NFL Tickets
For a stretch of time, Nnamdi Asomugha was one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL, as he made three straight Pro Bowl appearances (2008-2010) and was a First-Team All-Pro twice (2008, 2010) during his time with the Oakland Raiders from 2003-2010. On the heels of that success he signed a five-year, $60 million deal ($25 million guaranteed) with the Philadelphia Eagles prior to the 2011 season, but after two dismal seasons he was released last March and eventually landed with the San Francisco 49ers in April.
Asomugha earned a job as a nickel corner for the 49ers out of training camp, but he did not last long in San Francisco, seeing action in just three games before being waived in early November as the team came out of their bye. Not surprisingly, Asomugha passed through waivers unclaimed and no team signed him after that point. He will sign a one-day contract with the Raiders and officially retire on Friday, but has Asomugha had a Hall of Fame-worthy career?
Asomugha will finish with 15 interceptions (eight in 2006) and 80 passes defensed in his 11 NFL seasons, and his numbers theoretically could have been better if he was not so clearly the best player in the Raiders’ secondary during his prime with opposing teams avoiding throwing his direction.
Asomugha will not even turn 33 until next July, and just over two years ago he was a highly coveted free agent and considered among the best cornerbacks of this era. His outside interests and activities could keep him in the public eye and prominent in voters’ minds, which may benefit him when it comes time to decide his candidacy. That said, I don’t think Asomugha did enough in what could be looked at as a disappointing career to be a sure-fire Hall of Famer once he becomes eligible.
Brad Berreman is a contributing writer at Rant Sports.com. Follow him on Twitter @bradberreman24.
Share 
