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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.There is an article in the globe today that Asante is looking for 3 and 30 million.Which is a million more than Nate Nate Clements got in his deal.
I hope to hell we draft some CB's becuase I expect this to be a shoot out like Branch last year.
As part of the recent negotiations between cornerback Asante Samuel and the Patriots, Samuel's representatives were seeking a contract that included about $30 million to be paid out in the first three years of the deal. The first three years of any contract are often used as a measure of a deal's quality, because that money is almost guaranteed to be earned. Cornerback Nate Clements's eight-year deal with the 49ers, for example, pays out about $29 million in the first three years. The Patriots were offering a package that averaged around $6 million per season, and although it is not known how much money would be paid out in the first three years, one thing is clear: It wasn't close to the $30 million Samuel was seeking, which led to his recent comments about being unhappy with the state of negotiations.
I'd try to trade him for a #1 on draft day, just to get rid of the distraction the situation is soon to become. I'd even consider swapping 3rds with a team and taking their 2008 first rounder only if it's a team that is sure to be one of the bottom 20 or so.
Teams like Tennessee or the Saints might be willing to just give there number 1 straight out for Samuel.
I'd rather "rent him" for this year than getting a number 1. We are in a position again to make a run to the SB and losing Samuel would substantially weaken this team. Do what they did to Shaun Alexander and agree to not franchise him next year. If he has another great year good for him and good for us and it still wouldn't preclude us from getting him next year in the open market if we really want him.
THAT is the way to go BUT..they need to have a backup plan in case. Draft a CB...or find a vet...and if he signs the Franchise tag..GOOD!! If he is traded you get good compensation..it all works out nice..be ready though if he decides to hold out...you know if he threatens to do that..and the team has a backup plan...and he hasn't signed it, that tag can be withdrawn and he is history..Let him negotiate with other teams. If they won't pay him his money then he knows the offers aren't out there and he'll settle for the franchise tag.
If they are our there, then NE gets a nice pick. either way NE wins.
Wow, this moves me from the "pay him" camp, to the "deal him and ship him out" camp in one fell swoop.
Adios Assante