Samuel signed, Patrick released

[Water Boy]

Re: Samuel Signed

I just think he's a tool. Especially after the "show up to sign and then not sign" fiasco. Just a total lame move.

I know longer consider him part of the team. He's just a disgruntled mercinary.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

Re: Samuel Signed

I know longer consider him part of the team. He's just a disgruntled mercinary.

The current system (CAP, Free Agency and Franchise Tag) makes a lot of players "mercenaries" these days. The Patriots have been fortunate to have a core of guys who seem committed to the Franchise's long term success. That's not true for a lot of teams.

As for "disgruntled," I don't think any player who is trying to play at the highest level, as Asante certainly seems to claim he does, can afford expending psychic energy on indeed being disgruntled. He has only one objective: play his best and command the greatest possible deal at the end of the Season.

 

[fgssand]

He's back

He's on our team this year, right now.

We are a stronger team as a result.

Nothing else matters to me.

 

[Pats726]

Re: Samuel Signed

that's true up to a point, Joe, Once it was clear that he was coming back before the regular season started and he wasn't going to get what he wanted from the Pats, he had an obligation to back in time to make sure he'd be ready for the first game.
He has not missed 40-50 practices, he also missed all the meeting and film time. Not only that he also missed all the off season mini camps and OTAs. It is highly doubtful that he'll be ready and at top speed for at least 3-4 weeks.
HE may collect that $485,000 for the Jet game, but there is no way he will earn it, by being the elite CB we paid for.

I think this is a BIG point in all this and it's NOT just about Mr Sanuel but any Franchised player that sits out some of camp. What obligation does a player have to be ready for that First Game and first paycheck?? If a player is getting paid like one of the top players shouldn't he be ready to be playing like that? In this case it MIGHT be possible that Samuel will collect 3-4 checks and not be in top form.
The Samuel rumpswabs have sidestepped this question totally, but it also pertains to others in that situation. Yes he does NOT have to appear at camp..he doesn't have to be there until the week before to get the check, I think ALL KNOW what HE CAN DO; what is LEGAL..but we are not talking what he CAN do here. The question to me is one of character, obligation and professionalism. Simply put does one have a problem with a player collecting Franchise money, top money while they are NOT playing in top form due to late arrival and NOT being ready?? I think that is quite legitimate a question. I do have a problem with it..and to me it's a character issue and one of basically grabbing the money and not caring. (I also think in Samuel's case he thinks he WILL be ready..so it's aopen as to IF..) But I really wonder how others feel about it and whether they are OK with it. We all know he doesn't have to be there..but since one is being paid top dollar, shouldn't a player be in top shape and ready?
What does it say about a player that is NOT ready?

 

[Ring 6]

Re: Samuel Signed

I fault him now for showing up late, and then trying some B.S. leverage play. It's idiotic - and his behavior all the way back to the Globe article prior to the playoff game has been just that, idiotic. And there's every reason to think he'll be MORE likely to get hurt, given his lack of real football action.

Whatever, he's back, he'll be good, I just think he's a tool. Especially after the "show up to sign and then not sign" fiasco. Just a total lame move.

Quite frankly, if you could play corner at a near probowl level, your opinion on this would matter.
Asante Samuel is paid to play football, and his decision making regarding his contract is part of the package. While it would be nice if his decision making in this area was as Pollyannic as yours, its one or the other, and I'll take the combination that wins us football games.

I becomes increasing frustrating to see fans with absolutely no personal stake in a players life hold them to standards that only exist with no personal stake.
We will never build a Super Bowl caliber team of athletes that think like toll booth collectors and have no ego. They are good players partly because they have an ego.
There is just not such a universe where human beings turn in to top skilled athletes, make all the sacrifices necessary to do so, have the confidence and ego to be that good, and make decisions based on what Joe Fan wishes would happen, when Joe Fans only motivation is what is best for the organization he roots for, at the expense of what is best for the individuals.

Why dont you go and turn yourself into a probowl level corner, get franchised, deal with that situation by capitulating to whatever the team wants, then go around calling someone IN THE SAME SITUATION AS YOU an IDIOT a TOOL, and LAME, and profess that you know better what he should do than he does himself.
Since that will never happen, how about choosing door #2: Be a fan, talk about football, and drop the character judgments you are so quick to make about someone who you know nothing about. One thing I do know is Asante Samuel has enough character to put in the hard work and dedication, and make the sacrifcies necessary to be a top professional athlete. That is a lot more character than I am seeing you show. Where character judgments are concerned asante samuel seems a lot more qualified to make them than you do.

 

[Dragda]

I wonder if he'll take more chance for the big play and get burned this season...

 

[Captain Cliche]

I think I saw at least 3 of his interceptions that appeared to be a planned stunt. Where he checked off the deep receiver to the free safety and jumped the underneath route. You could see it in Belichick's reaction...and I didn't see that many games.

I wonder if those opportunities will be given to other players (Hobbs).

As I type this, I think...nah...that would be petty and I don't think this organization is that way.

 

[patchick]

Re: Samuel Signed

HE may collect that $485,000 for the Jet game, but there is no way he will earn it, by being the elite CB we paid for.

I think that remains to be seen. A guy like Asante is the best possible case for missing camp: 5th year in the system and the same entire secondary he's used to playing alongside back with him. Richard Seymour is in a similar situation, and if Seymour were cleared to practice today I suspect we'd all shout hallelujah and fully expect him to start against the Jets.

 

[ClevTrev]

Re: Samuel Signed

I think that remains to be seen. A guy like Asante is the best possible case for missing camp: 5th year in the system and the same entire secondary he's used to playing alongside back with him. Richard Seymour is in a similar situation, and if Seymour were cleared to practice today I suspect we'd all shout hallelujah and fully expect him to start against the Jets.

Agreed. There's quite a difference in being prepared mentally and physically. He'll take part in full game planning and be able to get in some work. As long as he can condition his body for the game, I expect to see Samuel in for plays against the Jets. The concern is that he sees spot duty and is not taxed where injury is the risk.