Samuel talks trade: Negotiations upset CB
By John Tomase/ Patriots Notebook
Boston Herald Sports Writer
Thursday, April 5, 2007 - Updated: 05:22 AM EST
Fed up with a lack of movement on his contract negotiations, Patriots [team stats] cornerback Asante Samuel [stats] told the NFL Network last night that he’s prepared to seek a trade.
“This is to let everybody know that I’m not happy anymore and things are not going well,” Samuel said. “At first I thought it was going well, but it’s not. We have a difference of opinion in my value. They think I’m worth one price and the other teams think I’m worth a lot more. If a long-term deal can’t be done at fair numbers for me and New England, then I want to be traded.”
The Pats placed the franchise tag on Samuel before the start of free agency, guaranteeing a one-year salary of $7.79 million but promising to negotiate toward a multi-year extension. Then salaries exploded, with corner Nate Clements receiving an eight-year, $80 million deal from San Francisco and the Patriots guaranteeing $20 million for linebacker Adalius Thomas, among others.
Now Samuel finds himself on the outside while others cash in, and he’s had enough.
“I’ve been patient, haven’t said anything bad, haven’t said anything negative,” he said. “But my patience has run out. Business is business. They handled their business their way and I’m handling my business my way. I hope not, I really hope not, but it’s looking more and more like it could be time to move on. If it’s best for me and my family. I will do that. Absolutely.”
Samuel led the NFL with 10 interceptions last year, then added two more, both returned for touchdowns, in the playoffs.
“We want to get something done and my hope is we will,” Samuel said. “But if it doesn’t get done, I’m prepared to do what’s best for me and my family. It’s not what I want to do, but what I have to do. They’re handling their business the way they feel they have to and I’m going to do the same.”
Samuel is technically free to negotiate with other clubs. But the price of acquiring him would be a pair of first-round draft picks. And even if a team is willing to give up that much, the Patriots would still have the right to match.
“The rest of the league knows I’m worth more than New England is offering, but they’re scared of that (compensation),” Samuel said. “But I want to get this over with bad enough that I’m willing to work with any team to get a fair long-term deal done.”
Neither Samuel nor his agent, Alonzo Shavers, returned messages last night.
we should be offering the swap of first rounders for this guy, not briggs.
