Nnamdi Asomugha Released by Eagles as NFL Free Agency Opens

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In quite possibly the least stunning development to happen to
Philadelphia sports since Andy Reid was fired, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports the Eagles have released Nnamdi
Asomugha
just minutes before free agency opened in the NFL.

Asomugha was scheduled to earn $15 million this season, but
it goes without saying that he’s failed to live up to five-year, $60 million
deal he signed in the summer of 2011. The Eagles will happily eat a cap hit of
$4 million to save $11.

It seemed plausible Asomugha might agree to a restructuring
given that this move had not come sooner. With Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie also
simultaneously becoming a free agent, the team must now replace both starting
cornerbacks from last season.

Luckily for the Eagles, it’s a buyer’s market. There are
quite a few quality cornerbacks in free agency – including Sean Smith, who the
team has been linked to – and the draft is said to be deep at the position.

Philadelphia now has well over $40 million in cap space to
play with right now, so they should be getting busy. Free agency opened at 4
p.m.

As for Asomugha, he’ll go down as one of the biggest
free-agent busts of all time, here or anywhere else. After arriving from
Oakland hailed as one of the most dominant corners in the league, Asomugha had
just four interceptions in two seasons with the Birds.

At one time, quarterbacks would not even look at Asomugha’s
side of the field. In 2012, passers picked on Nnamdi with regularity, to the
tune of a 120.6 efficiency rating according to Pro Football Focus (via BGN).

No shortage of people getting in line to say good riddance
today. Hopefully the Eagles shop safe this offseason.

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