49ers sign Nnamdi Asomugha: Getting down to details

As we have quickly learned, reports are telling us the San Francisco 49ers signed Nnamdi Asomugha. Of course it happened while I was asleep following my LASIK surgery today, but what are you going to do? It's fitting that one of my most recent tweets about a Nnamdi story included Zzzzzzz in it.

You could argue this move has been two years in the offing. The 49ers pursued Nnamdi back in 2011 but Nnamdi decided on Philadelphia. After two years in which the entire Eagles team struggled, Nnamdi was released. He was looking at the 49ers and Saints, and finally decided on the 49ers.

There will be a lot to break down with regards to this deal, but I at least wanted to get the basics, as reported by Matt Barrows among others. The 49ers have not made an official announcement on the deal, but for now, here's what we know.

It is a one year deal for $1.35 million. That money is all in base salary, which means there are no guarantees. If he clearly has lot a significant step and struggles in training camp, the 49ers can release him with no obligations. I do think Nnamdi has something left, but the 49ers are putting themselves in situation of basically zero risk. It is also worth noting that per Barrows, the 49ers still have enough room to sign their 2013 rookie class.

The deal can be worth up to $3 million if Nnamdi reaches various incentives. This is very much a prove-it deal for Nnamdi. It is worth noting he also will still receive $4 million from the Eagles under his last contract. This put him in a position where money did not need to be the top motive.

Is this a good move? Well, based entirely on the finances it's a fantastic move. You bring in another competitor at the cornerback position, which should only benefit the unit.

Where it gets interesting is who potentially draws the short end of the stick. The 49ers conceivably could be keeping Carlos Rogers, Tarell Brown, Chris Culliver, Nnamdi Asomugha, Perrish Cox and Tramaine Brock. Last year they kept five cornerbacks. I suppose they could keep six this year, but how do you even begin to split playing time? Is there a concern about disgruntled players not getting playing time? Does that even matter at this point?