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Monday, June 8, 2009
Samuel takes the day off

Do you have a problem with Samuel skipping practice?
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No
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Asante Samuel decided to take the day off today.

The Eagles' cornerback did not show up for practice at the NovaCare Complex and a team official said he took advantage of the fact that this camp is voluntary.

It's not unusual for a player to skip these voluntary camps, but it's typically done by guys who are unhappy about their contracts such as cornerback Sheldon Brown. Samuel participated in the four practices last week and his absence this morning was quite noticeable because no one can match his vocal presence on the Eagles' defense.

Coach Andy Reid did not make any statement about Samuel's absence, but a team spokesman said the coach was disappointed. The spokesman said he didn't know if Samuel planned to miss the remaining three days of this camp.

If Samuel isn't happy about his contract, the Eagles have a real problem. They signed him as a free agent before last season, giving him a six-year, $57.14 million deal.

You can read more about Samuel's absence in tomorrow's Inquirer.

MCCOY RETURNS. After suffering a sprained left thumb Friday, running back LeSean McCoy returned to practice today.

"It felt good," he said. "They gave me some great treatment this morning. I felt good about it. It wasn't that big of a deal."

Posted by Bob Brookover @ 2:12 PM  Permalink | 33 comments
33
Comments   
Comment removed.
Posted 08:25 AM, 06/09/2009
Warhound
yawn
Posted 06:20 AM, 06/09/2009
nuggett
slow news day....much to do about nothing....
Posted 02:03 AM, 06/09/2009
mainlinephan
Other than the fact that he could have picked up the phone and called Andy to let him know (anybody would afford his boss that courtesy) it's really a non-issue. Do you guys have anything else to write about? Didn't think so.
Posted 12:43 AM, 06/09/2009
aiforeverxoxo
its JUST A PRACTICE 4 crying out loud. its nawt like it was mandatory!
Posted 11:14 PM, 06/08/2009
flyerdup
Non story.
Posted 10:42 PM, 06/08/2009
vegasflyer
Actions speak louder than words.
Posted 10:41 PM, 06/08/2009
ctruitt
Wow! Tough people in Philly. I thought it was a great articcle. I love the little inside stories about the players, no matter how trivial. But then again, I'm a true Eagle's/Philly fan.
Posted 09:50 PM, 06/08/2009
elbinkogrande
I'm with scars73 - Samuel is getting paid big bucks and apparently wants to be perceived as a team leader. Team leaders SHOW UP even when they don't feel like it. Period.
Posted 09:43 PM, 06/08/2009
Pat c
It is voluntary, but understood that you will be there. How do you think his team mates feel. Some who been doing it for years and still attend and go through the paces. Its a couple hours out of his day. Its his second year, I am sure he doesnt have the defense down pat that good. He should be there for team unity. It sounds like Asante should be spelled with an "I".
Posted 09:38 PM, 06/08/2009
ConservativePatriot22
who cares? its voluntary. how many people here show up for voluntary activities that are related to their job?
Posted 08:55 PM, 06/08/2009
Shenkman3
Practice? Are we talkin' bout practice?
Comment removed.
Posted 08:26 PM, 06/08/2009
fman727
June 7th 2009.. WHO CARES!!! He took a day off and is relaxing. Lets get mad he missed a pointless practice in June. Maybe tomorrow you should write how Donovan took a water break at practice and nobody else did... we should discuss a Sheldon and Reggie trade to Denver for Scheffler and a pick.
Posted 07:59 PM, 06/08/2009
Eilex826
Perhaps he missed it because he had something else to do. Matt Stairs missed a game for his daughter's graduation. Maybe Asante has a family member (neice, nephew, etc.) doing the same thing, and being that it is a voluntary camp he didn't feel the need to clear it with his coaches first. Not a big deal and not a story.
Posted 04:10 PM, 06/08/2009
JimG
"If Samuel isn't happy about his contract, the Eagles have a real problem." I doubt there will be a more moronic statement in an article all week. Yeah, he's unhappy about his $9.5 million per year contract, what a joke.
Posted 03:59 PM, 06/08/2009
tothehouse
since the Inquirer is doing so poorly that it can't send their own writers to cover the Phils on the left coast-here's an idea--tell the journalist to try for a job with the National Enquirer since they like stirring up rumors and controversy,
Posted 03:57 PM, 06/08/2009
Melyssa
How many previous Eagles (players and coaches) have taken the entire season off? This story reeks of Vai "All Eagles, All the Time" Sicko of Channel 10.
Comment removed.
Comment removed.
Posted 03:52 PM, 06/08/2009
tothehouse
who really cares? Its OTA's for gosh sakes. he's earned the right.
Posted 03:49 PM, 06/08/2009
cusoraider
CUT HIM!!!!!!
Posted 03:47 PM, 06/08/2009
primetime225
Asante can take off any day he wants as long doesnt' take any Sundays in the fall off....
Comment removed.
Posted 03:41 PM, 06/08/2009
Angel R.
is a VOLUNTARY camp, and reid is disappointed!! Are you kidding me? And if he gets hurt for the season..........
Posted 03:32 PM, 06/08/2009
stonefly
Maybe he was up late counting his bonus money and needed the sleep.
Posted 03:30 PM, 06/08/2009
PhillyPhantastico
Actually this is a good article provided that the premise is correct - it is unusual for a player to skip an OTA unless they have a contract issue. If this is true, then it is fair to ask if Asante is unhappy. Good work!
Posted 03:27 PM, 06/08/2009
Crosbysucks
AWESOME STORY
Posted 03:24 PM, 06/08/2009
scars73
How hard it is to show up for practice, especially when you are getting paid millions of dollars to play a game(or at least give a call)! I guess I have a different view than others. This is his job and he has a lot of time off. Yes, I know it is "voluntary." Maybe Asante is out with Kurt Warner laughing away.
Posted 03:16 PM, 06/08/2009
gallen024
WHO CARES
Posted 03:07 PM, 06/08/2009
ekw
"Samuel participated in the four practices last week and his absence this morning was quite noticeable because no one can match his vocal presence on the Eagles' defense." and if there's one thing the Eagle's D excels at, it's talking . . .
Posted 03:06 PM, 06/08/2009
KGKoons
Actually I want to read more about Jack I's chances on sticking and helping this coming season. If anyone more gripes about their contract, can them. Frankly, I am sick of the people who sign contracts and then complain.
Posted 02:22 PM, 06/08/2009
Richard Saunders
OMG what a dumb article! What do you guys have against Assante? Maybe he went to see "Land of the Lost" or "Up".
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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