Everyone knows that the last couple of years weren’t the best for Nnamdi Asomugha, one of the first names you think about when the Philadelphia Eagles’ failures on the field and with the contracts they dealt come up. Still, at 31 and with certain pluses that are rare at the position, he’s drawing a lot of interest from the San Francisco 49ers and the New Orleans Saints, waiting for him to make the decision.

Asomugha isn’t fast, but he was never the kind of speedy corner who covers the entire backfield – he has only two season in his 10-year NFL career in which he finished with more than 1 interception; 8 in 2006 for the Raiders, and 3 for the Eagles in 2011. His first team All-Pro selections speak volumes more for his ability and how highly he was regarded before signing a a five-year, $60 million deal, which only made his individual failure a lot more outstanding.

But in the right kind of system, the one that allows him to be physical and up close with the receiver he’s covering from the moment the quarterback snaps the ball, Asomugha can be a lot more useful than he was for the Eagles, and obviously he’s going to come a lot cheaper this time around. The Saints have an edge thanks to Rob Ryan, the man who was Asomugha’s DC in Oakland, filling the same position now for the Saints, who have this Renaissance wind blowing through them thanks to the return of Sean Payton.

The 49ers are probably the more lucrative option when it comes to playing for success, not to mention they also need to strengthen up their situation among their defensive backs, Both teams have already made an addition or two to their secondary this season, but would like to add another high-caliber player, with more to boast in his distant past than his recent one, but in the right kind of system can prove to be much more than a fringe supplemental signing.

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