Why Trading Asante Samuel Would Be a Terrible Decision

For the past week or so, trade rumors surrounding current Eagles cornerback Asante Samuel have been swirling.

Most likely, this is happening either because someone in the Eagles let out the rumor to stir attention towards the team or because this is an actual topic for trade conversation.

In my opinion, trading Samuel would be a horrible decision.

The Eagles finished 8-8 last season (winning four in a row to end the year and coming within a Jets touchdown drive of making the playoffs). They started the year 1-4, blowing leads in three of their first four losses, but still managed to be in the playoff hunt till the end.

They beat the Giants, who won the Super Bowl, at Giants Stadium without Michael Vick and led after three quarters when the teams played in Philly. They would have won that game too if not for a fluky play where Victor Cruz scored a long touchdown.

The Eagles have the talent needed to win a Super Bowl, and trading away their four-time Pro Bowl corner for nearly nothing would be stupid.

If the people making the decisions really believe that trading Samuel will improve the defense, they must be fooling themselves. The Eagles' defense played as poorly on defense last year as they had in recent memory (blowing leads, allowing freak touchdowns, etc.), and fans and the team alike hope that it was an anamoly.

Because even with their defense struggles, they managed to almost get into the playoffs.

Samuel improves the team's defense in many ways because he is a Pro Bowl player and brings a fear factor to the unit. And while he does like to gamble, his success rate is higher than that of most players.

He is one of the league leaders in interceptions since 2008 because he is that good. His teammates seem to like him, he is a fun personality and is always there to rally the troops on the sideline.

Also, the rumors say the Eagles want to get a low draft pick for him. That, in and of itself, is not wise because whoever the Eagles would acquire in the draft would be nowhere near the talent level of Samuel.

History shows that the Eagles have done this before and it hasn't worked, so hopefully they take a look in the mirror and don't repeat the same mistake.

Please keep Asante Samuel, it would be the best decision of the offseason.

-Eagles fan hoping for a 2012 Super Bowl run.