Asante Waits, and Paints
The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagletarian
Asante Waits, and Paints
Les Bowen, Daily News Staff Writer
Eagles cornerback Asante Samuel was in the Grays Ferry area today, lending a hand at a Habitat for Humanity build on behalf of his charity, the Bring it Home Single Moms Foundation.
Samuel said he hasn't spoken yet with new Eagles defensive backs coach Todd Bowles, and doesn't know any more about his future with the team than he knew when the season ended.
Samuel, who turned 31 last month, is scheduled to make $9.4 million this coming season, and more than $11 million in 2013, the final season of his six-year, $57 million deal. Perhaps even more relevant, his favored style of playing off the receiver and swooping in for an interception clashes with the press coverage that is the strong point of corners Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Nnamdi Asomugha. There is widespread anticipation of an offseason Samuel trade, though the Eagles have not indicated they plan to do that.
"I was expecting you to answer all those questions for me," Samuel said when your Eagletarian asked what he expects to happen. "You, Joe, Howie and Andy, ain't y'all cool?"
Maybe Asante assumed your Eagletarian was in the same fantasy league as the Eagles' president, the general manager, and the head coach. But he assumed incorrectly.
"They don't tell you those things? I'm hoping to be here. That's all."
Can he mesh better with Asomugha and Rodgers-Cromartie than he did last season, when the Birds' secondary was a huge disappointment, ranking 24th in the NFL in touchdown passes surrendered?
"Anything's possible," he said.
Could Asante adapt to more man, press coverage?
"I'll play whatever I need to play. As long as you make the play, what difference does it make?" he asked.
Samuel said the charity appearance meant a lot to him because he was raised by a single mother, Christine Samuel, who worked a secretarial job for the city of Lauderdale Lakes in his native Florida. When he was growing up, it seemed they moved every six months, he said. He said his mom never owned a home until he bought her a condo after he signed his first NFL contract, with the Patriots.
"We moved from house to house, never had a stable foundation," he said. "That's what I'm trying to bring with this charity."
Les, if you look at the metrics Asante actually had a solid season. He was thrown out often and held up pretty well. Much of the TD passes given up where against the Eagle linebackers, safeties, and other corners. Asante will be traded or released but it will be because his 9.4 million cap number is way too high. It won't be because he can't play anymore.— soulman386- I think the Philllies proved that its not wise to stack 1 position with players and avoiding improvements in other areas. DRC is playing for a contract this year so he needs to start. Id take a 4th rounder for Asante.— FABER
- He doesn't mesh with their system, some of that doe can be spent
elsewhere. He is still very good.— Willysoup - Why would any team trade for Asante and his $9.4 million cap number when they know the Eagles will release him and they can get him for much less?— SteveS11
- He still has skill, but I'm tired of watching him whiff on tackles. They need to change the mindset on this defense.— Vote for Dickie
- Why wouldn't he want to come back? Big paycheck with little work. He does not know how to tackle. He just knows how to run his big mouth all the while saying how he is not wanted or respected by the Eagles. Someday he may realize that a person has to earn respect; it does not automatically come just because you are an athlete. I hope he hits the road; good riddance.— oneway
- He's making too much money. It's too bad, but the Eagles may not get a trade and will need to release him. And if he were willing to renegotiate his deal, what would the Eagles do with him with two press corners they seem to prefer?— jerseyshorefan
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"Maybe Asante assumed your Eagletarian was in the same fantasy league as the Eagles' president, the general manager, and the head coach. But he assumed incorrectly."
Now that is an instant classic!— outta work - Talented or not the 'me first ' clowns like Desean and Asante " the business entity" Samuel have to go..The defense on a whole has to toughen up and get some of theDog back that we have never adequately replaced when Dawk left.. If we're going to see another average year I 'd rather watch young, agressive guys at least punish the other team when we lose rather than 22 hop skipping , smiling and running off the field thinking he did his job with 1 Int in a 38-17 loss where he missed or whiffed on 8 tackles against the run......— PhillyMike5959
- What he said - What he meant:
Can he mesh better with Asomugha and Rodgers-Cromartie?
"Anything's possible," he said. - "No"
Could Asante adapt to more man, press coverage?
"I'll play whatever I need to play. As long as you make the play, what difference does it make?" he asked. - "No"
Buh, bye.— calm weather - I love how we all assume DRC is this stud that will fill the void..........someone tell me what he showed last year? And the other 900 million dollar guy???— Phinally
Comment removed.- Comment removed.
- The answer is YES - Asante and Cullin Jenkins were “the” vocal veteran voices on the team last year. Both had the best season of any player at their position, so YES please keep Pro Bowl caliper starters who know the defense and continue to make plays.
DCR has tons of speed and potential, however he continued to show the lack of a killer instinct when it came to tackling or blocking down field or when we did get an interception. Keep them all; no team is going to be willing to pony-up 9 large for the services of a 31 year old cornerback. And no other team has three corners with this much talent.
#22 we love your Eagle spirit!
— Laughingaloud123 - If there's one thing the Eagles proved last season, it's that there's more to winning football games than having the most talented players; it takes attitude, committment, drive, effort, and teamwork.
Samuel has the talent, but his behavior and play last season, and his comments, including yesterday's "anything's possible" reinforce what he already showed us last year: He's got a lousy attitude, he's not interested in adapting or improving, and isn't overly concerned with what that means to the team.
It doesn't matter who they lineup at cb, The Eagles will be a better "team" without him.
— andyd
