When Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff traded a seventh-round pick to the Philadelphia Eagles for cornerback Asante Samuel, he knew he was getting a veteran corner with big-play capability. He may not have known, however, that Samuel was also going to be the loudest guy on the defense.
“You can’t be within 100 yards of the practice field in Atlanta without hearing Samuel chirping about who’s making plays and who isn’t,” wrote Albert Breer of NFL.com.
Samuel spent the last four years with the Eagles until head coach Andy Reid approved the trade and remarked that the 31-year veteran’s talents were in steep decline.
When asked by a reporter about Reid’s comments, Samuel replied, “We’ll see who’s in steep decline,” reported The Atlanta Journal Constitution. The Falcons face Philadelphia on October 28.
That’s just one example but by all accounts, Samuel has been outspoken throughout the first 11 practices of training camp.
“You have to step on the field with confidence,” Samuel told the Constitution's Orlando Ledbetter. “Being a little cocky, being arrogant, but being humble at the same time. It definitely is the way to be out there as a cornerback.”
Cornerback, as they say, is an island. Either you have the confidence to guard the league’s top receivers and bait quarterbacks to throwing in your direction, or you don’t. And Samuel has it.
New defensive coordinator Mike Nolan has no problem with the confidence that Samuel brings to his position.
“I would say if he’s cocky and arrogant, that doesn’t hurt him if he backs it up and is good,” Nolan told Ledbetter.
Last year Samuel has just three interceptions, his lowest total since 2005 – his third year in the league. He also had just 10 passes defensed, the second lowest total of his career.
The Falcons are hoping Reid was wrong in his assessment of Samuel, who’s key to balancing out corners Brent Grimes and Dunta Robinson. The Falcons ranked 20th last season in passing yards allowed at 236 ypg but the Eagles ranked 10th, allowing just 212 yards through the air.
His attitude has even rubbed off on veteran S William Moore, who had 54 tackles last season for the Falcon secondary.
“He’s upgraded our swag,” Moore said to Ledbetter. “That’s huge for us. He’s a leader back there.”
For more Falcons coverage, follow Mike Singer @CBSSportsNFLAtl.