Not surprising, knowing him and his work ethic and how optimistic he has tried to be over the last 6 years. I wish they would trade him to a good team. I'd probably become a fan of that team. That is how much I think of Nnamdi.
I know I'm late to this reply, but Ric, cmon buddy. I can forgive you for a bad baseball take but you're supposed to know football. You don't need to use a hypothetical comparison between Deion and Rice because they played each other. In fact, not only did their careers basically cover the same seasons, but they played in the same division for many years, so they played twice a year. Go back and look at those matchups - Deion didn't shut Rice down. Jerry got his numbers, time and time again. That's why he's the best ever, he took on the best corners and took on double coverage and he caught passes and scored TDs anyway. On the original topic, I'd keep Johnson, rather than trade for Asomugha, even though I think they're both incredible players. I just think that they couldn't afford to spend the money that Asomugha and Dunta make, combined, at the cornerback position. There are too many other weaknesses on this team, especially at the tackle and safety positions, to afford spending that much. And, like I said, I don't think a great CB has more value than a great receiver.
List the great current CBs and list the great current WRs. You will see that it is much harder to find a great CB. They are much more in demand than a WR.
I guess it depends on what you consider "great". It's easy to quantify WR production, harder for cornerbacks. I don't think my list of great WRs/CBs would be the same as your list. But I will say that if you were compiling a list of WRs that combined physical ability with production on the level of Andre Johnson, the only guy I could come up with would be Fitzgerald and Megatron. There's a short list of receivers in history who could do what he does.
Yeah, I cant really argue with this...AJ is a total beast. The only thing with WRs is that they, in many ways, can only be as good as the guy throwing them the ball. If AJ becomes an Oakland Raider, his potential will never be realized...whereas you put a semi-decent receiver on the Saints, and that guy will put up some good numbers. That is why I dont necessarily put too much weight on receivers, because they can really only do so much. A cornerback, on the other hand, is not dependent on anyone. You put a cornerback on a crappy team, and they will still perform at an All-Pro level. In other words, you always know what kind of production you will get from him...whereas you cant say the same thing about a receiver. This is why I feel a receiver is replaceable to an extent.
i didn't bring up W/L numbers; i never would - sammy did. but once they're in the conversation, and being used to prove andre johnson's greatness... well... as you can see, they don't really stack up. i do that as a means to conclusively prove W/L numbers is a silly stat to try and use in a discussion like this. that's entirely anecdotal. and it was purporsefully intended to be hypotehtical: we were having an "in their prime" discussion. deion's prime was probably when he was rice's teammate; certainly not the first 4 years of his career.
yeah, i think people are losing sight of the larger perspective. if asomugha isn't on johnson's level, you don't do it; fine. i don't really know enough about him to make that determination. seems very highly regarded though. but taking names and personal biases out of the discussion, a great CB is infinitely more valuable than an equally-great WR.
I never mentioned Nnamdi in the topic. The answer was trade AJ for nothing. Unless it was a All-Pro QB...other than that no one. The logic here is that the other guys can step up and help hold down the WR spot if Andre is gone...and we'd address a need with Aso. But the problem is, Andre is making those guys look better if you ask me. Just like how the Titans thought they had a dominant Dline even without Big Al...when in reality their guys were benefiting from the threat of Haynesworth. I'm saying if we trade AJ, our passing attack will considerably suffer. Our defense may improve by a lot, but our offense will not be even average if you take away AJ. I think you build Good football teams by building around good players. It is safe to assume most of the GMs think this way. You rarely see blockbuster trades. You always see Players traded for picks and not other players. In basketball you could say "Trade CP3 for Deron Williams." and argue it would make a team better. Simply because they play different styles. But trading Andre for Aso is just getting worse in pass offense and getting better in pass defense and vice versa.
Also other than QB I feel all the positions are equal...(not Kicker and ST) If you have a great Center it does A LOT for your team. Look at Mawae and how long the Titans have had a great Oline. You have a great HB he can carry your team...although HBs only are in their prime for 5 years at the most it seems. Great TEs even carry teams, look at Witten and what he does for his team. Great Safetys...Polamalu, Reed, Dawkins, Sanders. All have great impact on their teams. I don't feel there is a hierarchy of positions. That a great CB is more valuable than a WR(Jerry Rice would disagree)...some WRs simply can't be covered by one guy.
You need to also consider the team's roster. If Dunta can start playing like the old Dunta don't really have the need for another expensive corner. But if we lose Andre, we will struggle with Walter as our #1.
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It is not, in fact anecdotal. It's statistical, and you can look up each and every box score when they played each other. You brought up a "hypotehtical" matchup between two all-time players to prove that one was better than the other. In their prime. And I cited the statistical evidence of every time they've actually played each other. Thus, disproving your argument that a great CB necessarily shuts down a great WR. It’s there in black and white if you care to research it. And I don’t know how you can say that Deion’s prime was the one season that he played with Rice and the 49ers, and not the other 12 seasons. He went to 3 straight pro bowls and was a 2 time all-pro with the Falcons, and he went to 4 pro bowls and was 3 times all-pro with Dallas. During Deion’s time with the Cowboys, Rice averaged 5 catches, 105 yards (with 1 TD) in 2 games. The fact is that a great WR can hold his own against a great CB. The WR has at least an equal footing in terms of speed, height, and athleticism, and an advantage in knowing what the route will be and where and when to expect the ball. And having a great WR, like Aso, doesn’t stop your team from being absolutely awful, like the Raiders.
Yes to the OP. Having a shut down corner is like having an extra defender--you can roll your coverage to the opposite side and play your SS closer to the line to help with the run.
i hate to be over the top and a bit homerish, bu that was one of the best plays i've seen in a long time. I can't remember a time when i say a LB completely bounce off a receiver to only power through 2 other people into the endzone.
I don't chase down highlights when I don't see the game and they lose. Ruins the beginning of my week a little less when I can be completely oblivious to how they lost.