Friday afternoon the Eagles announced a 5-year $60 million dollar deal with cornerback Nnadmi Asomugha, the top rated free agent of the 2011 NFL off season. Nnamdi was highly pursued by the Jets, Cowboys, and Texans, but the Birds swooped in Friday and added the four time Pro-Bowler to what was already an impressive list of recent acquisitions (Jason Babin, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Vince Young, Cullen Jenkins). He joins Rodgers-Cromartie and Asante Samuel in a secondary that for now features three pro-bowl corners. Whether or not there will be room for all three come Pre-season opener August 11th remains to be seen. Asomugha will become a cornerstone for a defensive unit that has yearned for one since the departure of free safety Brian Dawkins.
Friday night, not to be outdone, the Phillies made some noise of their own, when they ended their "hunt" for a right-handed bat by grabbing Houston's Hunter Pence. In a trade that sent four prospects, including Jarred Cosart and Jonathan Singleton to Houston, the Phillies landed Pence with time to spare before the July 31st deadline. Pence joins the Phillies as the ninth ranked hitter in the National League, with a .308 average that will also be the best on the team. He will find a home in the fifth spot of the order, right behind Ryan Howard, who could certainly use Pence's All-Star protection. The Phillies have been discussing the idea of acquiring a right-handed bat since Jayson Werth signed his mega-deal with Washington this past off-season. The addition of Pence not only satisfies that long term need, but makes Carlos Ruiz the only Phillies starter who hasn't played in an MLB All-Star game.
Before the Phillies World Series title in 2008, the city of Philadelphia waited 100 seasons of big four sports for a Professional championship. This time, expect no drought.
JD
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