While fans might try to forget the ill-rated 2011 Eagles “dream team,” it doesn’t seem players are as quick to sweep it under the rug.
There were plenty of failures, from Michael Vick’s injuries to Andy Reid finally wearing out his welcome. But perhaps the epitome was the struggles of Nnamdi Asomugha, the $60 million man who lasted just two seasons in Philly.
Appearing on the “I Am Athlete” podcast, LeSean McCoy and Asante Samuel didn’t hold back on Asomugha. “[Asomugha was a] guy that was just overrated and, you know, they gave a lot of pub to because of whatever. Just like a lot of overrated people,” Samuel explained.
McCoy then eagerly recalled what went down on the first day of practice back in 2011. “When he went against the tight end, Brent Celek. Brent was a good tight end but he wasn’t a route runner,” McCoy said.
“[Celek] hit him with, like, a post corner. We was like, ‘Awwwww.’ We looked at the GM. And you know how Asante is, he’s like, ‘Pshhh, told you.'”
Yikes. Celek was a fan favorite and had productive seasons, but to be beaten by him on a corner post? 1-on-1? On the first day? When you finished the previous year as an All-Pro? Suddenly, the stories of Asomugha eating alone in his car at lunch make more sense.
Philadelphia would be the second-to-last stop of Asomugha’s stellar career that saw four All-Pro selections and three Pro-Bowls. Despite the bad memories, at least these behind-the-scenes stories will help to ease the pain.
