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Butch_Stearns's Blog

by Butch_Stearns from Dedham

Last Post 158 days, 21 hours Ago


Here we go Again.
Apr 4, 2007 | 11:10 PM
Category: Sports
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First Deion Branch, now Asante Samuel.    A month ago in an exclusive interview with Fox 25 Patriots cornerback Asante Samuel told us he was happy with his negotiations with the team and didn't see any way he wouldn't come to an agreement on a long term contract to keep him in Foxboro.   Now , he is singing a different tune.   Asante tells Adam Schefter of the NFL network that  he is now thinking about playing elsewhere and may seek a trade.    "This is to let everybody know that I'm not happy anymore and things are not going well," Samuel tells Schefter.   "At first I thought it was going well, but it's not.  we have a difference of opinion in my value. They think I'm worth one price and the other teams think I'm worth a lot more. If a long-term deal can't be done at fair numbers for me and New England, then I want to be traded."

Don't panic.  This is what happens with negotiations.  One side decides to go public and the plan is to get the other side to budge on their stance.  You won't hear from the patriots on this issue but you will hear more from Asante.  In fact, I plan on speaking with his agent on thursday and will have an update on thursday night.   The NFL draft is less than a month from now and I'll bet the patriots want to have a deal done with Asante before then.  What would you do if you are the Patriots?  How much would you be willing to committ to a top notch cornerback in his prime?  I'd love to hear from you.

Butch

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Member Comments Total Comments: 5
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Chip read my blog view my photos
Apr 5, 2007 | 11:39 AM

A few questions (maybe you would want to ask his agent a few):

1. What have other teams offered ("They think I'm worth one price and the other teams think I'm worth a lot more.")? What will the Patriots be doing about the obvious tampering that he is admitting to?

2. Let me dispute part of a questoin ("How much would you be willing to committ to a top notch cornerback in his prime?") "Top notch cornerbacks don't sell out their teams in public. His value fell dramatically when he opened his mouth.

3. Disputable statement: "The NFL draft is less than a month from now and I'll bet the patriots want to have a deal done with Asante before then." After he opened his mouth, and after he admitted to tampering by other teams, I'd be looking at who I could draft in his place. Then I'd finish negotiations with him. Butchie, he's good, but not that good. And this team filled alot of holes in free agency. They have draft picks to spare right now.

Am I that far off?
oscar02 read my blog view my photos
Apr 5, 2007 | 5:22 PM

It's not tampering Chip. As franchise tagged players, they are allowed to negotiate with other teams. If a team signs him to an offer sheet that the Pats choose not to match, they owe us 2 first round draft picks. That's why they never sign elsewhere.

I do agree that he should shut his yap and try to work something out. I say let him sit out and fine him the $14k per day or whatever it is and see how strongly he feels that 7.8 million isn't good enough for this year. I understand it's a business on both sides but if you signed the contract, honor it.
PatsFan79 read my blog
Apr 6, 2007 | 1:03 PM

Hey Butch:
I'm with you on getting a deal done with Asante but don't be surprised if it doesn't get done by draft day. I don't think the Pats will wait that long. Here is my scenario:

The Pats try and hammer out an agreement and if they fail to do so by three days before the draft, will explore trade options. One option I think might happen is the following:

Deal Asante to Detriot for the Lion's second round pick this year and linebacker Ernie Sims. If the Lions don't want to give up Sims, then ask for a second round pick this year and their first pick in next year's draft (sure to be a Top 12 pick). The reasoning behind this is that the Lion's second round pick is high enough to be considered close to a first rounder and by asking for a first round pick next year, you nearly fulfill the terms of the franchise tag.

Why would Millen go for this? Because he needs a proven corner having traded Dre' Bly. He'll get either Brady Quinn or Joe Thomas with his first selection and don't you think Asante Samuel would be better than taking a chance on drafting a rookie corner (the really good ones will be long gone by the time Detriot picks)?

Why would the Pats do it? Obviously, to get something for Asante and if they get Sims or a first rounder next year and that second round pick this year, they can use their two first round picks to draft a linebacker (if they dont' pry Sims loose) and corner/safety and use the second round pick add depth.

Thoughts?
Butch_Stearns read my blog view my photos
Apr 8, 2007 | 2:56 PM

I like your creativity Patsfan79.... I would like something to get done before the draft one way or another because if the pats are not going to go forward with Asante I'd like to know that as early as possible. Let's not forget the pats do hold all the cards here, just like they did with Deion. By franchising him, they are giving him a big raise for this year and ensuring themselves with great compensation ( as Oscar mentioned). I hope they don't go down the Deion route and drag this thing out. It only hurts them for next season the longer this goes and the closer it gets to next season. My real problem with this is the "Tom Brady life expectancy". Here's the way I see it. Brady has 5-6-7 years left at best fight? Why mess with any of those years. They did that last year with Deion. They took a position of strength (wide receiver) and made it a weakness which they took a good part of the year trying to shore up. If things get dragged out with Asante, you do the same thing. You take a position of strength (#1 corner on your team) and make it a position of weakness and all during one of Brady's remaining years. Plus a #1 cornerback on your team is a lot harder to replace than a wide receiver. $5 years/ $35 million with 15-18 million guaranteed, that's what Asante deserves and should get. That's basically the deal that Adalius Thomas got and he hasn't taken a snap for this team yet.
Those are my thoughts.
Butch
PatsFan79 read my blog
Apr 9, 2007 | 9:05 AM

So now the Jets are making noise again trying to ruffle the Pats feathers by inviting Randall Gay in for a look see. I think this is part gamesmanship, part serious interest from Mangini although one wonders if giving up a second round pick for a corner that can't stay healthy the past two seasons makes sense. I'm guessing that if the Jets make an offer, it won't be outrageous but just enough to make the Pats pause and think about that second round pick. It's a gamble to be sure but realistically, are we really expecting much from Randall Gay this year? I say if the Jets do make an offer that's reasonable, let him go and take the pick if it is the early pick from Chicago. If it is the Jet's pick, then match the offer.
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Butch_Stearns

Got an opinion? I'd love to hear it....I've got a few myself and there's a pretty good chance you don't agree with some of them, so let's hear from you.

Member Since: 10/17/2006


 

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