Asante Samuel wants to play for a winner
I didn’t see the press conference, or even soundbites from it, but a few different people have told me that in his Eagles press conference, Asante Samuel said he signed with the Eagles so he’d have a chance at winning a championship.
Now, before I rant a tad… did anyone actually hear the soundbite, or know where I can get access to it? (A cursory Google search left me unfulfilled.) Its possible he was misquoted - or more to the point, meant to indicate that of the teams willing him to give him the money he was looking for, the Eagles were a team (or the team) likely to be a championship contender. It’s possible. But if not, then…
First, he *left* a team that went 18-1, went to its fourth Super Bowl in seven years (and the first of those that they lost in that time), and oh by the way, if *he* had made the interception at the end of the game then he (and his teammates) *would* have won a(nother) Lombardi Trophy. Bill Belicheck and Tom Brady (among others, of course) will still be with the team next year - and both are still in their prime - so… um… I’m thinking the Patriots “give [him] a good chance at a championship”… but maybe that’s just me.
Second, put New England aside… virtually *every* team is a championship contender in the NFL - and conversely, virtually every team is an injury or two away from also-ran status. The Eagles have been a consistently good team this decade, but they haven’t been to the Super Bowl in three years (and that was their only trip this decade). Also, if Donovan (a) gets hurt (again), or (b) doesn’t come all the way back from his latest injuries, or (c) doesn’t get any WR help (again), or (d) gets traded/released/is playing somewhere else next season… well, um… who sees the Eagles getting to the playoffs, much less being a legitimate SB contender.
Why is it so hard for so many of these clowns to just say, “I think this was the most money I could get so I signed here”. Sure, sure… go on to say that you’ve always admired the fans and the city, and you hope to be able to help bring a title to this proud [insert franchise] here - but don’t tell us that getting paid the most you can is any lower than #1 on your list.
This is another reason I’ve always liked and respected future HOFer Ty Law. When he left New England, he said, “It’s about the money.” Now, I don’t know if he used those exact words, but he was clear that he wasn’t going to get the money he felt he deserved in New England - so he was going to go elsewhere to get it… and try to help that team win games and a championship, of course. But he never shied away from the *fact* that he was interested in getting paid as much as he could. I have no problem with that… never have. In that situation, I’d likely do the same thing - and if I did, I hope I’d be honest about it.
It’s nice when someone like Randy Moss takes less money (like last year, and arguably this year) to “play with a team that can win a championship” - or when a guy like Ken Griffey Jr takes less money to “go home” (see Roger, “going home” actually means playing where you grew up, not going to another country - further from home - which happens to be offering the biggest contract). But those are the exceptions.
Why is it so hard for athletes to be forthright in their reasoning for signing with a team? This is America. God Bless. Get the money, or the situation, or whatever that you want. As a free agent, you’ve earned it. Just don’t insult us by trying to paint a false picture of your motives.
Okay, I’m done now.
March 5th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
He said, and I quote “I just want a chance to win and to get back to the Superbowl. That’s why I chose the Philadelphia Eagles.” I guess the Giants weren’t hiring? I’m not a fan of the Patriots, but just about anybody would agree that the Pats clearly have the best shot at getting back to the Superbowl next year. I agree with Cliffy - Samuels would get a lot more respect if he just fessed up and said it was the money. Who among us hasn’t changed jobs to get paid more?
By the way, I found the press conference video on the Eagles’ web site:
-Go to www.philadelphiaeagles.com/multimedia/index.html
-Select “2008 Free Agency” from the menu
-Then choose the last item on the list, “Asante Samuel, Lurie, Reid PC: Feb. 29″
March 6th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
Well, that’s why the old joke started - when players/agents say it’s not about the money, it’s ALWAYS about the money
March 9th, 2008 at 8:32 pm
I think you are reading too much into it. It seems to me, he didn’t have the option of going back to New England without leaving a lot of money on the table. So, out of the teams able to pay him a salary, he chose one of the ones that has the ability to go to the Super Bowl. He isn’t saying that the Eagles are the favorites, just that they had as good a chance as any that could pay him the money. If he signed the contract with Oakland, he likely wouldn’t have made the quote, but signing with the Eagles, and saying he is looking for a chance to win a Super Bowl is very non-committal, but may instill a little bit of confidence in his teammates.
March 10th, 2008 at 9:41 pm
You may be right… I may be crazy… but even at that: How much better are the Eagles chances than every other team willing to talk deal with Asante? I would not consider the Eagles to be on the cusp of greatness. If anything, their window has closed. They made four consecutive NFC Conference Championship Games - and actually won one to get the honor of being fodder for the Patriot machine (since derailed, but I’m living in the glory days now… you understand). If Samuel was going to *that* team? I get it.
But he’s coming to a team with a big question mark at QB, no NFL WRs, coming off an 8-8 year so its not like they’ll get a top impact player (drafting in the middle of the first round). They should add talent, but so will everyone else (who drafts well).
The Eagles are a good organization with a good head coach - but they finished last in their division last year, and their injured QB is just another year older… and their stud RB (who seemingly misses time every year) is another year worn down. Any Johnson defense should be formidable, but I can think of at least a dozen teams that - at this point, when Samuel signed - are more likely to be Super Bowl contenders next year, and for the foreseeable future.
Sure, anything can happen from year to year in the NFL - look at Tom Coughlin and the Giants, 2007 vs. 2008. But all that means is you hope to get lucky… and that’s what Samuel did… in addition to signing for what he believed was going to be the best contract offered (IMHO).
I’m picking nits, probably - but I just would’ve rather that he said, “They gave me the most money” (even if he did it euphemistically with, “They showed me the most respect” and/or “They made me feel wanted the most”)… and then follow up with, “I hope to help this wonderful organization to a championship for these deserving fans” - as opposed to basically saying, “I came here cuz I feel they give me the best (and/or a great) chance to win a championship.”
It’s just not the case.