Team president Joe Banner said the Eagles are approaching the cornerback logjam the same way they handled having three starting-caliber quarterbacks in Michael Vick, Donovan McNabb and Kevin Kolb two offseasons ago.
"It may be the best thing for us to do to keep all three," Banner said to profootballtalk.com. "Certainly, that's a phenomenal situation. Our cap situation and cash situation is as such that we can do that.
"At the same time, as that happened with those guys, we did start getting inquiries from people that have a shortage at corner or are looking to upgrade at corner and are inquiring whether we'd be willing. What we've said to people is we'll listen to offers, and if they make sense for us and make us better, we'll consider doing something."
Samuel was asked if he had approached the Eagles about trading him.
"No comment," he said.
Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said that Samuel had not asked to be traded. Asked if he felt wanted by the team, however, the corner said "probably 50-50."
"If they're tired of my big-play-making ability maybe they'll ship me off, or maybe they'll want to keep me," Samuel said. "Who knows?"
It's not out of the realm of possibilities that the Eagles will indeed keep Samuel. Cornerback is one of the most important positions in the NFL and with offenses increasingly passing more defenses often need three corners for three-receiver sets.
So if all three stick around, who will play where? So far there is no clear answer. Until Monday, Samuel was on his excused leave, and Asomugha remained sidelined because of rules forbidding free agents from practicing until Aug. 4.
At Monday afternoon's walk-through Samuel was the left corner, and Rodgers-Cromartie was on the right side even though he played on the left at each previous practice. Samuel has played exclusively on the left for the Eagles, as did Rodgers-Cromartie with his former team, the Cardinals.
Asomugha played right corner for the Raiders, although he was lined up almost everywhere in their defense.
All three have said that they would be willing to line up as the nickel in the slot. Rodgers-Cromartie, now in his fourth season, has deferred to the 30-year-old veterans.
"That's probably how it will go," said Rodgers-Cromartie, who added that he's never played the nickel back position. "And when all three come in you got them being the top guys. So I just sit back, wait for the opportunity and keep grinding."
Eagles defensive coordinator Juan Castillo said that he may use Asomugha like the Packers have used cornerback Charles Woodson, giving him sort of a free-lance role in which he could blitz from the slot or drop back into coverage.
"I think he'd love that role, being able to blitz, a big tall guy like that coming off the edge, and then all of a sudden press coverage against the slot guy," Castillo said.
Asomugha said that Oakland often moved him into the slot.
"There would always be a package for me each game where I would jump in there," he said. "I'm willing and able. I'm just here to help out."
If the Eagles can get all three on the same page, it may work. Samuel said that the threesome was the best in the league "on paper."
"But until we play the game we'll see how it goes," he added. "It's a bunch of big-name players on the team. We're the 'Dream Team,' right? I guess we'll find out after the Super Bowl."
That is, if he lasts that long.
When Samuel walked out onto the field for his first practice of camp he yelled - in typical bravado fashion - "Asante's back!"
But for how long?
Staff writer Jonathan Tamari contributed to this story.
Contact staff writer Jeff McLane at 215-854-4745, jmclane@phillynews.com or @Jeff_McLane on Twitter.
