Asante Samuel Appreciation Thread

[cstjohn17]

Samuel is one of the top 20 CBs in the entire game right now, and has been since 2004, IMHO.

I agree, top 15-25 and a starter, maybe not the #1 but a starter, on all NFL teams. He appears to be on the upswing and his extensive knowledge of the system make him valuable to the Pats. But is they can't reach an agreement in terms of "value" then he is gone just like so many before him.

CB is a tough position, he is one bad game away from being called "terrible" but I like what I have seen so far.

Question - Would you franchise Samuels or Graham or neither?
CB - approx . $7M
TE - approx. $4M

It reminds me a little of the scenario with Branch & Seymour prior to this year. With both going in FA after 2006 the Patriots had less options. Once Seymour was signed they had the option of franchising Branch adding to their leverage. With Samuels and Graham it is kind of the same, if one of them signs then the other loses leverage as they are a likely candidate for franchise.

My vote, franchise the CB if necessary. CB is a premier position and although a larger cap hit it is risky to let a starting CB leave, especially when the FA market appears to be weak.
http://www.footballsfuture.com/2007/nfl/freeagentsDB.html
Franchising Samuels allows the team to maintain control while working out an extension or a possible trade.

As much as I appreciate Graham I would not spend $4 M on a blocking TE who misses 2-5 games per year.

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http://www.i-sportsbook.com/football/franchise_transition_tenders.html
NFL FRANCHISE - TRANSITION TENDERS


AN NFL FRANCHISE PLAYER MUST RECEIVE AT LEAST A ONE-YEAR OFFER EQUAL TO THE AVERAGE OF THE TOP FIVE SALARIES AT HIS POSITION OR 120 PERCENT OF THE PLAYER'S SALARY THE PREVIOUS YEAR, WHICHEVER IS GREATER.

A TRANSITION PLAYER MUST RECEIVE AT LEAST A ONE-YEAR OFFER EQUAL TO THE AVERAGE OF THE TOP 10 SALARIES AT HIS POSITION OR 120 PERCENT OF THE PLAYER'S SALARY THE PREVIOUS YEAR, WHICHEVER IS GREATER.

THE FOLLOWING ARE THE 2006 ONE-YEAR FRANCHISE/TRANSITION AVERAGE TENDERS BY POSITION:


POSITION FRANCHISE AMOUNT TRANSITION AMOUNT
-------- ---------------- -----------------
QUARTERBACK $8.79 MILLION $8.33 MILLION
DEFENSIVE END $8.33 MILLION $7.08 MILLION
LINEBACKER $7.17 MILLION $6.14 MILLION
OFFENSIVE LINE $6.98 MILLION $6.39 MILLION
WIDE RECEIVER $6.17 MILLION $5.16 MILLION
RUNNING BACK $6.09 MILLION $5.15 MILLION
CORNERBACK $5.89 MILLION $4.77 MILLION
DEFENSIVE TACKLE $5.66 MILLION $4.46 MILLION
SAFETY $4.11 MILLION $3.59 MILLION
TIGHT END $3.33 MILLION $2.72 MILLION
KICKER-PUNTER $2.47 MILLION $2.05 MILLION

 

[jczxohn1]

Anybody notice Asante cut his dreads, or at least had them tied and under control? One clip with his helmet off showed it. Polamalu effect? Planning ahead.