Falcons dump Asante Samuel, Stephen Nicholas
 

Camp body?
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Last week, Falcons G.M. Thomas Dimitroff said that the team would soon start making moves.

The moves have started.

The Falcons have dumped cornerback Asante Samuel and linebacker Stephen Nicholas. The team announced the moves on Wednesday.

Samuel, acquired via trade from the Eagles in 2012, was due to earn a base salary of $3.5 million in 2014, the final year of his contract. A fourth-round pick in 2007, Nicholas was scheduled to earn a base salary of $3 million in 2014.

The departure of Samuel, who originally was drafted by the Patriots when new Falcons assistant G.M. Scott Pioli served as V.P. of player personnel, means that in the last year the team has parted ways with three top cornerbacks — Samuel, Dunta Robinson, and Brent Grimes.

Samuel, who signed a big-money deal with the Eagles in 2008, instantly becomes an unrestricted free agent. Ditto for Nicholas and any other player with four or more years of service who is released at any time between now and the trade deadline.

Falcons dump Asante Samuel, Stephen Nicholas | ProFootballTalk

Re: Falcons dump Asante Samuel, Stephen Nicholas
 

Signing Samuel to a one-year poor mans contract makes so much sense to me. Ever heard of a veteran DB play great when he wasn't expected to do much, some guy named Darren Sharper did something like that but it was no big deal.

Re: Falcons dump Asante Samuel, Stephen Nicholas
 

The cuts are coming.

Re: Falcons dump Asante Samuel, Stephen Nicholas
 

I wouldn't mind picking up Asante Samuel. Excellent zone defender. Smart player, smart enough to be able jump routes for big plays. I don't know if his age is catching up to him yet or not, but he's worth a look. After losing all the DB's we did this year, we learned you can never have enough of them. There's a lot of really good DB's that are going to be free agents this year though.

Re: Falcons dump Asante Samuel, Stephen Nicholas
 

If we are going after FAs then we should go after a difference maker. He is no interception machine.
Here is the list
» Over the Cap- 2014 NFL Free Agent Cornerbacks

Re: Falcons dump Asante Samuel, Stephen Nicholas
 

And he doesn't like to tackle.

Having physical corners can totally disrupt timing for opposing QB's.

Here is my short list :
Brent Grimes (although he's small, very tough and crafty)
A Talib (when healthy, he can take away your best weapon)
Tarell Brown (physical, tough, instinctive)

Re: Falcons dump Asante Samuel, Stephen Nicholas
 

Tracy Porter at veteran minimum!

Re: Falcons dump Asante Samuel, Stephen Nicholas
 

1. Aqib Talib
2. Alterraun Verner
3. Brandon Browner
4. Vontae Davis
5. Walter Thurmond

My favorites off the list.

Re: Falcons dump Asante Samuel, Stephen Nicholas
 

Samuel was beat for his spot by a rookie and he is afraid to tackle RB's, no thanks