Saturday, February 16, 2008

Asante Samuel's Two Choices: Eagles and Jets

I spent all of last season despising the Patriots, but I am prepared to welcome one of their top defensive players to Philadelphia. According to Sal Paolantonio (and he is never wrong), there are only two teams that are in the running for Pro Bowler Asante Samuel's services next year: the Eagles and the Jets. It would take a ton of money, something the Eagles don't like to give up, to sign the former Patriot, who will be a free agent when the Patriots don't put the franchise tag on him. Samuel will be looking for more money than the 8 years, 80 million Nate Clements got last year from the Niners.

While I will not argue that Samuel would be a great fit for the Eagles, and with 16 interceptions in the last two years, he is the definition of a playmaker on defense, I just don't see it happening. Much like the Randy Moss story that was floated out there last week, this is another rumor that is pure speculation. It is so early in the off-season, and so many big names are being bandied about, that it's difficult to interpret fact from fiction. It is nice to see the Eagles are at least reportedly interested in the possibly available wide receivers, like Chad Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald, but it isn't their style to go and make that huge splash in free agency. The last two times they made a splash were with the signings of Jevon Kearse and the acquisition of Terrell Owens, and both players have to be considered big disappointments. Will the Eagles continue to shy away from the big names, or will they go for it all next year?

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Do you know that since 2000, that the eagles have spent the second most money in Free Agency, only behind the redskins. So by saying the eagles dont like to pay money is stupid. If they want someone bad enogh, then they can get him and they will spend the money

allthingsphilly said...

Going all the way back to 2000 includes the Kearse and TO contracts. Where do they rank since 2005? Like I said in the article, since those big contracts, they have shied away from doling out the money. Just look at how far under the salary cap they have been the last few years.

Anonymous said...

Curtis, Howard, and spending money to keep guys like runyan, cole, patterson, and others on the roster. They signed runyan to a huge contract in 2000. Now granted some dont work out (howard, kearse). BUT THEY DO SPEND MONEY. The only one who has said the eagles are interested in Samuel is Sal Pal, and he is the biggest idiot. He always says stuff like this. ESPN has been saying the stupidest stuff the past couple of weeks, and you listen to it and write like its true.

allthingsphilly said...

Did you even read what I wrote? I doubt it happens as much as you do.

Anonymous said...

I hope they do go after Samuel. Especially since they are probably gonna trade Lito.

Anonymous said...

I Think Asante Samuel would be a perfect fit for the Eagles. Acquiring him would add depth to the corner position and possibly having sheldon brown rotating in the safety position for a couple of snaps every game i think he's worth spending on.