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.
As long as you get paid a ton of money every tuesday so stop flapping your gums. Im tired of hearing these whinners crying about every little thing just play football and shut your mouth.Asante Cant-Tackle— nonshad- Then do your job and TACKLE SOMEONE! Enough ole' defense looking for picks. Did anyone else see this secondard getting as torched as it has? They are swiss cheese— kozykoz26
- When you have arrogant accountants upstairs running the show that's the kind of comments you should expect to get. He's making a zillion dollars for running around a field - that's fantasy.— BOB355
- Maybe he should be quiet about this ...however he has some valid points. It must suck to CONSTANTLY be talked about when it comes to being traded. As far as Banner and Roseman playing fantasy football I think he may have hit the nail on the head. We seem to draft less and less quality starting players and rely on free agency. We all know that doesn't work just look at a team in our own division called the Redskins. We need quality / character young players...especially on the D, and some new blood as far as the entire coaching staff. Just my opinion...time is yours.
— RealizticFan - Asante is EXACTLY what he was when we courted him and got him to come here. If you dont want a player that just looks for the pick and isn't strong on tackling then don't hire him. This team needs a new direction...a solid GM...better scouts ....and a new coaching staff.— RealizticFan
- Roseman was hired because he was a HEBREW, just like the owner.
In business, Hebrews tend to stick together and at times this creates what is known as Crony Capitalism. I know all this because I am a
Lebanese Christian. My family has dealt with Hebrews for years and made plenty of money with them in different business ventures. However, the one thing that my father did tell me was "Never Turn Your Back on The People of This Race" Only bad things will happen. I listened.— studiocity96 
Magnum - That does pose a serious question. Maybe Andy has been covering for the guys upstairs as much as he covered for McNabb and his players on the field and he does not have as much influence on personnel decisions as people believe. One thing is clear, Andy Reid does not hand pick every drafted player and free agent, some of those decisions happen upstairs and over ruled. Roseman is a lame yes man for Joe Banner. Maybe Andy couldn't find another decent defensive coordinator with more experience that was willing to work with the talent they assembled so he hired Castillo as a desperate attempt knowing if he failed Castillo would take the blame and smile for the opportunity. It's clear if you look at the type of players they have drafted with GM's Modrak, Heckert and now Roseman who's styles drastically differ that Andy probably tells them what he needs in his scheme and they try to find players that fit.- I think Roseman is a Banner guy playing fantasy football in real NFL terms and his decisions look great on paper but don't take personalities and other circumstances into account due to his lack of experience. That's why the talent pool has suffered the past few seasons without Heckert here, who was merely average but decent. Modrak was their last true GM and president that any coach had to answer to and he lost the initial power struggle to Andy. HE drafted McNabb by the way, not Reid as everyone constantly references. They then named AR president in 2001 and brought Heckert in as a "GM" a couple years later. What I'm suggesting is that Banner and Lurie just want someone that does what they are told and submits opinions. If you disagree with them too much, you wind up like Tom Heckert leaving in frustration because if he doesn't get over ruled by Andy he can be overruled by Banner. Ultimately, I think Banner over rides everyone but Lurie. Andy Reid just takes the blame and makes a great fall guy which is why he'll be here forever or until he starts to share that publicly. Everyone wants him fired, but I know if he gets fired it will be the same old situation. Just like it was in 1997 when they hired Tom Modrack. http://articles.philly.com/1998-12-27/sports/25722335_1_tom-modrak-eagles-owner-jeffrey-lurie-reading-terminal
- Cry Baby perfect movie to describe him.— slade1955
- They signed backup QBs, WRs and RBs instead of a S and LB. Which is fantasy football managing.— gordon7
- Assante Samuel is a business entity, MoFo!— kjuggs77
- Vince Young punched some guy in a bar. Asante Samuel just punched his ticket.— dasher
- The "Dream Team" rambles on. lol— ricky008
- When Asante signed with the Eagles, it was a business move for him. The Eagles are now looking at business moves...why is that wrong?— Polecat_39
- At least he's taking the heat off of Vick. They will never contend with Vick at QB. He's not a long term winner. The curse of the "Pit Bull".— ricky008
