Samuel rips Eagles, then steps back
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Samuel rips Eagles, then steps back
Jonathan Tamari
Eagles cornerback Asante Samuel had some choice words for Howie Roseman and Joe Banner on Wednesday. (Ron Cortes/Staff Photographer)
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.
Comments (97)
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 - Just be in the top five in interceptions and throw the occasional shoulder that keeps the other teams from scoring and we'll be happy...oh, and shut up!— girouxforpresident
- Go somewhere else then....you can't make a tackle when you get beat anyway!— jcpaul
- AMEN BROTHER!! roseman is a fantasy-football playing pencil-neck who isn't qualified to manage the father judge team, let alone an NFL franchise. why joe banner hired him i'll never know (family friend maybe, or maybe so nickles can pull the strings from behind the scenes).
but the eagles are the Gold Standard, so roseman must be right (even though he's blown two straight drafts)— oliver north - is it an accident that reid's the longest-tenured coach in NFL or AFL to never win a super bowl. this franchise is a joke.
WHO DAT!— oliver north - It's interesting that he feels that way about Banner and Roseman but not about Andy. Did Andy say something to him that would turn him against the other two? Isn't Andy also one of the front office folks? I find this amazing that he could pull the wool over Asante's eyes like that. Or is Andy also tired of the management up top so he's turning his players against them? This seems interesting. Is this Andy's way of rallying to troops?— magmus247
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- This team is a train wreck this year. Total train wreck.
— jibberjabber - The Eagles have five new faces starting on Defense, Two Rookies on the Offensive Line to go along with 2 new players there.
Exactly what would be the expectations for a team starting Nine or Ten new players on their starting defense and offense with a new Defensive Coordinator?
Most NFL Fans or spectators recognize those dynamic changes and pieces on a team as essential components towards rebuilding and changing a team's identity.
Why don't Philadelphians?— Dexter - because management didn't sell this as a "rebuilding year." joe banner said (true quote) that the eagles were "all-in" this season. so if you're all-in you better think denny watkins and jason kelce are super bowl-caliber, or you're a fool if you're nickles — oliver north
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- that picture is ripe for some photo-shopping.
all that's missing is a kielbasa.
— ekw555 - He's hurting his own position by dogging it on the field.— FKD215
- Everything he said is accurate.— rreynolds
- Citizenc92... I agree. It's about time a player shows his frustration on upper management. They dont know football. They just crunch numbers. As long as Andy keeps keeping the teams competitive, then is going nowhere. He has to win a Super Bowl eventually. Right???— irishlaxer
- AreaMan - Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhaa.
Asante is flat out wrong on this one. First You DO NOT run your mouth to the press about your employers, period.
He has been BAD this year so far. How about he steps up and plays better press coverage, huh? Stop worrying about the other stuff.
"I want to be where I'm wanted" Wah wah wah. Please, He makes more per game than most do in MULTIPLE years combined.— sore richard - glad the fantasy football guys upstairs didnt sign him to a multi-million dollar contract- oh wait...
and him and andy are good= lol.
i would lay money on it that andy is the one dangling samuel's name out there as trade bait.
just play football dude.— bloodymess - I couldn't care less about Asante's choice words for the Eagles' front office. The thing that stands out for me is him referring to Andy Reid as "Andy". Yes, I know that's his name, but I remember when players had enough respect for coaches to call them "Coach (last name)" or simply "Coach". Most of these modern athletes have no respect for their coaches, or the game itself.— anwar215
- 2 good non fantasy moves: drop samuel and reid— MIKEI
- This guy is a cancer.— gordon7
- so if he pick 6's romo, he'll be the toast of the town— retzlaff
- Trade him! This guy and the money he is getting could not catch a cold! Again, it is that "Me" attitude which will kill the Eagles this year. They are not going anywhere this year and Reid will be replaced as QB. I think the Eagles need someone like Bill Cowher from Pittsburgh.— run2jazz2
- Samuel is saying what a lot of Fans believe. To hell with shutting up. Now when it all comes to the table TO was absolutely correct.
Samuel played well despite his desire to stay out of big hits since coming to Philly. He's seen some exceptional players who have laid it on the line for Philly thrown away.
Hanson is not half the defender Samuel is back there. He deserves more respect than the Eagles are allowing, but we all can understand it's a business, so why when Samuel speaks to that truth for his perspective there's a problem?
Samuel isn't acting like a sheep so now there's a problem with being outspoken? I'm glad he's not a "Pushie" and speaking up for himself.
— Dexter - Andy Reid = Zero Super Bowls. Facts are facts.— MichaelZoe
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- Did he say anything that wasn't true? I don't think what he said was that bad.— realzeel
- Name another DB in the Conference as good as Samuel? This is a two time Champion and 4 consecutive pro bowl appearances. Up until this year opposing QBs didn't throw to his side of the field.
Next year for a serious run to the Title the Eagles will need a corner like Samuel to combat 3 and 4 Receiver Sets.
Hanson and those kids on the Bench aren't capable. Hanson showed he wasn't capable last year. He's not gotten much better. Not better enough to spell Samuel.
— Dexter - Everyone knows it, no one can disagree w whatever he says, he's just the only one stupid enough to say it. #Businessentity— beerflow
- Asante is correct. I enjoy his comments— Captain
- He told the truth and said what a lot of them are scared to say. There is no "Gold Standard" in Philly, same old story, same old eagles, same old result.— NC Eagle Fan
- They should hire me...I am the Gold Standard...AKA...Michael Gold!— ceocreates
- Assante isn't the distraction. The Eagles' front office is the distraction. Assante shows up during the preseason ready to go and all that he hears is that the Eagles' are trying to trade him. They handled that poorly. Then they start up again as the trade deadline approaches. There was no reason for that to come out. They could have simply said that nobody on the team is irreplaceable and they’ll listen to any offers but the price for someone like Assante would be very high and they aren’t actively trying to trade him.— MikeP
- 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
- Yo Studio. Will call you a bigot, racist anti Semite because you are and you know it. I can fully understand why you hate the Hebrews as you call them. Because they are so much smarter than you. Jealousy is a tough emotion to deal with and you can't. Now about Roseman. He sucks. So dies Reid and he's not a Hebrew. So it has nothing to do with that you slime ball.— Ballgame
- Ollie.....Bill Cowher....tied AR BTW 14 seasons and no SB. The AR years will end sooner or later. We will get a puppet, since Uncle Joe is going no where. Asante can say what he wants. Not sure it is the smartest thing to do but when you don't care there are other problems. Last year was a pleasant surprise. No rebuilding blues. This year we regress to mean. Painful rebuilding. Ask the Redskins, there are no shortcuts. You have to draft well and fill in with FAs and a lucky pick or two. You also have to pay for some draft picks. That's where uncle Joe comes in.— oldBird
- I still don't understand why they went out and got DRC. Having ASU and ASA are already the best cover team man-to-man. What they needed was a All-Pro Linebacker.. and still do. Roseman or Banner have little heads for insight.— LuckyNucky
- I still don't understand why they went out and got DRC. Having ASU and ASA are already the best cover team man-to-man. What they needed was a All-Pro Linebacker.. and still do. Roseman or Banner have little heads for insight.— LuckyNucky
- I still don't understand why they went out and got DRC. Having ASU and ASA are already the best cover team man-to-man. What they needed was a All-Pro Linebacker.. and still do. Roseman or Banner have little heads for insight.— LuckyNucky
- I still don't understand why they went out and got DRC. Having ASU and ASA are already the best cover team man-to-man. What they needed was a All-Pro Linebacker.. and still do. Roseman or Banner have little heads for insight.— LuckyNucky
- Asante is right. He speaks the truth.
- Life long fan but the best thing for this team is for the Eagles to lose every game and fire Andy Reid and his lame staff. For first time in my life, I hope the Eagles lose every game for the rest of the year as they are going no where fast./
- I have the same feelings toward Reid as you. However, I can't root for my team to fail. Just like I can't root for our President to fail.
I did not like Bush. But yeah, I hoped the surge would work. I hoped he lost the 04' election, but I didn't hope he failed at conducting the business of the American people.
But I feel ya. It is time for Reid to go. - Asante was the obvious man out when they went out and signed N.A.and DRC. The fact that he doesn't/can't play man devalues N.A. He has gotten beat and has looked to actually give up on plays. He doesn't like to tackle and showboats, he has never been a Philly type of player. Get what you can for him at the end of the season
- People can HATE on Asante Samuel ALL they WANT! He is RIGHT! GOOD for you Asante for telling the TRUTH! I haven't seen this type of TRUTH-TELLING since T-O left. NOW I WANT D-Jax to say how he feels now too. The Eagles front office tandem of Banner and Roseman are a "JOKE" when it comes to PERSONNEL issues. Yeah, I SAID IT! Asante, YOU GOT SUPPORT! Tell the TRUTH GOING OUT the door! There is NOTHING they can do to you. YOU GOT PAID and HAVE WORTH EVERY PENNY! I GOT YOUR back!— dudega
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- "We decided to keep all three of our corners." Translation: we wanted to fleece someone, but no one was willing to be fleeced, so we're stuck with a bunch of cornerbacks who obviously think that our defensive coordinator has no clue what he is doing and a bunch of linebackers who would have a hard time making the local semi-pro team. Time's yours.— Hemingway
- I was hoping we got a linebacker or RT for him. That's all I care about. I think Asantes comments show he's jealous of Namdi making more $$$ but tough, but interceptions aren't the only gauge of a CB. Really though, they should have stuck with Asante and DRC in the first place and got an LB and RT for Namdi's money, thet would have been the smart move even if Namdi is better. Every year we have to endure a lack of balance on this team, always a weak link, an area overlooked, every year. Bottom lin? Asante overvaklues himself, Reid/Banner/Lurie give you no insight (which doesn't bother me), and together they all come close to greatness every year but make fatal errors in performing their jobs that keep us from winning a SB. The rest is just excuses, blame and drama.— EagleEye61
- TNEaglesFan (aka Dave Spadaro, I'll bet!), why is your name in green? Hmm, guessing you have an inside track on this site, and a reason to get on here and dispense your green kool-aid. Your astroturf-colored glasses do not let you see/hear/speak any evil of the almighty Eagles. But that's because your check is on the line every week, eh?
That said...Assante blew off steam, so what? It is likely he won't be around after the season's over anyway; I doubt they can move him now, so he'll be on the bench or plugged into certain situations the rest of the way.
Beyond that, I want to see how this team heals, prepares for Sunday and perhaps finally there will be some cohesion on both sides of the ball.— MidStaterUXB - Team Turmoil...they didnt even play last week and they got drama.— SilliBilli
- He was 1000% right!!!!!! Shouldn't have retracted. This FO is a bunch of AHoles that know nothing about competine.— Unstable1
- He can say whatever he wants its called superbowl rings and i think he has three to be exact asante samuels has been around all kinds of players good, bad, pro bowl with his time he had spent in new england this team drafts poorly when it comes to certain positions safety lineman and def lineman our safeties our slow linebackers are inexperience and we have no intimidators in the secondary at all we draft a ferocious hitter jaquain jarrett from temple and you mean to tell me jarrod page was better who the hell is the scouts for this team they need to be fired asap long as mccoy get 20 touches we will win the rest of the games majority of them— cyyoung215
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- Samuel is right....Banner and Roseman ARE playing fantasy football. Why did they get Cromartie and Asomugha if they already had Samuel? Not very smart, considering some of the gaping holes on this defense. Samuel could've included Reid too.— p-diddy
- Asante isnt overrated do you people even know your stats or you just talk non-sense he leads all cornerbacks in the nfl with over 38 interceptions since signing with the eagles in 2008 he has struggled with tackling oh well show me a corner who can hit and compare thier stats with asante samuel anyone u name i gaurantee u they don't have a ring and he has three playoff performer he didnt cause the game in green bay u cant talk trash about the man he has rings and all time leader in playoff interceptions for td if u wanna get mad get mad at our offensive line coach oh my bad i mean def co-ordinator juan i'm lost in this job description castillo the top shut down corner the last 8 yrs playing damn zone are you serious.— cyyoung215
- Funny I didnt hear anybody whinning we he was signed or when he makes a pick. you guys suck— urbnasty
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