Tag: Asante Samuel

Former Patriot takes shot at Bill Belichick after embarrassing loss to Bears

Harsh words from a former New England Patriots defensive player

Not everyone is a fan of the way coach Bill Belichick has handled things in the aftermath of his historic run with legendary quarterback Tom Brady.

Many still consider the previous success as due to the franchise catching lightning in a bottle with the greatest quarterback and greatest coach of all time. However, some see it as one having more influence over the success, while the other was simply along for the ride.

Former Patriots cornerback Asante Samuel falls into the latter category.

After watching the Patriots get dismantled by the Chicago Bears on Monday night, the former four-time Pro Bowler took a shot at his former coach on social media.

“Belichick is starting to show you he is an average coach without Brady,” Samuel posted.

There’s no question that Belichick has struggled this season, but his biggest issues have dealt more with personnel decisions than anything else.

He’s the one that made the decision to try and turn Matt Patricia into an offensive play-caller, when he could have hired a seasoned veteran for the job. The quarterback controversy is a thing because he still isn’t vehemently proclaiming anyone as the starter. It’s a mess right now in New England.

But calling Belichick an “average coach” is a huge stretch.

Granted, he isn’t making it any easier in a year when his team is getting pounded like a drum. Former NFL running back LeSean McCoy unleashed a verbal tirade back in September, basically saying the same thing as Samuel.

Whether it’s fair or unfair, it’s open season on Belichick with the Patriots sinking back to a losing record and the fourth place spot in the AFC East division.

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17 former Eagles nominated for 2023 Pro Football Hall of Fame class

Brian Westbrook, Donovan McNabb, and Eric Allen are among the 17 former Philadelphia Eagles nominated for the 2023 Pro Football Hall of Fame class

The NFL just announced that nine players in their first year of eligibility are among the list of 129 Modern-Era Nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2023.

The list of first-time nominees includes running back Chris Johnson, Philadelphia native Jahri Evans, offensive linemen Joe Thomas, defensive lineman Dwight Freeney, linebackers NaVorro Bowman and James Harrison, defensive backs Kam Chancellor and Darrelle Revis, and punter Shane Lechler.

The list of Modern-Era Nominees will be reduced to 25 Semifinalists in November and, from there, to 15 Finalists whose names will be announced in early January.

Here’s the list of 14 former Eagles among the nominees.

Broncos CB Pat Surtain draws praise from NFL’s past and present cornerbacks

Some of the NFL’s best cornerbacks from recent memory are in agreement: Pat Surtain is a star! ⭐

Denver Broncos defensive back Pat Surtain is only 17 games into his NFL career, but he’s already considered one of the top cornerbacks in the league.

And you don’t have to take the word of a biased Broncos fan for that fact — just ask some of the game’s top cornerbacks from the previous generation.

After Surtain held Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf to just 35 receiving yards in Week 1, veteran cornerback Darius Slay tweeted that the young cornerback is already one of the “best press technicians” in the NFL.

That’s high praise from Slay, an All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowler with 23 interceptions on his resume.

Richard Sherman, a Super Bowl champion, All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowler agreed with Slay and pointed out that Surtain looks like a 10th-year veteran.

Asante Samuel, a two-time Super Bowl champion, All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowler, tweeted Surtain directly to tell him he’s going to be a great player.

Fans in Denver have to love seeing Surtain get that kind of praise from some of the game’s top cornerbacks. Surtain certainly has a bright future ahead of him.

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40 highest-rated Chargers players in ‘Madden 23’

Here are the Los Angeles Chargers’ 40 highest-rated players in this year’s version of the game.

EA Sports’ Madden 23 will officially drop to the general public on Aug 19, but today marked the release of individual overall ratings for every player in the NFL.

Here are the team’s 40 highest-rated Chargers players in this year’s version of the game.

Asante Samuel has strong take on Tom Brady-Bill Belichick debate

Asante Samuel shared his thoughts on the Tom Brady-Bill Belichick debate, siding with the former Patriots QB

Former New England Patriots cornerback Asante Samuel has not been shy about criticizing head coach Bill Belichick, and he added to his criticisms of his former coach on Wednesday.

The Tom Brady-Bill Belichick debate has been a strong one ever since the two parted ways following the 2020 season. Samuel took a strong stance on the debate of who was most important during the Patriots’ dynasty, siding with Brady.

Here’s what he said on the “I Am Athlete” podcast.

Samuel played five seasons for New England. He won two Super Bowls with the organization during that timeframe. He played for the Philadelphia Eagles and Atlanta Falcons following his time with the Patriots.

Samuel tallied 434 total tackles and 51 interceptions, including six returns for a touchdown, in what was a productive career.

Strong arguments could be made for both sides of the debate. We certainly know where Samuel stands on this topic.

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Watch: Asante Samuel explains how he knew Nnamdi Asomugha was overrated when he signed with Eagles

Former NFL cornerback Asante Samuel explains how he knew Nnamdi Asomugha was overrated when he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles

The acquisition of Darius Slay three years was widely praised because of his considerable abilities at cornerback. It presented Eagles fans with the first genuine opportunity to move on from the Nnamdi Asomugha disaster.

Asomugha was considered one of the NFL’s top cornerbacks when he entered free agency in 2011, even though he was about to turn 30.

Several teams pursued the Raiders’ All-Pro cornerback, and the Philadelphia Eagles offered the most attractive deal, a Five year, $60 million contract with $25 million guaranteed.

Asomugha joined a secondary that boasted two other Pro Bowlers, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Asante Samuel. The results were disastrous as Philadelphia went 12-20, allowing 60 touchdown passes over the next two seasons, as Andy Reid was eventually fired.

Asomugha was a horrible fit with the Eagles and produced four interceptions in those 32 games, with $25 million guaranteed earned.

The now successful actor and producer benefited from alleged preferential treatment, and one former All-Pro cornerback on his way out the door says he knew the outcome immediately.

Asante Samuel Sr. was a recent guest on the ‘ I Am Athlete’ Podcast and called Asomugha “overrated” while discussing the former Philadelphia cornerback with future Ring of Honor inductee LeSean McCoy.

Samuel told McCoy, Brandon Marshall, and Adam Jones that the NFL “makes up” and “controls the narrative” when hyping or promoting certain players.

When discussing Asmugha, Samuel called the former NFL cornerback “overrated” and highlighted how his signing was a disaster from the first practice at the 23:16 mark of the video.

Things never materialized for the guy widely considered the best cornerback in the NFL when the Eagles signed the former Raiders cornerback to a record-setting $60 million contract.

A three-time All-Pro in Oakland, Asomugha was a shell of his former self in Philadelphia and was quickly run out of town after just two dreadful seasons.

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Asante Samuel questions Bill Belichick after missing Patriots Hall of Fame

Asante Samuel will forever have issues with Bill Belichick.

Logan Mankins, Mike Vrabel and Vince Wilfork were named finalists for the 2022 induction to the Patriots Hall of Fame.

The other nominees who missed the cut were Julius Adams, Chuck Fairbanks, Lawyer Milloy, Bill Parcells, John Smith and Wes Welker. Fans will vote for one inductee this offseason and the winner will be enshrined in the Patriots Hall of Fame, right outside of Gillette Stadium.

One former Patriot who wasn’t happy with the results was Asante Samuel, and he directed his energy toward Bill Belichick. The former star cornerback has had issues with Belichick in the past and he’s been very vocal about them.

Earning this honor is an extremely difficult feat, and Vrabel is the perfect example of that. He was a key cog in the Patriots’ early Super Bowl runs and he’s been a finalist for six consecutive years now. He was also with the team for eight seasons and Samuel was around for five.

Also, there’s another key thing to point out here — Belichick has zero say in the decision-making during this process.

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Darius Slay makes the case for former Eagles CB Asante Samuel to be in the Hall of Fame

Darius #Slay makes the case for former #Eagles CB Asante Samuel #Pick6 to be in the #ProFootballHOF

Asante Samuel was the Eagles version of a ‘Big Play’ long before Darius Slay came along and the current version has been paying homage to the former NFL cornerback after the past several days.

Slay initially tweeted out his support for Samuel Sr., and on Wednesday, Philadelphia’s current Pro Bowl cornerback made the case for why Super Bowl-winning cornerback should be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Slay’s argument was that if Samuel hasn’t been inducted, then what will the committee require for the next generation of top cornerbacks.

Selected in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL Draft, Samuel logged 51 interceptions in his career with the New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles, and Atlanta Falcons, good for 32nd all-time in NFL history.

Slay for his part, has 23 career interceptions.

Samuel was named an All-Pro team three times and earned four Pro Bowl trips, along with winning two Super Bowls with the Patriots. Samuel also twice (2006-2009) led the league in interceptions, racking 10 in both seasons.

Samuel is the father of Asante Samuel Jr., the cornerback out of Florida State who was drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers in 2021.

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Chargers injury report: RB Austin Ekeler among 4 limited participants

The Chargers had a few notable names on Thursday’s injury report.

The Chargers had their second practice on Thursday in preparation for their Week 14 matchup against the Giants.

On the injury report was a slew of notable names, including four who were limited participants, Austin Ekeler, Justin Jones, Linval Joseph, and Asante Samuel Jr.

Ekeler suffered an ankle injury late in Week 13’s matchup against the Bengals. However, there hasn’t been a word from head coach Brandon Staley, which means it could just be cautionary.

Jones left last Sunday’s game with knee and ankle injuries, and Staley said he is supposed to be limited throughout the week. His game status remains to be seen.

Joseph was activated off the COVID-19 list and returned to practice. He did not play against the Bengals because Staley felt he wasn’t in the proper game shape, considering he was also dealing with a shoulder issue.

Samuel returned to practice after missing the last two, and while there’s a chance he can return, he is still working through concussion protocol.

Kyler Fackrell (knee) and Alohi Gilman (quadriceps) did not practice.

Chargers final injury report vs. Broncos: Asante Samuel Jr., Alohi Gilman out

The Los Angeles Chargers released their final injury report ahead of the Week 12 battle with the Denver Broncos.

The Los Angeles Chargers released their final injury report ahead of the Week 12 battle with the Denver Broncos.

Here is a look at the report:

QUESTIONABLE

Matt Feiler

Trey Marshall

OUT

Alohi Gilman

Asante Samuel Jr.

Not listed but will be out is safety Mark Webb, who was placed on the injured reserve with a knee injury. However, coach Brandon Staley said that he expects him to return this season.

Samuel was ruled out due to a concussion which he suffered in the victory over the Steelers. It marked his second one of the season, which is concerning and will be monitored closely.

If Feiler can’t play, the team will decide who starts at left guard between Senio Kelemete and Brenden Jaimes.