New England Patriots defensive back Asante Samuel reported to camp Monday in Foxboro. Samuel had been holding out since the Patriots tagged him as their franchise player earlier this year. He is the last of the league’s seven franchise players to either agree to a long-term contract or sign the franchise tender.
Samuel will make $7.79 million for the 2007 NFL season; it is still unknown if the Patriots have given the cornerback any assurances on not tagging him as the franchise player next season.
At this point Samuel is only allowed by the Collective Bargaining Agreement to sign the franchise tender. He can not sign a multi-year dear until after the season but in the past teams have negotiated multi-year deals with franchise players that were signed months later.
Samuel’s return most likely means that first round draft pick Brandon Meriweather will most likely move around through the secondary playing a variety of positions.
Belichick declined to comment on whether Samuel would play in the Patriots’ preseason finale Thursday against the visiting New York Giants.
In Friday’s game against Carolina the first nine plays were runs, 7 of them by Laurence Maroney. Maroney finished with 58 yards on 15 carries.
Defensive back Rodney Harrison continues to get into game form. It’s great to see as he is one the guys who brings the swagger to this team.
Place kicker Stephen Gostkowski continues to struggle missing two long field goals this week of 54 and 46 yards wide left. He is just 3 of 6 this preseason also having missed last week against Tennessee from 33 yards in the rain. His preseason long is from 32 yards.
The following players didn’t play on Friday night: Randy Moss, Jabar Gaffney, Kyle Brady, Ty Warren, Mike Wright, Rashad Baker, Larry Anam, Russ Hochstein, Junior Seau and Kevin Faulk. This doesn’t take into account the guys on the PUP list.
Sixth round draft pick Mike Richardson apparently got hurt in Friday’s game he was seen in the locker room with his left arm in a sling and his left thumb wrapped. He declined comment.
Linebacker Mike Vrabel was seen at practice this week with a Giants helmet at his feet. He and head coach Bill Belichick have a back and forth banter with Belichick telling him how good those LB’s were that he coached. Vrabel tells him his tales of greatness are old. So as a reminder Belichick put the helmet at his feet during stretches.
The link to Bill Belichick’s post game press conference courtesy of the Providence Journal.
Other NFL News:
Titans QB Vince Young looked much better this week going 13 of 19 for 162 yards with a TD pass. He also ran for a TD during Tennessee’s 28-17 win over Buffalo.
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Herm Edwards has named Damon Huard the starting QB. Huard a long-time back has his first starting job after having backed up the likes of Trent Green, Jay Fiedler and Tom Brady.
Two days after being released by Philadelphia, linebacker Jeremiah Trotter worked out for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Bob Sanders a defensive key to the Indianapolis Colts Super Bowl win last season has returned to the practice field. He was on the PUP list after off-season shoulder surgery.
