Asante on Asking for Trade: No Comment
The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagletarian
Asante on Asking for Trade: No Comment
Les Bowen, Daily News Staff Writer
BETHLEHEM --- Reading between the lines of Asante Samuel's words following the afternoon walkthrough, it seems Samuel doesn't know whether he's coming or going, but suspects the latter.
Samuel indicated support for the idea that the Eagles' three Pro Bowl corners can work together, but he also "no commented" a pair of questions, when asked whether he had asked for a trade and whether he had asked to not be traded.
"If they're tired of my big-play-making ability, maybe they'll ship me off," Samuel said several times, in answer to questions about how he sees the future unfolding. "Maybe they want to keep me. Who knows?"
Asked whether he wants to remain an Eagle, Samuel said: "I want to be where I'm wanted. If I'm wanted here, (fine). If I'm not appreciated here, life goes on. I move on."
Does he feel wanted here?
"It's probably 50-50, you know?" Samuel said. "So we'll see how it goes."
He confirmed he had spoken with management about his future. Apparently, Samuel didn't get ewhat he considered definitive answers.
"He's a hell of a player and definitely can do a lot for the team," Samuel said of Nnamdi Asomugha.
Samuel confirmed what the Eagles had been sayiing, that his excused absence from training camp before today was for personal, family reasons, and had nothing to do with his contract or the team.
Eagles president Joe Banner has appeared on WIP Radio and on the PFT Live podcast today. In both appearances, Banner said the Eagles are keeping their options open with Samuel, now part of a three-Pro Bowl-corner triumvirate.
On PFT Live, Banner said the situation might be like two years ago, when the Eagles felt they were best off with Donovan McNabb, Kevin Kolb and Michael Vick at the quarterback position, rather than trying to move one. of course, that was a one-year situation.
Banner said the Eagles have "definitely started getting inquiries from people ... We have teams that are formulating offers."
The flurry of reports about a pending DeSean Jackson arrival here so far has not yielded results. Banner said in both appearances that the team is unaware of any imminent end to Jackson's holdout. But when the details of the new CBA are finalized, there will be a date next week -- Maybe Aug. 9 -- after which a holdout with a contract will lose a year of pension vesting. That's significant. because you need four years vested to become a free agent; if Jackson loses a year, he doesn't reach free agency next offseason. No agent in his right mind would ever advise a client to do that. So we can be pretty sure Jackson is coming in, we just don't know how soon and how grudgingly.
Banner said on PFT Live that right now, the union and the league have differing dates, which they will have to resolve.
"I hope he'll be here soon," Banner said of Jackson. "I have no indication when that will happen."
Apparently, the Eagles have been talking to agent Drew Rosenhaus about a Jackson contract.
Given the recent dizzying pace, it was a quiet morning at camp. The injury report is down to Brent Celek (back spasms), safety Kurt Coleman (ankle) and running back Dion Lewis (hamstring).
Safety Nate Allen, returning from knee surgery, saw his first live action of camp today and said he feels his knee is now 100 percent, but that his reps will continue to be limited for a while to be safe.
There is some confusion about exactly what defensive coordinator Juan Castillo is talking about when he references using Nnamdi Asomugha in a "Rod Woodson-type role." Castillo talked about that in today's Daily News, and again in his news conference today. But today, Castillo also made reference to the Packers, so apparently, he has in mind Charles Woodson, not Rod. Either way, he seems to want to move Asomugha around in his scheme.
Nothing new with first-round pick Danny Watkins. There continues to be a logjam signing players around Watkins No. 23 overall spot, with agents wanting the complete four-year guarantee that players signing higher in the first round are getting, and teams adamant about only offering a three-year guarantee ijn the bottom half of the round.
As we said previously, Watkins's agents and the Eagles have face to lose or gain in this fight, but for Watkins, the fourth-year guarantee is really small potatoes compared to the chance to start at right guard as a rookie. He is a victim of somebody else's war.
no one is saying the birds will not redo his contract but he has to be in camp.— palmyra21- Watkins is not playing this right. There's no need for a guaranteed 4th year because if he plays at a high level, or even makes the pro-bowl, the Eagle will give him a new contract after his 3rd year. They always lock up young talent early.— ej610
- When you tell Desean to come in, be patient he'll get the big money next year, remember Javon Walker— robinlupe
- It's a slap in the face to Jackson they would give $4 million to a cornerback and pay your most productive player 1/8 of that? I wouldn't show unto they showed me so dough. Keep all three corners, you will need them against the Packers and Saints.— master poet
- Pssst, philly.com....it's August 1st, not August 11th. You have the Eagles-Ravens pre-season game up at the top of this screen as if they're playing tonight.— jabs69
- RE: Jackson's fine. Don't forget that the Eagles have NOT confirmed that they are applying the 30K penalty to him. IN fact, they have avoided saying that they are.— BigRoundRed
- RE: Jackson's fine. Don't forget that the Eagles have NOT confirmed that they are applying the 30K penalty to him. IN fact, they have avoided saying that they are.— BigRoundRed
- The Eagles will trade Asante for a bunch of picks. You know they love their draft picks.— jkt
- DJax is under contract to be in camp, whether or not he is underpaid. He should be in camp getting his reps and show the Eagles he is committed. Don't be a punk!!! Get in Camp.— Flockey_Hockey
- Frank, are you wolf's brother or what? You're a moron...book it.— PhillySubsMac
- The number one priority on this team should be the health of Vick. He's the centerpiece. Which means the focus should be on the O-line. If Watkins doesn't get into camp soon they have to trade Samuel for a stud lineman, either guard or tackle. Vick has to stay healthy for this team to win it all. Linebacker is a weakness but the emphasis should be on the centerpiece...— Cameiros
- LOOK GUYS,WE ARE WEAK[AS FAR AS I KNOW]AT MIDDLE LINEBACKER.HERE'S THE QUESTION :"ARE WE BETTER OF WITH "THE BIG THREE"DEFENDING PASSES AND A MEDIOCRE[BUT NOT TERRIBLE]MIDDLE LINEBACKER ??......OR........
WHATEVER PLAN"B" IS ??I SAY, EVEN IF YOU HAVE TO THROW IN A # 2 DRAFTPICK ,OR EVEN A LITTLE MORE, TRADE ASSANTE' ONLY IF YOU CAN GET A QUALITY MLB IN RETURN.THE OTHER TEAM HAS TO REALIZE THAT YOU HAVE TO GIVE UP QUALITY TO GET QUALITY......OTHERWISE WE SHOULD KEEP HIM.INDEED ,IF WE CAN SIGN DESEAN...I WOULD PREFER TO KEEP HIM ANYWAY.IT IS NOT CRAZY TO ANTICIPATE ONE OF THE BIG THREE MAY GET HURT,MAYBE 2 FOR A FEW GAMES AT LEAST.— Ernie Garman - I think the only way to trade Asante would be if we got in return an all pro linebacker.— Kevin O.
- I can't IMAGINE any scenario where the Iggles do not realize what D-Jax means to them. Therefore, as soon as they can come up with a way to make him well-paid, they will do so.FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE FIX THE 0-LINE!!!— TBear
- If it was up to me....NO...Don't trade Assante...Instead...
Move NNamde to Free Safety...and play Cromartie and Assante at the Corners....You would have perhaps the best Defensive Backfield in the History of Football.....NNAMDE PLAYED SAFETY IN COLLEGE and likes the Position...It should be an easy transition for him...
— Bigmike 34
