Asante Talking About A Trade

[NJ#1PATSFAN]

As Per NFL Network............Says he's not happy with progress thus far with contract. Talking trade.....Oh Shit not again!!!!

 

[mikiemo83]

full article

Patriots' Samuel makes a statement


By Adam Schefter
NFL Analyst




Adam Schefter's "Around the League" reports and commentaries can be seen regularly on NFL Total Access.

(April 4, 2007) -- A near perfect offseason in New England now is being interrupted with a reminder that not everything is ideal in Patriots Nation.

Free-agent cornerback Asante Samuel, whom the Patriots slapped with their franchise tag in February, is so displeased and discouraged with his contract talks with the team that he now is open to the idea of playing elsewhere and will seek a trade.

"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.


Asante Samuel feels his value is higher than the Patriots realize.
"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."

Patriots spokesman Stacey James declined to comment.

However this plays out, New England looks as if it is going to have to address this potential problem after solving others this offseason with the additions of linebacker Adalius Thomas, running back Sammy Morris, tight end Kyle Brady and wide receivers Wes Welker, Donte' Stallworth and Kelley Washington.

"We want to get something done and my hope is we will," said Samuel, who intercepted 12 passes last season, including two he returned for touchdowns in the playoffs against the Indianapolis Colts and the New York Jets.

"But if it doesn't get done, I'm prepared to do what's best for me and my family. It's not what I want to do, but what I have to do. They're handling their business the way they feel they have to and I'm going to do the same."

Samuel now would like to be able to strike a deal with another team.

Problem is, any team that signs Samuel to an offer sheet -- and the Cleveland Browns, New York Jets, New Orleans Saints and Washington Redskins are among the many teams seeking upgrades at the position -- would have to compensate the Patriots with two first-round picks.

A team also could arrange a sign-and-trade deal, but it's unlikely that New England would be willing to deal the 26-year-old Samuel within its division, although the Patriots once did so with free-agent running back Curtis Martin.

"The rest of the league knows I'm worth more than New England is offering, but they're scared of that (compensation)," Samuel said. "But I want to get this over with bad enough that I'm willing to work with any team to get a fair long-term deal done."

Samuel's frustration goes beyond the limitations that other teams are facing in trading for him. He said that when the offseason started, the Patriots told him they would take care of him with "an elite contract." But in Samuel's opinion, no "elite contract" has been forthcoming at a time when San Francisco shelled out $80 million for free-agent cornerback Nate Clements.

Also, Samuel has watched the Patriots reward players such as Thomas with big money while he has not been offered a similar deal for his role in helping the Patriots win two Super Bowls and come within a few minutes of reaching another last season.

Now, after contract talks stalled again, and the sides remain far apart, Samuel felt he had to push this issue from the background to the forefront.

"I've been patient, haven't said anything bad, haven't said anything negative," Samuel said. "But my patience has run out. Business is business. They handled their business their way and I'm handling my business my way. I hope not, I really hope not, but it's looking more and more like it could be time to move on."

 

[The*Big*Lebowski]

.

 

[JD10367]

Well, that didn't last long, did it, LOLOL.

Okay, everyone.... Separate into the opposing camps now.

Over here, please, everyone who feels that "Asante is a great cornerback and should get what he wants especially since the Pats need him badly".

The rest of you? Obviously, over there, with the group that feels "Asante is overrated, isn't a team player, isn't appreciative of the fact that the Franchise tag ALREADY designates him as one of the highest-paid players at his position, and is a whiny bitch who needs an ass-kicking".

Ready? Fight!

(Personally, I'm in Group #2. I'm tired of players who go against the grain of their own collective bargaining agreement. There's a reason the Franchise Tag was invented. The union agreed to it. You're getting paid the average of the Top Five NFL corners. Shut the #&*@ up and play, and stop crying like a pussy about it, and if it bugs you that much then when you become a FA after this season you can go for the big money.)

 

[JD10367]

full article

Patriots' Samuel makes a statement

By Adam Schefter
NFL Analyst

Asante Samuel feels his value is higher than the Patriots realize.
"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 it's best for me and my family," Samuel said, "I will do that. Absolutely."

Well, at least he didn't say he needs to FEED his family.

 

[JD10367]

:::continuing his rant:::

And WTF is with this "I want to be traded"? @$&* you! They FRANCHISED you. They don't have to do ANYTHING.

Part of me would love to see them do nothing and see if he sits out the season.

Part of me thinks they should trade him to frigging Detroit and let him languish there and see how he enjoys life.

Blah blah money-hungry blah blah blah these guys don't appreciate playing for a winner blah blah make ridiculous money already blah.

 

[Sir Otilc]

He went from 700K in salary to 7 mil and he's bitching?

Trade him to freaking Oakland and we'll use the Raiders usually crappy season to get a high pick next year.

Looks like CB just became a draft priority.

 

[JD10367]

He went from 700K in salary to 7 mil and he's bitching?

Well, you know, by franchising him the Pats only think he's the third-best corner in the NFL. That's pretty friggin' disrespectful.

 

[mikiemo83]

I hate this stuff but from a players view, it is 7.8 million franchised or 12-16 million with bonus money guaranteed so if injured he gets more money to feed the family


not agreeing but don't look at $700,000 to $7,8000,000

look at $7,800,000 instead of $12,000,000 or more up to $20,000,000

 

[JONATHAN!]

Again, though, like Peter King said Re: Lance Briggs,
Don't be PO'd at the team, be PO'd at the NFLPA and the CBA they signed.

THE PLAYERS AGREED TO THE RULE!

And, it is so obvious in situations like this when he waits until the FA market is playing out and the draft is looming to drop the bomb. Simply, to me, it is unscrupulous business. Someone please dredge up his quotes after being franchised. He's done a 180 and that sux.

 

[#1Patsfan_chica]

I'm not shocked over this news. And I do think that Asante deserves to get more money but not as much as he thinks. And in his point of view, yes he's going to get a lot of money this season but what is going to happen to him if he gets hurt? So I understand.

 

[skippy1999]

I'm not shocked over this news. And I do think that Asante deserves to get more money but not as much as he thinks. And in his point of view, yes he's going to get a lot of money this season but what is going to happen to him if he gets hurt? So I understand.

he is young, players hsi age get hurt and still get enormous contracts the next year. cry me a river asante, sit your ass out and lose $7 million, smart guy.

 

[Mr NFLfan]

Isn't it amazing, one real good season in a row and now he wants to own the team. Greed is a terrible thing. I just had a feeling that stupid Nate Clemments contract was going to screw up the contract talks. Sorry but Samuel isn't worth that kind of money. I've listened to his interviews and the guy can barely speak english. Put me down in catagory 2.

 

[Wandering Athol]

I've thought from Day One this is how it would play out. I'm not surprised one iota. There is no way on God's green Earth the Pats should fork over Clements or Bly money for a player who's had ONE good season: his contract year in which he was intentionally going for INTs to pad his stats against poor QBs.

Now I like Samuel and maybe he will develop into one of the top corners in the league someday, but if the Pats can flip him for a first-round pick, they will have pulled off a GREAT deal.

Imagine the Pats with three first-round picks this year....SCHWIIIIINNNNNG! Look for the Pats to make a deal before the draft, but if they don't, there's NO WAY Samuel's sitting out the season and foregoing $7MM.

 

[Denism]

Per Reiss:

The Patriots' negotiations with cornerback Asante Samuel took an acrimonious turn last night when Samuel told the NFL Network he wanted to be traded if things did not change course.

"This is to let everybody know that I'm not happy anymore and things are not going well," Samuel told reporter Adam Schefter. "At first I thought it was going well, but it's not.

"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."

Samuel, 26, added that if a long-term deal is not consummated with the Patriots, and he is not traded, he would be prepared to hold out for the entire season.

When reached by the Globe last night, Samuel said he would let his comments to the NFL Network stand and declined to elaborate.

Samuel, who tied for the NFL lead with 10 interceptions in 2006, was assigned the franchise tag Feb. 16. At the time, his agent, Alonzo Shavers, said, "We don't look at it as a bad thing. This is a step in the process in working toward a long-term deal."

Asked if Samuel was prepared to stage a Deion Branch-like holdout, Shavers said that was "not our intention at all."

Yet the lack of progress in recent contract talks has apparently altered those intentions.

When reached last night, spokesman Stacey James said the Patriots had no comment.

Samuel, who has a tattoo that reads "Get Paid," told the NFL Network that the Patriots informed him they would compensate him with "an elite contract" this offseason.

The sides had been speaking in recent weeks, but by the end of last week, there were signs of a significant gap in the negotiations.

If Samuel simply signed the franchise tender, he would earn a one-year salary worth $7.79 million. While that contract would pay Samuel the average of the top five cornerbacks from 2006, it would not include the large up-front bonus money or guarantees that are often part of a new contract. Because NFL contracts are not guaranteed, the bonuses and guarantees are the most valuable part of any deal for players.

Samuel's representatives have seen two recent contracts help establish the market for cornerbacks: Nate Clements signed an eight-year package with the 49ers that included $22 million in bonuses and guarantees, and Dre' Bly inked a five-year deal with the Broncos last week that included $16 million in bonuses and guarantees.

The Patriots and Samuel's representatives had also spoken during the 2006 season. In January, Samuel told the Globe that what the Patriots offered "isn't even worth discussing. It's disappointing. You want to believe they know what you've done. So you hope for the best, but you end up feeling underappreciated. You feel disrespected, especially how they come at you with so much negative stuff. They show you such a low regard

"I took it personally at first. You'd think I would have been around this team long enough to realize it's all about business. So I'm putting it out of my mind."

In his interview with the NFL Network yesterday, Samuel said his hope remains to reach a long-term deal with the Patriots.

"But if it doesn't get done, I'm prepared to do what's best for me and my family," he said. "It's not what I want to do, but what I have to do. They're handling their business the way they feel they have to, and I'm going to do the same."

As a franchise player, Samuel can negotiate with other teams. If he signs an offer sheet with another club, and the Patriots elect not to match it, New England would be compensated with two first-round draft choices. Because of that steep compensation, it is rare for franchise players to sign offer sheets.

"The rest of the league knows I'm worth more than New England is offering, but they're scared of that [compensation]," Samuel told the NFL Network. "But I want to get this over with bad enough that I'm willing to work with any team to get a fair long-term deal done.

"I've been patient, haven't said anything bad, haven't said anything negative. But my patience has run out. Business is business. They handled their business their way and I'm handling my business my way. I hope not, I really hope not, but it's looking more and more like it could be time to move on."

Samuel, who enters his fifth NFL season in 2007, was a fourth-round draft choice of the Patriots in 2003 out of Central Florida. He has 16 career regular-season interceptions, as well as three playoff picks, two of which were returned for touchdowns in 2006. He has played in 59 career regular-season games and 11 playoff contests.

Ahh Well, Thats Asante "get paid" Samual gone so

 

[patsin??]

this is not goodd.;(.....im not sure if soomone posted this already

POSTED 8:49 p.m. EDT, April 4, 2007

SAMUEL WANTS OUT OF NEW ENGLAND

Adam Schefter of NFL Network reports that Patriots cornerback Asante Samuel, a free agent limited by the franchise tag, wants to be traded.

"This is to let everybody know that I'm not happy anymore and things are not going well," Samuel told Schefter. "At first I thought it was going well, but it's not. 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."

Samuel says that he is prepared to sit out the season, if need be. "If it's best for me and my family," Samuel said, "I will do that. Absolutely."

Sure. Look, none of these franchise players is going to miss a paycheck. So look for Samuel to sign his tender on the eve of the start of the regular season, and collect game checks worth more than $458,000 each. That's almost as much as he made for the entire season in 2006.

The problem is that the Pats have shelled out plenty of money for multiple free agents in the past month, and Samuel has been paying close attention.

"I've been patient, haven't said anything bad, haven't said anything negative," Samuel said. "But my patience has run out. Business is business. They handled their business their way and I'm handling my business my way. I hope not, I really hope not, but it's looking more and more like it could be time to move on." (Or move out.)

 

[Sir Otilc]

Thanks Deion Branch. Look what you started, you ungrateful a-hole.

 

[P4E]

with samuel gone are best cornerback will be ellis hobbs

why dont the pats just cut out the bull s**T and just pay the guy, im getting really pis**D off with this now.

i dont no if samuel is taking the p**s or new england are.

but if we lost samuel next year(god forbid if he goes too an afc rival)then we will lose an important part of are D

I SUPPOSE THAT AT THE END OF THE DAY WE COULD ALWAYS DRAFT A CORNERBACK

but with us been so high in the draft come the time when we are on the clock will there be any decent CBS left on the board?

SHOULD I BE WORRIED OR WILL THE PATS SORT THIS OUT
ONE WAY OR ANOTHER?

 

[bsaeagle64]

:::continuing his rant:::

Part of me would love to see them do nothing and see if he sits out the season.

He and his camp are not that stupid. As I understand the rule, a player has to be available to play in only 6 games to be considered active for the season and gain a year towards his cumulative pension benefits. If he 'sits' he will do so for only the 1st 10 games of the season but will be ready to return in game 11.

 

[babalu87]

Sit out asshole, we'll draft a CB and plug him into the hole. With the way the front seven will look in 2007 you could have a friggin Pee-Wee player making plays out there. Hobbs will be plenty good without a cast on his friggin arm and we could use more draft picks for 2008.