WHERE WILL ASANTE LAND?

Posted by Mike Florio on February 17, 2008, 12:38 p.m.
The Boston Herald, which likely has been bracing itself for a defamation lawsuit in the wake of its February 2 report that the Patriots taped the Rams’ final-walkthrough practice prior to Super Bowl XXXVI, is stirring up the New England hornets’ nest again by taking a stab at where Pats cornerback Asante Samuel might land in free agency.
The Herald points to the Jets and Browns as potential suitors for Samuel. The head coaches of both teams have ties to Samuel; Eric Mangini of the Jets and Romeo Crennel of the Browns served as defensive coordinators during Samuel’s career in New England.
But how about the Falcons or the Dolphins? Both teams are flush with cap space after jettisoning several high-priced veterans this past week. Atlanta G.M. Tom Dimitroff was the director of college scouting in New England, which puts him in a position to understand Samuel’s potential value. The added benefit of acquiring Samuel is that the Falcons would then be able to trade disgruntled starting cornerback DeAngelo Hall.
In Miami, V.P. of football operations Bill Parcells might be inclined to stir up the AFC East by taking a top-shelf cover corner by a team coached by one of his prize pupils and managed by the Tuna’s son-in-law.
In the end, Samuel is likely to give the greatest consideration to the highest bidder. But while folks keep quoting Nate Clements’ eight-year, $80 million deal as the benchmark for Samuel, keep in mind that Clements’ deal was only (only?) seven years and $64 million. Per the language of the contract, the eighth year will never happen.
Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey hopes that Samuel shatters the nine-figure mark. “I think Asante and [Seahawks cornerback Marcus Trufant], those guys should definitely get $100 million, probably more. Every team needs premier cornerbacks in this league. They’re worth it.”
Bailey, of course, is hardly unbiased. Since he’s still regarded as the premier cover corner in the league, a big deal for Samuel (who unlike Trufant can’t be limited with the franchise tag by virtue of his 2007 contract) would put Bailey in line for an “adjustment” to his own deal.
One team that shouldn’t be taken seriously in the race for Samuel is the Colts, but not only for the reasons articulated by the Herald. The Tampa 2 defense doesn’t put a premium on cornerbacks, who are expected primarily to provide coverage in short zones and provide run support. Big money for a guy like Samuel makes no sense in that kind of scheme.