Nnamdi Asomugha Explains It All

Typically, when players speak at camp, I like to grab an interesting quote or two, give it some context and add my thoughts. Normally full transcripts of player remarks aren't all that interesting, so there's really no point in just posting the whole transcript.

But then there's Nnamdi Asomugha... These are his full remarks after the morning walkthrough today.


On how he works with defensive coordinator Juan Castillo and secondary coach Todd Bowles:

"The coordinator basically gives the overview, and then lays out how everything is supposed to be with the linebackers, DBs, and the defensive line. What the position coach does is make it all succinct to one player, so that is what Todd has been doing. He speaks directly to the corners. Todd has a great feel for the entire defense and the secondary. He'll talk to anyone because he is on the same page with Juan."

On how CB Curtis Marsh has been utilized differently and seen time with the first team:

"That's our plan right now. We put him in a lot of different packages so that we can try and take advantage of matchups. The more he progresses, the more he'll be able to do. He's done well this entire offseason, not just during this camp. The ball isn't always thrown to him, and there are a lot of times that he's in great position and the ball went somewhere else, so [everyone] won't necessarily see that. It might not look like he's doing stuff, but when we go back and watch film, you can see he's in a good position. He's progressing very well."

On how he and CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie have been competing over the course of training camp:

"It's more like a quiet competition at the cornerback position. Any time that there is two of you and you're interchangeable, that happens both in games and at practice. We won't vocalize it, but when one guy makes a play, another guy wants to step up and make a play. It's always like that every year that I've been in the league. There is always that competition, and it brings a different side of you out where you want to show up and help out."

On whether he sees that there are more opportunities for the cornerback opposite him to make plays because he does not see as many balls thrown his way:

"In my career, yes just because that's been the case so far. It does provide the guy with more opportunities. However, Dominique has been a great player his entire career and he's got all the intangibles to continue to be that guy. I don't look at it that way, and whenever I go out there, I just think about whatever way he wants to go and whatever matchup he sees that he wants based off the coverage he sees. I'll never look at it that way. The other corner has always said something like that to me, but that's not true. I don't think it's true."

On how this defensive backs group compares with others that he has played with in the past:

"I think it's more of a physical group than I've been around. I think in the past I've been with a lot more fast guys and corners who just had all the speed in the world. Technique didn't matter as much because they had that type of speed. There were a lot of [players like] Dominique that I had played with back in Oakland. This group is a lot more physical, and we're a tackling group and a hitting group. It's not just lining up and playing man, you have to be able to play cloud and cover two, and bang the receiver up. It's a good group."