The News Of …

The Atlanta Falcons gave up only a seventh-round draft pick Wednesday when they acquired four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Asante Samuel from the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Falcons announced the trade after Samuel agreed to restructure his contract to a three-year, $18,5-million deal. His contract with Philadelphia called for him to earn $9,9 million in 2012 and $11,4 million in 2013.
Samuel (31) gives Atlanta a strong but high-priced trio at cornerback with Dunta Robinson and Brent Grimes under new defensive coordinator Mike Nolan.
Grimes (who signed his franchise tag tender Tuesday) will make $10,262 million this season. Robinson will earn $6 million.

Asante Samuel.

The Philadelphia Eagles traded cornerback Asante Samuel to the Atlanta Falcons on Wednesday in exchange for a seventh-round pick in this week’s NFL draft.
As part of the trade, Samuel and the Falcons have agreed to terms on a three-year, $18,5 million deal, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.
“We are pleased to be able to add a player of Asante’s caliber to our roster” – Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said in a statement released by the team. “Asante has established himself as a very productive player during his career. He is a proven player in this league and we feel that this move upgrades the talent of our roster and improves our football team.”
Samuel had to rework the final two years of his existing contract – which weren’t guaranteed in the first place – before the deal could be finished. Samuel was set to make $21,5 million over the next two seasons, and he would count for more than $8 million against the salary cap.
The Falcons emerged as one of the teams interested in Samuel on Tuesday, a league source told NFL Network’s Michael Lombardi, and quarterback Matt Ryan spoke glowingly of the cornerback.
“As far as Asante Samuel, I can only speak for having played against him a number of times, and I know that’s he’s been extremely difficult to play against and has done a great job against us when we’ve played him in the past” – Ryan said.
Samuel (31) had three interceptions for the Eagles last season. He has made four Pro Bowls in his career and was named a first-team All-Pro in 2007.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfmXLtcXHso

Asante Samuel was willing to restructure his contract to play for the Atlanta Falcons.
“I wanted to be a Falcon, so we made it work” – Samuel said.
The Falcons gave up only a seventh-round draft pick Wednesday when they acquired the four-time Pro Bowl cornerback from the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Falcons announced the trade after Samuel agreed to restructure his contract to a three-year, $18,5 million deal. His contract with Philadelphia called for him to earn $9,9 million in 2012 and $11,4 million in 2013.
The Falcons were 10-6 last season and 13-3 in 2010, but lost their first playoff game each season.
“The Falcons already have an excellent team and excellent coaches and schemes and talent and all that good stuff” – Samuel said in a telephone interview. “I’m just going to add to the bunch to get the one common goal.”
Samuel noted he’s already had a warm reception from Falcons fans on his Twitter account.
“I’m getting (followers) every second of the minute” – he said. “It’s fun. Everybody is excited and pumped up. It feels like I’m a missing link, so we’ll see how this thing goes.”
The 31-year-old Samuel gives Atlanta a strong but high-priced trio at cornerback with Dunta Robinson and Brent Grimes under new defensive coordinator Mike Nolan.
Grimes (who signed his franchise tag tender Tuesday) will make $10,262 million this season. Robinson will earn $6 million.
“Asante has established himself as a very productive player during his career” – Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said. “He is a proven player in this league and we feel that this move upgrades the talent of our roster and improves our football team.”