Should have re-signed Samuel...

[Rob0729]

Ofcourse Asante would have been an asset to the team, but not at $57 million for 6 seasons. The Asante homers don't seem to be able to recognise that or the poor journalism intimating Samuel leaving is the source of the backfield's woes. There's a myriad of reasons, including Wilson & Gay leaving (of which I have stated in another thread).

The defensive progress work has begun. Let it evolve.

Actually, I think the main source of the backfield woes came from the front seven, not the back four. The Pats' pass rush was non-existent for much of the season. You give any QB five or more seconds to make the throw on a consistent basis, receivers are going to get open.

All this Samuel talk is silly. Yes, he would have been a significant upgrade at LCB, but the pass, 3rd down, and red zone defenses would still have struggled a lot this year even with him there. Anyone who thinks that the defensive problems this year all lied at one position really should learn a little more about football.

 

[Deus Irae]

How so? If you are a CB, your main priority on passing downs are to defend the pass.

It's not rocket size dude. It's CBs trying to defend the pass.

You are a CB. You are playing zone, someone comes in your zone, you go cover him and defend any passes coming his way while he is in your zone.

YOu are a CB. You are playing man coverage. You try to prevent passes to your man.

You're right, it's not rocket SCIENCE.

New England plays a system where they don't necessarily try to avoid letting the receiver catch the ball in front of the defensive back, depending upon down/distance/score, as much as they try to prevent the deep completion. Philly plays a lot of pressure man defense behind a blitz, which tries to stop every completion.

 

[SeymourTrophies]

Samuel did for the eagles what he did for us, have moments of brilliance. He has those moments where his instincts kick in, but isn't anywhere near a shutdown corner. He gets burned a lot and then has that one pick (often a pick six). I would rather have Lito Sheppard who consistently locks people down in coverage, he doesn't make as many picks, but that's because the QBs don't think his man is open.

However, I do think we should have signed him in the summer of 07 because the alternative was Deltha O'Neal and he was much cheaper then.

 

[ausbacker]

Actually, I think the main source of the backfield woes came from the front seven, not the back four. The Pats' pass rush was non-existent for much of the season. You give any QB five or more seconds to make the throw on a consistent basis, receivers are going to get open.

All this Samuel talk is silly. Yes, he would have been a significant upgrade at LCB, but the pass, 3rd down, and red zone defenses would still have struggled a lot this year even with him there. Anyone who thinks that the defensive problems this year all lied at one position really should learn a little more about football.

Indeed Rob, however I was making commentary based on the composition of the defensive backs without addressing the issue of the front 7's performance.

 

[brdmaverick]

No doubt Asante is a very good cornerback, maybe top five in the league right now, and as a fan I miss him on our team. Even I have to admit thought that I don't think Asante would have been able to help improve upon our 11-5 record. He may have helped us win some of those games by more points, but I don't think he would have led to more victories.

Let's face it, the Eagles had a worse record than the Pats, 9-6-1 vs. 11-5.

Asante is a playmaker who is making his mark at the most important time of the year, the postseason. He certainly would have given us a better chance had we made the postseason, but the Pats didn't get in and I don't think he would have been the difference in them making it.

Was letting him go a mistake? Yes, but it didn't impact the Pats this year.

 

[AzPatsFan]

Still if we signed him, we could NOT tag Matt Cassel !!!