Asante Samuel Signing and a Larry Fitzgerald Trade Would Make This City’s Heart Explode
It’s still wishful thinking, but it feels like the rumblings about the Eagles not letting Patriots free agent cornerback Asante Samuel leave the musty confines of the Nova Care Complex this afternoon without a hefty contract could actually be legit.
Other free-agent names being tossed around are less sexy, more hole-filling (not a euphemism): Justin Smith, the once dominant defensive end for the Cincinnati Bengals; Gibril Wilson, the New York Giants safety; and a crop of receivers including the Bears’ Bernard Berrian, the Jets’ Justin McCareins, the Cardinals’ Bryant Johnson, and the Texans’ Andre Davis.
The most intriguing and perhaps off-the-wall possibility is the culmination of the trade rumor started two weeks ago about Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald. Should the Samuel trade happen, GCobb’s crew (plus other NFL insiders) see the Eagles packaging disgruntled (and less productive) cornerback Lito Shepard with the 19th pick to the Redbirds to gain Fitzgerald’s services. The Cardinals would be relieved of the $14 million Fitzgerald is supposed to receive this year, and the Eagles would some how rejigger the contract to make that a signing bonus instead.
Of course, can anybody who’s been a longtime fan of this team see that happening? If it does, consider all of those dashed hopes and broken dreams from last season officially rejuvenated.
Eagles in hunt for Asante Samuel and Gibril Wilson [Inquirer]
Samuel Signing Could Be Prelude [GCobb]
Asante Samuel To The Birds? [The700Level]