Schefter: Pats Franchise Samuel

[everlong]

Originally Posted by everlong
Well this is the least shocking thread ever.

there were some early rumors that for whatever the reason, the Patriots had said they were not going to franchise Samuel.

Since that made no logical sense, I'm relieved to see those rumors proven untrue.

Like you said it made no logical sense and since Bobby Grier checked out a long time ago it wasn't going happen any other way so I wasn't worried.

 

[Triple-T]

(For those who obviously understand this, please forgive, I will now spell it out in laymans terms, none of that technical jargon crap)
Ahhh, but here is the beauty of things. Should the team and the agent fail to reach a long term contract before FA starts, and the agent and say, the Dolts, Donks, Jests, Doofins, or Bills wanna make a deal, we can reply sure, we wont match, but it'll cost ya 2 first rounders, thereby all but guaranteeing the fact that Asante cant play there. But say, Arizona comes a knocking, we can negotiate with the Cards for what we really want, hence making the deal happen where we want it....should it come to that. Sounds like both sides dont want it to come to that.

And to further clarify...He was already offered the tender of last years top 5 money, and all this talk of two first rounders means he has already been tagged as a non exclusive franchise player.

Should nothing agreeable to all parties occur before that July date, Asante will either sit out or play for the Pats this year. If he chooses to sit out, he loses the salary for that game (essentially) and at @$500k per, I dont see him sitting. Nor do I see him taking the season easy, either. He will have to play up to his potential to maintain his status for next year.

This is all good for Pats fans in 2007.

Au Contraire Mon Frère....he has only been informed that he is being franchised. We don't know what tender.

now, how many angels can dance on the head of a pin.....

 

[RayClay]

It's sad that the rumormill.com and many threads have so little credibility these days that I had to get to page 8 and see Reiss's name before I thought there was any actual news.

 

[shirtsleeve]

Au Contraire Mon Frère....he has only been informed that he is being franchised. We don't know what tender.

now, how many angels can dance on the head of a pin.....

Not to contradict, but, from the Herald:


According to a report from Adam Schefter of the NFL Network, the Patriots have slapped CB Asante Samuel with the franchise tag.

This gives New England matching rights to any team signing Samuel to an offer sheet. If another team does ink Samuel, and the Patriots decline to match, New England will receive the team’s assigned first-round picks in two consecutive seasons.

Samuel now has the option of signing the one-year, $7.79 million franchise tender.

 

[mgteich]

And Samuel has the option not to sign.

Not to contradict, but, from the Herald:


According to a report from Adam Schefter of the NFL Network, the Patriots have slapped CB Asante Samuel with the franchise tag.

This gives New England matching rights to any team signing Samuel to an offer sheet. If another team does ink Samuel, and the Patriots decline to match, New England will receive the team’s assigned first-round picks in two consecutive seasons.

Samuel now has the option of signing the one-year, $7.79 million franchise tender.

 

[Triple-T]

Not to contradict, but, from the Herald:


According to a report from Adam Schefter of the NFL Network, the Patriots have slapped CB Asante Samuel with the franchise tag.

This gives New England matching rights to any team signing Samuel to an offer sheet. If another team does ink Samuel, and the Patriots decline to match, New England will receive the team’s assigned first-round picks in two consecutive seasons.

Samuel now has the option of signing the one-year, $7.79 million franchise tender.

I'd call that a bit of sloppy reporting. They are assuming a definition of the franchise tag, but as we've beaten to death, there is more than one type of franchising. Until I hear the Pats confirm the tender, I think it is speculation.



Don't make me link to the CBA!

 

[shirtsleeve]

And Samuel has the option not to sign.

Correct. But then he does not play in 2007, and gets NO money. Not gonna happen.

 

[BigMike]

I'd call that a bit of sloppy reporting. They are assuming a definition of the franchise tag, but as we've beaten to death, there is more than one type of franchising. Until I hear the Pats confirm the tender, I think it is speculation.



Don't make me link to the CBA!

February 16, 2007
Belichick statement
The Patriots just sent out the following statement from coach Bill Belichick after the team placed the franchise tag on Asante Samuel:

"Asante Samuel is an outstanding player who has been a consistent contributor for us for several years. We hope Asante remains a Patriot for many seasons to come."

Posted By: mreiss | Time: 08:28:15 PM | Link | E-mail to a friend

 

[Triple-T]

February 16, 2007
Belichick statement
The Patriots just sent out the following statement from coach Bill Belichick after the team placed the franchise tag on Asante Samuel:

"Asante Samuel is an outstanding player who has been a consistent contributor for us for several years. We hope Asante remains a Patriot for many seasons to come."

Posted By: mreiss | Time: 08:28:15 PM | Link | E-mail to a friend

Uh-oh. Now you've done it

http://www.nflpa.org/cba/cba_pdf/Article_XX_Franchise_and_Transition_Players.pdf

Section 2.a
"(a) Except as provided in Subsection (b) below, any Club that designates a Franchise Player shall on the
date the designation is made notify the player and the NFLPA which one of the following two potential required
tenders the Club has selected:"

We know he is franchised, we don't know the tender.

 

[groundgame]

...Perhaps the Pats are still hoping to sign Asante and hoping what he hears around the league is less enticing than he and his agent imagine. But I doubt it. I think their plan is to try to sign him and, failing that, to move him for the best compensation available offer.

I disagree, why would you not try to sign up to a long term deal as he is a young, improving CB
that you have won 2 SB's with?

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

I disagree, why would you not try to sign up to a long term deal as he is a young, improving CB
that you have won 2 SB's with?

becuase he'll want more money than the pats will value him at. the key phrase is their value. this way they retain him but can trade him and get something for him instead of walking for nothing. or you get him for one year in a "contract year".

Plus the Jets don't get him!!!!

 

[patfanken]

After 11 pages perhaps this is a good summary

Now that the Pats have franchised Samuel, here are the possible consequences of this event.

1. Samuel signs the tender and plays for the Pats in 2007 for $7.7MM and becomes a UFA, again at the end of the season

- IMHO this would be the best deal for Samuel. He gets a hugh GUARANTEED pay check next season and if he has production anything like last season, he can hit the FA market and get even more than he would have this season, because he would have proven that 2006 wasn't a fluke year.

2. The Pats can work out a trade before training camp starts - First lets get this straight NO ONE is going to give the Pats 2 first round picks and THEN pay Samuel $40MM+ over 5 or 6 years with a $10-12MM signing bonus (as reported what he was looking for). If the Pats want to trade him, it would be for a mid to low first and 3rd or 4th....if that.

Think about it. Assante Samuel is kind of a one year wonder. Up to this season he's been a decent CB who has consistantly improved each year. However he doesn't have blazing speed, quickness, or size that would make a team think he can single handedly take over one side of the field, which is what you would have to think to give up multiple high draft pick AND THEN give someone a LT contract worth over $40MM.

I just don't think there are a lot of teams that would think that's a good deal. I'd be willing to bet the Seahawks would like a do over on the Branch deal. They now have a huge chunk of cap space given to their WRs and won't pick until around 8pm on draft day. I can see why they'd do it, thinking Deon was the missing piece on a football team that was a serious superbowl threat. Instead they were only one loss away from giving us a first rounder in teens and though a playoff team, they were a playoff team by default and Deon's numbers weren't any better than Caldwell's (even though I believe Branch is a much better WR.

3. The Pats sign Branch to a long term deal. It would be a mistake to make side by side comparisons between what happened with Branch and what WILL happen with Samuel. REMEMBER, the Pat VALUE the CB position much higher than it does the WR position. So I'm sure the Pats are offering now more than what they were willing to pay Branch. Secondly part of the friction between Branch and the Pats was the fact that Branch was STILL UNDER CONTRACT while he was holding out. Samuel is an UFA, who has been franchised with all the good and bad that go along with that, and thus far looks like he understands the business ramifications about the tag...for now.

4. Samuel hold out until training camp OR LONGER, before he signs his tender. THIS is what I DON'T want to see happen. It will be a distraction, and will hurt not only HIS play, but the team's as well.

My advice, if I were his agent would be to sign the tender immediately, GUARATEEING the not so insignificant sum of $7.78 MILLION DOLLARS for the 2007 season. Then trying to work out a LT contract or a trade. If Samuel did this, and didn't threaten a hold out, he would be taking the high road in this negotiation and will benefit in the long run no matter where he winds up playing

No one wants to hear ANOTHER pampers pro athlete proclaim, "I CAN'T believe that my team is screwing with my future by Franchising me, and FORCING me to only take $7.7MM for next year!!!! Man, I got to think about my family's future". That rant will fall on deaf ears

 

[MoLewisrocks]

If Asante's choices are to sign the tag and take the $7.9M because he knows, repeat knows, he will perform at this level again without injury, or some circumstance beyond his control (like sucky teamate play or teams just not throwing to him as much) limiting his production...or take a deal that is likely 20% less than the best offer he's hearing on the market, or simply look Belioli in the eye and say I ain't comin' back so let's get a trade done for all of our sakes so I can GET PAID - I think he opts for the latter. But maybe that's just the cynic in me.

There are only 2 reasons why you franchise tag a player IMO - because you believe he is worth a top 5 salary, or because you believe someone else likely believes it. I think in this case it's the latter. And you don't let a player with that kind of trade value just walk.

 

[Return of the Nizz]

That is not true at all. There are great differences in the two. Please read before you post.

I read just fine. The worst that can happen if Samuel is allowed to negotiate with other teams is that he signs a deal and we get two firsts.

Sure the Pats can trade him for something other than that, but they are under no obligation to and a team can't just sign him without them getting the compensation.

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

After 11 pages perhaps this is a good summary

Now that the Pats have franchised Samuel, here are the possible consequences of this event.

1. Samuel signs the tender and plays for the Pats in 2007 for $7.7MM and becomes a UFA, again at the end of the season

- IMHO this would be the best deal for Samuel. He gets a hugh GUARANTEED pay check next season and if he has production anything like last season, he can hit the FA market and get even more than he would have this season, because he would have proven that 2006 wasn't a fluke year.

2. The Pats can work out a trade before training camp starts - First lets get this straight NO ONE is going to give the Pats 2 first round picks and THEN pay Samuel $40MM+ over 5 or 6 years with a $10-12MM signing bonus (as reported what he was looking for). If the Pats want to trade him, it would be for a mid to low first and 3rd or 4th....if that.

Think about it. Assante Samuel is kind of a one year wonder. Up to this season he's been a decent CB who has consistantly improved each year. However he doesn't have blazing speed, quickness, or size that would make a team think he can single handedly take over one side of the field, which is what you would have to think to give up multiple high draft pick AND THEN give someone a LT contract worth over $40MM.

I just don't think there are a lot of teams that would think that's a good deal. I'd be willing to bet the Seahawks would like a do over on the Branch deal. They now have a huge chunk of cap space given to their WRs and won't pick until around 8pm on draft day. I can see why they'd do it, thinking Deon was the missing piece on a football team that was a serious superbowl threat. Instead they were only one loss away from giving us a first rounder in teens and though a playoff team, they were a playoff team by default and Deon's numbers weren't any better than Caldwell's (even though I believe Branch is a much better WR.

3. The Pats sign Branch to a long term deal. It would be a mistake to make side by side comparisons between what happened with Branch and what WILL happen with Samuel. REMEMBER, the Pat VALUE the CB position much higher than it does the WR position. So I'm sure the Pats are offering now more than what they were willing to pay Branch. Secondly part of the friction between Branch and the Pats was the fact that Branch was STILL UNDER CONTRACT while he was holding out. Samuel is an UFA, who has been franchised with all the good and bad that go along with that, and thus far looks like he understands the business ramifications about the tag...for now.

4. Samuel hold out until training camp OR LONGER, before he signs his tender. THIS is what I DON'T want to see happen. It will be a distraction, and will hurt not only HIS play, but the team's as well.

My advice, if I were his agent would be to sign the tender immediately, GUARATEEING the not so insignificant sum of $7.78 MILLION DOLLARS for the 2007 season. Then trying to work out a LT contract or a trade. If Samuel did this, and didn't threaten a hold out, he would be taking the high road in this negotiation and will benefit in the long run no matter where he winds up playing

No one wants to hear ANOTHER pampers pro athlete proclaim, "I CAN'T believe that my team is screwing with my future by Franchising me, and FORCING me to only take $7.7MM for next year!!!! Man, I got to think about my family's future". That rant will fall on deaf ears

who said he was get that amount of money(40mill)? the pats don't set the demand on money. the team out their offers it and the pats have the right to match it. I DO NOT think anyone will give two #1's. I see one and that's it.

 

[solman]

After leaving your team's top offensive weapon, an in-his-prime Tom Brady, without top receiving weapons in the '06-'07 season, look for the Patriots to go "NY Yankees play-for-this- year" style in 2007, as Brady creaps towards age 30. Watch-em franchise Samuel, then Samuel to howl and threaten to sit-out, then watch as Samuel shows up relunctantly very late (Sept.), and the Pats to worry about the 2007-2008 season only. Then franchise him again in 2008.

Right now the Patriots are sitting pretty for 2007, 2008 and 2009. They don't need to mortgage their future to spend big on the present.

 

[pats63]

I think this is a great deal for all parties...We can still draft for the future DB...In trust with Bill & Scott.....

 

[DarrylS]

Color me skeptical, still do not see the Pats paying 7.79 million for his service, there is more to this story than meets the eye... I suspect(paranoia runs deep) that there is something else in play here.

 

[Miguel]

A couple of notes.

IF the Patriots placed the exclusive tag on Samuel, his 2007 salary would be the average of the 5 highest adjusted cap numbers for cornerbacks as of 4/20/2007 - the end of the signing period for RFAs.

I would guess that number to be around $8.584 million.
Chris McAlister Baltimore $9,407,082
Patrick Surtain Kansas City $9,364,375
Champ Bailey Denver $8,998,100
Shawn Springs Washington $7,358,000
Asante Samuel New England $7,790,000

If the Patriots did not place the exclusive tag, I disagree with Patsfanken on what Samuel should do.

IMO, he should not sign the tender. He gives up any leverage that he has. Once he signs the tender, he can not talk to another team without the permission of the Patriots. Right now, he can talk to all 31 teams, work out a deal with them, and then ask the Patriots to agree to a sign and trade.

Please note that the Patriots have until 4PM 7/16 (7/15 is a Sunday) to come to a long-term deal with Asante. If they do not, Asante can only play for the Pats in 2007 on a one-year deal.

If Asante does not sign the tender, he will not be considered by the NFL to be a holdout if he misses mini-camp, TC, preseason games, etc.

Please note that it is likely that TC will open sometime during the week of the 7/15). A vet like Samuel can not be required to appear to TC earlier than (15) days (including one day for physical examinations) prior to its first scheduled pre-season game or July 15, whichever is later." 15 days prior to the 1st preseason game (8/2) is either 7/18 or 7/19.

 

[pats1]

Please note that the Patriots have until 4PM 7/16 (7/15 is a Sunday) to come to a long-term deal with Asante. If they do not, Asante can only play for the Pats in 2007 on a one-year deal.

According to AskTheCommish.com, that date was pushed back to the same as the UFA signing deadline:

http://www.askthecommish.com/freeagency/

But March 17 is the real date. If the Pats don't sign him to a long-term contract by then, they lose the franchise tag for the duration of any long-term contract they sign with him after March 17 and before July 20 or so.

Each Club can designate one of its players who would otherwise be an UFA or RFA as a Franchise Player each season. Something that even some of the most knowledgeable sports fans do not realize is that a team has the option of designating a Franchise player with one of two tags: "Exclusive" or "Non-Exclusive".

Any Club that designates a Franchise Player as "Exclusive" shall be the only Club with which that Franchise Player may negotiate or sign a contract. In order to designate an UFA or RFA as an Exclusive Franchise Player, the team must tender the player a one year contract that is the minimum of the average of the five largest salaries (as calculated at the end of the free agency signing period) for players at the position at which he played the most games during the prior year, or 120% of his prior year salary, whichever is greater.

If the team elects to name the player "non-exclusive" then the player shall be permitted to negotiate a contract with any Club as if he were an UFA; however, Draft Choice Compensation of TWO first round draft selections shall be awarded to the prior club in the event that he signs with the new club. For Non-Exlusive Franchise Players, the team must tender the player a one year contract that is the minimum of the average of the five largest PRIOR-YEAR salaries for players at the position at which he played the most games in the prior year, or 120% of his prior year salary, whichever is greater.

If the player elects to play with the prior club (the team that designated him with the Franchise tag) and does not negotiate another contract with that team, then the one year salary is guaranteed. Also, if the prior club elects to withdraw the qualifying offer, the player becomes an UFA.

Time Frame

Under the old CBA, a team had until March 17 to work out a long term deal with its Franchise Player. If the team signed the Franchise Player between March 18 and July 14, the tag would have stayed with that player for the length of his contract, which meant that the team could not name another Franchise Payer until that player's contract was terminated. The updated CBA pushed that date back until July 22, the same as the free agency deadline. However, there remains a caveat: The club may NOT sign the tagged player to a long-term contract after July 14. That is, the team has until July 14 to sign the tagged player to a long-term contract; afterwards the player may sign only a one-year contract with his prior team, and the contract may not be extended until after the last regular season game.