Despite 2 other player players dropping INTs on that drive and having the worst secondary in football people say no for a 5th or 6th with a reduced contract are u people drunk????? He would instantly be better than anyone they have now despite his decline that's like the Packers (the actual worst pass d) saying no to Woodson there only good secondary player over something that happened 5 years ago like that was the only opportunity to win the Game that shall not be named. If anyone watched the Eagles last year he was there best corner.
Several notes in response to your post:
--Samuel coming on a 'reduced' contract that is due to pay him 10+ this year, and 11 1/2 next year doesn't mean too much, does it? What do you expect his 'reduced' rate to be? Maybe 8 1/2---9 million per? That's about the absolute BEST case you're going to get from Asante, and that wouldn't put him close to being in Belichick's price range.
--Forget about the incorrectly perceived 'cheapness' of the deal. The only thing 'cheap' is the asking draft pick compensation. That doesn't mean anything. It's his salary that is way too high.
--Although I will agree that Samuel would have been better than anyone else that we had in the secondary last year (recently had this debate with Deus), it should also be noted that Belichick prefers players who work hard on every play, buy into the scheme, and of course...tackle. Freelancing isn't looked at with much approval here. There are many secondary players who may not have the raw talent that Samuel has in certain situations, but it is safe to say that all of them make up for some of that by providing other positive attributes. 'Raw' talent in certain situations does not mean everything.
--Belichick does not tend to overpay at certain situations, and CB is certainly one of them. He has done a good job (finally) of drafting cheap players who are young, talented, and work hard at what they do. Most of all, they all provide great value right now with cheap pacts. The Leigh Bodden deal is about the best you're going to get from Belichick, at least until McCourty is due. Belichick will likely allow Arrington to walk next year, rather than pay him the 6 or so million per that he will get from someone else, and he led the NFL in INT's last year...That should tell you something.
--Samuel certainly was not their best CB last year, although that is a debate that could go both ways, and one that I can respect your stance on. There were many stats that pointed to Samuel's downfall last year such as his having only 3 INT's, and only 10 passes defended (Sterling Moore had 10 passes defended in only 6 games, while Samuel had that in an entire season). However, I also saw a stat that pointed to one of his positives, which was holding opposing QB's to only 48% completion rate (Arrington in comparion, allowed a 54% completion rate). There's also the fact that Samuel does not like to tackle and shies away from contact like a turtle going back into his shell.
--His attitude doesn't exactly point to the team, rather to himself. That does not bode too well for a potential NEP prospect.