NE39
Rotational Player and Threatening Starter's Job
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According to Adam Schefter, Asante got a guarantee he won't be franchised if the Pats win a certain number of games or he plays a certain number of plays (didn't say how much). This is similar to the deal Lance Briggs got.
Adam Schefter said:New England's franchise cornerback Asante Samuel -- who ended his holdout Monday and signed his one-year, $7.79 million franchise tender Tuesday – got something he wanted.
He got assurances that, if certain conditions are met, he will not be franchised again.
The conditions are if Samuel plays a certain amount this upcoming season or if New England wins a certain amount of games, the Patriots will be prohibited from using their franchise tag on him again.
The exact amount of playing time or games won is being kept under wraps, for now. But the Bears promised franchise linebacker Lance Briggs that, if he played in 75 percent of Chicago's plays, they would not franchise him after this season.
Briggs' percentage is thought to be similar, and higher, than Samuels'. The Patriots also vowed that if they win a certain number of regular-season games –- logically thought to be in the double digits –- then Samuel also will not be a free agent.
Now, if the season goes the way Samuel and New England would like, the Patriots' franchise cornerback will become an unrestricted free agent after this season, becoming one of the marquee players available.