POSTED 5:57 p.m. EST, February 16, 2007 PATS SLAP SAMUEL Adam Schefter of NFL Network reports that the New England Patriots have applied the franchise tag to cornerback Asante Samuel. Samuel has emerged as a quality cornerback, and would have likely drawn plenty of attention in a light free-agent market. Historically, even so-so corners get overpaid in the early days of the league's annual shopping spree; Samuel surely would have cashed in this year. The use of the tag also sets the stage for another ugly mess between the Pats and one of the team's key players. Last year, the agent for Deion Branch antagonized the front office by grandstanding in the media, and Samuel's agent already has begun that same process this year. If Samuel accepts the tender, he'll receive a one-year guaranteed salary of $7.79 million. http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm
I hate players can get upset by having the Franchise tag place on them and openly complain about it. It was part of the NFL's CBA so they knew what they were getting into.
Actually I read that his agent said they are fine with it, as a precursor to signing a long term deal, and that Samuel has no intentions as of now to hold out of training camp. (by hold out I mean refuse to report) However, they could just be positioning now to put pressure on the Pats to get him a long term deal. He might "change his mind" by the time camp comes around if he doesn't like how the negotiations are going, but as of now he's making nice with the Pats.
It's not unexpected that the top players of this FA class would get tagged with all the cap room everyone has. I would've liked to get Samuel though. Maybe we can get Clements now, as the Bills don't seem to interested in bringing him back. However, he's the best corner available now by a lot, so he's going to be highly sought-after and should get a lot of money from someone.
Wow, i was not expecting this, but probably should have. It wouldnt have been a surprise from most coaches, but i expected Belichick to let him go.
Could it be that Belichicken didn't want to take a chance that Tangini would pick him up as a UFA? We did cause him problems with Branch, so maybe he was trying to aviod a similar situation.
The pats would accept no less then our 1st round pick and then we would have to give him lots of $$$. We will do neither
Good move by the Pats, I would not be surprised to see him traded for a 1st rounder and a 3rd rounder. Smart move by BB to not even give the Jets a chance for Samuel.
