Re: Asante to Saints a "done deal"
 

Ha ha true boba, I think he could fit as a nickel back. The only thing I'm worried about is whether or not Usama will progress enough to take over the other corner position. Last year he got beaten consistently when he was in. I'm not quite ready to hand it over to him yet.

And to address NarhwalHunter's comments, I wasn't aware that Samuel was criticized for being burnt all the time. I am pretty sure that he's one of the top 3 corners in the league and has totaled a ridiculous amount of interceptions. I don't know, maybe you're right, but I'm pretty sure the guy's a stud.

On a side note, not one of the reports I've seen from ESPN link Samuel to the Saints. Any reason why?

Re: Asante to Saints a "done deal"
 

Samuel getting burnt is just from my own personal observations, but it's one of those things that no one in sports talks about, same as Champ Bailey gets burned quite a bit more than his clippings would have you believe. No one talks about it because they make crazy amounts of picks. That's not to say Samuel will be terrible, but I'm not expecting him to descend into the Superdome from a golden chariot and cure every woe in the defensive backfield. Jason David is still back there, after all.

I thought David's contract was mostly front loaded? Shouldn't we be able to dump him off in a canal somewhere?

Re: Asante to Saints a "done deal"
 

Pieces, all pieces to the one big puzzle. With a CB like Samuel, David might look ten times better, (which is a stretch I know). The alternative? Thomas was Mr. Toasty before David. Is he still on the roster?

My point, all along, was that a CB, a MLB, and DT, are the three components that are absolutely imperative, to the revival of this defense. The most important positions, in all three levels of defense IMO. Strong play from each of these positions, can also provide leadership for the rest of the players in each level. And honestly, by the games I seen this past season, leadership on defense is something they need desperately.

Re: Asante to Saints a "done deal"
 

nothing against asante, but how's he going to read a defense without payton telling him what play the other team is running?
but really, if the saints are gonna dish out that kinda money, i'd rather see em bring in briggs..............jmo

Re: Asante to Saints a "done deal"
 

All CB's get beat...i watched the game a few years back when Chad Johnson lit up Champ for close to 200 yards...they all get beat. Its about being steady and consistent, having a knowledge of your position, and the ability to read and react...and most importantly, making the big play when the opportunity presents itself...Samuel has proven that he can do all of that.

Re: Asante to Saints a "done deal"
 

Missile, believe it or not, we are in the same book here, just not the same page. I agree that CB is the most important aspect of the defense, that needs addressing, but LB, and DT also need to be seriously upgraded, to defend against the ground game. I still have nightmares of when Willy Parker lit us up for over 200 yards on the ground in 06, and our defense wasn't "that bad" that year. You could almost call our defense the "Catch 22". If we play well against the run, they kill us with the pass, and vice versa.

If we are going to be completely honest, all of us, besides DE, can anyone name a position on defense, that couldn't use a major upgrade? I certainly cannot. As I have said, and I'm sticking to it, this ENTIRE offseason needs to address defense ONLY. From FA, to the draft. From pick one, to pick 7. Defense, defense, defense... Whew! That was a mouthful.

Re: Asante to Saints a "done deal"
 

Boba, I totally agree with you. The league doesn't make it any easier on these guys, by changing the freakin touch rules every season either. With as many penalties, as they can call on CBs nowadays, the term "shutdown" corner, is almost comical.

I sincerely hope that we sign Samuel. I have watched him play, and think that he would be a great pickup. I just wish we could get a hard hitting safety as well. That Atari Bigsby up in Green Bay, is a freakin man killer. I would LOVE to have someone like him on the Saints roster.

Re: Asante to Saints a "done deal"
 

this I found on PFW.com


Feb. 27, 2008


We hear the agent of CB Asante Samuel is trying to pull the Bucs into the sweepstakes to sign his client when free agency begins Feb. 29, but it would be a surprise if Tampa had much serious interest in Samuel's services. Alonzo Shavers, Samuel's agent, told the Tampa Tribune that "Tampa is a situation that makes sense. Tampa Bay is definitely worth considering. It was an organization that was in the Super Bowl not too long ago. It is an organization Asante wants to play for." The Bucs figure to be an aggressive player in free agency, with more than $30 million in estimated cap space, but it's far more likely funds will be spent on free-agent playmakers at wide receiver and tight end. Samuel is said to be eyeing a contract that would be pay him $10 million per year. He would be a definite upgrade over CB Phillip Buchanon, and a starting tandem of Samuel and Ronde Barber would give Tampa a star-studded secondary. Yet, in the end, we hear the Saints and Eagles are more likely to shell out the necessary cash for the Pro Bowler.

Re: Asante to Saints a "done deal"
 

The rumor mill from our local espn radio station says the deal is for 10 years 100 million & 24 million dollar signing bonus. Sounds way out of line to me.