Asante: "I want to be where I'm wanted"
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Asante: "I want to be where I'm wanted"
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
UPDATE:
BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- Asante Samuel said that he still does not know if the Eagles want him.
"I want to be where I'm wanted," Samuel said. "If I'm wanted here, if I'm not appreciated here life goes on. I move on."
Samuel was asked where he wanted to play after the Eagles went out and acquired two big-time cornerbacks in Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.
"Wherever they want me," Samuel said. "If they're tired of my big-play-making ability maybe they'll ship me off or maybe they'll want to keep me. Who knows?"
Asked if he felt wanted by the Eagles, Samuel said he felt 50-50 about it. He was also asked if he approached the Eagles about trading him.
"No comment," Samuel said.
Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said that Samuel did not ask for a trade. Samuel's agent, Alonzo Shavers, said on Sunday that his client did not want to be traded.
Samuel said that he though the Eagles' cornerback threesome could work. He said that he would be willing to play nickel.
Samuel said that his absence from camp thus far was for a "personal matter." While he was away the Eagles, of course, shocked the NFL and signed Asomugha as a free agent. Was he surprised?
"Free agency is free agency," Samuel said, "ain't no telling what can happen."
He said he had met both Asomugha and Rodgers-Cromartie before.
"Nnamdi's an awesome guy," Samuel said. "I met him at a Pro Bowl -- well-educated guy, well-spoken, great athlete. I got a lot of respect for him."
He said the cornerback trio was the best in the league "on paper, but until we play the game we'll see how it goes. It's a bunch of big-name players on the team. We're the 'Dream Team,' right? I guess we'll find out after the Super Bowl."
FROM EARLIER:
BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- Asante Samuel reported to Eagles training camp Monday morning, according to his agent Alonzo Shavers.
The Eagles later made it official.
"I'm happy to be here," Samuel told a few reporters as he walked into the indoor training facility at Lehigh University. "I love it here!"
Samuel practiced in the afternoon walkthrough. When he walked out onto the field he started shouting, "Asante's back!" He was the starting left cornerback during the walkthrough with Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie on the right side. Before Samuel showed up Rodgers-Cromartie played on the left side.
Samuel missed the first four days of camp for personal reasons. His absence was excused. Shavers said that his clients' matter had been resolved, although he could not provide details.
Samuel, of course, reports to camp with his name already the subject of trade rumors. Those rumors started approximately one second after the Eagles signed top free agent acquisition Nnamdi Asomugha. Samuel does not want to be traded, however, according to Shavers.
The Eagles have been fielding calls for the Pro Bowl corner, NFL sources said. But the team has said it has every intention of keeping all three -- the just-traded-for Rodgers-Cromartie is the third -- of their starting-caliber corners.
DeSean Jackson, meanwhile, is not in camp, despite a report that he could report as soon as Monday. The Eagles wide receiver is believed to be holding out because he wants a new contract. There have been conflicting reports of when he will arrive this week, if at all.
Eagles president Joe Banner said this morning of WIP-AM that he was under the impression that Jackson's return was not imminent, although he admitted that he would likely be the last to know.
Don't unpack your bags...Asante.— johnnyb85- "...Samuel would not confirm if he was indeed at Lehigh University when contacted..." Uhm, what does that mean exactly? He answered his phone at Lehigh but couldn't confirm he was there? What is this, national security?
— DennyP - NNadmi will make $12 million this season.
Asante will make at least $6 million (He now wants to renegotiate it much higher)
Rodgers-Cromartie will make $1 million
Eagles can not pay $20 million this season for cornerbacks...No way.
This ain't fantasy football, Eagles can not pay $20 million for just these cornerbacks.
Plus they need to pay many more millions to get DeSean to play this season.
Asante Samuel will be traded....book it.
— frank105 - Can I see your extensive cap analysis of the Eagles 2011 season? You're such an expert, I'm sure you have it. Quick, someone call Joe Banner, he's about to make a mistake, but don't worry, frank105 will take care of things. There is nothing, I mean NOTHING, funnier than some poster doing cap analysis.... book it. — mjc1
- Frank do you prognosticate the national debt too?? Have you watched any football in the last 3-4 years?? Teams pass more than ever. Asante is a bargain @ 6 mil - unless someone offers a starting right tackle or a seriously good starter, I will "BOOK IT" that Asante starts the season as an Eagle. DRC even said last week he'd move down inside if necessary. 3 great corners allows the Eagles to play nickel 75% of the time - which considering our dearth of linebacking talent is probably a VERY wise move.— thomaspfoolery
- I believe that you are wrong Frank. I see all three here all year.— Tozmanian
- MONEY is the issue, not defensive schemes.
Eagles can not pay $20 million this season for these cornerbacks. No Way.
Plus Eagles have to pay DeSean many millions to get him back, plus Eagles need to pay Vick $16 million this season.
Do you belive in the tooth fairy too....this is a business with a cap, not fantasy football.
Asante Samule will be traded...book it.— frank105 - stop saying book it — kcoyle11
- Frank... Extending Vick (clearly in the plans now that Kolb is gone) would actually lower his $16M cap hit, freeing up even more space to pay Jackson and keep Samuel — logicandreason
- So you're privy to the Eagles accounting department's books, Frank? — Drigh13
frank you moron. The only thing we can book, is that you ARE a moron. Vicks 16 million is already against the cap. Before you start booking tooth fairies why dont you stop posting the same thing on EVERY article. NO ONE CARES what frank105 thinks. It is possible they will trade one of the corners but it wont be for cap reasons because they will turn around and use the money anyway.- I believe that copy and paste should now be called Frank and Paste.— Realistic One
- @Frank:
Vick's $16 million is already figured into the Eagles' salary cap.— Penfold18 - Don't let the door knob hit ya where....— Don Cornelius
- Stop making Asante out to be a bad guy. He never said he wanted a new contract. He never said he wanted to be traded. He's in the prime of his career and at the top of his game. When they trade him it will be for salary cap reasons. It will not be a knock on him. I think they will get another 2nd round pick for him which would be great.— soulman386
