No Asante, and No Word from DeSean
The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagletarian
No Asante, and No Word from DeSean
Les Bowen, Daily News Staff Writer
The Eagles frolicked through the final real practice of 2011 without Asante Samuel today. Eagles coach Andy Reid said corner Samuel (hamstring) officially is out for Sunday's season finale against the visiting Redskins.
Samuel was not available in the locker room after practice, and wideout DeSean Jackson declined an interview request with a cursory shake of his head. So there was no word from the two most prominent Eagles most observers feel are unlikely to still be with the team when it reassembles in 2012.
Will either Samuel or Jackson ever be interviewed again as an Eagle? The team owes Samuel $19 million over the next two seasons, and has had a hard time integrating his "off" coverage style into Juan Castillo's defense. Jackson will becaome an unrestricted free agent if the team doesn't franchise him for about $11 million a year. Given the animosity and mutual disappointment that has built through two seasons of not being able to come to contract agreement with Jackson, it seems possible the Eagles will protect their rights with the franchise tag, then seek a trade.
Eagles quarterback Michael Vick today repeated his prediction that Jackson will return, but Vick acknowledged that is just what he hopes, that he does not have inside information.
"You can just see the glow in his eyes when he's out on the field with the guys, dominating," Vick said of Jackson. "I think it'll all take care of itself. I'm just hoping -- that's all I can do, I don't make any decisions ... We love DeSean. Coach Reid loves DeSean. Everybody loves DeSean. He's our guy ... It all remains to be seen."
Running back LeSean McCoy practiced fully. He was listed as questionable, but Reid and McCoy said McCoy will play. "I feel like I'm going to play well," McCoy said, though he declined to say whether his sprained ankle would allow him to be 100 percent. "I'm going to go out there and I'm going to play my heart out."
Reid noted that the Eagles have until tomorrow to fill the roster spot vacated when Kurt Coleman went on IR this week with a biceps tear.
Franchise tag is reportedly 9.4M for WRs next year. If he still persists in being paid top 5 money, franchise him, trade him for a high pick, and then sign either Colston, Dwayne Bowe, or Vincent Jackson. All recievers who are threats in the redzone and stretch the field.— bobbyuk- Except no one will trade for a diva receiver being paid 9.4 mil coming off a bad year. People always assume that other teams will just give us whatever we want for whoever we want to get rid of.
— philly-born - DeSean is done in Philly - his leaving will be best for him and for the Eagles (and I'm not denying that he adds value, could have been much more, etc). We can all debate about what could have or should have been, but there's no turning back. As bobbyuk suggests, time to start thinking about free agents and draft picks, as Eagles will need to replace him in some shape or form...— Mr. Magee
Comment removed.- Comment removed.
- Please oh Please get at least a 2nd rounder for Ashante!— DavezMental.Com
- Howie already has his eye on a stud college wide reciever that can be had in the 6th round to replace DJax and a 7th rounder that is even better (if you can believe it) than Curtis Marsh at CB! CHAMPIONSHIP!!— younged
- The Eagles aren't getting spit for either DeSean or Assante. What teams would be foolish enough to want the cancer they bring to the clubhouse. DeSean's off field issues are mounting making his value minuscule. Assante's rip of the front office was stupid. As bad as teams may want to have the talent that both these men-children have, their downsides are too steep. T.O had way more talent than DeSean....where is he today? Sometimes to be successful, teams need to add by subtracting. With these two, I believe the math works.— Joe Nickels
- PeeWee Roseman and Toupee Banner alienated two of the better and most popular players on the team while he kissed Fabio's arse and let the thug twins, Kelce and the redneck from Alabama, threaten fans. Put them both on their bicycles for a ride out of town.— Astro Jones
- For the people saying Jackson and Samuel are a "cancer in the clubhouse", how would you know this? Are you in there sniffing player's jock straps? None of the other players seem to say this. None of the coaches in there seem to say this. Only people reading the bird droppings in these blogs seem to say this. So unless you happen to be the Eagels 'soap on a rope' in the locker room, perhaps you should not make stupid observations you NEVER observed.— Larry Byrd
- who cares, the eagles blow and will forever blow with Andy Reid here— jamarder
- the sports writers in Philly need to stop kissing luries and reids bare bottoms today i ask paul DOMO about a few personal problems with the eagles ried &howie boys poor record on drafting quality players
and luries absentee owner act the guy was just plain rude he plays defense better than buddy ryans 1991 eagles this guy is a joke and i will now place him on the all yes man list caio— Gmario - Good riddance!— jibberjabber
- the only good reading on this site are the comments from eagles fans. the writers stink and are scared and the coaches can't coach girls tball and the owners, well, banner belongs in science class and lurie is from boston. Reid, just look at him. enough is enough.— dval
- MeSean plays scared and Asante is always hurt. Both have lousy attitudes. No one will trade for either one of them. Goodbye to both......don't let the door hit ya!— Short Circuit 3
