Eagles' Samuel doesn't want to be traded

BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Whether Asante Samuel wants to be traded or not - and he does not, according to his agent - the Eagles have already fielded calls from teams looking to acquire the Pro Bowl cornerback, NFL sources said.

Likely the third wheel in the Eagles' cornerback triumvirate, Samuel has been rumored to be on the block after the blockbuster acquisition that netted the Eagles Nnamdi Asomugha on Friday and the trade that brought Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie to Philadelphia the day before.

The Eagles have said they're keeping all three - "right now." A league source with knowledge of the team's thinking, however, said a "great" trade offer could change the Eagles' minds. If Samuel is available, the Carolina Panthers - where former Eagles defensive coordinator Sean McDermott now coaches - would be interested, according to the Charlotte Observer.

"I'm not moving forward on that," Eagles coach Andy Reid said Saturday. "I'm sitting here with three guys. I know that's workable because we've done it before. So that's where I'm at."

In the early 2000s, Reid had starters Troy Vincent, Bobby Taylor, and another starting-caliber corner in Al Harris. He eventually traded Harris to Green Bay. Then in 2008, former starter Lito Sheppard went to the bench after the newly acquired Samuel started alongside Sheldon Brown. Sheppard was dealt a year later.

Both those crowded situations were a little different, though, because Samuel is seemingly at the top of the game while Harris was budding and Sheppard was on the decline.

Samuel's agent, Alonzo Shavers, said that the Eagles have not told his client that he will be traded. Samuel has not been in camp because of a personal issue. His absence has been excused.

"Asante is still an Eagle," Shavers said. "I do not want anyone to get confused because he's been absent. The Eagles obviously went out and wanted to get a big name in Nnamdi. But we'll see how things go when Asante gets into camp and practices."

Shavers said Samuel should report in the next few days.

Dealing Samuel could be difficult because the Eagles may not have much leverage. Plus, his salary would force teams to take a more than $9 million cap hit this season.

Samuel, who has been with his family in Florida, was initially confused by the Eagles' decision to sign Asomugha, Shavers said. But the agent said that Samuel, who has been to four straight Pro Bowls, wants to get into camp and compete.

"He's not worried about being traded in terms of his productivity," Shavers said. "But if it happens, it happens."

Samuel, 30, has 42 career interceptions, with seven coming in the postseason. His 36 interceptions since 2006 are most in the NFL. Last season, he notched seven, although he missed five games with a knee injury.

Opposing quarterbacks threw at him only 36 times in 11 games, according to Football Outsiders. Asomugha, by comparison, was targeted 31 times in 14 games, but recorded zero picks.

Reid said that Asomugha will start off at right cornerback when he finally practices on Aug. 4. The 30-year-old four-time all-pro reported to camp Saturday night and will meet with the media Sunday.

"He's played more on the right side, so I'll probably start him off there in familiar territory and then we'll go from there," Reid said.

Rodgers-Cromartie, 25, arrived Friday, a day after the Eagles shipped quarterback Kevin Kolb to Arizona for the cornerback and a draft pick. Wearing No. 23, he practiced Saturday for the first time and played on the left side, even though Reid deemed him the starter at right cornerback two days earlier.

Samuel has played only on the left side for the Eagles.

"Asante can play either side," Shavers said.

Rodgers-Cromartie said he didn't care which side he plays.

"I just worry about playing," he said. "I know what I have in both of those guys and what they bring to the table. At the same time I know what I can do."

Rodgers-Cromartie said he could accept playing in the slot as the nickel. Joselio Hanson has filled that role for the last few years and was at that spot on Saturday. Samuel has never played there.

"In this defense it makes no sense to move Asante to the nickel," Shavers said. "I don't think the numbers suggest that that's something he would want to do."

The 5-foot-10 Samuel is shorter than both Asomugha (6-2) and Rodgers-Cromartie (6-2). His plays off the ball unlike Asomugha, a classic press cover corner. Rodgers-Cromartie plays the position more like Samuel, but the Eagles believe he can play at the line, as well.

In a league that has increasingly become pass-oriented, perhaps the Eagles intend to keep all three. Or maybe they deal Samuel and fill a need at linebacker, running back, or on the offensive line.