Falcons trade for cornerback Asante Samuel
Eagles cornerback Asante Samuel runs with the ball after intercepting a pass during a game against the Falcons last season. Associated Press.
FLOWERY BRANCH — For Asante Samuel, it was a simple business matter.
Once his agent, Alonzo Shavers, and Falcons negotiator Nick Polk finished their numbers crunching, the Falcons traded a seventh-round pick in this year’s draft to the Philadelphia Eagles to complete the deal for the four-time Pro Bowler on Wednesday.
“I’m happy to be a Falcon,” said Samuel, who’ll be expected to help improve the team’s pass defense. “I know the city is embracing me. I’m excited. I know the Falcons already have an excellent team, excellent coaches, schemes and talent. I’m just going to add to [that and] try to get to the one common goal.”
The Falcons re-structured Samuel’s contract that called for him to make $9.9 million in 2012 and $11.4 million in 2013. They agreed to a three-year, $18.5 million deal.
“What was important for us was that he become a Falcon,” Shavers said. “From that standpoint, it was about as extensive as it gets. We were able to come up with something that they can live with and we can live with.”
Samuel said he doesn’t have a preference as to whether he plays left or right cornerback.
“I’m a confident guy,” Samuel said. “I’m going to always have confidence, and that’s how I play and how I operate on a daily basis. I’m going to come into this thing and be ready to compete.”
Over the past two seasons, Brent Grimes has played on the left side and Dunta Robinson has started on the right. The Falcons have struggled at nickel back as Brian Williams, Christopher Owens, Dominique Franks and Kelvin Hayden all played that spot over the past two seasons.
Falcons coach Mike Smith considers the nickel back to be a starter.
The Falcons have a lot of their salary cap tied up at cornerback, with Samuel and Robinson averaging $6 million apiece. On Tuesday, Grimes, signed his one-year, $10.281 million franchise tender.
Samuel believes the trio will work together just fine.
“I think it’s going to be good,” Samuel said. “Those guys are very talented and well-established. Brent Grimes is coming off the last two years. He’s adjusted and is making some big plays. Dunta has been doing his thing since he’s been there. … We are all going to come in and work together to make this thing the best that it’s ever been.”
Samuel, 31, was with the Patriots when Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff was the director of college scouting there. Dimitroff coveted Samuel last season, but the Eagles’ asking price — a second-round pick — was considered too steep at the time.
He was drafted by the Patriots in the fourth round (120th overall) of the 2003 draft out of Central Florida.
“We talked every time that we played each other,” Samuel said of Dimitroff. “That definitely had a lot to do with it. He definitely made me feel comfortable.”
Dimitroff was elated to pull of the trade. “Asante has established himself as a very productive player during his career,” Dimitroff said. “He is a proven player in this league, and we feel that this move upgrades the talent of our roster.”
Samuel’s days in Philadelphia were numbered after they signed Nnamdi Asomugha and acquired Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie in July. The Eagles had tried to trade him since.
Samuel didn’t endear himself to management when he said the Eagles were “playing fantasy football with the owner’s money.”
However, Samuel said he enjoyed his time with the Eagles and had no hard feelings toward the organization.
“I know everybody can’t figure why this is happening and why it is going this way, but business is business,” Samuel said.
Samuel has 45 career interceptions in nine seasons, fourth among active players. His 38 interceptions since 2006 lead the league.
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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317 comments Add your comment
Rick Falcon
April 25th, 2012
10:41 am
Finally will get a quality player without giving up too much….Its about time. This will play well into Nolans typical schemes and will hopefully eliminate the 3rd down conversions that Atlanta gave up way too often under BVG. Im so sick of seeing the Falcons give up the 3rd and long conversion. This is a great pick up and combined with a new defensive scheme….will play dividends.
Now if the offense comes together…its going to be a great season….cant wait for kick off
Terrell
April 25th, 2012
10:59 am
Like Wut I See
But unlike the Falcons, as much as I am a Falcons’ fan, the Hawks have won a playoff series each of the last 3 years, while the Falcons haven’t. Just like the Falcons the Hawks have posted winning seasons since 2009. Samuels doesn’t solve all our issues but he sure does help.
Old White Haired Man
April 25th, 2012
10:59 am
how i get that meebo crap off the bottom of my screen?
Bluto
April 25th, 2012
11:07 am
Samuel L. Jackson he was responding to my post about Aint fans showing up to crap on the move. Try and keep up.
charles
April 25th, 2012
11:09 am
Great move! Have a feeling TD might trade out of second round to pick up an extra third round pick this year or acquire more picks for next year!
notso fast
April 25th, 2012
11:15 am
Enter your comments here
Eddie
April 25th, 2012
11:19 am
This is the reason y I wasnt worried about the Falcons (not making a big splash early on). TD and Blank are long term thinkers unlike fans. Lets go Falcons!
Kane337
April 25th, 2012
11:20 am
Please make this happen. If we can get a decent pass rush our secondary will look elite.
Keeping it Real
April 25th, 2012
11:21 am
IMO this is a huge mistake. We already were at the cap and now we will be screwed for the next several year to accommodate our latest big money dud. TD was apparently desperate to make a move. AS is NOT Revis or Woodson. If he was the Eagles would not be giving him away. My prediction for the Falcons this year is 8-8 at best and yes I am a Falcons fan living in Atlanta.
Falcons 73
April 25th, 2012
11:27 am
I certainly don’t dislike this move (if it happens), but why is T.D. willing to do whatever it takes to get another corner but didn’t nothing in free agency for a defensive end. I think the move would address a position of need, but not the GREATEST position need (D.E.).
If you look at from a pure football stance, it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. It should be noted several teams that didn’t have any type of secondary, were able to win games with a formidable pass rush.
I just hope we can develop Sidbury or Matthews and that Ray Edwards significantly improves. Otherwise, we will be paying a lot of money for corners but still give up big pass plays (without any rush).
Khaos
April 25th, 2012
11:28 am
I like Asante…but does he play DE and can he protect Matt? I just believe in the philosophy that the game is one in the trenches. We’ve done very well addressing skill positions (Julio, Tony G, Turner) in the draft or FA. However, we’ve missed on or ignored our lines (Edwards for the time being is a bust, Baker, Jerry).
I’m just not a big fan of Dimitroff’s decisions.
Fire Smitty and Dimitroff
Greg
April 25th, 2012
11:30 am
D-Led writes: “If the Falcons land Samuel they would have a solid trio of cornerbacks.”
I never cease to be amazed at the different ways people see things. Did D-Led watch the same games I did? Of course he did. And still he thinks Dunte is a “solid corner”? I respect D-Led, of course; I’m just amazed, that’s all. I watched Dunte repeatedly miss tackles a solid player would make. I saw him consistently get beaten on routes, every kind of route, short, long, outs, hooks, posts…everything. One of the worst corners I’ve ever seen in the NFL. He made every receiver look good.
yourpoliticalanimal
April 25th, 2012
11:30 am
Not bad, not bad…but I still need you all to wake me when the Bills make their pick @ #10…ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
SirReal
April 25th, 2012
11:32 am
@Keepingitreal I hear ya but as far as the cap situation, things can always be manipulated…plus after next year, the cap figure is supposed to rise significantly if these speculations are true. The right people will make the right things happen.
We’ll see. I’ve seen them make worse moves than this.lol
SirReal
April 25th, 2012
11:36 am
@falcons73 I agree as far as DE but I guess they are thinking we already spent on Ray Edwards last year (when we should have gone after Jason Babin. He only put up EIGHTEEN sacks this past season). They probably figure secondary is still a liability. Its good to bring Samuel in b/c it sends a message to the others that they are expendable and if Robinson plays with grease under his cleats again this year, he’s gone and we’d already have a potential in house replacement. Just my guess though….lol
Me Too
April 25th, 2012
11:37 am
So the offense scoring only 2 points in the playoff game isn’t a problem!
North FLA Falcon
April 25th, 2012
11:37 am
I will like this deal better when I see what the Eagles are getting in return.
North FLA Falcon
April 25th, 2012
11:38 am
Also at 31 yrs old Samuel is a risk. I truly hope he stays injury free.
Bird Since '66
April 25th, 2012
11:49 am
I don’t see how they’re going to fit him under the cap then sign whatever picks we get and have room to sign players during the season because of injuries. They also have to plan for Ryan’s extension next year. You do have to give them credit though. Think about what the Smith’s would be doing about now.
Billy
April 25th, 2012
11:53 am
Love it ..great job TD..Go birds…
vesaversa
April 25th, 2012
11:56 am
Samuel is a proven connerback but he is 31 year old .But i guess a late round draft pick for him is not much to ask if they can come to agreement on his salary
vesaversa
April 25th, 2012
11:59 am
Bird since 66 said “The Falcons have to plan for Ryan’s extension next year.” If the Falcons were smart they would look to draft another QB in 2013.
North FLA Falcon
April 25th, 2012
12:03 pm
I like Schwartz as our #55 pick, he sounds like a beast.
The Grinch
April 25th, 2012
12:19 pm
I don’t see a LT in the draft where we’re picking, but if we could somehow snag a RG and a space eating DT I think we’ll be in pretty good shape this year. It’d be nice if one of our “developmental” o-linemen would finally step up. Maybe the new coach will help.
hbcuclassics
April 25th, 2012
12:25 pm
HBCU Classic Sports
2012 Draft Preview:
WR, Mario Louis, Grambling
http://www.hbcuclassics.com/hbcu_showcase
Falcons 4 Real
April 25th, 2012
12:27 pm
@ Old White Haired Man put your pointer on the meebo icon on the far right side and click “Hide Meebo Bar”
If compensation is 5th round or later and we get 2 productive years out of him this is an excellent move. For one it will allow Franks to be utilized as PR/KR and that will save a late round pick on a returner. I think the criticism of Dunta is a little skewed, he’s been as much a victim of the soft zone as anyone was and I think we’ll see major improvement from him in a more aggressive scheme.
ghostwriter
April 25th, 2012
12:32 pm
For you people wanting a DE… what about John Abraham? He was our DE signing this offseason. Him and Ray Edwards are a solid duo.
This is a great move. Our secondary got eaten up last year (I shudder at every ‘3rd and long’ we face) and Asante will be a great addition. Word up.
Stanton Caldwell
April 25th, 2012
12:37 pm
Its about time an Atlanta sports franchise did something significantly POSITIVE and COMMON SENSE worthy in free agency….Thank you to the Atlanta Falcons for being a franchise that wants to win now.
Jackson
April 25th, 2012
12:44 pm
Wouldn’t surprise me to see Ovie and Babs cut to make room.
Jackson
April 25th, 2012
12:46 pm
Regardless, I like the move.
Hudd
April 25th, 2012
12:47 pm
Ovie is great, but waaaaaaay overpaid. Cut him, trade him or renegotiate.
Jackson
April 25th, 2012
12:52 pm
I think, if i remember right, if they cut Ovie and Babs there will be no cap hit. Would be a wash.
mortimer
April 25th, 2012
12:55 pm
As an Eagles fan I’ve watched Samuel for the past 3 years. He’ll make a lot of good plays and make some great interceptions. Coaches will be forced to play away from him. The bad part is that he cannot tackle anybody and he’ll grab a lot of air as runners go by him.
Old Goober
April 25th, 2012
12:59 pm
I will like this deal better when I see what the Eagles are getting in return.
Book it! It will be the Falcons’ 5th round pick.
Chop Buster
April 25th, 2012
12:59 pm
Mortimer…that’s what safeties are for.
Brandon
April 25th, 2012
1:14 pm
Lets get this deal done and go after OSI! WIN NOW! Go Falcons! Oh, and draft either Dwayne Allen or Brandon Thompson in the 2nd Round.
Jimmy Crack
April 25th, 2012
1:19 pm
We could have 6 Pro Bowl DBs and it still won’t matter if the opposing QB has all day long in the pocket. And don’t give me this “now they can blitz” crap, when last year I saw 7 Falcon defenders rush against 5 offensive linemen on a blitz, and they got bottled up and stonewalled worse than the marching band from Animal House.
WE NEED PASS RUSHERS.
Having vented, I love the Samuel pickup.
tyger
April 25th, 2012
1:20 pm
Chris Owens, Brent Grimes, Dunta Robinson….
logic says their pockets will be lighter too or they wont be here…
1. Falcons will not pay $30M for 3 corners…
2. At 31, Samuel appreciates more guaranteed years…
3. But he’s owed $9M/$10M??? – reality check – he’ll never see it…
4. Philly will trade/cut him b4 paying him…ATL deal less than $10M per…
5. Still good deal, Samuel retires w/ contender gets more guarantees…bonus…
6. ATL setting bar for its CBs…Grimes take notice…
7. ATL overpaid for Dunta, wont do it again…
8. End of the day, ATL will avg. about $22-$24M for those three…
9. Samuel paid $45M over past 5 yrs…security important now…
10. In 2011, 3 INT, 1 TD, 13PD, 30 Tackles…
In 2010, 7 INT, 0 TD, 21PD, 22 Tackles…
In 2009, 9 INT, 0 TD, 25PD, 39 Tackles…
Jackson
April 25th, 2012
1:21 pm
I think we should give them our 4th round pick….LOL
Jonas
April 25th, 2012
1:24 pm
To all the COMRADE haters on this thread: eat Falcon **** and die. Please wake up and recognize that we have GREAT PEOPLE leading this team.
And oh yeah,
Fire Khaos
just the facts
April 25th, 2012
1:25 pm
A strong trio? seriously? with Dunta “non producer” Robinson in that mix…..give me a break…..name ONE THING he has brought and will bring to the team…….just name one.
Gwinnett Fred
April 25th, 2012
1:35 pm
S.L. Jackson:
Your not even bringing up the cheating & bounty trouble and only defense is that the Saints have 1 more playoff win than the Falcons the last 2 years shows that it is YOU are the one UNintelligent enough to go to battle with blanks in your guns.
If you go back to my post smart guy, you won’t see any boasting about what the Falcons will do this year, just pointing out why the Saints fans have been VERY silent. And again, for you to add your 2 cents worth using only a single playoff win in 2 years proves the point I was making.
Mike
April 25th, 2012
1:36 pm
it looks like Asante agrees to term for 3-year, $18.5M deal. So trade is going to finalize soon.
coleski
April 25th, 2012
1:39 pm
Hope springs eternal.
Gwinnett Fred
April 25th, 2012
1:40 pm
For those of you questioning this move & not getting a DE or OL:
Your concern would be valid if the Falcons passed on one of those positions to do the Samuels deal. But that is not the case here. It’s like you expect TD to not only go after and sign players for certain positions, but that he is also responsible for making them available too? Come on people, try to add a little logic to your critisizms.
Big Ron
April 25th, 2012
1:49 pm
So is the deal official yet or what????
Big Al
April 25th, 2012
1:52 pm
Done deal
Done deal
April 25th, 2012
1:54 pm
The deal to send cornerback Asante Samuel to the Atlanta Falcons from the Philadelphia Eagles has been finalized, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.
As part of the trade, Samuel and the Falcons have agreed to terms on a three-year, $18.5 million deal.
It’s not yet known what the Falcons will send the Eagles in return for the nine-year veteran.
zorro
April 25th, 2012
1:55 pm
@me too
those two points we got came from our defence. Mr. D Led you set around these players and you see them a lot behind the cameras do you or can you tell if that guy has swagger or not (
Big Crimson 75
April 25th, 2012
1:55 pm
3 yr Deal with Asante