Eagles sign Asante Samuel

Sportsfan20 March 4th 2008, 9:06 pm

The Philadelphia Eagles got the defensive playmaker they desperately needed, signing free-agent cornerback Asante Samuel to a six-year contract on Friday.
Samuel, an All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection this past season, spent the last five seasons with the New England Patriots and had 16 interceptions the last two seasons. The Eagles wasted little time making an offer, reportedly worth up to $60 million, on the first day of free agency.
The Eagles badly needed a shutdown corner like Samuel. Philadelphia had only 11 interceptions last year and failed to score a defensive touchdown. Its defense had an NFL-worst 19 takeaways.
Samuel, who won two Super Bowl rings, has 22 career interceptions.

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This is a great signing for the Birds. This gives us the option to trade Lito for a WR or to move up in the draft. Or if we keep Lito, we move Sheldon Brown to SS. So it is a win-win either way. This is a bigger addition than some may think, cuz the Eagles were last in takeways last year and Samuel has more combined in 2 years(16).