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Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Reid on Samuel's absence

In all of his 11 years as the Eagles coach, Andy Reid couldn't recall an instance when a veteran player that wasn't excused or had a contract squabble attended the first week of organized team activities only to skip the second week.

But that's exactly what cornerback Asante Samuel did when he opted out of this week's OTAs.

"They're not mandatory camps," Reid said to The Inquirer today. "That's the thing. There's nothing I can say on that."

A team spokesman said yesterday that Reid was disappointed. The coach declined to elaborate today.

With Samuel home working out in Florida, according to various reports, the Eagles are without their two starting cornerbacks. Sheldon Brown, who is seeking either a new contract or a trade, is taking advantage of the "voluntary" tag on this minicamp. Aside from Samuel and Brown, every other player is in camp.

Samuel, who signed a six-year, $57.14 million contract last season as a free agent, was by far the most vocal Eagle during last week's four practices. Dimitri Patterson and Joselio Hanson split reps at Samuel's left cornerback spot yesterday.

The Eagles continue OTAs today. Check back for updates.

 

Posted by Jeff McLane @ 11:02 AM  Permalink | 18 comments
18
Comments   
Posted 12:02 PM, 06/09/2009
MYWIFEISPIST
so why is this story even written or printed??? "not mandatory camps" are key words!!! another stab that the philly media takes to stir up trouble.
Posted 12:09 PM, 06/09/2009
Fozzie27
Stop celebrating with Kurt Warner already and get to camp, you overpaid dolt!
Posted 12:19 PM, 06/09/2009
raoool
McNabb probably burned him once too often last week and he got p_____-off losing their mutual yapping contest
Posted 12:19 PM, 06/09/2009
kolbscorn07
Who cares. Asante will be ready for training camp so everyone needs to stop worrying about it.
Posted 12:31 PM, 06/09/2009
FKD215
it's not a big deal. But it does undermine his ability to be a leader on D, a little bit.
Posted 12:36 PM, 06/09/2009
rwright611
I'm surprised someone hasn't suggested that he is upset with his contract.
Comment removed.
Posted 12:51 PM, 06/09/2009
Hatfield_ham
On the contrary, He is proving to be a leader. What part of involuntary don't they Eagles understand? He had stuff to do. He didn't go begging. He did what a MAN had to do.
Posted 12:53 PM, 06/09/2009
phigglesfan75
IT would be nice to see him there, for leadership, learning, teaching others, and to unite with everyone on both sides of the ball, but we don't know why he didn't show up, and the OTA's are voluntary...
Posted 01:17 PM, 06/09/2009
since1961
Practice? We're talking about practice? Now there's a real man.
Posted 01:50 PM, 06/09/2009
eaglebobby1
His agent has said it's a family matter and there's nothing to worry about. So without knowing all the facts, I don't see any reason to slam the guy--however, if there is a family matter, he should have told Reid first and got clearance to be absent. After TO, I'm not sure that Reid wants to rock the boat again--but I could be wrong.
Posted 01:57 PM, 06/09/2009
dksurf
One word for his absence...if, in fact, he did NOT inform (I'm not saying "ask?" but inform) the coaching staff that he would not be in attendance: IMMATURE! That's right, immature. "Family matter" to deal with? Fine. Just be amature and responsible human being...and, employee and let the team/coaches know. That's all I'm saying.
Posted 02:45 PM, 06/09/2009
EndzoneAnimal
I can think of 57 million reasons why he doesn't need to show up for voluntary camp. Reason # 57 million : He already got paid.
Posted 03:46 PM, 06/09/2009
JimG
Why do reporters always ask Reid these stupid "do you ever remember having a situation like this before" questions? I hear those type of questions all the time in his press conferences. What's the point? What does it matter if it has ever happened before? What on earth does that have to do with Samuel and his absence? As much time as you reporters have to think up these questions, you would think you could come up with some better ones.
Posted 04:06 PM, 06/09/2009
SteveS11
Disgusting.......that's all I can say. Its like the employee who calls in on Monday morning and says that he/she didn't feel good when they woke up so they're taking a sick day, when the real reason is that they just don't feel like going to work and want to extend the weekend. For $57 million the Eagles deserve better than that.
About Birds' Eye View Blog

Bob Brookover, left, is in his seventh year of covering the Philadelphia Eagles after spending 15 years covering the Philadelphia Phillies for the Inquirer and two other newspapers. The 45-year-old Brookover lives in Delran with his wife Francine and roots for Notre Dame and Michigan State, the two schools attended by his children, Justine and Ryan. When Notre Dame plays Michigan State, he cheers for the school of the child he likes more at that particular moment.

Jeff McLane, right, joined the Eagles beat in April 2009 after two years of covering colleges, namely Penn State football. Before that he covered high school sports for The Inquirer. Before that he worked in the mailroom (not quite). Informed that his father is no longer covering the Lions, McLane's eldest, three-year-old son said, "You mean Simba, Scar and Mufasa, Daddy?" His two-year-old son -- excited about the move to the Eagles -- said, "Go, Deigo, Go!" or something like that. His wife of five-plus years, however, had a different take on the new job. "Another five years is in question," she said. Check out McLane on Twitter and Facebook for instant updates on the Eagles.
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