Samuel rips Eagles, then steps back
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Samuel rips Eagles, then steps back
Jonathan Tamari
UPDATE: The Eagles discussed "significant" trade offers for their cornerbacks, but decided against dealing any, coach Andy Reid said in a statement issued by the Eagles press office Wednesday night. The statement, included below, attempts to tamp out a fire Asante Samuel started earlier this afternoon when he ripped the Eagles front office, saying they were playing "fantasy football" and didn't care about their opinion because they "probably never played football."
His comments -- and subsequent walk-back -- are below. Here is what Reid said:
"I am aware of how Asante felt and we have since talked. We both left with a positive feeling going forward. As I have said previously, when we acquired Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Nnamdi Asomugha we had received numerous calls on the availability of our cornerbacks. After discussing significant trade offers with other teams, we decided to keep all three cornerbacks on our team. Asante is a valuable member of our team and we appreciate all that he brings to this organization. As far as my relationship with Howie (Roseman) and Joe (Banner), I have a great deal of respect for both of them and I know we are all on the same page."
While Reid didn't specify that the trade offers were for Samuel, the Eagles said publicly this summer that they were listening to offers for him and multipile reports said he was discussed again at the trade deadline.
FROM EARLIER:
Suddenly, things are calm again between Asante Samuel and the Eagles. At least if you believe his latest comments more than his earlier ones. After torching the Eagles front office this afternoon, Samuel met with Andy Reid and returned to talk to reporters just before 6 p.m. Here's what he said:
"Me and coach talked and obviously I let my emotions get the best of me. Everything is good, I'm happy to be here, and everything is settled. He explained to me how the business works and I'm that much more educated on how the business works in the NFL and everything is good. Let’s get a win on Sunday."
That was his entire statement. Samuel did not take any questions.
Below are the comments that started this fire:
FROM EARLIER:
Earlier today Andy Reid said he had smoothed things over with cornerback Asante Samuel. That might be true for the coach and the cornerback, but Samuel had some choice words for Joe Banner and Howie Roseman after practice.
"Me and Andy (are) good. That’s all that matters," Samuel said. But he was asked if he feels wanted in Philadelphia.
"By Andy. A couple people upstairs might not want me, but who cares. They probably never played football," Samuel said. "It's a business, they run it like a business, so they're going to do what they need to do. So they're upstairs playing with a lot of money, playing a little fantasy football, so they’re doing their thing."
A reporter asked if the "fantasy football" comment referred to Banner and Roseman.
"Do they fit the comment I made?" Samuel asked. One reporter said they seemed to. "Then maybe so," he added.
Samuel, though, said his ire at the front office would not affect his play on the field.
"As long as I'm here, as long as I get paid each and every Tuesday, I'm going to go out and do my job to the best of my ability, each and every Sunday. I play for the fans and I play for my teammates, that’s what it’s all about."
He added, "everyone has other issues, contract issues, and I deal with them accordingly. That's how I always do."
Asked if he wants to play elsewhere, Samuel said, "I want to be where I’m wanted, wherever I’m wanted. I’m here right now, so I’m wanted."
How much longer he is here seems very much in doubt.
Some guys just can't seem to keep their mouths shut.- It's called free speech. You don't like it, don't listen. I think it's very interesting he's talking about a power struggle.
— DennyP - No it's called whining. No one likes a whiner and if you didn't notice, people get traded in the NFL. Free speech is when you say something that doesn't incite a riot, for example, you can't go into a crowded room and yell fire if there is no fire. In this case Ashante is inciting division on this team. No matter how you personally feel about management keep it to yourself because if spoken the other employees will feel the need to take sides and that will cause an uncomfortable work environment. What would happen if you talked bad about your management to the press? I bet you would be fired the next day. You might be management and if an employee spoke negatively of you I bet you would have that employee on the first thing smoking out of your company. He's making millions to play a game... shut up and play if he gets traded he gets traded not like he doesn't have the money.
- i prefer the honesty of a samuels to the banalities uttered by reid or mcnabb
— oliver north - No one wants to hear it or even care when he isn't doing his job. 1 interception, playing soft and is afraid to tackle. Joe is paying him good money and all he can do is bite the hand that feeds him and his family.
- Free speech does not include libelous statements about those who run the company you work for.
Go ahead and talk bad about your boss to a bunch of the media... see what pleading "free speech" does for you.— Cr0we - I completely agree with TNEaglesFan. He claims to be a business man... as he rips off on those that feed him and his family. However, I think he is playing no worse than last year... I just think a new scheme and having talent across from him equates to more throws in his direction. Same for Scrabble. When at Oakland... he had no talent across from him which equated to an elevated sense of worth. He has been fumbling around in zone coverage, but whose fault is that? Reid has a knack of bringing in people who excel at something and then switching it up on them. — Cr0we
- I can understand why Asante feels under appreciated. He is the only athlete in Philadelphia with more no-hit games than Roy Halladay.— AreaMan
Comment removed.- @TNEaglesFan - Why should he? He's 100% right. Eagles unfortunatly are the losers in the Division...the ONLY team without a SB Title.— Citizenc92
- How do you know? You have first hand knowledge of what goes on in the offices of Roseman and Banner? Fans may not like their draft picks or may not like the FA's they bring in but do you really think they care what you or Ashante think? He's paid to play corner and do a job. Do your job, and shut up. He's a millionaire acting like a spoiled child. Players get traded in the NFL. Did he whine and complain when NE let him go in free agency? Nope, he went for the money and no one in that organization cried Ashante doesn't want us. What does a SB title have to do with it? Eagles didn't have a SB title when the cry baby signed his contract.. and still don't. What's your point with that statement?
- welcome to the conversation, howie roseman — oliver north
- Asante is speaking the truth. The front office is only in it for the money. They can care less about what true fans want. If they cared about winning. They would have gotten competant linebackers! YOU NEED TO WAKE UP AND STOP TRYING TO ACT ALL COZY TOWARD THE CRY BABY BILLIONARES WHO OWN THE TEAM. Don't discredit a player for speaking his mind and actually making sense.
- Dude you are bald!
— pieman
