Eagles Wake-Up Call: Nnamdi Heat Linked To DRC


The argument isn’t (or shouldn’t be) whether Nnamdi Asomugha is playing well. For the most part, he is. It’s whether he is living up to the five-year, $60 million deal he signed last offseason.

Right now it’s difficult to build a case that Asomugha is earning his paycheck, considering what Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is doing on the other side of the field. DRC’s numbers are better, and he’s making considerably less coin.

Take a look at the side-by-side comparison of the two corners. The numbers are courtesy of Pro Football Focus.

NameAsomughaRodgers-Cromartie
Times Thrown At2227
Receptions Yielded1212
Percentage Caught54.544.4
Yards After Catch6344
Touchdowns Allowed10
Interceptions03
Opposing QB Rating96.626.4

Rodgers-Cromartie has the edge almost across the board, further demonstrating what a tremendous season he is having to date. The opposing QB rating, which is third-best in the NFL, jumps out in particular.

“I think he’s done a nice job,” said Andy Reid. “We’ve asked him to play quite a little bit of man coverage — both corners. That’s a tough task in this league but they have done very well with it.”

Asomugha’a numbers are generally strong as well, though he would undoubtedly like the interceptions to go up and quarterback rating to go down. Still, the Eagles’ secondary grades out as one of the most competent in the league and Asomugha has been a key part of that.

“It comes with the territory,” said Brandon Boykin. “When you’re considered one of the best corners in the league everybody expects you to shut down everybody, not allow any pass attempts, and just be perfect every game. And that’s not going to happen, that’s not realistic for anybody, no matter who you are.”

The money issue is a bit unfair as well. Asomugha is making around $11 million this season compared to $2 million for Rodgers-Cromartie. But Asomugha is older and has gone through the free-agency process. Rodgers-Cromartie is set to hit the open market following this season.

” I think he’s playing,” said Rodgers-Cromartie of Asomugha. “Statistics wise, nobody’s really beating us down the field. Guys aren’t really completing passes like that, just dinking and dunking us, and we’re still fourth in the league in passing yards, so I could care less what they say.”

WHAT YOU MISSED

Michael Vick took some measures this week to try and curb his fumbling habit.

Sheil provides his cheat sheet for the Eagles’ defense against Calvin Johnson and the Lions attack.

The offense is deploying quite a bit of no-huddle.

DeSean Jackson and Marty Mornhinweg are still trying to figure out how to generate some big plays this season.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING

Despite his reported involvement in yet another traffic incident, Ndamukong Suh isn’t facing any discipline.

“The investigation is closed,” the department said in a released statement. “It was a minor traffic accident in which fault cannot be determined and there will be no charges to either party.”

Suh was accused of sideswiping another driver on Thursday and then opting not to stop.

Peter King likes the Eagles 26-24 in this one.

Alternate Universe Stat of the Week: Stafford/Vick totals: nine touchdowns, 10 interceptions. But this could be — could being the operative word, because monitoring vital safety Louis Delmas’ health is an exercise in futility — the week the important Lions safety returns, nine weeks after camp knee surgery. The Lions hoped he’d be ready to play on opening day, and they’ve been hoping since. Delmas is Detroit’s Ronnie Lott, both in spirit and in the anvil in his shoulder pads, so if he’s back at anything close to normal, the Lions will finally be competitive in the back end.

Eleven of  12 ESPN analysts like the Birds as well. Tom Jackson is the only one rolling with the Lions.

COMING UP

The Eagles have a mock game in the morning, their final piece of preparation for Detroit.