When the Eagles went out and signed Asante Samuel before the 2008 season, I was completely on board because of his play-making abilities. The Eagles were dead last with only 11 interceptions in 2007, and bringing in Samuel would certainly help that.
Samuel, according to some, was a system player fit for a soft zone coverage and not Jim Johnson’s man-on-man press style of defense, but the numbers were too much to ignore.
But now, only two seasons into a six-year deal, I’m ready to see Samuel out of Philadelphia.
His lack of tackling and bigger-than-the-team attitude is exactly what the Eagles, and every other team in the league, does not need. He’s a guy who has let his individual accolades get to his head, and he’s now a detriment to the team.
Case in point:
“I don’t care about [my critics],” Samuel said. “I know I go out there and do my job and make it to the Pro Bowl. If you got to say something about a guy that got nine picks and makes it to the Pro Bowl, obviously somebody’s not on the right page. Why would I need to argue that?”
If that statement isn’t enough to make your head explode, you’re not a true football fan.
But if I could speak directly to Mr. Samuel for a moment, here’s why we, your critics and the people you don’t care about, get on your case:
You don’t tackle. You don’t stick to the coverage called. You freelance even when it makes absolutely no sense. You don’t tackle. You think you’re better than the team. You’re more worried about playing in the Pro Bowl than seeing your team succeed in January. You’re a punk.
Oh, and you don’t tackle.
The picks are great. I jump up and down every time I see him step in front of a pass, but after the play I’m usually left scratching my head watching the replay wondering why in the hell he was out of position and even in the area to have a chance at the pick.
But then, of course, there’s the Deion defense.
Deion Sanders was notably quoted once as saying not tackling for him was a “business decision” because if he got hurt making a tackle, he couldn’t do what earned him the big money, which was coming away with the interceptions.
He made it no secret that he wasn’t willing to tackle, but he also had the added benefit of being one of the greatest athletes the NFL had ever seen and was twice the corner Samuel is.
While I certainly recall Deion doing everything he could to avoid a tackle, I certainly don’t remember him being so far out of position that it got his team beat. I don’t remember Deion looking like an idiot at least once per game as a ball sailed over his head into the endzone.
And I also recall Deion looking back on his arrogant style of play and saying that he regrets not being a complete corner.
But as if Samuel’s arrogant and idiotic attitude toward the situation wasn’t bad enough, Andy Reid has apparently decided he’s going to jump in with the half-assed Deion defense.
“I don’t think too many people got on Deion [Sanders] for not tackling,” Reid said. “Deion just came out and said, ‘Hey, I get paid to intercept the ball.’ He was very open with that. I don’t worry too much about that.”
Well, Andy, you’re going to worry when that quarterback you traded within the division is tossing bombs to his receivers in the endzone while Samuel stands around the 30-yard line looking like an idiot, or while teams are running sweeps and screens to Samuel’s side every play and putting up 50 points because he’s afraid to tackle.
Add in the fact that Samuel doesn’t even stick around to work out with his team or participate in a lot of minicamp and you have a player who is turning into nothing but a nuisance.
Look, Asante, this is football. You don’t get to pick and choose which aspect of the game you’re going to do and which you’re not. Tackling is fairly important to the process and if you’re not going to do it, then Philly sure as hell doesn’t want you.
I’ve stuck by Samuel thinking the tackling was a bit overblown, but his most recent statements have convinced me he’s nothing but a selfish player who is focused more on winding up in Canton one day rather than wearing a Super Bowl ring.
He could turn it all around and become the very best corner in the game if he would simply be willing to tackle and play within the defense, but that’s not ever going to happen and it’s time to move on.
Perhaps the Browns would swap corners with us and we’ll just keep Sheldon Brown this time.
Nope. Sure the tackling issue is a big downside. As for the ego, Sheldon’s got (different) ego problems. Lito had them too. Most good CBs do. Thing is, Samuel’s upside still outweighs his negative. He’s no complete corner, and his downsides are frustrating and dumb. But he’s an invaluable role player. With the pass rush improving, he’ll have a better season. Especially if Bradley plays healthy all year (big if). Think of role players in any sport – that’s what he is. You don’t expect Shack to make foul shots. You don’t expect Brady to scramble like the old Donovan. You don’t expect Desean to run over tacklers or weaver to juke like Desean. Players have their roles, and downsides. But Asante’s pros totally outweigh his cons. And as for the system, we don’t know what McD’s real D will be like, this year we’ll find out. Last year he was a shotgun D coordinator. You don’t just ship a guy out because you notice his downsides all the sudden. Dumb emotional/reactional article.
I never liked A Samuel for many of the reasons posted above..
He makes some big plays over the course of a season,but he is not a team player, cannot tackle
and gets burned a lot on the out and up route by experienced QB/WR’s who will bait him over a course of a get and set him up for the deep one. He also has not been that effective in the red-zone since he gives too much of a cushion. I think he is way overpaid and has too much of this
“Do your own Thing” attitude which doesn’t cut it for me playing in a team sport environment.
He reminds me a lot of Allan Iverson who was a “me first” type of player..and in the end will be recognized as a “Good player” but not a “Winner”. This is why the Patriots let him walk and of course the Patriots are not going to pay players top $$$$ (the Patriots are one of the most frugal teams when it comes to salaries, just like the Steelers,Chargers are) …
As far as Sheldon Brown is concerned, he was reportedly beaten badly in last Fri/Sat OTA’s in Cleveland per a few reports going against back-up WR’s B Robiske, S Steptoe and C MItchell.
Eagles probably held onto S Brown one year too long but I am glad they moved him for he’s one year older,half-step slower and his leg,knee,ankle minor injuries are starting to happen,I do wish him well though for he was a good locker room player and a team guy …
A Samuel is paid like a Top 5 CB but in reality, is probably around the 20th Best CB out there who continues to slip every season in my book…
Lets give it another year. (Hopefully) With a much improved pass rush, better covering LBs, and a team DC that isn’t being thrown in after a death, but instead has a full year, perhaps the upside of Asante will become even bigger and we can minimize the downside. I can’t help but think teams are going to have a harder time on WR screens with Sims and Bradley flying to the ball vs the group LBs we had last year. A better FS will help with the double moves, as will the afore mentioned pass rush.
Pman – I’m surprised you made the comment about the Pats ‘letting him walk’ if my dementia hasn’t got me on Monday morning – didn’t the Pats franschise him for a year – and then as part of his agreeing to that tag – they agreed to not franchise him a 2nd year – and Bellicheck was/is well known for being ‘cheap’ and not overpaying prospective free agents – he’ll let people walk – but he wins so its not that big a deal – whole seperate topic but San Diego has two players in the Djax situation and the GM of the chargers has threatened to cut the tender offer (the are RFAs) if they don’t show – so they signed Tra Thomas as insurance)
From what I read Asante is one of the most vocal people when he is the teams workouts. He constantly is getting the blood flowing and the competitive juices going between the O and the D –
Pros and cons, strengths and areas to focus on – god I love this game
And for proof of your lack of football knowledge: thinking Sheldon Brown is the answer at corner. The Browns look like they’re going to start rookies over him. The BROWNS don’t think he’s good enough to be a starter. Our former GM only gave up peanuts to get him. The Browns used their first pick to select a corner. The league did not make a better offer than the Browns. And again the BROWNS DON’T THINK HE’S GOOD ENOUGH TO START FOR THEM!!!!!
But yeah lets cut the only proven corner on the team because YOU don’t like him. logic
great stuff navy and gibson
S Brown will start the season for the Browns and then be replaced by mid-season with one of their
draft picks/younger players..
L Shgepard for the Vikings will probably see the field more this season than S Brown who was picked up to not only play but as important, help groom and mentor some the Browns youngs DB’s..
I disagree Cunningham.
Sheldon Brown doesn’t get the respect from quarterbacks like Asante does. Asante is one of the smartest corners in the league. Although he pissed me off in a couple of games last year we all know Asante has the ability to change games. Sheldon doesn’t do that.
Asante has some flaws with tackling that he needs to improve on but I think his biggest problem is jumping routes. Thats why Miles Austin did him dirty with the double move too many times last year. I think he recognizes that and hopefully he’ll be more disciplined this year. There’s a few corners I would trade Asante for in the league but Sheldon is NOT one of them.
I was initially cold on Samuel, then warmed up to him, and now, growing cold again. Regardless, I believe he’s overpaid. Here’s an idea; why not take a few mil from him and give them to DJax.
Now is not remotely the time to get rid of Samuel. Too many unsettled/unproven positions in the secondary.
This will be A Sammuel’s final season with the Eagles as it will be for Q Mickell, E Hobbs and J Parker… This team will even be younger in 2012 (after the strike year in 2011 in which no football is
played..) If your a highly paid player and approaching 30 years of age by end if 2010 season,
You will most likely not be part of the Eagles plan moving forward…
Wondering something, if there is a lockout for 2011, will there still be a draft and if so how will that work out for rookies? Would that mean we would have 2 rookie draft classes in 2012? Just in time for the end of the world…
Good point WWW,
My sources tell me that there will a month long drafts starting Easter weekend and last for a full 2 weeks, All in Prime-time Coverage with a total of 15 Rounds.
1st Round is 15 minutes for selections
2-3rd Rounds are 10 minyes
4-5 th Rounds are 7.5 minutes
6th-12th Rounds are 5 minutes
13th-15th Rounds are 3.5 minutes
Mel Kiper has contacted my agent to help him cover the 6th thru 12th Round segments..
Yeah well, say what ya want about the guy, but he needs to be on this team week 1. Our secondary is a huge ?..you dont get rid of the best guy back there cause he’s an asshole..I mean, half the league is composed of people I wouldn’t piss on if they were on fire..Their conceited, shallow, arrogant pricks that have the world jock them cause their fast or throw a ball well..But who cares..I dont..I just want my Philadelphia Eagles to be better than your team and maybe, just maybe, win a Super Bowl.
Asante Samuel was brought here to intercept passes not to turn into a reincarnate of Ronnie Lott. You get what you pay for, it’s amazing how badly the defense played the last two weeks of the season and you pen an article attacking one guy. In a perfect world every corner would play like Revis but guess what it’s not a perfect world. And oh by the way Mr Samuel will not see the end of this contract as an Eagle and it won’t be because he can’t tackle it’ll be because he’s no longer effective causing turnovers.
lmao. This might be the dumbest thing i’ve read on here yet. Yea, let’s take a position that’s thin, and drop the best player. Let’s not look at the positives that he does, just that he misses some tackles. And let’s not talk about the gaping holes in last year’s defense, b/c that couldn’t affect his play at all.
And mentioning Sheldon Brown as the solution is the icing on the cake.
Hey, let’s get rid of Desean Jackson too, b/c of his me-first attitude. We can probably bring in Sam Hurd.
great idea bob, let’s get rid of our only proven role player in our secondary… did i slip into a wormhole into a paradoxyl universe?
GET OFF THE PIPE MR. CUNNINGHAM
Dallas, gave the blueprint on the eagles defense…The pass rush will mean nothing if the timing is right on the sweeps and screens going in either direction now that sheldon is gone.
Get your paperbags with the eyeholes cut out ready.
We’ll at least be able to cheer for Mcnabb and Westbrook in the playoffs. They have a coach that have won suerbowls, and a stout defense. Mcnabb will torch this defense and I think this eagles team will be garbage for years to come. They should also trade Desean Jackson to the Redskins since he’s crying about being paid at his market value.
songs, you post a lot of stupid stuff, this is also one of those posts. provide the link to just 1 article where desean states he wants to get paid. he has never made any noise about it. everyone and their sisters knows he has outplayed his rookie contract but never has he threatened to sit out or “protest” like you see some of these guys doing now.
But you keep doing you and providing worthless and idiotic filth on this site.
Songs, those sweeps and screens you speak of will be against different LBs this year. Completely negating your point.
Songs – did Joe Gibbs come back from NASCAR again? Oh you mean Shanahan – that guy that like 10-12 years ago won a SB – then proceeded to not win a playoff game for 10 years, not get in the playoffs for his last four years and then was fired after starting 6-1 and then collapsing and losing the last 4 to let the Chargers win the division with a record of 8-8? The guy that drafted Maurice Clarrett and Jay Cutler? That guy? Why don’t we actually start training camp before we break out the bags and annoint playoff teams.
like i said be4 mr. cunningham shoulda kept sheldon brown regardless
Phillwill – regardless of his declining play at the end of the season and into the playoffs when it counts? And regardless of the fact that he wanted out and was whining about it constantly? I think not.
I do agree to a point that S. Brown lost a step however I think his attitude and “wanting out” of Philly was exacerbated by Ass-hat-eh and how he was brought in and treated. I don’t know what to make of this CB position now. I’ll tell you what, I’ll trade half of those 9 INT’s for better tackling anyday. I hope all of these pass rushing players we’ve brought in pan out otherwise out DB’s are going to be a weakness decent offenses will expose relentlessly. I digress, I would think the onus this season would be on the entire Defensive side of this football team from the DCon on down. This will be a statement season, just what that statement will be has me apprehensive.
Yeah, the problem is that you can’t really compare the Sheldon and Asante situations because Asante came in through FA – they had to pay big money to get him. Sheldon was drafted by the Eagles so it’s a whole different ballpark – sure understand the jealousy (plus the ego issues/Asante’s personality), but Sheldon’s real beef came from the NFL $/free agency structure, not the team. He got the FAcy he wanted, who knows if he’s happy.
D Jauron no doubt has his work cut out for him with the young DB’s on the Eagles this year..
I do expect J Hanson to step up and become a starter opposite of Sammuel and then Hobbs and Lindley coming in on Nickle/Dime packages. I think he will use a CB by committee and all 4-5 players will see plenty of action based on opponents,match-ups,etc,etc
. I am excited to see how Safety N Allen performs and from all indications, he is a qucik learner,mature and eagler to do what it takes to play at a high level.
I think He and Mickell can make a pretty good tandem,, what they lack in pure physicality, they should be able to make up with good coverage skills and smarts.. I do think Mickell has about 2 solid years left before his starting days are over.. Are Demps/Macho the answer as future starters in the NFL at the Safety position… I do not believe so at this point but a lot can happen in a players development and maturity in a years time… (see Winston Justice,J Avant, B Celek, T Cole)
Schiller-I didn’t even think of the FA money versus Draft money, you speak true. I heard he’s not doing too well in Cleveland and might fall in the depth chart.
S Brown is a good CB and a good teammate and locker room guy.
Anyone who has followed him closely over the years realizes that he has lost a half-step and just isn’t the same player he was 2-3 years ago.. This is what happens when you play 5-6 years of football and add the playoff games that he played in, The man played alot of good football for the Eagles, but he peaked and his perfomance,health and speed were starting to decline. It was a good time to move him..Remember that last years DB’s and Secondary gave up a whopping 29 TD passes which ranked very low in the entire NFL and was statisitcally one of the worst Eagle’s Secondaries in
years …part of it was young players learning on the go at safety, part of it was that short-term coack (B Stewart who was also horrible when coaching the Cowboys) and the other part was the play of
Mickell,Brown and Samuel too… .. It was what it was ….
Most important part about Sheldon was that he signed an extension! He signed it. And just like you read and heard Brett Celek say all those great things about the organization when he signed his extension – Sheldon said all the same things and THANKED the Eagles for giving him the extension. ASamuel risked it all for FA and got the risk/reward to pay off.
he was hurt this past yr after like gm 7 he played on 1 leg if any1 should know that i figured ud know that 1 and only pman
please dont say he wasnt hurt i’ll get u the injury reports via google lol
any1 who doesnt say he was noticeabally limping n the dallas games ur carzy im not huge on sheldon either i dont wanna sit here and sound like im sheldons biggest fan or something but like i said in many previous posts im am an upgrader and u cant possibly tell me this secondary got better shedding sheldon for a bag of peauts u cant tell me sheldon isnt better than hobbs on 1 leg i think u guys have very short memories up till like week 6 sheldon was our best player he was our best dback by far rememeber the battle with hobbs last yr that was supposed to happen pre season sheldon was phenomenol he was great till the hamstring inj u guys forget everything sickening but u dont forget shit d5 did lmao
PhillyWilly – are you the birth control pill and therefor SKIPPING ALL YOUR PERIODS!?!?!? Check this out – . Yeah let’s do it again – . Right below the ‘L’ key on your keyboard – it’s an amazing thing. That said – you admitted just there that once injured, Sheldon wasn’t nearly as good. Then you say, he’s better than anyone on 1 leg. That’s a dumb thing to say – stupid. And you know that. And you always say ‘for pennies’ when you talk about trades – not really. Draft picks aren’t pennies. We won’t know what we got for Sheldon for a while, until that pick is used and time passes to evaluate him. You’re alone in your opinion for a reason.
Will the current DB’s of Hobbs,Hanson,PAtterson,Pope,SAmmuel and Lindley be better than last years group… Who know’s for sure…
What I do know is that the Eagles definitely upgraded their Secondary Coach in D Jauron,
DC McDermott should be improved in overall game planning and the D/Line has the potenital to be much improved with a better consistent pass rush with the additions of Tapp,Graham and Teo’ …
The other thing I do know was that last years Secondary was one of the worst in the NFL and in
Eagles history, so with all things being equal.. what does having a S Brown on this 2010 team really
accomplish.. It was time for him to move on and see what some of these younger players can do..
I think J Hanson/T Lindley are both going to surprise folks and be camp-stand outs at CB
Who would his replacement be?
Macho Harris, Hobbs? C’mon Cunningham check yourself back into the real world. The Eagles have done a bang up job of dismantling a basically capable secondary and reloading with a bunch of question marks already. With the way they are going…having to dumb down the defense already because all of the new starters there’s a good chance the defense is going to be an embarrassment for a good part of the season, before anyone finds out really whether some of the most prized picks can’t play.
Wouldn’t Dick Jauron be a better experienced Coordinator? Some might state the he don’t know JJ’s system when it’s evident Mcdermott don’t know it. If we can’t get the exact scheme that passed with JJ, we might as well put and experienced coordinator in place. To tell you the truth we are outmatched on the defense brain side compared to our conference foes. Well, Mcnabb will be smiling, because this secondary looks more tasteful than a bowl of “chunky soup”..
AccountSongs, the read on Juron is that he is great at coaching up the secondary but he wasn’t a good complete DC. Experience doesn’t mean your good at it. Juron was hired specifically for his strength and nothing else. Too early to write off Mickey D for one season hurt two deep at the key position in the 4-3 D. You’ll say I’m making excuses but at somepoint you have to take reality into account. If a guy loses two legs a week before a marathon and then doesn’t finnish it, is that making excuses? So at some poiny, its factors, not excuses. This year is the real test for seanie boy.
Excuse me schill, In 1996 Jauron’s defense with the Jags made it to the FC championship game and he received honors that led to multiple HEAD coaching jobs…Do your homework. He’s more qualified to heade the defense than sean mcdermott and believe me, if JJ would have passed and Jauron wasn’t a HEAD coach at the time, Jauron would have received the job withot question. If you think he was brought in just to coach the DB’s, your knowledge of the game is minimal. His experience on chmpionship teams as well as head coaching gives an added perspective, and an alternative.
Think
Truth is, we are both right about Jauron. But if your telling ME to ‘think’, don’t tell me that it is reasonable and intelligent to conclude that judging all of what McDermott is and will ever be as a defensive coordinator soley based off of last season.
(By ‘judging’ I meant ‘anyone can judge’