The NFL Free Agent feeding frenzy is on the horizon (OK, so it might be a distant horizon, but a horizon nonetheless) and one of the most sought after big fish in this market will be Nnamdi Asomgha, the all-world shutdown cornerback who is about to hit the market. One of the rumors I recently read has him going to Chicago Bears division rival, the Detroit Lions:
"Longtime NFL personnel man Gil Brandt, now an analyst for NFL.com, still has good insight into the inner workings of the league. And it’s his belief that the Detroit Lions could make “a big play” for pending free-agent cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha whenever the market opens this summer.Brandt, via NFL.com: “I wouldn’t be at all surprised if they make a big play for Asomugha. And I think he would consider the situation in Detroit and playing for Jim Schwartz, who has won the respect of his team. A cornerback’s best friend is a great defensive line, and right now the Lions have a pretty good group of defensive linemen.”"
The Lions seem to be a sexy sleeper pick to take the next step and make the playoffs whenever the 2011 season starts but a couple of questions linger. The addition of a stud, shutdown corner like Asomugha would certainly answer one question with an exclamation point. If the Lions can bolster a shaky secondary their defense will be a force to be reckoned with.