Why do you say that? Don't feel like putting up with his attidtude? Don't like his play or think he's overrated?
Well, here's my take... Samuel played very well last year, had good numbers. But he was never and has never been dominant at the position. Last year stood out, and it was a contract year. Now that could mean a couple of things. First, did he "turn it on" for the big contract? Did he finally "break out"? I am not sure, but I am sure that he was average at CB until last year. Even then, he was never a "shut down" CB. He had a good amount of INT's. On a side note, I do like the way he hits. Taking all those factors into account, I am hesitant to devote a large % of the cap to that type of player. It scares me. I don't know which player he is. I would not even say he is a Top 5 CB, even after last year. Top 10 range, possibly. His attitude has been fine. He has actually been too quiet, so I don't even think he has an attitude. In addition, I honestly feel that we can draft a good CB to fill Samuel's role. Will it be instant? No. But, Samuel never played like a top CB before last year and we won without him. As for the Jets getting him, I can also see where BS says he is fine with that. I'll take 2 1st rounders from any team for him. I wish him the best, but not with my team at that price. Seems like a good enough guy and I am sure he will play well for any team he goes to. If he stays with us, fine by me, I just hope we don't give him a large % of our cap. I am not bagging on him, I just need to see more good play on his resume to be convinced that he really is the top CB player I saw last season and not the average/good CB I was accustomed to.
1) He wants big money 2) He has great interception numbers, but he is a bad tackler. All he does is try to torpedo folks, so when he misses, or they keep their footing, he is on the ground and they are gone. He lays his shoulder into them, but doesn't use his arms at all to wrap them up. Not to mention what happens when he misses the interception.....yikes. 3) He did not attend Marquis Hill's wake. When a teammate dies, you set business aside and go to the man's funeral to pay your respects to him and his stricken family. Assante decided that his contract dispute was more important.
This is clearly not in keeping with the sanctified "Patriots Way." Why, Mr. Bellichek was so supportive of a former employee engaged in a nasty marital spat, he was known to thoughtfully forward boxes of cash her way.
Several teams interested in Samuel Thursday, Jun 7, 2007 3:19 pm EDT According to a source with knowledge of the situation, "several teams" have expressed a willingness to meet Asante Samuel's asking price, which is a contract in the neighborhood of the eight-year, $80 million deal free agent Nate Clements signed with the San Francisco 49ers. The Patriots offered a one-year, $7.79 million franchise tender that Samuel has yet to sign. The source said the New York Jets inquired about Samuel, but declined to acknowledge their interest or disclose if it was affected by the NFL draft-day trade that netted Pitt corner Darrelle Revis in the first round. Source: Boston Herald Related: New York Jets
DW - Thanks for the response, and I feel pretty much the same about him. Sure, he had a pretty good year as far as INT's go, but other than that he still hasn't proven to be worth what he wants. As for the "attitude" part of my question - I guess I worded it poorly, I meant more along the lines of "Has his greedyness/hold out pissed you off and affected your view of him?" Baron I guess that you and DW have slightly differing opinions on the way he tackles. I would not make a big deal out of not going to a team mates funeral. Maybe he didn't even know the guy. After all, there are 53 men on a team, and there's always the possibility they A) just didn't know each other B) didn't like each other and C) Samuel doesn't give a shit since he thinks he's not gonna be on the team much longer.
They were both on the team together for a couple of years, and attended the same meetings. Of course they knew each other. I guess some don't see his not attending the funeral as a big deal....i just disagree. I think it speaks to the man's character. If it doesn't bother you, that's fine.
no chance the jets go after him. a) the pats want a first rounder b) the pats probably wont trade him withint he division c) revis was drafted
So, I work with abotu 50 other people, attend the same meetings as them, yet I don't know them all. If one of them died, I don't think 90% of the office would show up. Just cuz they were on the same team doesn't mean he has to go to the guys funeral. Football is a business, so even if he didn't go because of his little hold out, I can't fault him for standing his ground
Well, I guess we will just have to disagree there...if one of my workmates dies...and there are close to 50, I would most certainly attend. Anyway, about what DW said about his tackling...yes, he hits like a freight train. The problem is, he goes into his shoulder dive, and sometimes guys dodge it, sidestep or stutterstep, he misses, and it's off to the races.
i know this, he will be number 2, i doubt we keep dyson that long if we have samuel and revis. dyson would be trade bait.
you have alphonzo hodge, david barrett, hank poteat, rashaun kizer, james ihedigbo all who are db's that we could swap out with Asante... You could even take off two of them and replace them with asante you dont have to get rid of dyson...
i wouldnt want to get rid of anyone bro, but with the level dyson plays in he doesnt want to sit he wants to start. so does barrett he wants to be atleast nickel not dime. barrett feels like he earned the respect to be atleast nickel, and with revis on our lineup if he trains well, will be the nickel. dyson is a starter in the NFL, but if we get asanti which is a better corner, i would replace dyson for samuel. and trade dyson or barrett for what ever we need.
I actually agree with both of you. I never commented on his tackling, which I think BS hit dead on. He does over-pursue and miss tackles. But, as far as hitting goes, he is awesome.
