Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson
Mike Shanahan has jumped on the Nnamdi Asomugha bandwagon. Asomugha's play this season has been very underappreciated. The Oakland cornerback has been thrown at only 10 times in 10 games. He is a dominant player but because Oakland is 2-8 and one of the worst teams in the league, he doesn't get much publicity
However, he has got the attention of Denver coach Mike Shanahan, whose Broncos host Oakland on Sunday. Shanahan called Asomugha the "most underrated football player in the history of the game."
Wow? How about that for high praise. And you thought Shanahan would never say anything nice about a Raider?
Here is Shanahan's complete quote on Asomugha:
"He is the most underrated football player in the history of the game. I can't believe this guy hasn't been to the Pro Bowl or people don't talk about him all the time. He is off the charts and as good as it gets. He doesn't get the attention for the way he plays consistently. He is the most underrated football player that I have ever seen in my coaching career."
The following is what Denver quarterback Jay Cutler had to say Wednesday about preparing for Asomugha:
"With [cornerback] Champ [Bailey] injured, I think he is the best [cornerback] in the NFL right now. We didn't really mess with him the first game with [wide receiver] Brandon [Marshall] out. We have a lot of weapons and we will see what happens with the rest of the game plan. You just have to be careful with when you go at him and pick your battles.
On whether he expects Asomugha to follow Marshall around
"No. He hasn't followed anybody. We didn't know if he might follow [wide receiver Eddie] Royal in that first game, but he is a lot more comfortable in that right corner position because he can get his left arm on you. When he gets over to the other side, he's just not as effective."
On former Raiders CB DeAngelo Hall being traded to the Redskins
"They have somebody else [CB Chris Johnson] over there now, and that guy is getting a lot of balls because nobody is throwing at Nnamdi. You have to be careful dealing with him, so everybody is going right against these guys."
Williamson joined ESPN.com in 2008 after four seasons covering the Denver Broncos for the Denver Post. He previously covered the Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks.
