Asante Samuel

Asante Samuel has become one of the most prolific interception artists in the NFL over the last several years. But one thing the Eagles cornerback is not is a prototypical tackler. In fact, Samuel sometimes can't tackle at all. In the Eagles' 13-9 loss to the Raiders on Sunday, he missed several would-be takedowns, including a wide-open shot at Raiders tight end Zach Miller during his 86-yard touchdown catch and run. Samuel recorded zero tackles in the game and compounded his poor tackling by taking an untimely unsportsmanlike conduct personal foul in the first half.

Rumors continue to circulate about Asante Samuel's future destination, but there was no concrete movement on the Eagles cornerback's fate Thursday. The day began with a report that Samuel, 31, and due a $9.5 million base salary this coming season, could soon be headed to the Tennessee Titans, but the Nashville newspaper, the Tennessean, reiterated its previous reporting that such a move is unlikely to happen soon. One reporter there wrote on Twitter that the Titans' interest is "lukewarm.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - The halftime score was every bit as bad as Giants 24, Eagles 3 would suggest. The game of the year seemed to be over before it started. And while speechifying can be overrated in sports, more about story line than about reality, someone felt the need to get up and say something. It was Asante Samuel, playing in his first game in a month after suffering a sprained knee. "Everybody, come show your heart," is what he remembers saying. "Let your heart show this second half.

ATLANTA — I'm not sure what Asante Samuel was prouder of Sunday — his Falcons' dramatic, 30-28 playoff win over the Seattle Seahawks, or his new nickname for his quarterback, Matt Ryan. "I've changed Matty Ice's name," the former Eagles cornerback said. "I don't know if he's going to accept it. But it's [now] Matt Black Ice. "Black ice is slick. Matt is slick. Matt Black Ice! That's his new name. " The Falcons needed every bit of Ryan's slickness Sunday to overcome a second-half collapse by Samuel and the Falcons' defense.

The in-game thumping was performed by the Atlanta Falcons, an unbeaten football team with Matt Ryan, a tremendously talented Exton native, at quarterback. The postgame pounding was administered by Asante Samuel, a former Eagles cornerback best known for three things: missed tackles, trash-talking and interceptions. Samuel, as he did during his four seasons in Philadelphia, missed some tackles, including one that led to a LeSean McCoy touchdown in the second quarter. What he did not miss after the Falcons' 30-17 win over the Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field was an opportunity to tear down his former head coach.

The in-game thumping was performed by the Atlanta Falcons, an unbeaten football team with Matt Ryan, a tremendously talented Philadelphia native, at quarterback. The postgame pounding was administered by Asante Samuel, a former Eagles cornerback best known for three things: missed tackles, trash-talking and interceptions. Samuel, as he did during his four seasons in Philadelphia, missed some tackles, including one that led to a LeSean McCoy touchdown in the second quarter. What he did not miss after the Falcons' 30-17 win over the Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field was an opportunity to tear down his former head coach.

MINNEAPOLIS - This is the National Football League playoffs, not the Olympic boxing tournament. When you evaluate a defense, you don't just count the body shots and award points based upon quantity. In this brutal business, in January most of all, it is the quality of the punches that matter. You cannot win if you cannot land a couple of big ones. That is what Asante Samuel does. It was a brutal game - very tough physically. The Eagles and the Minnesota Vikings pounded each other with blunt instruments for more than 3 hours.

WITH A HORDE of reporters waiting for Asante Samuel to exit the shower following the Falcons' 30-17 dismantling of the Eagles, a buzz of giddy anticipation filled the visitors' locker room. Falcons players milled around in their towels, even clearing out space for reporters. Many refused to shower until Samuel emerged. They were a group frozen by the fear of missing out on what they assumed would be an interview to remember from their most loquacious teammate. The cocksure Samuel, as usual, didn't disappoint.

Asante Samuel was back in Philadelphia Friday, helping fix up a home for a single mother just a few minutes from Lincoln Financial Field. The most pressing question for football fans is whether Samuel will be spending much more time in Philadelphia or if he will take his game elsewhere. Asked if he wants to be back as an Eagle, Samuel said simply, "Of course. " But he didn't elaborate. "I just take it day-to-day, see what the future holds," Samuel said. But he said he had received no clear indication from the team what its plans are for him next year.

Asante Samuel said that he expects to be greeted warmly when he returns to Lincoln Financial Field as a member of the Falcons on Sunday. "They better cheer for me," Samuel said to reporters in Atlanta. "They're going to cheer for me, or we're going to have a problem right there in Lincoln Financial [Field]. All you all fans, all I did for you all, you all better cheer for me. Deuce here. Got nothing but love for you all. " Samuel returns with the undefeated Falcons. It was pointed out to the cornerback during a four-minute interview the struggles the 3-3 Eagles have had on defense this season.

If it was just his daughter's recital, or just his wedding, or even the recital and the wedding, you could excuse Cary Williams' absence from most of the voluntary workouts this offseason. But the veteran cornerback not only scheduled his nuptials during the period reserved for spring practices, he had dental work and the building of a house - reasons he gave for missing workouts in April - planned prior to his signing with the Eagles in March. After this week's three-day, mandatory minicamp, the players will have six weeks of freedom - or to have elective surgery - before training camp begins.

ANDREW BYNUM showed the good people of Spain something he has yet to show Sixers fans: That he's got moves. The Sixers' center, who didn't play a single game this past season because of bad knees, was recently filmed flamenco dancing at a club in Madrid. Guess the local bowling alley was closed. Actually, Spanish dancing was appropriate, considering Bynum took an 82-game siesta this season. A little more than a month ago, Bynum had arthroscopic surgery on both his knees.

Free agency begins this week, but the top player the Eagles should target won't technically be on the open market when the clock strikes 4 p.m. Tuesday. But he will be available, and he will make more of a difference than any of the hundreds of free agents looking for jobs in two days. Darrelle Revis is on the trading block, and the Eagles should do whatever is takes to acquire the New York Jets cornerback. They have the draft picks; the salary-cap space; and, most important, a glaring hole in the secondary that makes dealing for the all-pro a no-brainer.

ATLANTA — I'm not sure what Asante Samuel was prouder of Sunday — his Falcons' dramatic, 30-28 playoff win over the Seattle Seahawks, or his new nickname for his quarterback, Matt Ryan. "I've changed Matty Ice's name," the former Eagles cornerback said. "I don't know if he's going to accept it. But it's [now] Matt Black Ice. "Black ice is slick. Matt is slick. Matt Black Ice! That's his new name. " The Falcons needed every bit of Ryan's slickness Sunday to overcome a second-half collapse by Samuel and the Falcons' defense.

The Kansas City Chiefs will introduce John Dorsey as their new general manager on Monday, the team said. Dorsey was the Green Bay Packers' director of football operations and has ties to new Chiefs coach Andy Reid. They worked together in Green Bay from 1992-98. The Chiefs plan to interview fired New York Jets offensive coordinator Tony Sparano for the offensive line job, according to an ESPN report Sunday. Sparano emerged as a candidate with the Chiefs after Cleveland offensive line coach George Warhop, who was targeted for the job by new Kansas City coach Andy Reid, elected to stay with the Browns and new head coach Rob Chudzinski.

Up-Down Drill   Andy Reid We've reached the lowest point in Reid's tenure. He has had worse records, but never has the coach been as close to losing his job as he is now. It's fair to wonder if he's lost his ability to reach his players.   Jason Babin/ Trent Cole The defensive line finally notched a sack (two of them!), but neither came from the Eagles' vaunted defensive ends. Babin and Cole have been among the biggest disappointments in a season of many disappointments.

The in-game thumping was performed by the Atlanta Falcons, an unbeaten football team with Matt Ryan, a tremendously talented Exton native, at quarterback. The postgame pounding was administered by Asante Samuel, a former Eagles cornerback best known for three things: missed tackles, trash-talking and interceptions. Samuel, as he did during his four seasons in Philadelphia, missed some tackles, including one that led to a LeSean McCoy touchdown in the second quarter. What he did not miss after the Falcons' 30-17 win over the Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field was an opportunity to tear down his former head coach.

WITH A HORDE of reporters waiting for Asante Samuel to exit the shower following the Falcons' 30-17 dismantling of the Eagles, a buzz of giddy anticipation filled the visitors' locker room. Falcons players milled around in their towels, even clearing out space for reporters. Many refused to shower until Samuel emerged. They were a group frozen by the fear of missing out on what they assumed would be an interview to remember from their most loquacious teammate. The cocksure Samuel, as usual, didn't disappoint.

The in-game thumping was performed by the Atlanta Falcons, an unbeaten football team with Matt Ryan, a tremendously talented Philadelphia native, at quarterback. The postgame pounding was administered by Asante Samuel, a former Eagles cornerback best known for three things: missed tackles, trash-talking and interceptions. Samuel, as he did during his four seasons in Philadelphia, missed some tackles, including one that led to a LeSean McCoy touchdown in the second quarter. What he did not miss after the Falcons' 30-17 win over the Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field was an opportunity to tear down his former head coach.

When the Eagles run Ever since LeSean McCoy 's explosive second half against the New York Giants, the Eagles have had a difficult time getting yards on the ground. In the first four games the running back ran 81 times for 384 yards (a 4.7 average). Against the Steelers and Lions in the last two, McCoy was held to 75 yards on 30 carries (2.5 avg.). Bryce Brown has given the Eagles very little (19 carries for 51 yards) in the backup role. Some of the blame for the recent woes can be pinned on the offensive line.