMAC!!!
TK 6 tackles for loss, was 16th in the league amongst DT’s, but more than Vince Wilfork, John Henderson and Albert Haynesworth.
http://wp.advancednflstats.com/defenderstats.php?year=2009&pos=DT&season=all
June 14th, 2010 at 11:28 am
Amy Trask.
____
Bo Schembechler Jackson Says:
June 14th, 2010 at 11:24 am
Bo Schembechler Jackson Says:
June 14th, 2010 at 11:23 am
I wonder which 2004 coach said he would never have drafted Nnamdi…
June 14th, 2010 at 11:29 am
“To me, lineman tackles are much more impressive than LB tackles, they tell the storier a little better.”
LB tackles are misleading. For example Morrison had over a hundred tackles but few were for losses or as a result of shooting the gap. His tackles were after the RB had slipped through the line for a 5 yard gain.
Kelly is way OVERPAID for what he brings on gameday.
June 14th, 2010 at 11:30 am
I’ll blame it on the Griswold.
June 14th, 2010 at 11:31 am
TK is definately overpaid, but that is not to say he isn’t productive.
This year will be his litmus test. He now has Henderson next to him, and an ultra-physical MLB behind him as well.
June 14th, 2010 at 11:32 am
I’ve been a Raider fan for a loooong time … I feel like the Raiders are gonna surprise a lot of people… it’s kinda like a good “perfect storm”… things are coming together nicely but a key “ingredient” has got to be the “Raider attitude”…. believing your unstoppable… letting your reputation make opposing coaches doubt themselves and their players even before taking the field … we have to go back and be the black,evil,angry,mysterious cloud that descends on teams and takes them waaaay outta their comfort zones….. anyway thats the way i see it….RAIDERS FOREVER!!!
June 14th, 2010 at 11:35 am
Italia!!!!!!!
Ole!! Ole…..
June 14th, 2010 at 11:38 am
Raiders!!!
Ole!! Ole…
June 14th, 2010 at 11:42 am
RIP Jimmy Dean
http://www.theoneonefour.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/Jimmy-Dean.jpg
June 14th, 2010 at 11:44 am
I bet Shane Lechler would make a great soccer goalie. He would just kick every ball he caught to the other goalie, LOL.
June 14th, 2010 at 11:52 am
Lechler and Jano can play. If Jano can kick a football 70 yards, then how far can he kick a soccer ball?!
June 14th, 2010 at 11:55 am
Jano just can’t run for more than 45 seconds LOL. Once you sub out in soccer, aren’t you done for the game?
June 14th, 2010 at 11:59 am
RRS is about to get walloped by some major t-storms.
There’s no place like Lodi…
There’s no place like Lodi…
There’s no place like Lodi…
June 14th, 2010 at 12:11 pm
# MistaBrown Says:
June 14th, 2010 at 11:23 am
I would NOT sit in a seat shared by a 49er fan.
The end
________________________________________________________
LOL, so when you are on a plane, you make the airline guarantee you that only raider fans have been in that seat before you??
if it means cheaper tickets and a state of the art stadium, I couldnt care less who had been in the seat before me..
June 14th, 2010 at 12:12 pm
eeeeeeeeeuuwwww 9′ers cudies…
Bwahaahaha pathetic…
June 14th, 2010 at 12:26 pm
LOL @ Post #6…been sayin that for the last 3 yrs! Fix that siht!
June 14th, 2010 at 12:29 pm
BSJ: it’s 84 & Sunny right now
what r u talkin’ bout ?
June 14th, 2010 at 12:34 pm
#34, LMAO Bo!!
June 14th, 2010 at 12:35 pm
Bo knows Bo.
June 14th, 2010 at 12:36 pm
There’s no place like Lodi…
***
BSJ: Lodi has the first ever A&W restaurant and a song devoted to it by CCR “stuck in Lodi again”
other than that there’s nothing special about it
June 14th, 2010 at 12:38 pm
LMN,
This Italian team is sorry!! Where is my team from last world cup?
June 14th, 2010 at 12:44 pm
LMN, congrats on the Dutch win today. I think you said were in Amsterdam right? They looked good. I think the Germans looked best so far though.
June 14th, 2010 at 12:45 pm
LMN,
I agree with Mista. You don’t undersand. SF is preppie and gay, and Oakland is a place for real hard working people!! It’s different!!
June 14th, 2010 at 12:46 pm
La Milicia Negra Says:
June 14th, 2010 at 12:11 pm
# MistaBrown Says:
June 14th, 2010 at 11:23 am
I would NOT sit in a seat shared by a 49er fan.
The end
________________________________________________________
LOL, so when you are on a plane, you make the airline guarantee you that only raider fans have been in that seat before you??
if it means cheaper tickets and a state of the art stadium, I couldnt care less who had been in the seat before me..
———————–
What about the opposite sex? One has to wonder where they’ve been before? I had a virgin once. That is sooooo overrated.
June 14th, 2010 at 12:52 pm
RaiderRockstar Says:
June 14th, 2010 at 12:36 pm
There’s no place like Lodi…
***
BSJ: Lodi has the first ever A&W restaurant and a song devoted to it by CCR “stuck in Lodi again”
other than that there’s nothing special about it
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Yes I know the lyrics by heart, and have been there as well. A great place to be FROM.
BTW, you got about 20 minutes to fix your leaky roof…
June 14th, 2010 at 1:00 pm
Virgins? Like from Virginia or what? No virgins outside of the Jr. high school these days….for reals….
June 14th, 2010 at 1:02 pm
I will say it like I heard before from a wise man, Who’s she f!@*in’ now hahahaha. This blog kills me
June 14th, 2010 at 1:06 pm
No virgins outside of the Jr. high school these days….for reals….
***
BSJ: you hearing this?
you got about 30 days to give your daughter “the talk”
June 14th, 2010 at 1:14 pm
thats on the real RR….
June 14th, 2010 at 1:15 pm
Lets make a push for Brad Hoover? It worked with J. Henderson?
June 14th, 2010 at 1:22 pm
The DHB press release was weird, no?
June 14th, 2010 at 1:23 pm
Lets make a push for Brad Hoover? It worked with J. Henderson?
***
I agree with E!
sign Brad Hoover!
asking for Kevin Mawae, Flozell Adams & Shawn Andrews at this point might be asking a bit much …
we have added Jared Veldheer, Bruce Campbell, Allen Smith, Alex Parsons & Daniel Loper
then re-signed Elliott Vallejo, Brandon Rodd, Khalif Barnes & Langston Walker
Chris Morris got tendered
June 14th, 2010 at 1:38 pm
BSJ: you hearing this?
you got about 30 days to give your daughter “the talk”
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
She’s had it, and is only going into eighth grade. Nevertheless, I am starting to research a new shotgun. LOL.
June 14th, 2010 at 1:38 pm
RRS, storm is moving east of Joplin…
June 14th, 2010 at 1:40 pm
Watching that Steelers win showed exactly how the Raiders CAN win with a less than average QB.
Same with Frye’s win over Denver.
They even got it done with a patch work O line.
Watching Campbell yesterday showed he throws a pretty ball and does his home work.
The bad news, he hold the ball too long on occasion and throws picks when pressured.
Same can be said for Tom Brady and Brett Favre too though…
June 14th, 2010 at 1:42 pm
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/06/14/logan-mankins-wants-to-be-traded-plans-to-sign-tender/
Mankins has requested a trade from NE…. You guys want the org to take a run at him????
June 14th, 2010 at 1:42 pm
Bo Schembechler Jackson Says:
June 14th, 2010 at 1:38 pm
BSJ: you hearing this?
you got about 30 days to give your daughter “the talk”
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
She’s had it, and is only going into eighth grade. Nevertheless, I am starting to research a new shotgun. LOL.
Might I suggest…
http://www.wilsoncombat.com/index_sgt.htm
Ghost ring sight is superb in low light
June 14th, 2010 at 1:43 pm
# MistaBrown Says:
June 14th, 2010 at 11:28 am
Amy Trask.
____
Bo Schembechler Jackson Says:
June 14th, 2010 at 11:24 am
Bo Schembechler Jackson Says:
June 14th, 2010 at 11:23 am
I wonder which 2004 coach said he would never have drafted Nnamdi…
=================================================
I don’t think Amy Trask is a coach.
June 14th, 2010 at 1:44 pm
Thec07 Says:
June 14th, 2010 at 1:42 pm
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/06/14/logan-mankins-wants-to-be-traded-plans-to-sign-tender/
Mankins has requested a trade from NE…. You guys want the org to take a run at him????
=================
Don’t know…seems like the Pats always have around 50-54 sacks a year and not sure he was as good without Nick Kazcur’s OxyContin.
June 14th, 2010 at 1:45 pm
He started 16 of 16 last year at G… He wants outta NE…
June 14th, 2010 at 1:46 pm
Nnamdi, the key is the sound when you pump it. It should bring to mind the phrase “amateur vasectomy”.
June 14th, 2010 at 1:46 pm
# Thec07 Says:
June 14th, 2010 at 1:42 pm
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/06/14/logan-mankins-wants-to-be-traded-plans-to-sign-tender/
Mankins has requested a trade from NE…. You guys want the org to take a run at him????
===========================================================
Yes. Mankins is arguably the best athlete on their offensive line. He stepped in as a rookie and has not stepped out. He is still young, is from Fresno so he has California roots. Smart tough hombre. Kind of a match made in heaven if you ask me.
June 14th, 2010 at 1:47 pm
only going into eighth grade. Nevertheless, I am starting to research a new shotgun.
***
BSJ: be on the look-out for Steve Alford, too …
June 14th, 2010 at 1:47 pm
63. LMAO! Exactly…
June 14th, 2010 at 1:51 pm
Thec07 Says:
June 14th, 2010 at 1:45 pm
He started 16 of 16 last year at G… He wants outta NE…
================
1st team All Pro. I think he wants more money (rightly so) than out neccessarily.
We still need some one to beat Carlisle out of RG. Man, he’s almost as bad as Satele.
Neither can pick up late stunts.
June 14th, 2010 at 1:55 pm
maybe try Barnes there? if not Campbell?
June 14th, 2010 at 1:58 pm
Campbell is definitely athletic enough to pick up stunts, but is he “football” smart enough to win the POA every play? Stay tuned Nation….
June 14th, 2010 at 1:59 pm
DMAC,,,,So true,,,so true about Madden. They’ve been butchering his name for years & you would think they’d get it right by now,,but hey,,they jerked us on the team rating with a 71 so they’ll probably keep jacking Asomugha’s name up too.
June 14th, 2010 at 2:01 pm
Logan Mankins, anyone?
June 14th, 2010 at 2:02 pm
people butcher his first name in here lol. they drift towards the Nmandi, when it is actually Nnamdi lol:)
June 14th, 2010 at 2:02 pm
BRAD HOOVER
June 14th, 2010 at 2:03 pm
I don’t really see Mankins coming here tho. NE paid a lst rounder for him, so they would probably want AT LEAST that back, he is just now becoming fantastic, and we don’t have a lst rounder next year because, uh, New England has it.
June 14th, 2010 at 2:04 pm
Mankins has been good every year at LG. Get rid of Gallery?
June 14th, 2010 at 2:09 pm
I don’t know why, but I thought Mankins played RG. Either way, having a legitimate mauler on the inside of the offensive line would certainly help the running game…
June 14th, 2010 at 2:09 pm
Am I the only one who thinks Cable needs to allow Bruce Campbell develop at the Tackle position instead of Guard? When are the Raiders gona stop playn switcheroo with the O-line?
June 14th, 2010 at 2:15 pm
Trade DMAC and Jon Condo and Johnathan L. Higgins for Logan Mankins!
June 14th, 2010 at 2:16 pm
Carlisle, Campbell & Barnes will compete for the RG job when it’s all said and done.
the hope is for Langston Walker to get healthy and seize the RT spot.
Satele or Morris at center? weak.
June 14th, 2010 at 2:16 pm
Gallery would probably be just as “above average” at RG…
June 14th, 2010 at 2:16 pm
Vince Young Cited for Assault After Strip Club Altercation
Comments
Say Something »
6/13/2010 3:30 PM ET By Will Brinson
Vince Young’s comeback story last season — while overshadowed by Tom Brady winning the actual comeback award — was nothing short of special. The former college national champ and standout Longhorn, having lost his starting gig with the Titans to the seemingly ageless Kerry Collins, won the spot back and led the Titans to a stunning near-berth in the playoffs and an amazing second half of the season.
Young, who also reportedly dealt with some very serious mental health issues, seemed poised to reclaim a spot as a top NFL quarterback heading into the 2010 season.
But now there’s news that he received a misdemeanor assault citation after getting into a fight at a Dallas strip club and leaving before authorities arrived early Sunday, according to police. No arrests have been made.
June 14th, 2010 at 2:17 pm
I wonder if Johnnie Lee Higgins will even make the roster with Yamon Figurs and Jacoby Ford around.
June 14th, 2010 at 2:19 pm
We need a far better athlete with quicker feet at RT. Walker is a sow. He MIGHT be servicable at RG, with Barnes and Campbell (better athletes) perhaps at RT.
And RRS, don’t give me any of those previous OTA quotes about line positions. It is too early to pencil anyone in yet, regardless of where they were getting snaps in May. This is what-if season…
June 14th, 2010 at 2:20 pm
I could see Langston Walker being in the mix at RG. His play seemed to improve at that position later in the season. Hell, Cable turned another high-round LT bust (Gallery) into a serviceable guard, maybe he can do the same for Walker. I have a feeling Barnes will be RT going into this season, but Campbell will eventually move from a backup RG to RT – maybe not this season, but eventually.
June 14th, 2010 at 2:21 pm
YoungAmerican Says:
June 14th, 2010 at 2:17 pm
I wonder if Johnnie Lee Higgins will even make the roster with Yamon Figurs and Jacoby Ford around.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
I wonder if DMAC will make the roster with Cartwright and Reece around.
June 14th, 2010 at 2:28 pm
BSJ: be on the look-out for Steve Alford, too …
***************************
LMAO!!!
Too cold Rockstar
June 14th, 2010 at 2:29 pm
Tea Parties calls to Gather Your Army
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/06/14/rick-barber-is-the-latest_n_611329.html
June 14th, 2010 at 2:34 pm
Just had a good job interview, do I go play golf or sit here and play poker?
Decisions-decisions…….
June 15th, 2010 at 5:00 am
[...] McD: Asomugha a hit on MMQB Asomugha a hit on MMQB – Inside the Oakland Raiders – A look inside the world of the highly classifi… __________________ RaideroftheSith aka [...]
June 15th, 2010 at 5:33 am
What up Nation,
First time poster so take it easy on me.