Raider DB coaches have common de-Nnam-inator

by Levi Damien on Feb 17, 2012 1:41 PM PST

The Raiders now have two coaches on staff with the title of defensive backs coach-Johnnie Lynn and Clayton Lopez. And there is a common thread among the two coaches: Nnamdi Asomugha.

Nnamdi Asomugha was drafted in 2003 and it seemed upon his drafting that he would only work in the NFL as a safety.

But the Raiders drafted him to play cornerback and set forth to develop him into the kind of player they envisioned him being at the position when they chose in the first round. His drafting even shocked commissioner Tagliabue who butchered his name upon his drafting-"As-a-moo-gah-Nahm-dee".

The Raiders were eventually redeemed for their surprise pick of Mr "As-a-moo-gah" as he developed into an All Pro cornerback for the team. The man credited with much of Nnamdi's development was Clayton Lopez who was the team's defensive backs coach in 04-05. Nnamdi began showing his greatest strides under Lopez, starting every game in 2005. The following season he broke out with 8 interceptions. After that, teams began staying away from his side of the field entirely.

When Lopez left the Raiders after the 2005 season, he took a bit of a demotion as assistant secondary coach for the Detroit Lions. But with Nnamdi's rising star, the man credited with his development saw his star rise once again as well. When Nnamdi was named All Pro and went to his first Pro Bowl in 2008, Lopez was then hired as the Rams' defensive backs coach where he spent the past three seasons.

Nnamdi's contract would void itself after last season, making him instantly an unrestricted free agent. The bidding wars began immediately and the Eagles won the right to his services. The DB coach with the Eagles was Johnnie Lynn. By outward appearances, the Eagles had put together a "Dream Team" of talent last season-- namely at the cornerback position. They added Asomugha along with Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie to join Pro Bowl cornerback Asante Samuel. You can bet Lynn was ecstatic to be coaching these three... until the season started.

The results were not what the Eagles were hoping. After winning their first game, they lost four in a row. Then they later had a streak in which they lost 4 of 5 games before finishing at 8-8. In those losing stretches, the defense gave up nearly 30 points per game. Nnamdi was not playing like the lockdown corner he had for the previous five seasons in Oakland and went from All Pro to not even making the Pro Bowl. This downfall contributed greatly to Lynn being fired.

So now what the Raiders have is two DB coaches whose one degree of separation was Nnamdi Asomugha. One coach is credited with developing Nnamdi, the other was blamed for his drop in production.

At least they will have something to talk about. I would imagine that conversation would go something like this:

Lopez to Lynn: "Hey, you remember Nnamdi Asomugha? Yeah, I made him and you broke him."

(awkward pause)

Lynn: "Or you could say he made you and broke me?"

Lopez: "Well, let's agree to disagree."

Lynn and Lopez: (shake and nod) "Deal!"

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Ok we all know the story, They also do the" a-sa-moo-ga" pronunciation on the madden game.

by bigmark l on Feb 17, 2012 4:16 PM PST reply actions

so what do you think McKenzie saw in these guys? or was it anything special or just a choice by default

hard to put Nnam’s performance on the back of the defensive backs coach though when you consider Philly was trying to run something most of these guys have never played in before, something no pro team really ever has under a brand new DC.

They did come around to play better down the stretch, but no dream team by any measure. We hoped for that with the sour grapes of his departure. I think he’ll be fine. I actually believe Rod Woodson could’ve done much better under better DC coached defense. I’m looking forward to the Allen/Tarver mark which I believe promises to be a defensive identity again.

""The massive Raider Nation is beyond doubt the sleaziest and rudest and most sinister mob of thugs and wackos ever assembled."--Hunter S. Thompson
"In football, I root for the Oakland Raiders because they hire castoffs, outlaws, malcontents, and fuck -ups, they have lots of penalties, fights, and paybacks, and because Al Davis told the rest of the pig NFL owners to go get fucked. Someday, the Raiders will be strong again, and they will dip the ball in shit and shove it down the throats of the wholesome, white, heartland teams that pray together and don't deliver late hits." - George Carlin.

Follow @brhynno

by brhynno on Feb 17, 2012 9:22 PM PST reply actions

With the last of the old cronie guard gone, so too the decadence of the past decade

Oakland builds on back-to-back mediocre 8-8’s with the addition of leadership & discipline so that automatic double-digit-win seasons should finally be restored to us.

S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
"George Blanda ... I really believe he is the greatest clutch player in the history of this game." Al Davis
"Let no thing possess you that you do not dictate." Raymond St. Martin

by Sons-of-Blanda on Feb 18, 2012 6:00 AM PST up reply actions

Pretty sure the coaching staff selections are Allens

and not McKenzie’s.
At least in Lopez we have a guy that has proven he can coach up young talent.
So I’ll look forward to the progress of DVD and Chimdi to become the best player they can be.

"Now I know what your thinking, did he fire six shots or only five. Ive forgotten myself in all this excitement, but being that this is the 44 magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world and could blow your head clean off, you have to ask your question. Do I feel lucky? Well do ya punk!"
Dirty Harry Callahan

by rambis64 on Feb 19, 2012 11:46 AM PST up reply actions