More signs Asante' Samuel isn't going to play the "Deion" contract ploy... - New England Patriots Forums

NE39 · 03-13-2007, 09:33 PM

At least he is saying the right things.

From Adam Schefter:

Quote:

Linebacker Lance Briggs is disgruntled about receiving the franchise tag from Chicago. But cornerback Asante Samuel does not share the same angry feelings about the franchise tag he received from New England.

Though Samuel will not show up at the Patriots' offseason conditioning program that kicks off Monday, the cornerback's agent Alonzo Shavers said Tuesday that it has nothing to do with the unsettled contract situation and everything to do with his client living and training in Florida.

"That's all this is about," Shavers said.

Samuel worked out in Florida last offseason, and nobody mentioned anything about his level of happiness. Shavers said anybody that has speculated that his client is staying away from New England due to unhappiness is incorrect.

So Briggs has set the record straight and now, apparently, Samuel's agent has attempted to do the same.

unoriginal · 03-13-2007, 09:34 PM

... because Deion never said the right things.

zippo59 · 03-13-2007, 09:59 PM

Whatever Asante did in his offseason training last year he should do it again. Word is it made a big difference in him reaching the next level.

pats63 · 03-13-2007, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zippo59

Whatever Asante did in his offseason training last year he should do it again. Word is it made a big difference in him reaching the next level.

I agree with you 100%,brother...I believe he wants to stay a Patriot for the long term....

VJCPatriot · 03-13-2007, 10:44 PM

Big difference between Asante and Deion is that Asante's agent is still maintaining contact with the team and answering questions to the media. As I recall Deion's agent completely shut down negotiations. And that was the big stumbling block. How the heck do you negotiate a contract when one side won't talk? And that's essentially how Deion forced his way out of New England. I am more prone to believe that Asante really does want to say because of what I've heard from him and his agent so far.

***BelichickFan*** · 03-13-2007, 11:08 PM

I forget who said it but someone late in the season was saying that the Patriots needed to improve their offer but that Samuel really, really liked being with the Patriots and would love to stay if he could. I think the "signs" we're talking about are likely due to him really wanting to stay.

hwc · 03-13-2007, 11:16 PM

I think the signs we are seeing are because Samuels and the Pats already have a deal done, but don't want to sign it and announce before the draft. Better to keep the other teams wondering what our draft plans might be.

IMO, Samuels and the Pats had already decided to make it work. The franchise tag was simply to buy time until the "comparables" came in under the new CBA.

I could be wrong, but that's the way I see it.

ChoWZa · 03-13-2007, 11:23 PM

I'm sure the team worked very hard with Samuel to avoid a bad situation here like happened with a certain Wide Receiver. Although they were 2 very different scenarios the damage of the holdouts would be just as bad. Perhaps they do have a deal done.

QB12 · 03-13-2007, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hwc

I think the signs we are seeing are because Samuels and the Pats already have a deal done, but don't want to sign it and announce before the draft. Better to keep the other teams wondering what our draft plans might be.

IMO, Samuels and the Pats had already decided to make it work. The franchise tag was simply to buy time until the "comparables" came in under the new CBA.

I could be wrong, but that's the way I see it.

Very perceptive, and it has a ring of truth to it.

QB12

***psychoPat*** · 03-13-2007, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hwc

I think the signs we are seeing are because Samuels and the Pats already have a deal done, but don't want to sign it and announce before the draft. Better to keep the other teams wondering what our draft plans might be.

IMO, Samuels and the Pats had already decided to make it work. The franchise tag was simply to buy time until the "comparables" came in under the new CBA.

An ingenious theory!

Would that it be so.