I think the Patriots would be wise to do this deal, but it doesn't matter: Asante wants much more than this. Maybe if we guaranteed nearly the entire amount he would consider, but it would represent a major change in his negotiating position (and it would be foolish of us to guarantee the entire amount, especially with a player so motivated by money that he only gives his all in contract years).
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As I posted in the other thread, I'd be very happy with a Branch-type deal for Asante.
But we need to recognize that the leverage in this situation is fundamentally different.
1. The salary that Branch gave up to hold out was a small fraction of his market value. Asante would be giving up paychecks that are probably more than he could get in any long term deal.
2. Branch was a consistent performer for the Patriots. If he sat out most of a season, it would not materially impact how other teams viewed his talent (meaning it would not have a big negative impact on his next contract). Asante has only had one great year after three mediocre seasons. He NEEDS another great campaign to convince would-be suitors that he is worth the big money he is asking for. Sitting on his butt won't convince anyone.
That's close to the deal they offered Branch, which is what he in fact held out on over and above being fined up the kazoo...
No way he gets less then double digit millions in signing bonus alone (plus more in guarantees) in a long term deal. He's not stupid, a jerk maybe as recent days unfold, but not stupid - that is what he's holding out over. The difference between the tag and the signing, option and roster bonuses and guaranteed money in a long term deal. Duh...
And I don't know why you persist in insulting his work ethic, which BB lauds, or Belioli's intelligence since they wouldn't offer a $6M per long term deal (which likely includes a double digit signing/option bonus and guarantees at minimum) or a $7.8M guaranteed 2007 salary to a guy they feel only gives his all in contract seasons.
Branch was a consistent performer - I guess if you wanted to pay elite money for 50-60 receptions for 700 yards and 4-5 TD's he was. Oddly by late August Bill was apparently ready to do just that. The knock on Deion at the time was he was not nearly as productive or durable as the elite WR he wanted to be compensated like. Never cracked a thousand yards in 4 seasons and missed half of the 2004 season due to injury. Struggled against double coverage. Of course he stepped up on the big stage late in 2004, but so did Asante in 2006. They're kind of like mirror images on offense and defense, only Branch had more aparent significance because of Brady's limited weapons and comfort level with him and the loss of Givens. Still, CB trumps WR on a defensive oriented team like Belichicks.
Look, I don't think Asante Samuel is headed for the HOF. Even the one in Foxboro. Never did. But he's developed into a quality top 15+/- corner and has the capacity to perform like a top ten on an outstanding defense like Belichick assembles. He won't help you much if your bad, which is why he's overpricing himself, but he won't hurt you any if your good. And he's durable. And he knows the system. Perfect fit for a Belichick secondary - good enough. I had him pegged as a $4.5-5M corner - better than say a $3.5M Starks or a $2.5M Townsend but not nearly in the same league as a $9M Bailey. A tweener, which BB likes in more ways than one. And a ballhawk who finally mastered catching the damn thing.
And that's what they apparently had him pegged at last November too, before the ball started flat out chasing him down. Now they think in this market (cap and talent) he's a $6M man. I defer to their judgement. The only problem is, he thought he was that last fall, and now coming off what many mediots crowed was a shoulda been pro bowl season (about like the double digit INT one Ty had in NY the year before) he thinks he's worth $8-9M because he knows Bailey could command $10M++ in the present market.
I don't want them to overpay him. But I also think his value to this team this season, if they can reach a mutual accommodation, exceeds his trade value when we are likely talking about a player who won't impact this team for at least a year or two - if ever.
And what did Deion really net us in trade? A second late first rounder in a year where we traded away our other first for what will likely be a late first in the following year because having two of those didn't represent value in 2007. And who knows what having two let alone 3 of those will represent in 2008. If Belioli got a first for Asante we could be theoretically trading back for another decade because they don't draft for need, they shop the FA market to fill it. They draft for value. And if they don't see any, they trade out.
