Len Pasquarelli article on Nnamdi Asomugha

[Mars]

Asomugha? Who?

NEW YORK -- It wouldn't be a first round without at least one "who he?" type of prospect, and Saturday certainly featured such a player in University of California defensive back Nnamdi Asomugha, who was selected by the Oakland Raiders with the penultimate choice in the opening stanza.

But while some fans were scratching their heads over the choice, those who studied the draft carefully knew Asomugha could squeeze into the bottom of the first round, and weren't shocked that the Raiders grabbed him.

Asomugha, 21, is the kind of big defensive back every team, especially the Raiders, want to get. At 6-feet-2 3/8 and 213 pounds, he played some free safety at California, but most teams projected him to cornerback. He ran an impressive 40-yard time of 4.48 at the combine in February, and that helped to enhance his already rising stock.

"We're always looking the for the combination size-speed guy at corner," said one Raiders source. "Long before everyone else jumped on the trend, we wanted big (defensive backs) outside, guys who were physical but who could also run. And this guy fits our mold."

A three-year starter, Asomugha actually played as an 18-year-old freshman for California. He lacks some instinct but, in Oakland, will get some time to develop. Given the Raiders' injuries at cornerback in 2002, however, they were not about to get caught short at the position again this year. And the Raiders coaches do not view Asomugha as being a big a developmental type of player as some other clubs might have.
-- Len Pasquarelli


Just FYI