Eagles head coach Andy Reid thinks Asante Samuel’s style no longer suited them – NFL News
When Philadelphia Eagles traded their cornerback Asante Samuel with Atlanta Falcons, many were surprised with their decision. They traded him just before the 2012 draft in exchange of a seventh-round pick.
Apart from getting the draft pick, Eagles were also benefited by getting a salary cap space after the exit of Samuel who had contract which included a $9.5 million base salary.
Meanwhile, Eagles head coach Andy Reid had some other reasons to ship Samuel to Falcons. According to Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer:
"Reid thought (Samuel) was in steep decline and that his style no longer suited the scheme,"
The statement seems to contradict Samuel’s record in the past few seasons. He did not drop off much.
The decision looks more to be based on the system that defensive coordinator Juan Castillo wants applied on the field. Samuel does not look to fit in that system.
On the other hand, Samuel was quick to reply to these comments. He tweeted:
“I just finished reading the story on coach Andy Reid! All I can say is WoW! Men lie women lie numbers don't.”
His record does give us a bigger picture.
Last season, Samuel gave a mere 47.5 completion percentage and those quarterbacks who were throwing towards him got a 52.4 passer rating.
Samuel actually dropped off in the 2010 season, allowing a lesser 46.3 completion percentage while getting a 31.7 passer rating in his throws.
After the exit of Samuel, Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie will take the starting spot at the cornerback position this season.
A fourth-round pick of the 2003 draft, Samuel recorded 34 tackles with one forced fumble and three interceptions last season.
Samuel got a Pro Bowl selection in the 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 season respectively. He was an All-Pro for the 2007 season. In his five seasons with Patriots, who had drafted him, he won two Super Bowls.
In the 2009, season he broke the records of most interceptions in a season with a total of eight interceptions.
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