This time, he's sure. The NFL Network's Adam Schefter talked to Samuel, another guy who isn't at all happy with his "franchise player" tag. From Schefter: "This is to let everybody know that I'm not happy anymore and things are not going well," Samuel said in his first public comments since the Patriots franchised him. "At first I thought it was going well, but it's not.Something tells me, Asante, that your family would rather you played for the $7,790,000 this year and tried to win a Super Bowl with an incredible line-up. If I was in your family, that's what I'd say was best.
"We have a difference of opinion in my value. They think I'm worth one price and the other teams think I'm worth a lot more. If a long-term deal can't be done at fair numbers for me and New England, then I want to be traded."
If a long-term deal cannot get done with New England and a trade to another team does not happen, Samuel said he also is prepared to take steps he would rather not and sit out this season.
"If it's best for me and my family," Samuel said, "I will do that. Absolutely."
Of course, it's hard not to see his side of things, too. He's been a long-time contributor to the Pats, and he wants a long-term deal, they won't give it to him. Meanwhile, the Patriots go out and spend big money on a ton of free agents this off-season, paying just about everyone but Asante Samuel. I could see where that would be frustrating.
Still, I wouldn't bet on him actually missing any time. What he says sounds good in theory, but actually leaving close to $8 million on the table ... not a ton of guys are actually willing to do that.
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
via Jerry Garcia:
Tennessee, Tennessee
Ain't no place I'd rather be...
Baby won't you carry me,
Back to Tennessee.
Samuels was the top free agent discussed around here before he was franchised.
He should be a Titan... at least if I hear 'Samuels' an 'rain' i the same sentence, I'd know to grab an umbrella
After only one season of playing at a consistent level, I believe that Assante Samuels has a somewhat inflated estimation of his position as a preeminent player. If he shows a similar level of skill and consistency in 2007-08, the Pats should reward him - but not now. He still needs to prove himself as a long-term asset and as one who is willing to be part of a team.
Do the Patriots have a monopoly on these malcontents or am I just imagining it?
Branch, Givens, Vinatieri and now Samuels... and there were others but why bother to give them more publicity? It just seems that there are always those who think they are the second coming of the world's greatest athlete when in fact, their mouths are probably their strongest asset due to the constant use.
Samuels should think about how many people making 30 or 40 grand a year want hime to stay in New England and they don't begrudge him the 8 million he gets just for showing up. But he wants MORE. Why when he hasn't proven he's a lasting commodity?
Get real Assante and get to work and prove you're worth even the amount you'll make this year and then worry about next year.
How's this any different than Briggs' situation? Why are you, MJD, able to sympathize with Briggs but seem to hold something against Samuel?
Quick, name one Patriot player who sang this tune, and then proved he was worth the$$$. While you work on that I'll give you several who were not as good as they thought.
Tebucky Jones, David Givens, Dion Branch(not even#1 on his new team),Adam Vinaterri(good, but not much if any better than his New England replacement, Bobby Hamilton, Joe Andruzzi, Willie McGinnest.
Need anymore?
He should not leave hte pats need him and he knows that it sounds kind of foolish to leave a team that has a Super Bowl waiting on them. If Samuel can hear this you should stay because you know that you are a Pat and if you stay you can win a Supr Bowl or you can leave and never win it.
Samuels is the most under-rated CB in NFL. Being a scout, in my eyes he is the best corner in the NFL and has been for a few years but like every other player(sans brady) flies under the radar playing for the Patriots. There is a reason why he was franchised, being that the coaching staff knows his abilities and values. Talking to some insiders at 1 patriots place, he will get a long term deal and will be a patriot for a long time. If the pats cant get this done, they would lose the best CB in the game right now.