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http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=6004943

Given that we have a big need at defensive back, and that our 13th pick is likely too low to get either of the top two cornerbacks in the draft, is it worth it to pay big money to Asomugha? If, that is, he has any interest in coming here (which given his skill may not happen as he will have plenty of suitors.)

jesus throw the bank at him. He is an elite corner and would make our defensive backfield worlds better.

Not sure what his motivations for signing are but if it is money i would love to see us offer up a big deal

It would be a waste of money and detriment to our next decade of football if we spend big money on him and don't make big changes to solve the rest of our huge key problems. So the question is moot without knowing the internal vision of what our short-middle-long term strategies look like. It definitely is risky, so I want no part of it unless they've done their complete homework this time in determining how to make us the best team in the game. If we aren't shooting for that then I say forget it, cause it's a bad idea to take on expensive veteran players if you don't have a qualified goal and chance to achieve that goal for a proper return on the investment. The cost is a lot more than money, it's time, and our time to become the best team in football will be stunted if it's not done right.

I have to imagine that Schwartz and Mayhew have an idea of what the Lions big problems are and have a plan to solve them. The two major problems we have, in my opinion, are staying healthy, need to see what we have with Best and Stafford before giving up on them, and our defense outside of the defensive line.

Asomugha is one of the few clear shutdown cornerbacks in the NFL, we have no one even close to his level on the roster right now. I think he is worth the money and I would say we should give him a high enough offer to consider us. How long has it been since a marquee free agent has come to Detroit in his prime? The last one, sadly enough, probably was Dre Bly.

I say we sign him, and then use our 1st rounder on the best available OLB.

Saw a game charting piece where Asomugha had two or fewer balls thrown to receivers he was responsible for covering in 27 of his last 30 games. He basically eliminates the other team's right side wideout. Put that with the pass rush here, slide Houston inside to the slot for nickel plays with Smith outside, and this pass defense is arguably the best in the league.

I highly doubt he has interest in coming to Detroit and the Lions won't get into bidding wars. There's already talk here in Houston that the checkbook is wide open for him, and I suspect the Cowboys and Seahawks will be in the bidding frenzy too.

Since his contract has been voided, can he sign right away, or will he have to wait until the free agent signing period in the offseason starts?

I hope Mayhew and company are aggressive in their pursuit of NA. He'd be an AWESOME fit in our system. Adding him would allow us to make LB, WR, O-Line priorities in the draft.

Word is the Lions will talk to him. If he's willing to come to Detroit, I could see the Lions opening the checkbook as well. Don't know what their limit will be, but if he's receptive to the idea, I could see them making a push.

He turns 30 next year... that being said, Champ Bailey is 33 and still elite and Woodson is 35 and won the defensive player of the year award last year. Elite corners seem to be able to last a while in their thirties, and can make the transition to safety when being a corner becomes to difficult for them.

We could offer him a five, possibly six year deal and he'll be productive through it all, and that gives Detroit enough time to find themselves a replacement no. 1 CB.

cochiseuofm wrote:I have to imagine that Schwartz and Mayhew have an idea of what the Lions big problems are and have a plan to solve them. The two major problems we have, in my opinion, are staying healthy, need to see what we have with Best and Stafford before giving up on them, and our defense outside of the defensive line.

Asomugha is one of the few clear shutdown cornerbacks in the NFL, we have no one even close to his level on the roster right now. I think he is worth the money and I would say we should give him a high enough offer to consider us. How long has it been since a marquee free agent has come to Detroit in his prime? The last one, sadly enough, probably was Dre Bly.

Well if we want to win a SB then there really isn't a lot of better FA talent out there that could help us more than him. A lot of others dont think he would consider coming here and that's why I was iffy at first cause that's probably how he's looking at it. He would need Mayhew to show him or sell him on some upcoming key moves, and since most of our improvements next year are coming from the draft, he's probably not going to wait around long enough to see if we qualify in appearing as a contender to him.

Bartender wrote:He turns 30 next year... that being said, Champ Bailey is 33 and still elite and Woodson is 35 and won the defensive player of the year award last year. Elite corners seem to be able to last a while in their thirties, and can make the transition to safety when being a corner becomes to difficult for them.

We could offer him a five, possibly six year deal and he'll be productive through it all, and that gives Detroit enough time to find themselves a replacement no. 1 CB.

Champ Bailey is readily available as well. I would very strongly prefer Asomugha; Champ has lost a half-step and is now tackling like he doesn't want to hurt himself. Still a quality starter, not Pro Bowl caliber anymore.

Icness wrote:

Bartender wrote:He turns 30 next year... that being said, Champ Bailey is 33 and still elite and Woodson is 35 and won the defensive player of the year award last year. Elite corners seem to be able to last a while in their thirties, and can make the transition to safety when being a corner becomes to difficult for them.

We could offer him a five, possibly six year deal and he'll be productive through it all, and that gives Detroit enough time to find themselves a replacement no. 1 CB.

Champ Bailey is readily available as well. I would very strongly prefer Asomugha; Champ has lost a half-step and is now tackling like he doesn't want to hurt himself. Still a quality starter, not Pro Bowl caliber anymore.

If Nnamdi would come here, I'd do it without thinking twice. Having a shutdown corner is nessecary these days, especially in our division against Aaron Rodgers and Jay Cutler. We can add Linebackers through the draft, as well as depth at RB, WR and OL.

Signing him makes our draft day incredibly easier....and instantly turns our secondary from one of the weakest in the league to one of the better ones in the league.