Nnamdi is struggling, but why?

Nnamdi Asomugha was the gem of the free agent class. His play on the field along with the defense he is playing for has been mediocre at best. He has been targeted more times than he ever was at Oakland. Why? With this secondary you would think that it would be no fly zone with Asomugha, Samuels, and Rodgers-Cromartie. There are a few things wrong with this situation. And it starts with the scheme.

Nnamdi is a PRESS CORNER. Always has been, always will be. Oakland schemed around that and gave Asomugha the option to play press. He has some of the most fluid hips in the game. You saw that in the Atlanta game on the Julio Jones double move when they were trying to work on him. He was with him every step of the way. He is very aggressive with his “chuck” and is able to keep up with most WRs he faces. Well Asomugha has at times looked lost and confused in the secondary in zone coverage, especially against the Giants. If Nnamdi would have been playing press coverage, this would have never happened, because Cruz wouldn’t have gotten off the ball. In the nickel situations, they have put him in to cover the slot WR. In the NFL the slot WR is usually the one that will beat you. I understand this move, but on 3rd downs, maybe Castillo should think about moving Nnamdi outside and moving your best zone CB, Asante Samuel, in that position. Corners flourish in schemes that fit their type of play. Asante Samuel is the prime example. He can bait most QBs into making throws because he is an excellent zone CB. Not so much a press CB. The Eagles run a lot of zone blitz, and this is why Asante is so good in it. . If he is going to be the cornerstone of your defense, then you are going to have to get him in situations that he can win. He has proven that he can take away ½ the field when he is at his best. I honestly think that the NY Jets would have been a better fit for Nnamdi. They play the type of game that is built for his strength. No one could throw the ball on them, they would easily be undefeated. Nnamdi in press coverage is always a better option than Cromartie in press coverage.

The Eagles have to play better against the run as well to help the transition. This is a first year defensive coordinator in Philly, who has NO defensive experience. He has a great mind for the game, and the Eagles are just going to have to figure out the scheme. The offense is scoring points. The defense will have to get some takeaways and stops in order for them to be able to finish out games. Asomugha has a high acumen and if anyone can pick up on a new scheme, he can. I just really feel that he is a better asset in press coverage. They are going to have to mix it up in coverage to play to his strength as well. Nnamdi is too good to be getting burned. Put him in a position to succeed, or Castillo is going to have a short stint as defensive coordinator.