The Cowboys have 77 players in training camp, but Friday morning the attention has shifted back to a prized free agent hundreds of miles away – Nnamdi Asomugha – and whether he might wind up here in San Antonio as the league's splashiest signing yet.
National reports have again linked the All-Pro cornerback to the Cowboys, possibly as a legitimate rival suitor with Rex Ryan's Jets. His twin brother, Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, coached Asomugha for five seasons in Oakland and knows exactly what he adds to a defense.
"He'll be great wherever he goes, I know that," Rob Ryan said. "He's a terrific person, terrific player. He's smart, he's talented. Whoever gets him, I'm sure they'll have to pay a billion dollars for him with this market."
Ryan didn't speculate beyond general praise of his ex-player. Asked how Asomugha might fit into the Cowboys' defense, he said, "That's a hypothetical. There's not too many people that have his talent. Maybe DeMarcus Ware but he's already playing linebacker for us.
"I'm sure we can't get two of them, hell."
Ryan complimented Cowboys cornerbacks Terence Newman, Mike Jenkins and Orlando Scandrick, saying he had "three excellent football players" to counteract opponents' three-wide sets. Head coach Jason Garrett basically said the same thing.
The Cowboys' front office doesn't comment on team interest in prospective free agents, but executive vice president Stephen Jones did say Wednesday that their current corners are safe. Safety, defensive line and even offensive line and wide receiver might be bigger position needs.
Still, every year the Cowboys seem connected to the top free agents. This year it's Asomugha. And the speculation won't stop until he's found a new team.
