Asante

Samuel

Both Poole and Samuel faded down the stretch last season, but Samuel was a rookie. Samuel has great ball skills and would be a flashy cornerback opposite Ty Law who could make big plays.

To PFT’s credit, they made it clear several times that the tip was uncorroborated and it’s unknown if the offer has even been made. Blockbuster trades including multiple superstars rarely happen, and this one reads more like a fantasy football mega-deal. Initial skepticism is advised and warranted.

Samuel stole one interception while covering Larry Fitzgerald, then left on a play he nearly picked another. He’s been lining up as New England’s nickelback in training camp behind Eugene Wilson and Ellis Hobbs.

He left with neck problem, but should be fine.

Samuel may be the only continuing starter in a Pats secondary that incurred an amazing amount of injuries last season.

La Canfora adds that the odds of a deal going down aren’t great. Samuel has $18.8 million left over the final two years of his contract and the Eagles, in “win now” mode, will probably want players back rather than picks. The most likely scenario is Samuel continuing to start opposite Nnamdi Asomugha the rest of the way, with Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie acting as the No. 3 corner. Samuel was also made available in August and no deal went down.

Unsurprisingly, Eskin reports the roughly $18.8 million remaining on Samuel’s contract was the main reason a deal did not get done. Samuel should remain the Eagles’ starting left cornerback over Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie down the stretch.

"(Obviously they don’t want me (here),” Samuel said on Saturday. The Eagles made it known ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline that Samuel was available after previously shopping him during training camp. Despite acknowledging the obvious, Samuel did add, “as long as I’m getting paid, I’m gonna do my job.” His status shouldn’t be a distraction down the stretch.

O’Hara is a longtime Lions beat writer, and it should be noted that he called the team’s 2011 signing of Justin Durant long before it happened. As O’Hara notes, cornerback remains an area of need in Detroit, so it’s reasonable to think the Lions might take another crack at Samuel. The Lions offered two second-day picks for Samuel last summer.

It’s about money, not talent. The Titans, through beat writer Jim Wyatt, have essentially laughed at the Eagles’ reported third-round asking price for a 31-year-old cornerback with salaries of $9.9 million and $11.4 million the next two years. Even if Samuel restructures his deal, the cap hit will be divided over the next two years while the base salary is converted to a substantial signing bonus.