The Jets Shouldn’t Sign Nnamdi Asomugha

The New York Jets are hot on the trail of former Oakland Raiders cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha.  They are pushing for the free agent and hope to pair him opposite All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis. 

That would give the Jets the best defensive backfield in the NFL - perhaps the best cornerback tandem in NFL history.  But I don't think this is a very smart move by Gang Green.  

In fact, I don’t think the Jets should sign Nnamdi Asomugha.

Shutdown cornerbacks don't win Super Bowls - a dominant pass rush does.  The Jets don't have much of a pass rush right now.

Take a look at the 9 Super Bowl winners and the reasons they won. Last year, the Packers didn’t have a great CB but they had a monster pass rush.  Can you even name one of the Saints CBs? Nope. But they had a good rush & QB

Steelers' front 7 dominates – not their CB’s. In fact, I’d argue their Corners were their defensive weakness. The Giants won that Super Bowl because of their defensive line & LB’s. The Colts had great defensive ends and a good safety. But Nick Harper & Jason David are their CB’s - not very impressive.

Steelers: again – a front seven. Ike Taylor & Deshea Townsend were their corners. The Patriots (Twice): Their cornerback tandems were Randall Gay & Asante Samuel. Ty Law & Tyrone Pool.  The Bucs in 2003 had Ronde Barber & (fill in the blank).

In fact, I’d argue there have been 2 dominant shutdown corners that have won a Super Bowl – Deion Sanders and Darrell Green. That’s it.

The 1985 Chicago Bears didn’t win the Super Bowl because of their CB’s.  They won it because their front 7 was dominant.  Can you even name the starting cornerbacks on that 1985 Bears team?  Gary Fencik was a safety.

This current Jets team has no defensive line or great pass rush linebackers.   You don't get closer to the Super Bowl by making your strengths stronger while letting your weaknesses get weaker.  You can’t cover guys forever. I don’t care how good your cover guys are.  If your line can’t get to the QB, guys will get open.

The Jets defensive line right now? Mike DeVito, Sione Pouha and Sean Ellis (who they're probably not re-signing).  DeVito, Pouha and Ellis. It sounds like the Law Firm that defended Lindsey Lohan when she went to court for the 18th time on drug charges.

Their current linebacker crop consists of Bart Scott (inside LB – not pass rusher) and Brian Thomas (not a pass rusher).  Calvin Pace & David Harris are free agents. Shouldn’t the Jets worry about them first or signing other LB’s instead?

The Jets have other needs to address right now. If they sign Asomugha, they’re going to turn into the Miami Heat and fill out their roster with a bunch of Juwan Howard’s.

The Jets need defensive lineman, a running back and linebackers that can cover the middle of the field (like the Pats’ tight ends and Wes Welker). Signing Nnamdi means that Braylon won't be back and losing a #2 receiver and not adequately replacing him after you had the 22nd pass game last year isn't smart.

There are big questions at running back. Is LT is going to have another year of decent production?  Can Shonn Green stay healthy? Will Joe McKnight have any sort of impact?