Why I Think Asante Will Come Back

[MRBLAZE]

If he's the competitor I think he is, he can't walk away from that kind of game. He played his heart out, and I didn't read too many people give him much credit for his outstanding leaping deflection of a ball in the endzone that was a sure TD intended for Burress.

He may get a few more million guaranteed, but I think his value depreciated slightly enough from a long-term figure perspective that leaving here wouldn't be a very big difference from a players perspective. Obviously, an extra million for one of us posters would probably make the decision for us. With athletes, they want to compete for a championship, and winning is better for them financially down the line anyway.

I think Asante wants to prove himself as one of the best corners in the league, I don't think he's walking away from this talented a team that he claims to love after that ball slipped through his fingers. It wasn't the easiest catch, if he'd been an inch or two taller he'd have made it, and I think it's haunting his dreams. I'd lose respect for him if he left after that. He'll still get paid well by us, just less guaranteed money and probably more spread out over the years to absorb the price tag. He's still only 26 and has more than one contract left anyway, so why not go for glory and redeem yourself?

 

[Disco Volante]

These and all post-pick images all season long have seemed to foreshadow his soon to come off-season demands for me.

 

[Hamtown]

I think he will come back. He is a team guy now! He will be back.Th season has now hurt to much for him not to. GO PATS! 19-0 in 2009!!!!!!!!!!!!! YEAH BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[DonBlackmon55]

If he's the competitor I think he is, he can't walk away from that kind of game. He played his heart out, and I didn't read too many people give him much credit for his outstanding leaping deflection of a ball in the endzone that was a sure TD intended for Burress.

He may get a few more million guaranteed, but I think his value depreciated slightly enough from a long-term figure perspective that leaving here wouldn't be a very big difference from a players perspective. Obviously, an extra million for one of us posters would probably make the decision for us. With athletes, they want to compete for a championship, and winning is better for them financially down the line anyway.

I think Asante wants to prove himself as one of the best corners in the league, I don't think he's walking away from this talented a team that he claims to love after that ball slipped through his fingers. It wasn't the easiest catch, if he'd been an inch or two taller he'd have made it, and I think it's haunting his dreams. I'd lose respect for him if he left after that. He'll still get paid well by us, just less guaranteed money and probably more spread out over the years to absorb the price tag. He's still only 26 and has more than one contract left anyway, so why not go for glory and redeem yourself?

Money talks.......and that green stuff won't be coming from Foxboro. He is not worth the $7 Mill/yr.

Invest the draft 4 picks in rd 1-3 in 2 CB's athletic CB's, and 2 pass rush LB type (Gholston/Harvey) and play these guys from day 1 and not wait until SB to parade them out for the first time. Move Vrabel inside. Add Victor Hobson or Dansby as ILB.

Colvin-Vrabel-Hobson/Dansby-AD (bench: Gholston/Harvey, and 3rd Rd pick, Woods, ST guy). AD can be hybrid ILB/OLB
Seymour-Wilfork-Warren (Green, Smith, Wright)
CB....select CB in Rd 2 and Rd 3 (Oak pick)

There's your revamped D front 7 that should be able to play 2 gap as well put decent pressure.

 

[Remix 6]

1 reason i see us paying him is

-you guys overestimate the Clements contract. Its a lot smaller than 8 years $80million. Clements will never see half that money in reality

-to replace a pro bowl CB..your best best is to go in FA and get someone or draft. If we draft a CB @ 7..how much different is the salary between what Samuel will ultimately ask and what the #7 pick will receive? its not a huge difference while 1 is a risk and has not played a down in NFL. There arent many CBs with potential to be as good as Samuel has. Asomugha and Trufant? sure..but their price will compete with Samuel's really.

 

[aluminum seats]

I think it's FAR more likely another team will offer more, and that's that. Don't get wrapped up in the "he won't want to leave after that game" stuff. I'm not even knocking him--it's just not him.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Unless the market soured on him down the stretch, he's gone. I can't be bothered to look for one but my telling image of Asante this season is that little hands on the hips gloat and the pointing to his own chest any time he made a play...like he's a one may shut down crew. If only he were...

 

[TripleOption]

I didn't read too many people give him much credit for his outstanding leaping deflection of a ball in the endzone that was a sure TD intended for Burress.

I did, that was an incredible play by a DB. Just phenomenal.

However, when the game is on the line, you have to make the pick.

 

[BostonBullit]

disclaimer: I don't know the man, never met him.

IMO the outcome of this season will have no bearing on Assante's decision, he's going to go for max contract he can get plain and simple. If anything this season might make it a bigger problem to sign him...we look at it and say "how would he not want to come back after going out like that" but it could very well be in his mind "well I did all that work and came away with nothing (but $8M in cash), why not cash in and not win the SB with some other team and make more money doing it??"

 

[BionicPatriot]

So you expect them to re-sign him and Moss and bring in the right pieces? Some of you people live in damn dream worlds.

 

[Pats726]

Don't think he's coming back..unless he's taking a lot less...NOT happening..would NOT mind that..but..I trust teh team will make the correct decisions..

 

[mcgraw_wv]

I ready to say he's coming back.

And I'm ready to say that he will get a decent contract as well. We don't really need a number 7 pick, so we trade out of that... Stalworth leaves, Bruschi comes back ( hes a player whatelse can he do ) and Seau comes back, same with Harrison.

What you will see is some major restructuring from the larger contracts... this front office wants another shot at a ring, and perhaps 19-0.

19-0 is worth a billion dollars to the actual franchise... it's worth going all out for.

 

[patriotspride]

If he's the competitor I think he is, he can't walk away from that kind of game. He played his heart out, and I didn't read too many people give him much credit for his outstanding leaping deflection of a ball in the endzone that was a sure TD intended for Burress.

He may get a few more million guaranteed, but I think his value depreciated slightly enough from a long-term figure perspective that leaving here wouldn't be a very big difference from a players perspective. Obviously, an extra million for one of us posters would probably make the decision for us. With athletes, they want to compete for a championship, and winning is better for them financially down the line anyway.

I think Asante wants to prove himself as one of the best corners in the league, I don't think he's walking away from this talented a team that he claims to love after that ball slipped through his fingers. It wasn't the easiest catch, if he'd been an inch or two taller he'd have made it, and I think it's haunting his dreams. I'd lose respect for him if he left after that. He'll still get paid well by us, just less guaranteed money and probably more spread out over the years to absorb the price tag. He's still only 26 and has more than one contract left anyway, so why not go for glory and redeem yourself?

hes going to go to whoever pays him the most money and that's it .get used to him being gone because he is going .unless the pats fork over the cash .i don't see that happening .hopefully im wrong .

 

[Ring 6]

I think we NEED him back.
Not that we cannot survive without him, but IMO, him or an equal replacement is the biggest issue of the off-season.

The largest weakness on this team is pass defense in passing situations. No we are not awful, but we are not Championship caliber. We would have won the last 2 SBs if we were. Particularly 2 minute defense.
I do not think the outside corners are the reason. I think the rest of the coverage is, but to take a step back at the #1 corner spot makes the improvement harded.
Nickel back. Gay was awful in the SB. We havent been strong at that spot since the last time we won a SB or even the year before, because of all the DB injuires in 04.
Safety. Our safety position has been weak in these situations ever since Rodney started getting injured. Most plays made on 2 minute drives against us are in the middle of the field, with safeties allowing catches in front of them. I think our safeties are very good in all other areas but weak in this one. I think Sanders is OK, Wilson has digressed, and Rodney is only useful as a blitzer in that package. I DO think that Meriwhether is capable of being an excellent safety in coverage, but we need MORE SPEED at this position.
I think our LB coverage is weak also, especially inside. Bruschi and Seau have good cover skills but no longer have the speed and quickness that prevents completions.

If the following happens:
We keep Samuel, and Hobbs remains the starter.
We add a better nickel corner, who can actual cover and not play behind and make tackles after a catch.
Meriwhether develops like I think he can.
Sanders takes his next step, and Rodney is either not part of a nickel/dime/2 minute package.
We add a LB who can play in coverage in those situations and/or free up Vrabel or Thomas to do so.

We have a team that would have won the last 2 SBs, not allowing the Colts to come back in 06 or the Giants to convert that final drive this year.
We can tinker with everything else a bit, but those changes eliminate the one area we lack finishing ability.

 

[patriotspride]

I think we NEED him back.
Not that we cannot survive without him, but IMO, him or an equal replacement is the biggest issue of the off-season.

The largest weakness on this team is pass defense in passing situations. No we are not awful, but we are not Championship caliber. We would have won the last 2 SBs if we were. Particularly 2 minute defense.
I do not think the outside corners are the reason. I think the rest of the coverage is, but to take a step back at the #1 corner spot makes the improvement harded.
Nickel back. Gay was awful in the SB. We havent been strong at that spot since the last time we won a SB or even the year before, because of all the DB injuires in 04.
Safety. Our safety position has been weak in these situations ever since Rodney started getting injured. Most plays made on 2 minute drives against us are in the middle of the field, with safeties allowing catches in front of them. I think our safeties are very good in all other areas but weak in this one. I think Sanders is OK, Wilson has digressed, and Rodney is only useful as a blitzer in that package. I DO think that Meriwhether is capable of being an excellent safety in coverage, but we need MORE SPEED at this position.
I think our LB coverage is weak also, especially inside. Bruschi and Seau have good cover skills but no longer have the speed and quickness that prevents completions.

If the following happens:
We keep Samuel, and Hobbs remains the starter.
We add a better nickel corner, who can actual cover and not play behind and make tackles after a catch.
Meriwhether develops like I think he can.
Sanders takes his next step, and Rodney is either not part of a nickel/dime/2 minute package.
We add a LB who can play in coverage in those situations and/or free up Vrabel or Thomas to do so.

We have a team that would have won the last 2 SBs, not allowing the Colts to come back in 06 or the Giants to convert that final drive this year.
We can tinker with everything else a bit, but those changes eliminate the one area we lack finishing ability.

where are you going to get these players ?not in free agency.have you seen the list of available free agents?not much there .i hope they find a way to keep AS but i just don't see the pats paying him top dollar .who knows who they will get in the draft but most rookies dont contribute much the first year. its to bad because AS is the guy they need to keep the most imo.

 

[Run DMC]

Yeah right. A$ante is gone. Did you see him congratulating himslef during the SB. That guy is all about me, me, me. And remember this, on his best day, he couldn't shine Ty Law's shoes. And, we let Law go, if I recall correctly. A$ante is good, but he ain't all that. I saw plenty of TD's to his receievers during the post season. He is not a shutdown corner.

 

[Ring 6]

where are you going to get these players ?not in free agency.have you seen the list of available free agents?not much there .i hope they find a way to keep AS but i just don't see the pats paying him top dollar .who knows who they will get in the draft but most rookies dont contribute much the first year. its to bad because AS is the guy they need to keep the most imo.

Other than Moss, and we will see how BB feels about his last month, Asante is the most important guy to birng back IMO. I think the biggest area to fix is that surrounding him. That fix is a lot easier if he is here.
I'm not talking wholesale changes.
Meriwhether steps in. (I'm good with Rodney in the base and Meriwether in passing downs) The corner comes in the draft. I have no problem using a day 1 corner at the nickel. The LB could come in FA, or we could adjust the personel groupings, and use Vrabel and/or Thomas more in coverage than rushing. (both can do the job, but we need someone to play DE) If Colvin is back and healthy, he plays the pass rush role, freeing up at least one or the other. We have a lot of young LBs who can develop to play a role on 3rd down, we can use the draft, or we can use FA.
Remember, the best coverage LB we have had in the BB era was Roman Phifer who came in as a cast-off.

I'm not looking for a bunch of all-pros, I just think that the additions we make will be focussed more on pass defense, 3rd down, and the 2 minute D, than on the base.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Money talks.......and that green stuff won't be coming from Foxboro. He is not worth the $7 Mill/yr.

Agreed. Unless its Ty Law in his prime we're not going to pay a CB $7M. Not one who lets a history making INT slip through his hands. Use the money to retain our guys up front with Rosey back the pass rush will make things alot easier for our secondary next season.

 

[Ring 6]

Yeah right. A$ante is gone. Did you see him congratulating himslef during the SB. That guy is all about me, me, me. And remember this, on his best day, he couldn't shine Ty Law's shoes. And, we let Law go, if I recall correctly. A$ante is good, but he ain't all that. I saw plenty of TD's to his receievers during the post season. He is not a shutdown corner.

No I didnt see him congratulating himself. Would you like to explain what he did?
Ty Law was gone because he was getting old, and had an injury that could easily have been career ending.
No, I didnt see PLENTY OF TDs to the receivers Asante was covering. Which ones did you see? I saw one in the SB. I might have missed some against the Chargers, but I dont think they actually scored any.

 

[SoCal Pmen]

When the dust settles I think the Pats will make him a decent and fair offer much like they did with Vinatieri. It will be up to him as to whether he wants maximum dollars and opt to leave. Remember the Pats can always franchise Moss so it shouldn't come down to whether they're going to pay one or the other.