By Dean GeddesIt must be frustrating for Asante Samuel. It's every professional sports player's dream, and Asante did it. In the final year of his contract, Samuel had a breakout year, snagging 10 interceptions, when he had totaled just six in his three previous years in the NFL. Samuel also had career highs in tackles and pass deflections. But instead of a long-term deal and a hefty signing bonus, the Pats still stuck him with the one-year franchise tag.
This did not make Samuel happy. He and his agent discussed his options and they decided to hold out in hopes of a long term contract. They are asking for a front loaded contract that will pay Samuel $30 million over the next three years. Samuel is good, but he's not $10 million a year good.
During the 2005 season, fans and the media were berating the New England secondary. And for good reason. More than once I remember Samuel being referred to as "overmatched" having to face up against opposing teams top wideout every week, and was better served as a "nickel corner". After a 40-21 whupping at the hands of the Colts, Mike Reiss asked this rhetorical question in the November 8, 2005 edition of the Boston Globe, "Anyone still think Duane Starks and Asante Samuel are the answers at cornerback?"
It seems clear now that Asante wasn't as bad as perceived in 2005. By the same token he isn't as good as perceived in 2007. He has improved dramatically against the run since he first arrived in Foxboro. He's always been a ball hawk, recording double digit pass deflections every year since he was a rookie.
Asante has transformed himself from a mediocre cornerback into a great cornerback in the last two years. He has, however, not made the leap into the top-tier of cornerbacks to join the likes of Champ Baily, DeAngelo Hall, and Chris McAlister. All of those players will be making less than $10 million this year. Although to be fair, all three signed long-term contracts before the recent salary cap increase.
So for more recent reference, the Chicago Bears and their top cornerback Nathan Vasher, a better all-around cornerback than Asante, who has some of the best man-to-man cover skills in the NFL. Vasher just signed a contract extension that will pay him $16 million over the next two years. Of course, the contract is for longer than that, but since NFL contracts are like a series of one year deals with a team option at the end of each season, the first few years of a contract are most important.
Samuel wants $30 million over his first three years. He's just not worth that.
Yesterday, at 4 p.m., the deadline for the Patriots to sign Asante to a long-term deal passed. This means that Samuel can only get a long term deal in 2007 if it's outside of New England. Any team willing to sign him to an offer sheet has to give the Patriots two first rounders. And that's just not going to happen.
This deadline actually helped the Patriots, though, by limiting their options and backing Samuel into a corner. He knows they cannot legally offer him a long term deal, so he either suits up and plays for one year at $7.6 million, or sits out and hopes the Patriots trade him, a la Deion Branch. The ball is completely in his court.
The Patriots' other corners this year are Tory James, the injury-plagued Randall Gay, Ellis Hobbs and Chad Scott. Asante would clearly be the top dog of that group if he were to return. While its scary to imagine that foursome patrolling New England's secondary without Samuel, and even scarier to think about them lining up opposite Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne, the Patriots and Bill Belichick have proven they can win without big name corners.
In 2004, with both starting corners (Ty Law and Tyrone Poole) on injured reserve, then-sophomore Asante Samuel, Randall Gay, and even wideout Troy Brown chipped in to hold the Colts to three points in the Divisional Playoffs.
So it can be done. Although Peyton Manning has improved greatly since then, and Patriot fans would much rather see Asante in a Pats uniform, the front office knows it can't sacrifice the future for one player. Just ask Lawyer Milloy, or Ty Law, or Deion Branch.
So for more recent reference, the Chicago Bears and their top cornerback Nathan Vasher, a better all-around cornerback than Asante, who has some of the best man-to-man cover skills in the NFL. Vasher just signed a contract extension that will pay him $16 million over the next two years. Of course, the contract is for longer than that, but since NFL contracts are like a series of one year deals with a team option at the end of each season, the first few years of a contract are most important.
Samuel wants $30 million over his first three years. He's just not worth that.
Yesterday, at 4 p.m., the deadline for the Patriots to sign Asante to a long-term deal passed. This means that Samuel can only get a long term deal in 2007 if it's outside of New England. Any team willing to sign him to an offer sheet has to give the Patriots two first rounders. And that's just not going to happen.
This deadline actually helped the Patriots, though, by limiting their options and backing Samuel into a corner. He knows they cannot legally offer him a long term deal, so he either suits up and plays for one year at $7.6 million, or sits out and hopes the Patriots trade him, a la Deion Branch. The ball is completely in his court.
The Patriots' other corners this year are Tory James, the injury-plagued Randall Gay, Ellis Hobbs and Chad Scott. Asante would clearly be the top dog of that group if he were to return. While its scary to imagine that foursome patrolling New England's secondary without Samuel, and even scarier to think about them lining up opposite Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne, the Patriots and Bill Belichick have proven they can win without big name corners.
In 2004, with both starting corners (Ty Law and Tyrone Poole) on injured reserve, then-sophomore Asante Samuel, Randall Gay, and even wideout Troy Brown chipped in to hold the Colts to three points in the Divisional Playoffs.
So it can be done. Although Peyton Manning has improved greatly since then, and Patriot fans would much rather see Asante in a Pats uniform, the front office knows it can't sacrifice the future for one player. Just ask Lawyer Milloy, or Ty Law, or Deion Branch.
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