Jan 12, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers receiver Randy Moss (84) attempts to elude Green Bay Packers cornerback Charles Woodson (21) during the first quarter of the NFC divisional round playoff game at Candlestick Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The San Francisco 49ers have rumored to be in the cornerback market all offseason. Most famously they were linked with the New York Jets as a potential trade partner for Darrelle Revis. But as nothing has emerged from that end and free agency began and deals were being signed the 49ers were forced into the market.

To address the cornerback position they’re reportedly in “serious discussions with free agent Nnamdi Asomugha. The cornerback is no stranger to the Bay Area having played most of his career for the Oakland Raiders.

“Update: The @49ers are n serious discussion w/Asomugha and Charles Woodson. Reuniting these 2 in the 2ndary is a major upgrade. #FreeAgency” Akbar Gbajabiamila of the NFL Network tweeted.

With Dashon Goldson left and signed a deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers leaving another void in their secondary at safety. Bringing in Charles Woodson, who spent most of his career at corner but recently converted to safety, would help fill that hole. I don’t know that at this point in their careers he is a better alternative to Goldson.

Woodson is 36 years old, and last year as a safety he had only 1 interception, though just two seasons ago he had seven interceptions as a cornerback. Goldson, 28, had 4 interceptions last year.

December 9, 2012; Tampa, FL, USA; Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha (24) and teammates react after the Eagles scored the game-winning touchdown as time expired during the second half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. The Eagles won 23-21. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Free agency in the NFL hasn’t officially started yet and the Philadelphia Eagles are already striking out, at least via a tweet from Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane.

“A word of caution (again): I would not expect the #Eagles to sign any of the big name DB free agents like Sean Smith or Dashon Goldson.”

That means not 49ers safety Dashon Goldson, or Miami Dolphins cornerback Sean Smith. Darrelle Revis is reportedly set to come off the market if the New York Jets complete a trade with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Eagles could try and make a last minute push to acquire Revis but to do so might cost them more as they attempt to outbid Tampa Bay.

But their isn’t much to be optimistic about in Philadelphia as the Eagles further deplete their secondary with the release of Nnamdi Asomugha.

“Philadelphia Eagles will release former Pro Bowl CB Nnamdi Asomugha today,” Adam Schefter tweeted.

He certainly won’t get the same deal he did in 2011, 5 years $60 million. He is approaching 32, and getting slower. His passion for the game has been questioned as reports came out that he ate lunch by himself in his car. It’ll be interesting to see who give him a second shot.

Oct 30, 2011; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha (24) celebrates making an interception during the first quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

If you haven’t heard, the once talked about ‘Dream Team’ or possible ‘Dynasty’ known as the Philadelphia Eagles, are slowly starting to fall apart.

With the departure of Andy Reid, with Chip Kelly from the University of Oregon replacing him, things in Philadelphia are changing. Just not sure if its for the best, or for the very worst.

An article by fellow writer and NFL Spin Zone editor Mike ‘Dyce’  indicates that the Philadelphia Eagles will cut corner-back and one of their top free agent pick ups a few seasons ago in Nnamdi Asomugha.

I mentioned in my Top Five Destinations for former Atlanta Falcon and corner-back Dunta Robinson, that he could be a possible substitute if the asking price for Darrelle Revis was too high.

Well, this just might be the case with Nnamdi Asomugha too.

So, potential teams for this man should be the following.

1. Atlanta Falcons - It wouldn’t surprise me if the Atlanta Falcons were involved in the mix of teams who were interested in Darrell Revis. After releasing Dunta Robinson, they need to find a replacement and Asomugha, who had 4 interceptions in 2 years with Philadelphia, could be a possible long term fit. They need to tweak that defense a little and this move would be a good start as they look to getting back to their playoff form for next season. We all know their top priority for now is to bring back tight end Tony Gonzalez, but I’m sure as soon or if they happens, they will be searching for more talent to help them get to the promise land.

2. New England Patriots - Yes, once again, the New England Patriots. Some way or another they always find a way to bring in pro bowl talent and now that Wes Welker has informed the New England Patriots, that he intends to test the market. This could possibly give the Patriots time to bulk up their corner position before bringing back in Welker, if in fact he does return to the team. They traded for Aqib Talib from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after playing 4 games for the Buccaneers last season and have Alfonzo Dennard (Rookie in 2012) who had 3 interceptions and a force fumble returned for a touchdown. Bring in Nnamdi to accompany Talib on the other side of the field, which could bring in a good rotation if one or the other happens to get injured.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - This team should be on a spending spree come next Tuesday. Another team who could be in the ‘Revis Sweepstakes’ mix. They have to be licking their chops now that this report has been thrown out to the wolves. Tampa Bay is looking to bulk up their roster and take the division from the Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints and defending division champions, Atlanta Falcons. By any means necessary, which means, spend spend spend. They need someone who can step up and be a solid player at that position. I wouldn’t count this team out of either Darrelle Revis or Nnamdi Asomugha, either way, one of the two could land in Tampa.

4. Indianapolis Colts - A young team who took the league by storm, come from behind victories and a play off berth after some thought this team was doomed after releasing Peyton Manning. After trading for Miami Dolphins star corner and San Francisco 49ers Vernon Davis’s little brother, Vontae Davis, who finished the season with 3 interceptions and 51 total tackles, they brought some balance to their defense. Adding another veteran in Nnamdi Asomugha wouldn’t be such a bad idea considering the young talent on this team who could use another mentor after the Indianapolis Colts released Dwight Freeney. They were man handled last season by rival New England Patriots, being blown out 59-24, really don’t want that to repeat next season. So if they have the cap space, they need to atleast talk to Nnamdi to see if he would be interested in helping out and preventing games like that from happening. Asomugha, Butler (who had 4 interceptions last season) and Davis holding down the corners of the defense while Andrew Luck do their thing on offense? I think they could win a division title again.

5. Kansas City Chiefs - The decision to involve this team is simple, it’s the he is familiar with the head coach approach. Now we all know that Kansas City is doing their best to keep the band together, they re-signed wide-receiver Dwayne Bowe and brought in Alex Smith and are sitting pretty with their #1 overall pick in this years draft, in which I think they pick up offensive tackle Luke Joeckel. So what more do they need to help improve this team? Defense, they need to add more players on defense. If you don’t have a defense who can give the ball back to the offense, then you better have an offense that can keep matching the opposing team, point for point. These guys are trying to throw their name in the hat of playoff contenders and could do so this very season. But they still have a lot of work to do and should definitely get ahold and sign Nnamdi Asomugha to help get this team to that level of play.

December 9, 2012; Tampa, FL, USA; Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha (24) gets ready to defend against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-21. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

It looked like Nnamdi Asomuga would be the lone member of the Philadelphia Eagles “dream team” to stay. But just like Cullen Jenkins, Nnamdi Asomugha is set to be released by the Philadelphia Eagles later today according to Howard Eskin of FOX 29 in Philly.

Eskin sent out the following tweet:

“I’m told #eagles will release CB Nnamdi Asomugha 2day after 2 yrs w team. He was to make 15 million this season. He does get 4 mill #fox29“

That $15 million is a large number for any team to swallow especially when the player was brought in thinking you were getting someone on the level of Darrelle Revis.

He has had 4 interceptions in his 2 years with Philadelphia, he also has had 82 tackles. While Asomugha might be a desirable corner on the free market, and surely a team desperate enough would sign him, he is 31 years old and won’t get anywhere near the $15 million he was set to receive this season.

More interestingly is how this will effect the trade inquiries for New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis. Some potential suitors might back out of the Revis sweepstakes and opt just to sign Asomugha. Not because he’s better but because you don’t have to give up anything. In turn that could help out the San Francisco 49ers get Revis at a lower price with less bids, and they have plenty of draft picks so they won’t mind parting with a few.

[UPDATE]: March 6th 10:44 AM

NFL Spin Zone writer, Erik Duerrwaechter pointed out this tweet from Albert Breer of the NFL Network:

“I’m told, as of right now, the Eagles are not planning to release Nnamdi Asomugha today.”

All that really means is that he won’t be released today, could be tomorrow. But with out some restructuring of the contract, the less money kind not converting it to bonus kind, he won’t be an Eagle for much longer.

Or as Pro Football Focus put it in their tweet:

“QBs targeting Nnamdi Asomugha last season had a passer rating of 120.6 – Maybe Eagles aren’t cutting him today, but it’s happening”

[UPDATE]: March 6th 11:01 AM

The man that started all this, Howard Eskin, tweeted out this about the Asomugha story:

“Bad tweet. I jumped the gun on Nnamdi Asomugha. #eagles not releasing him 2day. But don’t worry it will happen. #fox29 bleep happens”

December 9, 2012; Tampa, FL, USA; Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha (24) gets ready to defend against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-21. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Philadelphia Eagles made a big splash when they signed Nnamdi Asomugha to a contract out of free agency. It was a 5 year $60 million dollar deal that brought Asomugha cross country to Philly.

Now the Eagles are trying to shed salary to get under the cap. As structured right now, Asomugha would count for $15 million dollars against the cap. A number usually reserved for quarterbacks and franchise players. Of that $15 million $4 of it is guranteed whether he plays for the Eagles or not.

That makes cutting or releasing Asomugha unlikely. However if he refuses to restructure his deal the Eagles might not have any other option. Though for Nnamdi Asomugha restructuring seems like the safer and better bet. If he hit unrestricted free agency again their wouldn’t be such a lucrative contract in his future this time around.

When two sides meet this am, Eagles will ask CB Nnamdi Asomugha to restructure contract or they will release him. Asomugha guaranteed $4mil.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 22, 2013

Dallas has emerged as a legitimate contender over the past 24 hours, while the San Francisco 49ers appear to have dropped out of the chase for Nnamdi. There is no exact word why San Fran will no longer pursue Nnamdi, but they have informed people around the league that they are no longer in the race.

If Nnamdi goes to New York, he will give the Jets the NFL’s top two cornerbacks. If he chooses Dallas, it would give the Cowboys the top-flight corner they desperately need and likely signal the end of Terrance Newman’s time in Big D. Players can visit teams later today and if Asomugha makes a visit to Valley Ranch to meet Jerry Jones, Dallas could emerge as the front-runners.

Fasten your seat belts, folks. This one is getting interesting. Which of the Ryan brothers will get the player they covet?

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Nnamdi Asomugha wants to win a Super Bowl and the New York Jets have reached the AFC Championship game for two consecutive years, so it comes as no surprise that the two sides have been in discussions.

The New York Jets toughest competition for Asomugha are the San Francisco 49ers. Outside of the Niners and Jets, the Dallas Cowboys appear to slowly be surfacing as a contender for “Scrabble’s” services.

Nnamdi watch should hopefully be over by the end of Friday.

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Today, the Texans signed former Bengals defensive back Jonathan Joseph. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the two sides have agreed to terms on a five-year deal.

Now that Houston is no longer a player for Asomugha, the bidding war for the maket’s top free agent is between the San Francisco 49ers and New York Jets.

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Nnamdi Asomugha is the top free agent on the market and teams across the league are hoping they can sign the shutdown corner. Asomugha was believed to be seeking a contract in the range of $18 million per year, but according to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen he may be willing to take a pay cutin order to play with a contender.

With the latest news, a team like the New York Jets is very much in play for Asomugha’s services.

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During the NFL Lockout, top free agent corner Nnamdi Asomugha has been the center of many reports and a lot of speculation. One rumor linked Asomugha to the Detroit Lions, however, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press has said the Lions will not enter a bidding war for the elite corner. A team source told Birkett that Asomugha will be too expensive for Detroit.

If the team signs it’s top free agents, it will not have much room under the salary cap to throw at a guy like Asomugha. Instead, look for the team to target a second-tier corner such as Drayton Florence and try hard to re-sign Chris Houston.

The money the team would need to target the top corners in the free agent market will likely be focused on re-signing a guy like Cliff Avril. Avril is rapidly improving and recorded a career high 8.5 sacks last season. Avril is their top priority and the team hopes to sign him to a long term deal.

It may be heartbreaking news to Lions fans who know the team needs a top corner and was hoping for Asomugha, but signing the man also known as “Scrabble” just doesn’t seem realistic.