Asante doesn't want a trade; Eagles fielding calls
BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- Asante Samuel does not want to be traded.
Asante doesn't want a trade; Eagles fielding calls
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- Asante Samuel does not want to be traded.
That might not be enough to keep him in Philadelphia.
The Eagles are receiving calls from other teams interested in the Pro Bowl cornerback, NFL sources said.
Apparently the third wheel in the Eagles' cornerback trifecta, Samuel has been rumored to be on the block after the blockbuster acquisition that netted the Eagles' Nnamdi Asomugha on Friday and the trade that brought Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie to Philadelphia the day before.
But the Eagles have said they're keeping all three, although a league source with knowledge of the team's thinking said a "great" trade offer could change the game plan.
Samuel's agent, Alonzo Shavers, said that the Eagles have not told his client that he will be traded. Samuel has not been in camp since the start because of a personal issue. His absence has been excused.
"Asante is still an Eagle," Shavers said on Saturday. "I do not want anyone to get confused because he's been absent. The Eagles obviously went out an wanted to get a big name in Nnamdi. But we'll see how things go when Asante gets into camp and practices."
Shavers described Samuel as being initially confused by the decision to sign the Asomugha, considered by many to be the top one or two corners in the league. But he said his client wants to get into camp and compete. It appears unlikely the Eagles would keep all three cornerbacks although the team made some surprising decisions before.
"He's not worried about being traded in terms of his productivity," Shavers said. "If it happens, it happens."
Samuel, 30, has 42 career interceptions with seven coming in the postseason. His 36 interceptions since 2006 are most in the NFL. Last season, he notched seven interceptions in 11 games. Opposing quarterbacks only threw at him 36 times, according to Football Outsiders.
Asomugha, by comparison, was targeted 31 times in 14 games, but recorded zero picks.
Eagles coach Andy Reid said Saturday that Asomugha will start off at right cornerback when he can finally practice. The 30-year-old is expected to report to camp this evening. Rodgers-Cromartie played left cornerback at today's practice two days after the coach said he would be the team's starting right corner.
Samuel has only played on the left side for the Eagles.
"Asante can play either side," Shavers said.
Could he play the nickel?
"It this defense it makes no sense to move Asante to the nickel," Shavers said. "I don't think the numbers suggest that that's something he would want to do."
Still uncertain is what the Eagles' defensive scheme will look like under new coordinator Juan Castillo. Samuel plays more off the ball, while Asomugha plays press primarily. Rodgers-Cromartie played off most of the time for the Cardinals.
We may finally see the Eagles' plan in the next few days when Samuel finally reports.
"It could be today it could be tomorrow, but it should be here in the next couple of days," Shavers said.
First off, most scouts have DRC as a worse tackler than Samuel. Goo dteams do not have their corner making a lot of tackles anyway. It's as bad as the Phillies site and all of the "he can't play rightfield" people. When does defense in righ tfield win championships? Answer: it doesn't, a good bat there does. When does a taqckling corner matter? He doesn't, interceptions and "shutdown" statistics win games, no tackling a RB who shouldn't have gotten outside the LB's anyway.— UncleStosh- And as a side note, the NFL doesn't do a whole lot of trading so the idea that some team offers the eagles a stud linebacker or more laughably and OT is ludicrous.— UncleStosh
- I guess just as laughable as a team offering the eagles a stud corner and #2 pick, right?
- DRC plays the left side naturally and Nnamdi the right. Samuel is probably gone. No need for him. I would try and get a linebacker or OT for him— mrinfernis
- Lets think for a moment here. How many teams come out 1st series and run 3 wr sets. Almost everyone. We now have 3 of the top 10 corners in the league. All 3 will be on the field together 80% of the plays. Maybe Juan asked for 3 cover corners maybe he is smarter than we are giving him credit for— DSU
- They tried going with keeping Lito as the 3rd corner and that was a disaster. They are fools if they think Asante will adapt to that role. They'll probably end up trading him for a backup RB, linebacker, offensive or defensive lineman and maybe a draft pick. Maybe Hightower from the Cardinals and a #3 pick.— SteveS11
- Forget about moving Asante to Safety. Safeties need to be able to tackle, so that rules him out.— SteveS11
- Safeties don't need to tackle if teams can't copmplete a pass in the first place. Free safeties who intercept passes are generally in position to get 7 going the other way as well. The strong safety can provide run support and help bring down Tight ends.
I would bet that Assante as a FS would set a record for INT's returned for touchdowns. - Keep all 3. Move Hanson and save 2 plus mill.— Ssteve115
- Would think a great move would be to move Asante to FS this year and trade him next year for high draft picks. Asante plays more of a rover type cover which is how FS position is played and he would be a great ballhawk at the FS position. His cap number is not that high this year so why not line up Asante and Allen at safeties and DRC and Asomugha at corner with Hansen as Nickle? Trade Asante before the draft when his number goes up to $8M+ and get more draft picks. This could be a superbowl line up!!!— connorjr
- They will pay NNadi $12 million this season...and Samuel wants a raise from his $6 million...and Rodgers-Cromadie will make $1 million.
How are they going to pay all these millions just for cornerbacks??
Plus they need to come up with many millions for DJack.
I think they will trade Asante Samuel.— frank105 - phillinsd...who do you think ultimately pays these guys salaries? If it werent for the fans there would be no football...NFL teams are part of the city they represent, is it ok for citizens of cities to say "we" when discussing political things that affect their city and lives? The fans are the 12th man, embrace it, like the seahawks organization does...I dont personally use "we or "us" but have no problem with those who do...The birds are a part of our lives...don't hate, it makes you sound like you were burnt in the past or something— relly142
- I think theres a possibility that Samuel can play safety. his ability to jump routes along with his unphysical presence could really benefit the Defense when the opposing QB drops back. Although he would need to improve his tackling significantly.
-Imagine being double-teamed by Samuel and Asomugha...scary thought— Anything_Philly_is4me - Even though I'd understand a trade, I hope they go with it for at least a year. Samuel and Nnamdi were kind of born to play opposite each other - perfectly complementary styles. Nnamdi will make Asante so much better, and he's already a top-10 corner. If they do avoid the trade, count on Asante leading the league in picks.— mjb
- Asante to the Texans for DT Amobi Okoye, 6'2' 292, age 24. The more Nigerians the better.— Romus
