patpatriot
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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.I am not sure he minimizes being injured..he's not been through training camp and will be coming in with a greater chance of being in "game shape." More chance of injury...not less. I also do not see him coming in and all of a sudden playing up to speed...same reasons. he's not been with the team. MORE than likely, the team will find other solutions to the CB problem. SO it will take time for him to get back to the lineup. There is teh possibility of injuries and bad play but there is also a possiility that he will come back Week 10 and be more a back up. That may NOT help his chances either. I would say it MAY add instead of minimizing those bad outcomes...and he will lose millions by sitting. I think that is more of a gamble for him.I think he's serious about reporting at week 10 because it minimizes the possibility of the 2 bad things happening.
The ill-will issue after 10 games out is bogus. It's fan projection, not player attitude. Players figure business is business. Were Asante to return after week 10 to fill needed depth because of inevitable injury at CB, the players on this team would be happy. By that time they're beginning to think playoffs, despite the 'one game at a time' mantra. So is BB. He'll want and need a strong DB corps to face Manning & Co.
I'll tell you what's bogus. It's anyone here thinking (A). Samuel could come back in week 10 and be welcomed with open arms by BB and his teammates while immediately reclaiming his spot in the starting lineup and (B). that Samuel will play up to his potential after sitting out that long. Absolutely no way either is going to happen.
First of all, what makes anyone believe Samuel will even be given a chance to play if he sits out 10 weeks? His sitting out spells "serious impasse" between player and management, and BB is not required to either play or even activate him if I understand things correctly. Aside from that, he won't even be ready to play.
The Asante Samuel fiasco will be settled before the season starts, one way or another. My guess is that he'll be playing for another team.
BB will play the best player available at the time. if thats Asante, then AS will play. If its not, then he won't.
BB will play the best player available at the time. if thats Asante, then AS will play. If its not, then he won't.
I'll tell you what's bogus. It's anyone here thinking (A). Samuel could come back in week 10 and be welcomed with open arms by BB and his teammates while immediately reclaiming his spot in the starting lineup and (B). that Samuel will play up to his potential after sitting out that long. Absolutely no way either is going to happen.
First of all, what makes anyone believe Samuel will even be given a chance to play if he sits out 10 weeks? His sitting out spells "serious impasse" between player and management, and BB is not required to either play or even activate him if I understand things correctly. Aside from that, he won't even be ready to play.
The Asante Samuel fiasco will be settled before the season starts, one way or another. My guess is that he'll be playing for another team.
OK, assume for a moment that Samuel does sit out 10 games and then comes back and is put into the lineup. Wouldn't that look like appeasement on BB's part? Plus, HE WON'T BE READY TO PLAY!!! It this happens, I'll eat my hat.
I never thought Bledsoe wouldn't get the QB job back once he was healthy, and I never thought Randy Moss would be on the Patriots. You never know. What practical (non-emotional) reason would there be for him to not activate Asante?
Your one point I agree with is Asante's level of play. If need be you sit him or make him a nickel/dime back for a few games. I want Asante ready to play at a high level in the playoffs.
Ogunleye did, didn't he? And Emmit Smith. There have been others, names slip me (hell to get old), but there have been enough to say holding out ten games will not cause your knee to blow out.
Also, Bruschi was out for about 10 games after his stroke and came back and played without blowing out a knee. I kow you said healthy, but does a knee know why its owner did not play ten games?
What practical (non-emotional) reason would there be for him to not activate Asante?
I have no problem with Samuel showing up Week 10 and us being able to push $5M into next year. Works for me. Although I'm thrilled with getting a #1 for Branch, I would have had no problem with the same thing with him - when you're looking at going deep into the playoffs there's lots of season left after Week 10.
I don't see why BB wouldn't understand that the Asante fiasco falls under the "it's a business" realm. Deion's intent to break his contract wasn't standard business.
Because the team would hold up its end of the business arrangement as per league and players' union rules by paying Samuel $8 million for his services under the franchise tag. There's nothing in the franchise tag language that says "You can sit out for 10 weeks if you want to." The stipulation is that if you are franchised, you must play and are paid handsomely. That's what the league and union agreed to. If Samuel decides to hold out I can see how BB would be mighty pissed.
There is no such stipulation that if franchised you must play. To the contrary, the player is under no obligation to the team until or unless he "accepts" the tender by signing his tag. Absent that he is the equivalent of a n unsigned FA. Can't work for anyone else, doesn't get paid until he shows up, needs to report by week 10 or he loses a year of credited service towards his pension. But you cannot fine him or discipline him for not reporting because he isn't violating a contract because he isn't under contract to you until he signs the tender. You may still hold his rights, but you have no recourse to compel him to play beyond he doesn't get paid unless he does.
He'll go in in week 11 or 12 in dime situations, then if he does well in nickle situations.OK, assume for a moment that Samuel does sit out 10 games and then comes back and is put into the lineup. Wouldn't that look like appeasement on BB's part? Plus, HE WON'T BE READY TO PLAY!!! It this happens, I'll eat my hat.