Just one day after trading for Colt McCoy, the San Francisco 49ers added a new member to the organization in cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha. Asomugha and the 49ers have agreed to a one-year deal worth up to $3 million. The deal does not include any guaranteed salary according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
After spending the first eight years of his career with the Oakland Raiders, Asomugha hopes to find success back in Northern California. He spent the past two seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, failing to live up to expectations.
According to Pro Football Focus, Asomugha allowed quarterbacks to post a 120.6 passer rating when the ball was thrown his way in 2012. The number does not lie. He was beat time and time again.
However, the 31-year-old corner gets a new start as a 49er. The spotlight won’t be on his shoulders and he’ll have a lot of help in the secondary and front seven. Playing under a one-year contract while contending for a Super Bowl should provide him with enough motivation to give maximum effort in every play and every practice.
Nobody knows for certain how good Asomugha will be. His speed has likely declined over the years and one has to wonder if he can remotely resemble his All-Pro form.
But from a financial standpoint, San Francisco has very little to lose in bringing him on board for the upcoming season. If he pans out, the 49ers will field a top-flight secondary. But if his struggles continue, they can simply cut ties with him.
On paper, the 49ers have the makings of a Dream Team roster. They are loaded on both sides of the ball and the draft has not even begun. Adding the former Pro Bowler to the league’s No. 3 overall defense can only bring positives.
General manager Trent Baalke might have struck gold.
Travis Chan is a San Francisco 49ers writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter or add him to your network on Google
