Eagles Sign Ex-Patriot, Asante Samuel

One of the biggest free agents in the NFL came off the market today as the Philidelphia Eagles signed former Patriots cornerback Asante Samuel. 

The deal is reportedly for six years and between $55 million and $60 million.  

Samuel spent five season with the New England Patriots and was widely considered one of the best cornerbacks in the league, logging 16 interceptions in the last two seasons.  Hey, not bad.  That's one interception for every two games.  

Samuel was expected to command top dollar in this year's NFL free agency period, and the Eagles are going to be paying him a lot of money.  

Good for them.  

Expect Samuel's production to drop off dramatically, as nearly every marquee free agent that leaves New England ends up struggling.

Ask the Titans in Tennessee how well David Givens worked out. Or see what the Chiefs think of Ty Law. Check in on the Browns and Willie McGinest to see how he worked out.  And while you're at it, inquire with Seattle as to the awesomeness (or lack thereof) of Deon Branch.  

All those guys turned out great.  

What if the truth about the Patriots is that their system is FAR superior to any of their individual players (Randy Moss and Tom Brady notwithstanding)?  What if Samuel was one of the best cornerbacks in the league because the other 10 players on defense made his job easy?  

It's not too big of a stretch. 

Either way, I guess we'll find out this year when Samuel puts on his green Eagles uniform. Will he go on to further NFL defensive greatness? Or will he slowly and quietly fade away a la Jevon Kearse? Time will tell.  

The Pats didn't sign Moss, so he's a free agent, though they still may sign him yet.  Stallworth is gone too. 

It's going to be a very different Patriots team this year.