Asante Trade to Titans? Doesn't Seem Close
The Eagles' next order of business would seem to be trading corner Asante Samuel. Earlier this week, the Inquirer's Jeff McLane reported Asante would be willing to rework his contract if it would help get a deal done. He has cap numbers of $10.5 million this season and $12.5 million next season, according to Eaglescap.com.
Asante Trade to Titans? Doesn't Seem Close
Les Bowen, Daily News Staff Writer
The Eagles' next order of business would seem to be trading corner Asante Samuel. Earlier this week, the Inquirer's Jeff McLane reported Asante would be willing to rework his contract if it would help get a deal done. He has cap numbers of $10.5 million this season and $12.5 million next season, according to Eaglescap.com.
Asante talk heated up this week at the NFL meetings in Florida. Titansinsider.com reported that Tennessee has "some interest" in the 31-year-old corner, who has intercepted 19 passes over the last three seasons, and has appeared in four Pro Bowls since entering the league in 2003 with the Patriots.
Last night, Comcast SportsNet reported that a Samuel trade with the Titans, for a conditional third-round pick, could happen in the next few days. But Jim Wyatt, longtime Titans beat writer for the Nashville Tennessean, doesn't think the Titans are pursuing Samuel, and has stated flatly that they would not expend a third-round pick for him.
"The Titans aren’t on the verge of trading for Eagles cornerback Asante Samuel, and any interest in the four-time Pro Bowler is lukewarm at best," Wyatt wrote.
Eagles general manager Howie Roseman appeared on 94WIP today, but was not asked directly about the Comcast report. He referred to calls being "ongoing" RE trades in general, which was not particularly helpful.
My thinking is that these sorts of trades seem to happen near or during the draft, for some reason - maybe a team is hoping to get a corner in the first couple rounds, doesn't, and thinks, "What the heck, will the Eagles take a fourth-rounder now for Asante?"
I think that's probably the price. "Conditional third-rounder," predicated on Asante making the Pro Bowl next season or something, would be good value. I'll be a little surprised if this Titans thing happens, at least anytime soon.
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"Howie Roseman...was not particularly helpful (in an interview)." I, for one, am shocked.— dragoon6- It seems funny that Asante, who is a premiere corner in this league is only worth a conditional 3rd but AJ Feeley and Kevin Kolb are worth 2nd rounder’s.— birds748
- I think the answer to that is fairly clear. Quarterbacks are valued higher than any other position.
— SteveS11 - Yeah, but "any" QB versus a pro-bowl caliber corner? I bet Arizona would take Asante over Klob, now.
- Say what you want about Samuel but there's no denying the guy is a playmaker that consistently generates turnovers. You're telling me no one in the league is in need of a guy like that?— JimG
- Howie is backed into a corner now. He is going to get swindled into a 3rd round pick. when Kevin Kolb gets you a 2nd rounder and pro bowl corner— Sports4Life
- Would it be awful if they just kept him and let him play out his deal? Can't have too many good CB's.— regassert6
- The Eagles obviously think they can make better use of the money. That may turn out to be true and it may not. If DRC or Nnamdi stink up the place or get injured, and their backups get lit up, trading Samuel away will look like a dumb move in hindsight....but one that the Eagles are seemingly determined to make. — SteveS11
- Sports4Life: QB is a much more important position than corner, and the Cardinals thought they might get a starting QB out of the deal.— p-diddy
- Asante's value has to do with age and contract... In the NFL over thirty is like when your car goes over 100K miles... The value drops considerably. They really should have traded him last year— missurichie
- Asante may not be tough enough for Birds' fans, but he's smart on the field and off. His willingness to eat some cash now and rework his deal will facilitate a trade and extend his contract. It's called job security in the NFL.— obx2003
- Trade him for a 4th round draft pick? No thanks. I'd keep him if that's all they'll get. How big an issue is his salary for the Eagles?— MikeP
- The top five corners in the HOF couldn't tackle either. Basing your opinion of a corner on his tackling(and Asnate gave up the fewest yards after the catch than any Eagles corner) of RB's near the line of scrimmage is like saying that a DE can't play because he doesn't have good enough hands to make interceptions. Making plays for a CB is INT's buddy.— UncleStosh
