Bianco offering differing prospects on Asante reporting

[pats1]

Here's what he told Shalise Manza Young of the Projo:

http://www.beloblog.com/ProJo_Blogs/PatsBlog/archives/2007/07/samuels_agents.html

July 26, 2007

Samuel's agents trying to work something out

Hey all --

We just got off the phone with Jay Bianco, one of the agents for Asante Samuel (thankfully he's not sick of us yet), and he indicated that Samuel could be in training camp sooner rather than later. Bianco, partner Alonzo Shavers and the Patriots are actively trying to work something out to get the corner back with the team.

“We’re trying to come up with something that is beneficial to everyone and get him in there as early as possible,” Bianco said yesterday. “We all feel it’s in the team’s interest and (Samuel’s) best interest to get him in there as close to on time as possible. The lines of communication are open.”

Bianco mentioned the deal that Lance Briggs and the Bears came to. Also unhappy with being slapped as his team's franchise player, Briggs was threatening to hold out. But Chicago gave him $1million of his $7.2 million up front and agreed not to franchise him again next year -- thus making him a free agent -- IF he plays in 75 percent of the Bears' defensive snaps this season.

“We’re trying to work to get things done like we always have,” Bianco said. “It has to be something that’s beneficial to everyone. Like (Chicago) did with Lance, we’re trying to come to something that’s good for everybody. Our goal is to get him there."

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young at 4:05 PM

But here's what he saying to Breer:

http://news.bostonherald.com/blogs/patriots/

July 26th, 2007
Don’t expect Samuel
Posted by Albert Breer at 4:23 pm

When the Patriots open training camp at 8:45 a.m. tomorrow at Gillette Stadium, the expectation is that Asante Samuel will be elsewhere.

Agent Jay Bianco, an associate of Alonzo Shavers at Infinite Sports Concepts, said it has now become “highly unlikely” that Samuel will report to camp on time. Samuel is still at his home in South Florida, while the “lines of communication remain open”, according to Bianco.

“We’re trying to work out something that’s beneficial to both the Asante and the Patriots, so we can get him in there and he can focus on football,” said Bianco. “We want to try to get him in there as close to the start of camp as we possibly can, but he’s prepared to sit out if he has to.”

Bianco did stop short of saying that it is a priority for Samuel to play for the Patriots.

“He wants to play football,” said Bianco. “If it’s with the Patriots, as long as we can work something out, and he can be be happy there and play, then great.”

Bianco also echoed the words of Shavers in regards to franchised LB Lance Briggs‘ signing in Chicago yesterday. When asked if the Bears deal would have any bearing on Samuel, Bianco responded, “Not at all.”

A message left for Samuel was not immediately returned.

UPDATE (5:15 p.m.): The full story is up on the Herald’s Web site.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

http://patriots.bostonherald.com/patriots/view.bg?articleid=1013603

“We’re trying to work out something that’s beneficial to both Asante and the Patriots, so we can get him in there and he can focus on football,” said Bianco. “We want to try to get him in there as close to
the start of camp as we possibly can, but he’s prepared to sit out if he has to.”

In other words, no change.

 

[cloud34]

The Bears got Briggs in by promising not to franchise him again next year. The chance of that happenning here are next to zero. Why would the Patriots give up that option? Foolish...

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Were I a twit like Asante, I'd be in no rush to get to training camp early. Forfeiting nearly $500K per regular season game is another matter entirely.

 

[bbabin]

Well I don't think anyone expected him tomorrow. But the fact that they are communicating and still have what sounds like amicable relations is a good sign. It may just be more optimistic agentspeak though, who knows?

 

[dhamz]

I'm not sure I'd call those differing positions. It was the same position with different follow up questions by the reporters. He essentially told both reporters the same thing to start and then it went differently from there.

 

[SWelker]

Does anyone else get the feeling that the agents for Samuel just seem to be spewing out stuff to the media just for the sake of making a headline? I mean, I really feel like the whole time that negotations on a longterm extension were ongoing, as Samuel's agents liked to put it, the Pats just sat there with the same exact offer that they gave to him right after the season and said "take it or leave it" so when they left it, they said okay, now see you in camp when you sign the franchise deal. I really have my doubts about the Pats even talking with Samuel at this point, I mean, what is there to talk about on the Pats end? No they aren't going to put in writing that they won't franchise you next year, so don't ask.

 

[dhamz]

Does anyone else get the feeling that the agents for Samuel just seem to be spewing out stuff to the media just for the sake of making a headline?

I don't see where anything they have said has really made headlines. Deion Branch's agents talked for the sake of making headlines. Samuels agents have said little. The only one who made headlines was that PR guy who works so closely with Asante he can't spell his name.

 

[patriot lifer]

Does anyone else get the feeling that the agents for Samuel just seem to be spewing out stuff to the media just for the sake of making a headline? I mean, I really feel like the whole time that negotations on a longterm extension were ongoing, as Samuel's agents liked to put it, the Pats just sat there with the same exact offer that they gave to him right after the season and said "take it or leave it" so when they left it, they said okay, now see you in camp when you sign the franchise deal. I really have my doubts about the Pats even talking with Samuel at this point, I mean, what is there to talk about on the Pats end? No they aren't going to put in writing that they won't franchise you next year, so don't ask.

They may sound like they are spewing things out, but remember that they are being called incessantly for comments on the situation.

I still feel better by the reports. The first time there was a sign of optimism for a long term deal, the person to comment wasn't exactly his agent; it was someone else like his publicist or something. This time the agents are the ones speaking with some semblance of optimism.

 

[Pats726]

Maybe he's in no rush to get to camp, but he has a LOT to lose this year...he sort of goes into it just to collect his money and he'll not get that big contract...THAT is why he needs to be in camp..I would say after the public part of TC closes...after 3nd game..but maybe just 2 weeks. Players who sit out invariably end up nehind an drushing to catch up and get hurt a LOT easier. THAT is one reason I think he needs to be in camp sooner rather than later. being PART OF teh program is important. It's not baseball folks, there is a chemsitry that develops with players ON the field. Can't do that from Florida.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Does anyone else get the feeling that the agents for Samuel just seem to be spewing out stuff to the media just for the sake of making a headline?

No, not to me anyway. As dhamz noted, the story is based on the writer's questions and the only "spin" from the agents is the ongoing negotiations. Asante may wind up signing in mid-to-late August as most of the PFW guys forecast, but Meion's trade and the prospect of Training Camp injuries setting some teams back at CB are incentives to hold out as long as possible.

 

[Pats726]

Were I a twit like Asante, I'd be in no rush to get to training camp early. Forfeiting nearly $500K per regular season game is another matter entirely.

The twit wishes to get paid..he needs a strong year to get big bucks being in camp helps that happen..the twit's in early the twit gets his pot of gold with another really solid year..

 

[fgssand]

I think he is loving the national attention he is now getting.

Asante is the last of the 2007 franchise slapped players!

No reason for him to report until about 3 weeks to go, he will gladly skip all of the two a days and leave enough time to get into tip top playing shape.

 

[patsgo]

http://patriots.bostonherald.com/patriots/view.bg?articleid=1013603In other words, no change.

All of this is agent horse crap if he shows thats great if he doesn't we move on, end of story, I ain't worrying about this and I doubt the Patriots players or Belicheck is, he coaches the players there, everyone should chill until he reports and if he doesn't chill, and we all move on.

 

[spacecrime]

I'm not sure I'd call those differing positions.

Me neither.

The first report said, “We’re trying to come up with something that is beneficial to everyone and get him in there as early as possible,” Bianco said yesterday. “We all feel it’s in the team’s interest and (Samuel’s) best interest to get him in there as close to on time as possible. The lines of communication are open.”

And the second report said, Agent Jay Bianco, an associate of Alonzo Shavers at Infinite Sports Concepts, said it has now become “highly unlikely” that Samuel will report to camp on time. Samuel is still at his home in South Florida, while the “lines of communication remain open”, according to Bianco.

Okay, they are trying to get him there as soon as possible, but it probably won't be the first day of camp. These aren't conflicting statements at all.

 

[pats1]

Me neither.

The first report said, “We’re trying to come up with something that is beneficial to everyone and get him in there as early as possible,” Bianco said yesterday. “We all feel it’s in the team’s interest and (Samuel’s) best interest to get him in there as close to on time as possible. The lines of communication are open.”

And the second report said, Agent Jay Bianco, an associate of Alonzo Shavers at Infinite Sports Concepts, said it has now become “highly unlikely” that Samuel will report to camp on time. Samuel is still at his home in South Florida, while the “lines of communication remain open”, according to Bianco.

Okay, they are trying to get him there as soon as possible, but it probably won't be the first day of camp. These aren't conflicting statements at all.

One is clearly pessimistic while the other is much more optimistic.

 

[psychoPat]

Nice juxtaposition of quotes, P1 !

But for Bianco and Shavers, "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, ... "

I do not know the truth. But as far as i am concerned, I do know that whatever an agent is saying is not the truth.

 

[patriot lifer]

Nice juxtaposition of quotes, P1 !

But for Bianco and Shavers, "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, ... "

I do not know the truth. But as far as i am concerned, i do know that
whatever an agent is saying
is not the truth.

Didn't the article that said he might sign a longterm deal cite someone who wasn't even his agent. That was Glenn Toby. While Toby said that to the Patriot-Ledger, one of his real agents told the Boston Herald at that time that they hadn't made much progress.

The two conflicting articles.
http://ledger.southofboston.com/articles/2007/07/14/sports/sports01.txt
http://patriots.bostonherald.com/patriots/view.bg?articleid=1011515&srvc=sports

The point is that this time it was one of his real agents that was quoted. not that I'd get optimistic

 

[psychoPat]

Didn't the article that said he might sign a longterm deal cite someone who wasn't even his agent. That was Glenn Toby . While Toby said that to the Patriot-Ledger, one of his real agents told the Boston Herald at that time that they hadn't made much progress.

....
The point is that this time it was one of his real agents that was quoted.

Toby is "only" the co-founder and executive vice-president of
the firm that Shavers and Bianco work for.
That is ... their boss.

So what if it is tag team?
They intend to mislead the public.
Caveat lector!
Not a crime ... but sufficient reason for me to withhold belief.

 

[patriot lifer]

Toby is "only" the co-founder and executive vice-president of
the firm that Shavers and Bianco work for.
That is ... their boss.

So what if it is tag team?
They intend to mislead the public.
Caveat lector!
Not a crime ... but sufficient reason for me to withhold belief.

He isn't an agent. He isn't certified to advise players, nor is the team allowed to speak with him on behalf of Asante's contract. The NFLPA doesn't recognize him.

But I agree with withholding belief. I'm all with you there