Nnamdi Asomugha: Why Teams Should Avoid Shutdown Cornerback

Much attention has been given to Nnamdi Asomugha if and when this lockout ends, as he is seen as one of the game's shutdown corners and teams are expected to lineup and be ready to fork over some big bucks to have him. 

But is having that coveted completely shutdown cornerback—Revis, Woodson, Bailey, Samuel—overrated?

It can be, but more often than not, the answer is flat out no.

Yeah, they are great because no matter who you are playing you know that your cornerback should be able to shutout the other team's number one receiver no matter what (hopefully).  

Theoretically, he automatically takes out usually the opponent's most threatening option unless the team's biggest threat is a QB like Vick or a RB like Peterson, Johnson, etc. 

But when do having these megabucks star corners cause more harm than good?

When you start overpaying them and crippling your team cap situation, and you decide to skimp on other parts of the defense. 

Here are the top five paid CBs in cap value from 2009-2010 per USA Today:

Champ Bailey: $13.7 million-Broncos

Asante Samuel: $10 million-Eagles

Dunta Robinson: $9.95 million-Texans

Darrelle Revis: $7.9 million-Jets

Charles Woodson: $7.4 million-Packers

The five players' teams finished 12th, 19th, 17th, first and second in points allowed per game. Three of them made the playoffs, and two others finished 8-8.

The stats certainly look sexy, and making the playoffs certainly looks great, but stats can also be misleading sometimes.

For instance, the Bills were second in passing defense, but their defense was terrible. Why? No run defense.

Teams did not need to pass when they can gain 150-plus yards on the ground. 

Making the playoffs also look great, but is it worth it to be investing so much money in shutdown corners? Article Source: Bleacher Report - Oakland Raiders