Asante Samuel Gets Rich to This
The Philadelphia Eagles signed former Patriots CB Asante Samuel to a 6-year $57 million contract today, the first day of NFL Free Agency.
Samuel, 27, was an All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection last season. He has 22 career interceptions and two Super Bowl rings.
The Eagles hope that Samuel will upgrade their pitiful pass defense from the past season. The team intercepted only eleven passes in 2007 and scored no defensive touchdowns.
But, is Asante Samuel really an upgrade? More importantly, is he a $57 million upgrade?
Philadelphia already has a two-time Pro Bowl CB in Lito Sheppard. Both players are the same age. Sheppard has 17 career interceptions and has played one more season. One could make the argument that Samuel is the better player, but better enough to justify the decadent dime?
There is the question of how good Samuel really is. He failed to foment a fire at the draft, not taken until the second day. The Patriots may have found a hidden talent, but it is also possible, particularly given their history, that they found merely a player who could perform well in their system.
Samuel does have staggering interception numbers, but skill only comprises part of that. One reason a player may rack up interceptions is because quarterbacks do not fear throwing at him. Another could be that an effective front seven affects how a quarterback throws and increases the number of mistakes.
There also should be character questions. The guy who holds out of training camp and has “get rich to this” tattooed on his arm does not appear one to lead by example.
At face value, the signing appears dubious. But, with the aforementioned considerations, it might prove a disaster.
Despite the cautions, however, the Eagles are enamored with their new acquisition. “We regarded Asante as the number one available free agent,” owner Jeffrey Lurie told AP.
This was undoubtedly news to Donovan McNabb, given that both Randy Moss and Jerry Porter were available free agents to upgrade their woeful Wide Receiver position.
Samuel seems pleased with his new team as well. “I just want a chance to be able to win and get back to the Super Bowl,” Samuel told AP.
Of course, the best way to have a chance to win is to leave a team that went 16-0 last season for an 8-8 team that plays in the same division as the Cowboys (Best Record NFC) and Giants (Super Bowl Champions).
The Eagles flirtatiously flashed their cash, but, fifty-seven million dollars later, they remain only marginally improved.
If Lito Sheppard ends up a Patriot, it is entirely possible that they were outfoxed again. And this time. Arlen Specter cannot bail them out.
