Now it's time to break down each move.
This pretty much sums up Philly's emotions on Friday.
We start with Asomugha. Many Jet fans, and some Cowboy fans as well, now sit in the corner with their arms crossed and a frown painted across their faces after losing the Nnamdi Asomugha sweepstakes. With one signing, Friday belonged to the Birds. Already having acquired a cornerback on Thursday in Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie via a trade with Arizona that sent Kevin Kolb to Phoenix, the Eagles were widely considered set at the cornerback position. Most thought the Eagles would look to aid the linebacking corp, which still remains a big question mark, or even bolster the safety position after acquiring DRC. Wrong. The Eagles added Asomugha, making their corners virtually unstoppable on paper.
Now before Eagle fans start crowning themselves Super Bowl champs, there are some concerns, although maybe minute. With 10% of their allotted salary under the new cap now devoted to Asomugha, it remains to be seen if they keep Asante Samuel, who was the only real cornerback they had coming into this offseason. Will they want to deal him, which would still leave a great CB tandem, to have more available cash to address their other needs? Early reports indicated the Eagles intending to keep the Pro Bowl corner, but we shall see.
Another thing to watch is the consistency of newly-acquired Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. He is a guy who can make a spectacular play one down, as noted by the fact that he returned three of his four interceptions last year for TDs, and get totally torched on the next. Having said that, he is a young player and still has a lot of room to grow, and learn to utilize his blazing speed to keep up with any receiver in the game. The addition of Asomugha does, however, make DRC the best nickel back in the league, and a great luxury to have in such packages.
Now to the Alpha of the bunch. Nnamdi Asomugha, who only had 33 passes thrown his way in 2010, and a mere 27 thrown his way in 2009. To put it in perspective, this is about half the amount of the next-least. Let's face it, the guy is good, real good. But how much stock should we put in this stat? Sure he's good and opposing QB's don't like to throw his way, but we should note that he only plays one side of the field, the defensive right side. This is the blind side of right-handed QBs, which dominate the NFL, which allows Nnamdi to make a play on the receiver without the QB being so alert to it. This is no knock on Asomugha since he makes these plays because he's good. But we need to realize that since this is the QBs blind side, more often than not the team's #1 receiver lines up to his right, or defensive left. This means Asomugha is usually left covering the team's #2. In such a situation, why would you want to throw Asomugha's way if he is on a number 2? There is usually a mismatch on the other side. However, I mean no disrespect to Asomugha and his abilities, but this is rather to show that there may indeed be some chinks in this guy's armor.
The expectations have been set.
If the Eagles do indeed keep Samuel, they will undoubtedly have the best corners in the NFL. I am reluctant to say the best secondary because they are young and unproven at safety. They have promise at free safety in the young Nate Allen, but strong safety remains shaky as right now's starter could be rookie Jaiquawn Jarrett. Had they had an established set of safeties they would blow away teams like the Packers and Saints who have complete DB corps, albeit not nearly as good overall at corner. No matter how good your team seems, the parity in the NFL always leaves the door wide open for an array of teams to win; they still have to play the game. Having said all of this, if the Eagles corners perform like what they are fully capable of doing, no team will be comfortable passing against them, or should have much success. Paired with an explosive offense lead by Michael Vick, Desean Jackson, and Lesean McCoy, this should be a defense that will cause major headaches for opposing quarterbacks. They now should jump into the conversation for the NFC's best team alongside Green Bay, New Orleans, Atlanta, and maybe Chicago.
As for the Philadephia Phillies, offense was their main concern moving toward the trade deadline. Their pitching has been dominant behind Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels, and Cliff Lee (even the young Vance Worley), although they have limited their opponents to the least amount of runs of any team in baseball. Saying their pitching is good wouldn't begin to do them justice. Philadelphia fans though worried that their offense may not be good enough to stand up to opposing pitching come October. Well, in addition to their recent successes at the plate, they added another weapon in Hunter Pence, formerly of the Houston Astros. Pence is batting .308 with 11 home runs and 62 RBIs thus far this season. He is that right-handed bat that adds depth to the Phillies' lineup alongside guys like Utley, Howard, Rollins, and Victorino.
It honestly doesn't get any better than Roy Halladay.
Really, even as a Mets fan, there's really nothing negative that can be said about this team now. They were already the best team in the National Legaue prior to this trade. The only thing, maybe, is that they gave up their best hitting and pitching prospects. But really, who cares? They were able to keep the young Domonic Brown AND Vance Worley, who could be a viable starter in this league. When you can get a young, proven talent like Pence, while all but assuring yourself as the NL representative in the World Series, you do what you can to get him. Who cares if you trade some of your future to get him if that means winning now? Trust me, I am not a Phillies fan and don't plan on converting any time soon, but you can't help but like what their organization is doing to put the best possible product on the field. This is not a good team, but a great team. Whoever faces them in the World Series, whether it be the Yankees or Red Sox or whoever, should any of them get there, better come prepared because this team is for real. If they weren't the favorites before, they are now I'd argue.
Pence is the answer.
Congrats on your day Philly. You sure did work. Now it's time to collect some hardware because anything short of a ring, especially out on the diamond, will be considered a grave disappointment. Especially in that crazy city. I can tell you one thing though, Eagles, my Saints will be ready. Hotlanta will be ready. And that team in Green Bay, the defending champs, isn't going anywhere anytime soon. You have your work cut out for you. Do your darnedest.
-TA
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