Nnamdi Asomugha waived by 49ers, should Patriots pick him up?

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As is the case for 31 teams in the NFL, when a big name is eligible to be on their team, the fans will clamor for it.

That holds true today with once-upon-a-time star cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha being waived in San Francisco.



The question is, should the Patriots be interested in pursuing Nnamdi?

The team did not show much interest in the corner during free-agency, and it remains unlikely that they will look to replace him now. While the 400 yards passing they gave up yesterday to Ben Roethlisberger doesn't show it, the team's secondary has actually been a strength this year. That has faltered a bit with all of the mounting injuries, most notably to corner Aqib Talib who has been the team's MVP thus far, but its still true.

Still, do they need Nnamdi Asomugha?

When Talib comes back, he can continue covering the other team's best receiver. With Talib in place, the rest of the natural rotation is able to fall into place - with Dennard on the outside and Arrington inside. Rookie Logan Ryan has also shown encouraging flashes this year.

So, taking a chance on Nnamdi seems unnecessary at first glance. However, Talib has not been able to remain healthy in his career, and it's still no guarantee he comes back after the bye, or that his hip injury won't flair up once again. Talib going down in the AFC championship game last year with a hamstring injury may have ended up costing the team that game, as Joe Flacco regularly picked on the Marquice Cole-Anquan Boldin match up.

That's a situation the Patriots would like to have more depth to prepare for should it happen again.

Oh, and Alfonzo Dennard has a court date coming in December for violating his parole with a OUI. Depending on how that goes, he could miss a month while he sits in jail.

 It is telling though that the 49ers waived him just to free up a roster spot but, all things considered, Nnamdi may actually be worth a shot.

After signing a big contract in Philadelphia, Asomugha completely fell off the map. Poor play on the field, combined with some strange behavior off it (eating lunch alone in his car away from the team) painted the one time pro bowl corner in a pretty bad light. While his teammate Dominique-Rodgers Cromartie was able to redeem his name in Denver this year, Nnamdi has had a tougher go at redemption. It seems as if he may be done, as he's regularly been a healthy scratch for San Francisco this year.

Bill Belichick obviously has a good track record with players thought to be cooked though. Especially when they were playing out of position in their previous roles (See: Andre Carter in 2011). Nnamdi was playing the nickel corner role in San Francisco and some in Philly, that's not what he made his name in Oakland for. With the 49ers, he was eventually beaten out by Tramaine Brock after Brock returned from injury.

Since Nnamdi would be just a depth signing and insurance in case Aqib Talib or Alfonzo Dennard miss time, it would make sense for the Patriots to at least take a look but only if he were to pass through waivers. Patriots fans should not expect big things from Asoumgha either way though.