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The Nnamdi Asomugha sweepstakes are heating up. Right now, Asomugha just has to kick back and watch the competing teams raise his price as he decides where he wants to go. And to that end, things could really heat up today. Teams are going to want to either get him signed or move onto their next target before all the other corners sign.
And to that end, view this post as a lava lamp. Always shifting, completely fluid, and totally groovy. I don't even know what I am saying anymore. I am going to take a little nap. Then I will be updating the hell out this post. Until then, jump over for the wealth of news and rumors already floating around.
*Update: The Jets are getting anxious:
Twitter / @TheJetsStream: One #Jets source tells me ...
One #Jets source tells me this about Nnamdi Asomugha talks: "We're trying to get an answer out of him, one way or another."
*Update: The Bucs have been tossed around as a possible suitor for Nnam. It makes a ton of sense and they have the cap room they need to fill up. Apparently they have no interest though.
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk
A source with knowledge of the situation tells PFT that the Bucs aren’t, and haven’t been, in the hunt for Asomugha.
Florio goes onto mention the usual suspects that are the Jets and the 49ers, but then tosses in two other teams.
The primary suitors for Asomugha are the Jets and 49ers. The Cowboys could be getting involved as well. As we continue to have a feeling that the Raiders aren’t rolling over.
The Cowboys have been making statements that made it seem like they wouldn't be interested, but I don't think anyone would be shocked to see Jerry Jones throw his 10-gallon hat into the ring. As for the Raiders, we all know they don't roll over for anything.
*Update: Shockingly, the Texans are out of the running.
Filed to ESPN: Texans reach agreement with former Bengals CB Johnathan Joseph on a five-year deal. Nnamdi to Jets looking more likely.
*Update: Nnamdi Asomugha is getting richer by the second. The Texans are going hard and fast after Nnamdi. They have reworked some deals, and the latest reported offer stands in the $12-14 million range.
"Hearing Houston has moved into the lead for Nnamdi Asomugha—money will be in the 12-14 mill per year range...Revis makes 11.5 per year."
Paul Kuharsky, on Twitter, pointed out that Houston has no state Income tax, which makes any offer they propose a little sweeter.
Texans intensified efforts for Asomugha once they realized they could redo contracts 2 free enough cap space.
Meanwhile, the 49ers have put themselves in a position to make a huge offer to Nnamdi if they choose.
The NFL Network's Jason LaCanfora via Twitter:
"On Clements, to clarify, 49ers save $7.25M cash (base salary) and $15M in cap space. But I'd be surprised at this point if they get Nnamdi."
This would actually be good news. If Nnam is going to leave, I hope it takes up all of the 49ers cap space as that would clear the way for the Raiders to get Dashon Goldson.
End of update No. 1
It has been widely reported that the 49ers, Texans and Jets are all making offers for Nnam:
Twitter / @BobGlauber:
According to a person connected to Nnamdi sweepstakes, it's his understanding that Texans, 49ers & Jets now bidding for him most heavily.
That list does not include the Cowboys. Nor do people expect it to.
Cowboys not in Asomugha sweepstakes - Dallas Cowboys Blog - ESPN Dallas
When asked if Terence Newman and Mike Jenkins were safe at cornerback for 2011, Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones simply said yes.
The Jets are certainly making their love for Nnam the most public.
Jets DB Darrelle Revis says he would 'love to have' Nnamdi Asomugha as teammate | NJ.com
"The talks that are going on right now, the focus is Nnamdi Asomugha," Revis said. "And whatever the focus is at that time, just like it was signing Santonio Holmes, that's the focus, what the team is looking to do.""Money is not the issue here," Revis said. "The issue here is trying to build a championship-caliber team. Everybody has their own situation. I'm watching NFL Network now, guys are getting signed and I'm not angry with what anybody gets. Nnamdi is deserving of getting the top dollar, which he has been. "My thing is, I hope we get him you know?"
The Houston Texans seemed determined to land either Nnamdi of Jonathan Joseph:
Texans shopping for corner, still pursuing Asomugha | Houston Texans Football | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle
The Texans will have to restructure a lot of contracts if they're able to sign Asomugha or Joseph, either of whom would fill the most important need on the team.
And the 49ers are trying to lure Nnam over the bridge.
Report: 49ers seek top cornerback Asomugha - Sacramento Sports - Kings, 49ers, Raiders, High School Sports | Sacramento Bee
The NFL Network's Michael Lombardi, a good friend of 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh and a finalist for the team's general manager position earlier this year, reported Wednesday that the 49ers and Jets were Asomugha's most ardent suitors.One of the 49ers' selling points: An aggressive defensive system that would allow Asomugha, 30, to showcase more than the man-to-man coverage skills to which he's been restricted in Oakland.
John Clayton brings up a couple more selling points for the 49ers:
John Clayton's Twitter
two reasons the 49ers have chance for Nnamdi. One, he loves the Bay area. Second, he'd help the new stadium push
I know of another team that has those exact two reasons!
That's right our Oakland Raiders. The current price for Nnamdi doesn't appear to be as high as many projected:
Day 3 preview: Is this Nnamdi's day? - Jets Blog - ESPN New York
Asomugha might be finding that the market isn't as rich as he had anticipated. There's some thought that he will wind up in the $12 million to $13 million-a-year neighborhood -- a damn nice neighborhood, but not quite the $16 million-a-year he made with the Raiders.
Than just might be moving closer to Raider territory! That is all speculation though. Hue Jackson stuck to his script when asked about it on Wednesday:
Jerry McDonald on mercurynews.com
"He's a tremendous Raider. If it doesn't work out, it's next man up," Jackson said during a news conference. "Let me remind you we have some tremendous football players on this team. That's why Stanford Routt is here. That's why (Chris) Johnson is here."