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PHILADELPHIA -- The Eagles have signed free-agent cornerback Asante Samuel.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3271255

As an Eagles fan, I'm happy. The Eagles were dead last in the NFL in turnovers last year, so going out and acquiring the #1 CB on the market who has 16 interceptions in the last two years can't hurt. and that's only including the regular season, he has more interceptions in the playoffs as well.

Not to mention this gives the Eagles options regarding Lito Sheppard. They can keep him and have 3 great corners in Asante, Lito, and Sheldon Brown, or they can trade him to get something of good value, potentially even package him to acquire a go to receiver like Fitzgerald or Roy Williams.

If he plays like he did in 2007, he might be worth whatever big paycheck Philly's giving him. Just remember, he's a ballhawker through and through, and *not* a shutdown corner like some writers might be characterizing him in the next few days. Even last season he would drive me nuts by occasionally staring at the QB and blowing his coverage or diving for a ball he had no shot at instead of going to help on tackling.

Still, he's established himself as a threat in this league, and there are numbers backing that up. I think even having that reputation adds to his value.

Awesome signings, glad he's not going to the pats. Now some one has to sign Moss away from them.

I saw a 10 million/season number going around for him. Yeah, that's probably an overpay either way.

Outstanding signing for the Eagles!

HCYanks wrote:I saw a 10 million/season number going around for him. Yeah, that's probably an overpay either way.

I think the contract is 6 years, $57 million, $20 mil. guaranteed

awesome for the eagles. thank god he's not going back to boston... does this mean the pats will draft a CB? maybe.

Monkeyfeng06 wrote:awesome for the eagles. thank god he's not going back to boston... does this mean the pats will draft a CB? maybe.

Leodis McKelvin?

So how long before he gets injured or just falls off? It seems that happens to every big name FA defensive player the Iggles sign.

vaff87 wrote:-= original quote snipped =-



I think the contract is 6 years, $57 million, $20 mil. guaranteed

Still not worth 9+ mill a year. The Pats will probably replace him decently through the draft or cheap/shrewd FA signings/trades. It sucks to see him go, but keeping Moss is obviously a priority and Asante isn't worth the huge cap hit when the team has bigger issues to address.

Amazing signing for the Eagles, will definitely improve their below average take away numbers. NFC East going to be one of most competitive divisions in all of football.

mr_sunshine wrote:-= original quote snipped =-


It sucks to see him go, but keeping Moss is obviously a priority and Asante isn't worth the huge cap hit when the team has bigger issues to address.

If it's obviously a priority, it would be done by now, but NE is cheap.

Yes, bigger issues like the fact that the team is old as dirt.

sixers_610 wrote:-= original quote snipped =-




If it's obviously a priority, it would be done by now, but NE is cheap.

Cheap? Or actually know how not to waste money?

As for Asante, it sucks to see him go. He's a good corner, that I think was a bit overrated by some people. The Pats will find a way to replace him.

it's funny how most pats fans were overrating him when he was in NE, but now the tune is "he's not that good"

rkid wrote:it's funny how most pats fans were overrating him when he was in NE, but now the tune is "he's not that good"

I never overrated him to be honest. He makes big plays, and a lot of them. To me though that didn't overshadow the numerous times where he goes for a pick and gets burned for an easy 25 yards. He's a great play maker, but not a shutdown corner and he wanted Champ Bailey (shutdown corner) money. Not worth it IMO.

rkid wrote:it's funny how most pats fans were overrating him when he was in NE, but now the tune is "he's not that good"

Actually if you read anything I've wrote about the guy in the past, I thought some people overrated him. Now don't get me wrong he's a good corner, just don't think he's worth that type of money. He is a good ballhawk, but he's no shut down corner.

I personally think the main reason the Eagles signed Samuel is because Lito Sheppard can't stay healthy, and even wants out. Having said that, I think Asante's a better corner as well, not by all that much, but definitely better. I just know that if the Pats didn't have Samuel this past season, they would have lost in week 12 vs. the Eagles, and wouldn't have even had a chance at a perfect season. The guy stole that game.

People talk about how NE's "system" works and how great it is, and how they are smart about not wasting money, blah, blah. They now haven't won the Super Bowl since 2004. Enough of this system crap.

And don't fire back about the Eagles not having ever won the Super Bowl. I know that. This isn't about that. They have other issues.

sixers_610 wrote:People talk about how NE's "system" works and how great it is, and how they are smart about not wasting money, blah, blah. They now haven't won the Super Bowl since 2004. Enough of this system crap.

.

I think the system works. The Pats have showed an ability to always put out a championship level team. They've lost Law, Milloy, Branch, Woody, etc and still can say every year they will have a very good shot at winning.

Just find it funny to say the system doesn't work because they haven't won since 04. While the NYG earned their win of course, the Pats were one play from winning that SB. And they were very close to going to the SB the year before. I think the system is fine, you don't over spend on players who are not worth that type of money.