Will Asante be a Patriot long term?

[BradyManny]

Yesterday's franchising of Asante still leaves many possibilities open for the Patriots.

I think all of them are "win" scenarios for us, whether he plays under the tag, works out a long term deal, or is traded for picks, you can't say we lose in any of those scenarios.

I'm curious as to which of these scenarios people think will occur...

 

[PatsFanInVa]

Although apparently it's the most complex solution (so hard to make happen,) I think I went with door number 3 in part because the Deion scenario is so fresh in my mind, and because I have a certain "think the opposite" reaction to whatever I see in the press. Right now I see BB saying they want Asante long term, and Shavers saying "oh okay, tag Asante, but not a real tag, you know, a fake tag that gives you [the Pats] more time to do as you're told." Or however you would want to phrase it.

I don't know a lot of stuff (neither do any of us,) about how these negotiations go on, but in any given case I am usually a pessimist about the possibility of keeping a Patriot who's outperformed his deal. I'm glad when it happens, because you get attached to seeing guys do well, and you want them to stick around and do well here. But I'm a realist. There are 32 teams, and chances are at least one of them will value any given free agent more than the Pats themselves. Now, the valuation has to be significantly higher or has to be structured more attractively as well, to make a guy feel like leaving, unless he's already pissed, so that's in the "incumbent" team's favor. When a team is winning super bowls, people immediately value those guys higher for their "SB experience" too... see D. Givens, D. Branch. So in a way, it's perfect for a guy to think he could get a ring with the Pats (or another ring, for some of them,) but for other teams to not see some kind of "halo" around all Pats players.

But hey, maybe BB is speaking frankly and honestly when he says he wants Samuel as a Patriot for a long time. Maybe money is no object, just sign a check and let Asante fill in the amount!

Or maybe, the sides aren't close, probably won't get close enough, and we see a Deion-like scenario this offseason.

PFnV

 

[BradyManny]

But hey, maybe BB is speaking frankly and honestly when he says he wants Samuel as a Patriot for a long time. Maybe money is no object, just sign a check and let Asante fill in the amount!

Or maybe, the sides aren't close, probably won't get close enough, and we see a Deion-like scenario this offseason.

PFnV

It'll be interesting to see how it plays out. But like I said, I think in every scenario, we win.

but in any given case I am usually a pessimist about the possibility of keeping a Patriot who's outperformed his deal.

I agree, I went with door #2 just b/c I feel like maybe we do have the cap space this offseason just to pay him to play for the year, but I don't see us working a long term deal with him. You are right, he played in such a way last season that it'll be hard to reconcile with the Patriots emphasis on value.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

I went with #3 because

a) While I think BB does value him and wishes he could play here for a long time, I don't think he overvalue$ him in quite the same way outsiders may.

b) I think the only way he plays under the tag is if his market isn't quite what he and we think it is, perhaps because in hindsight teams realize they wouldn't have traded a 6th round pick for him last season, and yet it remains significantly above what the Pat's are offering. Then and only then he may decide another pro bowl caliber season will net him the motherload, and where better to attempt that than here while being paid almost $8M.

c) I think there is too little talent and too much money flooding the NFL this season for more than one GM not to take the bait on a guy with 10 picks in the regular season and two more for TD's in the playoffs who has been relatively durable, doesn't have a lot to say, as far as we know doesn't have to pee in a cup weekly, and has no criminal record. It's not easy for some teams to draft that in any round.

 

[F0nSY]

Can't reach long term agreement, Pats trade Asante for pick(s)

But i can him in foxboro

 

[Kdo5]

I hope we can work out a long term deal. We had to chose between Graham and Asante and we chose Asante. BB definitely knows how good Samuel is and he and Peoli will put in a lot more effort to resign him long term than Meion.

 

[JackBauer]

Trading Samuel for a 1st would be both ******ed and the least optimal outcome.

I think it's patent that Belichick wants Samuel back, and will do what it takes to keep him for the long-term.

 

[TomBrady'sGoat]

I'm guessing #3 if someone offers a 1st+ (I'm thinking 1 and a 3 or 4) for him. #2 also makes sense as you can still tag and trade him after next year, and he'll be valuable to have around this year.

anyone who honestly thinks #1 will happen is dreaming. BB will not offer him Seymour money, and Mr. "Get Paid" is not taking any discount.

 

[JackBauer]

BB will not offer him Seymour money, and Mr. "Get Paid" is not taking any discount.

Thanks, Miss Cleo.

 

[unoriginal]

They'll probably make Asante play under the tag this year, franchise him again next year, and then trade him. Right now his value might be sky high, but we're thin at that position.

Our other most significant UFA's for 2008 will probably be Eugene Wilson and both our starting receivers. Our Front Office doesn't value receivers enough to pay the franchise tender for them, and it would be something of a surprise if Wilson outperforms Samuel next year.

 

[TomBrady'sGoat]

Thanks, Miss Cleo.

haha. you said what you think would happen, i said what i think will happen. the only difference is that you put "i think" in front of yours.

here's a little tip: anything someone says which is subjective or predicative is automatically an opinion and does not require "i think" or "in my opinion." do not be one of those people.

 

[shirtsleeve]

Although apparently it's the most complex solution (so hard to make happen,) I think I went with door number 3

Thats my thinking too. And with a non-exclusive tag, its not as complex as one might think. So which tag is it anyway?

Or maybe, the sides aren't close, probably won't get close enough, and we see a Deion-like scenario this offseason.

PFnV

From what I have read you summed it up right. Mr. "show me the money" wants to be paid more than Champ Bailey with a $15millon signing bonus. They are nowhere near close, and this could get ugly, but I think it won't. Come March 2, there will be at least one team knocking on the door to ask what kind of compensation we would want for him. Word around the league is a good compensation is a first and third rounder. BB/SP will accept that, and Let Asante walk to the hinterlands of the NFC North.

Unless the market isn't there, what with such a tight cap, and so many name free agents out there to chose from rofl: ). Then Asante and the Pats could get a deal done for a price near what the Pats are offering (8-10 signing and 7-8 mil/year)

 

[BradyManny]

Bump....I'm just curious if there's more thoughts on this.

I guess the consensus now is "they're close to a long term deal but won't announce it until after the draft"...

 

[fgssand]

Bump....I'm just curious if there's more thoughts on this.

I guess the consensus now is "they're close to a long term deal but won't announce it until after the draft"...

Well......keep in mind, AS was tagged before we signed AD. That may make a slight difference insofar as the added strength to the overall "D" that AD's addition will mean, helps big time if we had to try to go it without our corner.

We all hope the smiling interview that Butch Sterns received from AS and the seeming confidence from Asante's camp SEEMS to indicate all is just fine.

I certainly buy into keeping it quiet so as to not provide any kind of "tell" about our draft - the quieter the better.

However, the skeptic (and too much Felger) in me says it could turn ugly, fast and Asante could end up trying to shoot his way out of town ala Briggs.

I really hope Asante understands how different his situation is than Deions was - 7.2MM is a hell of a nice bump, no matter what Clements or Bailey or anyone else happens to be earning at that position. There will be very little sympathy from anyone if he takes the wrong road. Shavers seems to be playing his hand very well and there can be little doubt - everybody wins with a long term deal, that will not destroy the balance of salary at the Patriots.

 

[PatsMyBoyz!]

I voted #2 (btw all 3 choices are very close-no real leader) and would say anything is probably on hold until post-draft,at which time I think they'll make every effort to sign him long term.
I also think Felger has a point re the possibility of things getting ugly,but with so little being said at this point (and thankfully so),the situation's a tough call right now.

 

[PatsSteve1]

Both Samuel and his agent said they monitered the Clements signing. If he wants anywhere near that money, I don't see BBioli giving it to him. I think BBioli will promise not to tag him next year and he's playing for another team next year.

 

[BradyManny]

I think BBioli will promise not to tag him next year and he's playing for another team next year.

I would be pleasantly surprised if Samuel was willing to play for a reasonable and fair contract, as opposed to trying to get some bloated Clements-like deal.

If we do trade Asante for picks, any thoughts on what we could get in return?

Like I said in the original post, whichever the 3 happens, I'll be OK with. We're thinking long term in so many different areas, overpaying him for one season to play under the tag is perfectly OK with me. This team is on a mission to get ring #4.

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

I say sign him for a one year deal to see if he can match his performance from last season. If he succeeds, sign him long term.

 

[PatsSteve1]

I say sign him for a one year deal to see if he can match his performance from last season. If he succeeds, sign him long term.

* If he signs the tag he has a 1 year deal for 7.9 million, no?

 

[PatsSteve1]

I would be pleasantly surprised if Samuel was willing to play for a reasonable and fair contract, as opposed to trying to get some bloated Clements-like deal.

If we do trade Asante for picks, any thoughts on what we could get in return?

* What is a reasonable and fair contract? Whatever BBioli say it is? - I suspect what BBioli think it should be isn't what Samuel thinks t should be. If the Patriots romise not to tag him this year, he'll get 7.9 million for this year and still be a young guy and can go for the gusto next year. It'd also give the Patriots a year to plan for his absense and also a year to still try to work out a deal. If he doesn't have nearly as good a year, that'll be his problem.
I don't know what they'd get in trade. But, if Branch got the Patriots a Rnd 1 pick I'd think a CB with 11 INT's and a coupla rings could do the same.