Asante Samuel, just turned 27, UFA I believe

[LarryCanadian]

Was franchised last year, so can't be franchised again.

I think he would go a long way to fixing what ails us in the Secondary and would give us a ton of options.

Yes, he would cost a TON of money BUT, here are some things that need to be considered:

He wouldn't cost us any draft picks, since he is UFA right, whereas certain receivers or other players might if we really want to upgrade that way.

He is still very young, having turned 27 last week (born Jan 1981)

Most important he is a proven WINNER, with what, at least 2 SuperBowls (maybe 3?).

He would allow some flexibility in both draft and with Henry possibly moving into some Safety work.

We could still draft a CB but if we don't hit with the pick or it takes the traditional year or 2 to groom a CB, we are upgraded IMMEDIATELY, not next year, or potentially not at all if we miss on the pick. Less pressure on pick as well.

I think we do need to get a FA addition in secondary. I love Newman, and like Henry, but both are injury prone and neither are super young any more. Isn't Newman like 30 this year (despite not being exactly worn out and a genetic specimen etc), Samuel would be still 3 years younger and we are already prepared to pay Newman a huge bonus and long contract, so why not do the same with Samuel and give yourself some more options.

I really feel that just drafting a corner or two and/or adding a draft pick safety doesn't necessarily fix what ails you in secondary.

PLUS, I love the idea of bring in a guy with big game experience and success in Superbowl and playoffs. That is worth a lot!!

My number one offseason wish! Come on Jerry, work your magic.

LarryCanadian

 

[Dallas]

I know that NE has promised not to use the franchise tag on him.

I certainly wouldn't mind putting him out there opposite Newman. That would be fantastic.

I think he might be looking to break the bank tho. I certainly don't want that to happen again.

 

[superpunk]

Was franchised last year, so can't be franchised again.

Just to clarify - it's not like RFA, they CAN franchise him again.

They just may choose not to. (Unless there's something in his contract that I don't know about.)

I think we'd be better served at the CB position in the draft.

 

[Dallas]

Just to clarify - it's not like RFA, they CAN franchise him again.

They just may choose not to. (Unless there's something in his contract that I don't know about.)

I think we'd be better served at the CB position in the draft.

Agreed. I would look to the draft as well.

Pats won't tag him again tho. They already promised him (think they tagged him 2x already). I remember hearing that that promise is what got him to come back earlier this year.

 

[This is Our Year]

The problem is we almost have to draft a CB.... With cap being what it is in the NFL you can't have 4 guys making top dollar in the secondary it doesn't work.

 

[LarryCanadian]

This from the Todd McShay's mock draft post:

Scouts Inc.'s three biggest needs: ILB, CB, OLB, OL depth
Projected pick: Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida
The Patriots would like to inject some youth at inside linebacker, but there isn't a player at that position worth selecting this high now that James Laurinaitis (Ohio State) and Rey Maualuga (USC) are both returning to school next fall. The next priority is to find a replacement for CB Asante Samuel, a free agent who can't be franchised for a second consecutive year, and Jenkins is currently the top-rated cornerback in a weak 2008 crop. His combination of size, speed and athleticism is outstanding and his recognition skills improved each season. Jenkins also brings versatility to the table; he can play some safety and also chip in on returns.


Says in there that he can't be franchised for 2nd consecutive year, but he might be wrong and I just assumed the info was correct. I don't know the franchise rules.

What is a transition player?

LarryCanadian

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Yep, part of the deal last year was that they wouldn't franchise him again.

But I don't see him coming here. He's going to cost an absolute FORTUNE. It would be dumb to pay him that when Newman and hopefully Hamlin have big dollars coming.

 

[cnhnyy]

I think we will go crazy on WR/CB on this draft, kinda like we draft all DL in 2005. Do not be surpsied if we draft two CBs and two WRs on first day.

Samuels is nice but I doubt we can afford Hamline, T-New and him.

 

[superpunk]

This from the Todd McShay's mock draft post:

Scouts Inc.'s three biggest needs: ILB, CB, OLB, OL depth
Projected pick: Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida
The Patriots would like to inject some youth at inside linebacker, but there isn't a player at that position worth selecting this high now that James Laurinaitis (Ohio State) and Rey Maualuga (USC) are both returning to school next fall. The next priority is to find a replacement for CB Asante Samuel, a free agent who can't be franchised for a second consecutive year, and Jenkins is currently the top-rated cornerback in a weak 2008 crop. His combination of size, speed and athleticism is outstanding and his recognition skills improved each season. Jenkins also brings versatility to the table; he can play some safety and also chip in on returns.


Says in there that he can't be franchised for 2nd consecutive year, but he might be wrong and I just assumed the info was correct. I don't know the franchise rules.

What is a transition player?

LarryCanadian

I'm pretty sure McShay is wrong in that it CAN'T happen.

If the Pats made a promise, he could conclude that it WON'T happen. But there is no rule to my knowledge that prevents you from doing this year after year. See Orlando Pace.

It just isn't good business to do so.

The transition tag is basically the same thing - only the required totals are slightly less, and if another team signs your tagged player away, you recieve NO compensation. See Steve Hutchinson.

 

[Coakleys Dad]

Too expensive and too small

 

[Deep_South]

We should figure out who Belichick is going after to replace Samuel and get that guy before he does.

 

[CATCH17]

Hes one of the leagues top corners. A lot of people try to down play him but he is a fantastic corner.

The problem is how much should he get?

Is he worth 7 mill a year? Im sure thats he'll want.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

http://www.boston.com/sports/footba...07/12/06/steeler_guarantees_a_victory/?page=2

No playing tag
The win over the Ravens ensured that the Patriots will not be able to use the franchise tag on cornerback Asante Samuel following the season. Samuel, who was franchised last season, signed an amended $7.79 million franchise tender that prohibited the Patriots from franchising him again if they won 12 games this season or he played 60 percent of the defensive snaps.

 

[LarryCanadian]

Even if we got Samuel, I would still draft a CB, it would just give you more flexibility.

If we don't re-sign Flo, where would the money be better spent then.

Our biggest weakness on this team is Secondary and backup RB. I think it's easier to plug in a RB from the draft than it is to hit on a CB.

If we don't grab a free agent upgrade in Secondary (and I am assuming we re-sign Hamlin so that would remain the same, not an upgrade), then I think we need to draft AT LEAST 2 players back there. 1 CB 1 Safety or 2 CB's.

Ogelsby and Reeves have shown they aren't 3rd or maybe even 4th CB's. Jones was a situational player and Special Teams guy. Henry and Newman are often dinged up. Our safeties are very suspect in pass coverage with even Watkins not showing enough for anyone to say he could start if needed (good backup with a little upside still I guess).

This is our big need. Are their any middle of the road CB free agents out there? Trufant would cost a ton too. Who is say similar in ability to a Henry, maybe a bit smaller, but quicker/faster that could be your 2nd/3rd CB? Any names out there?

I still say nowadays you need 3 starter CBs and a decent 4th guy. The league has changed. We can't cover TE's with lbers and safeties on this team. Haven't shown the ability. So use DB's. Put Henry on pass catching TE's like Shockey and Cooley. It's less a mismatch. He's big enough and fast enough to stay with them.

LarryCanadian

 

[superpunk]

http://www.boston.com/sports/footba...07/12/06/steeler_guarantees_a_victory/?page=2

OK. So, it's not that it's against any rules, it's just that the Pats agreed not to.

Well, he's getting top dollar for sure. There's no room for that here. That's not how you build winning franchises. We don't need Deion. We need Haley.

 

[Deep_South]

Hes one of the leagues top corners. A lot of people try to down play him but he is a fantastic corner.

The problem is how much should he get?

Is he worth 7 mill a year? Im sure thats he'll want.

If Roy is worth 10 mil or more on the cap, Samuel is worth that much, I would think. 7 mil a year to not have to watch Reeves play back on the other side of the stadium would be pretty cheap.

 

[LarryCanadian]

I disagree. I think we need Deion, not Haley. We have Ware, Spencer looks realy promising, and Ellis is an extremely solid situationally (no matter how much I hate his whining and lack of leadership IMHO).

Our secondary is our weakness on Defense. Has been for years, despite Newman being underrated.

Jerry is willing to spend money.

The thing is, if we can play man coverage and not this huge cushion stuff on D, then our front 7 are more effective too. We got dinked and dunked to death late in season, and if teams are going to do 3 step drops to avoid our rush, which was much better this year, then man coverage guys like Samuel would be very effective. Henry isn't super quick, but I like it when he plays aggressive. He's good against bigger less superfast receivers.

I just think this is our biggest need. Although backup RB and WR exist too,and not sure if LT is solved if Flo leaves despite McQuistan, Free, and Martens, waiting in wings.

LarryCanadian

 

[CATCH17]

Whats funny is teams zero in on our weakness and do well throwing at them.

On 3rd downs I would have someone have underneath coverage to help Reeves at almost all times.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Love to have him, but I think he's just going to cost an outrageous amount. He's going to get Nate Clements money... And then some.

 

[LarryCanadian]

Superpunk, you do realize we paid Haley to come here. Paid him quite a lot at the time IIRC.

No diff if you want to upgrade through Free Agency. I agree on the draft though, but Samuel is proven, whereas drafted CB is a hit/miss, AND can take time even if it is a hit pick.

Do you want to wait 1-2 more seasons BEFORE our secondary is improved? That just scares the hell outta me. I don't want to get into salary cap hell either, but there are some positions I'm willing to pay for and CB ON THIS TEAM is one of them.

LarryCanadian