More Assante musings
 

Obviously our first preference is to sign Assante. We don't need picks and we do need a #1 corner. In gridiron heaven, I pray they can all get together on a new deal for Assante. But back on planet Earth, we should assume he gets traded. So some observations on that:

- I hope the Patriots are initiating and running these talks this time, instead of letting the player influence who our trading partner will be.

- Teams we don't send him to: Indy, San Diego, Denver, Jets, Bills, Dolphins. Don't even take their phone call.

- Assante' worth is a mid-1st rounder in 2007 (i.e., #15-17). Not a high 1st rounder, not a low 1st rounder, not a next year 1st (unless the team's so bad we might get a top-12 pick). He's a top-tier player, but he's not worth the #6 pick in this draft either.

- 2007 1st round best bets: #11 San Fran, #13 Rams, #19 Titans, #20 Giants, #22 Cowboys. For those picks better than #16, we would have to sweeten the pot. For those worse than #16, they would have to sweeten the pot.

- 2008 1st round best bets: any of the bottom-10 teams except Miami: Raiders, Lions, Browns, Bucs, Ariz, Redskins, Vikes, Falcons, Texans.

The 49ers intrigue me the most as a possible partner:

- they have a lot of picks: a high 1st, high 2nd, high 3rd, low 3rd, and three 4th's - so using their 1st rounder on Assante won't be overly painful.

- They're on the rise, with a legit chance to go deep in the playoffs next year - so they may think that an Assante Samuel could get them over the top

- As a sweetener, we could swap our #28 for their high 2nd (#42), or give them a 2008 pick (say a 3rd).

Re: More Assante musings
 

Asante or his agent need to say what the offers from other teams are,that way he can prove that the Patriots are lowballing him or not,

If he doesn't this will show that his "other offers",are

just smoke and mirrors.

Re: More Assante musings
 

True, but history shows that when things get to the point they're at, a trade is a pretty likely outcome.

There's no question that multiple teams are talking dollars with him, but it's easy to talk dollars until compensation to the Pats comes into the equation. Then those offers disappear fast.

If a trade happens, it'll probably be with a team that has some extra picks. That's why I like SF. Anyone know what their CB situation is?

Re: More Assante musings
 

If we make a good trade, it's OK to trade with a competitor. Like the Bledsoe deal. The Bills ? They aren't that good, I would take their 2008 #1 straight up, it could be a very good pick. Dolphins ? Same.

Re: More Assante musings
 

yes,but,didn't meoin show the offer he got from the Jets?

Assante is not going anywhere this year
 

I think his value has been greatly exaggerated. I doubt a team would be willing to give up a mid first round or any other first round pick for Assante straight up.

He had a great year last year, but his entire body of work is not great.
He has not been to a SINGLE probowl.



I think Assante either:

1) Sits out until game 10
2) Plays under the franchise tag in exchange for PATSA agreeing not to franchise him again
3) Signs a long term deal with Patriots.



Of the trhee most likely is 3

Re: Assante is not going anywhere this year
 

#1 isn't going to happen, it costs him about $5M and gains him nothing (other than not getting hurt).

#2s ship sailed when the Patriots refused to agree to not Franchise Branch.

#3 could happen. Or he'll play the year for the paltry $8M. Poor guy.

Re: More Assante musings
 

We discussed Asante a bunch at our regular poker game last night... a bunch of Pats fans, a pretty hard core Steelers fan, a VERY hard core fan of the Eagles, and die-hard Bills fan.... and the Bills fan had a good question:

Does Asante really want to hold out? Can he afford it?

How many corner backs hit FA next year? I truly don't know the answer, does anyone else know the answer?

This was a wrinkle that I hadn't thought of.... and it could throw an interesting angle on this whole "thing".

Re: More Asante musings
 

IMO, a better course of action for Samuel would have been to ask the Patriots if he was in their long-term plans AND if they felt that he was an elite CB. If the Patriots thought that he was and wanted to keep Samuel long-term, then a deal should be rather easy to reach. If he was not, he would offer to sign the franchise tender immediately and take part in all offseason activities if the franchise tended included a guarantee that he would not be tagged again.

Just my opinion.

Re: More Assante musings
 

I honestly think the whole thing is smoke and mirrors. Asante is frustrated that he hasn't been paid yet, and he assumes after watching the market set that his value is near that of Clements or Bly. As far as I know, Samuel has not negotiated with any other teams (though he is leagally able to do so under the tag) and so he is guessing what his value would be on an open matket.

I also think that the Pats are intentionally slow moving in negotiations. Clearly the front office questions if Samuel is truely an "elite" CB, and is reluctant to pay elite money. The market has proven that teams are willing to spend elite money on non-elite players in order to fill a need. Knowing this, Belichick/Pioli probably suspect that a team is willing to overcompensate via trade for his services. I think that the front office has been exploring all options with equal attention.