SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- A fresh start in a familiar place is bringing out the best in Nnamdi Asomugha. The four-time All-Pro cornerback felt right at home Saturday as the San Francisco 49ers practiced in pads for the first time in training camp, using the size and press-coverage skills that made him a star during his first stint in the Bay Area. Asomugha is looking to regain the form at age 32 that made him one of the NFLs elite defensive players during his first eight seasons with the Oakland Raiders. And the defending NFC champion 49ers are looking for an upgrade in their secondary, which struggled in the playoffs during the teams run to the Super Bowl last season before losing All-Pro safety Dashon Goldson to free agency earlier this spring. Asomugha, after a forgettable two seasons with Philadelphia, feels he can give the Niners a lift in his return to a region where he also starred during his college days at the University of California. With San Francisco coming off its first trip to the Super Bowl in 18 years, Asomugha has felt a lift of inspiration and incentive as he embraces his new team. The 11th-year veteran has never been to the playoffs. "Theres always this feeling of a fresh start because the previous season has never really been that great," Asomugha said Saturday. "In my career Ive never been on a playoff team, so its never been like were going to build off that playoff year from the year before. The fact that theyre building off the Super Bowl definitely changes the whole landscape of how this season is going mentally for me so far. Its a fresh start, but its building off success." Asomugha needed a fresh start after his time with the Eagles, who were proclaimed a Super Bowl contender after Asomugha signed a five-year, $60 million deal as one of the NFLs top free agents of 2011. But the Eagles faltered during Asomughas two seasons and some wondered whether his best days were behind him. Asomugha ranked near the bottom of starting NFL cornerbacks last season in several statistical categories, and was released in March when he and the Eagles could not agree on terms of a restructured contract. Asomugha is putting that behind him with the 49ers, working to find his niche on a team that finished third in the NFL last season in total defence and fourth in passing defence. "Im kind of still letting it play out," Asomugha said. "I think Ive been fitting in well so far just learning the defence and being able to make plays out there. Thats been one of the big things Ive been happy about, my ability to make plays in this defence so far judging out there from the spring and summer. Now that its early in training camp, Im just focusing on getting better." Asomugha will have to earn his spot on the team after signing a modest one-year, $1.35 million deal in April. The 49ers return their top five cornerbacks from 2012, and there also are other newcomers vying for playing time in the secondary: veteran free agent Craig Dahl and rookie first-round draft pick Eric Reid. But defensive co-ordinator Vic Fangio is known for his aggressive style, and his system that mixes man and zone coverage appears to be a good fit for Asomugha, who calls it, "a really nice scheme. The aggressive nature of this defence is just really good. And the players that are around this defence helps anybody out." Asomugha will have to be able to help the 49ers in coverage situations if hes to find success again in the Bay Area, where he played in three Pro Bowls with the Raiders. His NFL experience and knowledge have been a plus so far, but his time in San Francisco will be determined by his ability to lock down on wide receivers. "The hunger is definitely there," Asomugha said. "Its definitely a different culture. The whole environment is a lot more positive, a lot more upbeat, a lot more optimistic. And its true optimism. Its not like all the 32 teams in the league coming in and saying this is the year were going to win the Super Bowl. Its coming from a real place. Ive never been around that." Nasir Adderley Jersey . The 18-year-old American had five birdies in her bogey-free round for a 17-under total of 196. Lee held the overnight lead but mixed three birdies with two bogeys for a 70. Joey Bosa Chargers Jersey .J. Jefferson has been charged with assaulting his girlfriend. http://www.prochargersteamstore.com/Youth-Jerry-Tillery-Elite-Jersey/ . -- The proud fathers huddled near the Dallas Stars dressing room, smiling, laughing and telling stories while wearing replica green sweaters of their sons team. Antonio Gates Womens Jersey . -- Team after team passed on Andre Ellington in the draft. Melvin Gordon III Jersey . With Parker having a quiet game for once, Nicolas Batum and Boris Diaw provided the scoring as France won its first major basketball title by beating Lithuania 80-66 on Sunday. It was a victory that ended a decade of frustration for Parker and a talented French generation, which lost the final against Spain two years ago and took bronze in 2005. The AFL could force GWS to shift a home final against Sydney to ANZ Stadium to accommodate extra fans if the fixture eventuates.A playoffs match between the two would be expected to draw at least 60,000 spectators, well exceeding the 24,000 who can fit in the Giants normal home ground, Spotless Stadium.The AFL have therefore confirmed to News Corp Australia they would consider moving the match across the road to the former Olympic venue if it were available.ANZ Stadium has not hosted an AFL match in 2016 after the Swans opted to sever ties with the ground before the beginning of the season.The two Sydney sides are currently secoond and third on the ladder with four rounds to play, with the Giants therefore due to host the Swans if positions stay as they are.ddddddddddddThe NRL have priority at the ground, however only Canterbury appear to have any chance of hosting a game at the venue throughout the first three weeks of the finals series.A clash is therefore unlikely.The Giants would like the match to be played at Spotless Stadium where they have a 5-1 record this year but understand the AFLs interest in discussing a move. 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