Nnamdi Asomugha is the most overrated player in the league? Seriously, KC Joyner?

[YourPalChrisMal]

http://bloggingthebeast.com/2011/09/...sly-kc-joyner/

Nnamdi Asomugha is the most overrated player in the league? Seriously, KC Joyner?

(Deep breath)… Do I really want to do this again? (Sigh)… Crap. I was just sitting here nicely watching the Phillies game, Joyner. Minding my own. My pregnant wife is at her PTA meeting (she’s a teacher), the dog is walked and fed, cat fed, dishes done, and I just wanted a rare night to effing relax. But noooooo… You just couldn’t have that now, could you? Had to write some more insanely stupid nonsense again… And I really don’t want to be labeled as that guy that tears everything apart, but I can’t get myself to just ignore it. Screw you for that, Joyner. Dammit, let’s just get right to it.

Here’s the link (you need to be a paid “ESPN Insider” to read this junk):

The recurring postseason disappointments meant Philadelphia needed more elite talent than its current methods were producing, so the team went about acquiring a slew of players that eventually became known, for better or worse, as the “Dream Team.”

There is one notable problem: The acquisitions that brought along the “Dream Team” comment from Vince Young may form the most overrated group of players in the NFL.

Sigh… Alright, so what’chu got this time, KC?

It all starts with the most highly publicized offseason signing, cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha.

Alright, you’ve got my attention.

The conventional book on Asomugha is that his coverage skills are so superior that few teams will throw passes at him.

Yeah, that’s always been my perception of the guy. What am I missing?

There’s an element of truth to that, as Asomugha has finished as the least-targeted cornerback in pro football for each of the past three seasons. But that may be as much due to the Oakland Raiders’ defense, Asomugha’s previous team, as anything else. Oakland allowed more rushing yards in 2008-10 than any other team in the NFL, so its opponents could pound the ball on the ground to their hearts’ content and not have to worry about throwing at Asomugha.

Hmmm… interesting point. And you know what? I even did a little research on my own. It appears that Oakland had the least amount of passing attempts against them in each of the past 2 seasons. That was with Nnamdi. So far, without Nnamdi, Oakland has the the second MOST passing attempts against them in 2011. But OK, let’s not get bogged down with all of that. I know you have a lot to say, so let’s keep it moving. Please, continue…

His backers will say this is because of the low sample size, but check out Asomugha’s composite coverage metrics during the past seven years:

SeasonAttInc./Off PI PenYardsYPASuccess rateINT200451144138.127.50%0200569364356.352.20%02 00661334216.954.10%820073522244762.90%120083015162 5.450%120092592289.136%1201029151916.651.70%0Total 3001442094748%11

Wow, looks pretty awesome to me. So what’s up?

Three-hundred pass attempts ought to be enough to get past the low sample size argument. Since the league average for yards per attempt (YPA) is usually around 7.5, Asomugha’s 7.0 YPA in this time frame means he is somewhat above average but not anywhere near Revis’ level.

Since this coverage trend has also continued through two games with Philadelphia (86 yards allowed on six pass attempts), it is not a stretch to say that Asomugha may be the most overrated player in the NFL.

Wait… what?!? That’s not how I read that chart. Stop me when there’s anything you disagree with. Nnamdi’s breakout season was 2006, when he had 8 picks on just 61 passes that came his way. The following season and beyond is when opposing QBs just kinda said, “Ehhh, maybe we’ll just not throw at him.” He gave up 244 yards in 2007. I have that right, right? OK. He gave up 162 yards in 2008, right? Yup, OK. And he gave up 228 yards in 2009? Let’s see… Yup, that’s what your chart says. And finally, 191 yards last season.

OK, so… (And yeah, the “OK, so…” gets its own paragraph)

244 + 162 + 228 + 191 = 825 yards allowed the past 4 years.

(I’ll take a bathroom break while everyone checks my math).

OK, I’m back. Now, hang in there with me on this one. Nnamdi, over the past 4 season, has played in 60 games (he missed 4).

825 yards allowed / 60 games = 13.75 yards allowed per game.
Again, by my math (and I’ll admit the math is very complicated here, and I’m no math wizard), Nnamdi Asomugha has given up an average of 13.75 yards per game over the past 4 years. I would invite anyone to please let me know if I have that incorrect.

Obviously, OVERRATED!

OK, so I understand you were interested in attacking Steve Smith, too.

Do I have that correct? Yes? OK, let’s hear it:

New York’s biggest issue with Smith was that it thought he would not be ready to play until October; he thought he would
be ready to go earlier than that. Well, it’s two games into the season and Smith has been targeted three times thus far, so the Giants look to have been right about his early season effectiveness.

Well, Andy Reid stated today that he too didn’t think Smith would be ready until roughly October, but that was OK, considering… you know… he’s the 4th receiver in Philly, and will be probably be no higher than the 5th option in the passing game this season. But Smith has actually been far ahead of schedule. He was only on the field for 5 snaps Week 1, but saw his playing time increase to 19 snaps Week 2. In that limited time, he contributed a couple catches for 29 yards. It’s certainly more than I expected when the Eagles first signed him. So yeah… alright… early season effectiveness might be a little down in comparison to a player that’s 100% healthy, but I think that maybe… just maybe… the Giants would rather start him this week against Philly than say… Victor Cruz?
OK, so who else you feel like criticizing?

(Ronnie)Brown was let go by Miami in large part because he was one of the least productive backs in the league last year on plays with good blocking (which is loosely defined as when the blockers do not allow the defenders to do anything to disrupt the rush attempt).

His 5.3 GBYPA (good blocking yards per attempt) was tied for next-to-last among running backs with 100 or more carries last year.

Ronnie Brown’s 5.3 GBYPA (good blocking yards per attempt) was tied for next-to-last among running backs with 100 or more carries last year, huh? That may be true, but his YGAADGWATYY (yards gained after a defender got within a three yard radius) led the entire NFL. See? I can just make up nonsense too.

You done yet?

(Vince) Young’s time with the Tennessee Titans was chock-full of office politics and injuries, and those factors eventually led in part to Jeff Fisher’s departure.

That doesn’t bode well for Young, but the fact that he barely beat out Mike Kafka for the backup quarterback role before the season may say even more. Kafka is currently the No. 2 quarterback, as Young was inactive for the first two games of the season with a hamstring injury.

Hamstring injury?!? HAMSTRING INJURY?!?!?!? Get this team cancer the hell off the team. He’s not fit to be a backup QB in this league!
Any final words?

(The Eagles) are just as they were before these players arrived, a very talented team that still has something to prove in the postseason. Unless and until they do that, the “Dream Team” appellation should be avoided.

Hey, we actually agree there. But you know what else should be avoided? Buying a subscription to ESPN Insider.

[kyfred]

I think the article points out exectly what it is intended. the meaning is subject to interpretation. You can not judge a corner soley by yards per catch. There is more to it. How baout what percentage of a QB's throws go to him. corners are great at covering or great at ball hawking or great at pass defense, great at minimizing YAC or any combintation of these. Is Revis in a league by himslef. maybe, but what about the defense they run that does not require coverage due to a fierce rush? Over the top help or an assortment of other options. He is a corner that requires no help and allows the team to apply preasure without assisitng him. Asante is also a top nothc, but has better ball hawking skills. His YAC per attempt are grerater due to his risk taking. Which one is better - what is the measure?