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CLICK HERE to Register for a free account and login for a smoother ad-free experience. It's easy, and only takes a few moments.A couple of minutes ago he opined that drafting a CB with the 7th overall pick would help the Patriots get leverage with Asante Samuel. Free agency starts in early March. The 1st round of the draft is April 26. Does anyone besides Butch really think that Asante will go unsigned for that long??
If there was a joke there its in suggesting that the Patriots have any leverage at all.
True and false.
Samuel has no leverage over the Patriots because a 19-0 season says ", we don't need you to still be the favorites next year".
And the Patriots have no leverage over Samuel; Since either they franchise him and have to pay him like 10 million (or whatever the number was); or he says "I'm going to hit the market" and he gets 9mil/year.
Basically, the Patriots have no reason to pay him top dollar. And he probably will not care about taking less than top dollar.
True and false.
And the Patriots have no leverage over Samuel; Since either they franchise him and have to pay him like 10 million (or whatever the number was); or he says "I'm going to hit the market" and he gets 9mil/year.
A couple of minutes ago he opined that drafting a CB with the 7th overall pick would help the Patriots get leverage with Asante Samuel. Free agency starts in early March. The 1st round of the draft is April 26. Does anyone besides Butch really think that Asante will go unsigned for that long??
FWIW - The Pats can not franchise Samuel.
FWIW - The Pats can not franchise Samuel.
Can't or WON'T?
We're screwed if we can't franchise him...plain and simple. I doubt there will a number both sides can agree on...I just hope he doesn't sign in the AFC.
Maybe we'll switch to a Tampa 2...who needs corners?
True and false.
Samuel has no leverage over the Patriots because a 19-0 season says ", we don't need you to still be the favorites next year".
And the Patriots have no leverage over Samuel; Since either they franchise him and have to pay him like 10 million (or whatever the number was); or he says "I'm going to hit the market" and he gets 9mil/year.
Basically, the Patriots have no reason to pay him top dollar. And he probably will not care about taking less than top dollar.
I wouldn't say they're screwed. If they upgrade the linebackers with speed in addition to who we have now that will help the secondary plus it will help the front 3. Either way the Pats need to add a playmaker or on defense.
i'd like to see a pass rush specialist in the 4th round.
the first rounder should be a lb whether inside or outside. if they don't go inside that position needs some help in the later rounds or via free agency.
the big question is as many have talked aobut in the draft forum:
if they draft a cd #7 overall does that money come close to what asante would get?? why not pay a few mill extra and retain asante.... a known commodity.
this is why i don't see the pats staying at #7... i see them trading down 10-15.
I would be very surprised if the pats drafted a LB in round 1. Belichick seems to prefer to fill holes in his LB unit through free agency, and stick with veterans. From the last couple of years. I think it's far more likely that they sign Karlos Dansby.
The Pats will definitely try to trade down, I would think, and it gets really interesting if they can't. Who do they take then? They won't reach to draft a need, and Belichick doesn't seem to be a fan of drafting LBs, period, so I'd say that, if the talent is there, they grab an OT or a CB.
As for why the Pats don't stay with Asante, I'd say that it's because they have more pressing needs, given that after this year he will be overpaid. Don't get me wrong, he's a good corner, but someone is going to pay him shutdown corner money, and the Pats will have absolutely no reason to match that. Samuel is very good at jumping routes and getting pick-sixes, but that also leaves him prone to giving up big plays, like the touchdown in the Giants game that resulted from him blowing his deep coverage because he jumped the short route.
Can't.
http://www.projo.com/patriots/content/projo_20070909_talk.ba60830f.html
"On Sunday, a league source confirmed the terms that got the cornerback to sign his franchise tender: if he plays 60 percent of the defensive snaps or New England wins 12 games, Samuel will not be franchised again next year. "
Your statement about Belichick & drafting LBs is generally correct - but I'd caution that the reason he hasn't drafted LBs is because he needs a particular type of player, with particular skills and smarts.
Those aren't exactly a dime a dozen and by the time the Patriots usually draft, they're gone.
This year at #7, not necessarilly the case.
So don't discount using #7 on an LB rookie who can start and play well immediately, as opposed to a later pick who needs time to develop - or a free agent or two who might or might not pan out a la Monty Beisel...
Those types of LBs aren't exactly a dime a dozen in free agency either - certainly not at value prices heading into their prime...
I'd say that for LB, much depends on who BB and Pioli have targeted in free agency and how they do when free agency starts. If there's a guy they are sold on and they get him so be it - but if you don't see a starting caliber LB in the beginning of FA, you'll be wanting to change your prediction.