Sometimes stats don't tell the whole story. They usually do but in the case of Oakland Raiders CB Nnamdi Asomugha, they don't.
Take 2006 for example. He recorded eight interceptions and 55 tackles. Not bad, right? Well, the following two seasons he combined for two interceptions and didn't come within twenty tackles of his career high.
Those numbers earned him a Pro Bowl trip last season. But they don't tell the whole story because defensive backs can only record stats if the opposing team throws the ball their way. And, in the case of Asomugha, teams avoided him at all costs as his reputation as a shut down corner began to rise.
So, even though his stats aren't impressive, his game is. As they did last season, one of the few teams that did, the Kansas City Chiefs plan to go right at him.
"We're going to go at him," Dwayne Bowe told Oakland reporters this week. "Every game, he doesn’t show you the same thing every week. You could practice what he did this week, but when we play him Sunday he could have a whole different scheme, that’s what I learned about him. You never know what you’re going to get going against him. But as long as you know your role, you’ll be ok."
Bowe showed confidence in his quarterback, whom Raiders head coach Tom Cable expects to be Matt Cassel, and the oft criticized offensive line.
"Like myself, we have a great quarterback and our offensive line is protecting him, and all he needs is time. I improved, I matured more in route-running and catching the ball."
The San Diego Chargers challenged Asomugha last week with the Philip Rivers to Vincent Jackson connection. They hooked up five times for 56 yards including a touchdown pass.