Nnamdi Asomugha, one of the few true shut down cornerbacks in the NFL, is a free agent due to a quirk in his contract -- and you can expect a huge bidding war for the three-time Pro Bowler's services whenever free agency begins in this odd, labor-impacted, off-season. From here, it seems to me getting involved in the Asomugha bidding war would be a good idea for the New York Giants.
Asomugha, who will be 30 next season, has been named to the Pro Bowl in each of the last three seasons. Here are some numbers on Asomugha, courtesy of ESPN.
According to STATS LLC, Asomugha was targeted on just 33 pass attempts this season. He allowed 13 completions for 205 yards and no touchdowns, burnishing his reputation as a shutdown cornerback.
The Giants, who just completed their second straight season without making the playoffs, would benefit greatly from a shutdown corner like Asomugha. Current cornerbacks Terrell Thomas and Corey Webster are good, but neither is a shutdown type corner other teams game-plan to stay away from.
With DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin in Philadelphia and Roy Williams, Dez Bryant and Miles Austin in Dallas a shut down corner would be a huge asset to the Giants. Despite upgrading at the safety position in 2010 the Giants were susceptible to giving up the big play in pass coverage when their vaunted pass rush failed to hurry opposing quarterbacks.
A player of Asomugha's caliber would go a long way toward changing that. In 11 games this season, Asoumgha was thrown at just 29 times, according to Pro Football Focus. In 2009 he was thrown at just 28 times in nearly 1,000 snaps, and in 2008 quarterbacks challenged him just 30 times. In both of those seasons that means he was targeted fewer times than any cornerback in the league.
The Giants do not usually get into big-dollar bidding wars for free agents. This, however, is a case where they should make an exception.
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