Top 10 Belichick-Era Patriots Successes: #4 Asante Samuel

by Greg Knopping on Apr 27, 2011 11:50 PM EDT in New England Patriots NFL Draft

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[Editor's Note: For the month of April leading up to the draft, Bud Light will be sponsoring the NFL blogs here at SB Nation. Each day, we'll count down the top 10 Bill Belichick era Patriots "busts" and "booms" in the NFL draft." -Greg

Belichick-Era Patriots Top 10 Successes #4

Name: Asante Samuel

College: Central Florida

Drafted: 4th Round, 120th Overall, 2003

Position: Cornerback

Years with Team: 5

Where is he now? Philadelphia Eagles cornerback

Comments: Love him or hate him, there is no denying that the selection of Asante Samuel was a huge success for the New England Patriots. Seen as a mid-round prospect by most experts, the Patriots snagged Samuel in the fourth round of the 2003 draft. That year, he came up with a couple of big plays, the most notable being his pick-six against the Jets. Samuel always had a nose for the ball, he was on two Super Bowl winning teams, and was a dropped interception away from earning his team another one. Ouch. In all seriousness, despite some of the contract issues and misconception of Samuel as a shut down corner, any time you get an All-Pro Super Bowl winning cornerback who was an absolute ballhawk in the fourth round, it is going to be considered a big time success. Samuel therefore checks in at number four on the list. Had he remained around a little longer, he could have been higher.

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He was good for us. Whenever I hear a player say that “I need to do what’s best for me and my family” I know what that means. I wasn’t mad that he left. I felt like the Patriots will be okay without him.

by Patriots12 on Apr 28, 2011 12:01 AM EDT reply actions

didn't the Patriots get a 3rd round compensatory selection for him when he left

that was Tyrone McKenzie? shouldn’t that be enough to keep him off this list?

and yes, I am just funning with you Greg…at least it doesn’t say “busts” again

by pats4life on Apr 28, 2011 1:07 AM EDT reply actions

Correction-4th round

Seen as a mid-round prospect by most experts, the Patriots snagged Samuel in the second round of the 2003 draft

Non Sibi Sed Patriae ;I bleed Scarlet and Grey...A Buckeye for Life.
Cameron Heyward- Future 3-4 RDE for the New England Patriots.

by NinjaZX6R on Apr 28, 2011 1:15 AM EDT reply actions

and here I thought he'd stopped drinking on the job

good luck with the “flu” Greg. I hope you recover from it soon!

by pats4life on Apr 28, 2011 1:16 AM EDT up reply actions

I quit drinking cough syrup a looooong time ago

it’s all about popping those nyquil/dayquil pills now baby (sort of a joke, potential employers… I am sick)

by Greg Knopping on Apr 28, 2011 8:23 AM EDT up reply actions

you sure didn't say that in the last thread

I should probably note that I have the flu and am about two bottles deep on cough syrup, nyquil, mucinex, and advil

If that counts for anything haha

by Greg Knopping on Apr 26, 2011 8:45 PM PDT up reply actions

by pats4life on Apr 28, 2011 4:36 PM EDT up reply actions

maybe that was a different Greg Knopping

by pats4life on Apr 28, 2011 4:36 PM EDT up reply actions

He also got burned on the Panthers TD w. a min to go in SB 38

Screw him. He doesn’t even deserve to be in the top 10. His tattoo pissed me off…I forget what it said.

Non Sibi Sed Patriae ;I bleed Scarlet and Grey...A Buckeye for Life.
Cameron Heyward- Future 3-4 RDE for the New England Patriots.

by NinjaZX6R on Apr 28, 2011 1:17 AM EDT reply actions

Get Paid...that it!

yeah…get paid for what? blowing coverage to a ST WR…DIAF

Non Sibi Sed Patriae ;I bleed Scarlet and Grey...A Buckeye for Life.
Cameron Heyward- Future 3-4 RDE for the New England Patriots.

by NinjaZX6R on Apr 28, 2011 1:18 AM EDT up reply actions

U MAD BRO?

by pats4life on Apr 28, 2011 1:19 AM EDT up reply actions

Aren't you ?

Blew our chances w. 19-0.

Non Sibi Sed Patriae ;I bleed Scarlet and Grey...A Buckeye for Life.
Cameron Heyward- Future 3-4 RDE for the New England Patriots.

by NinjaZX6R on Apr 28, 2011 1:21 AM EDT up reply actions

So did the entire o-line

EVH+DLR=BFFs........ God I Hope So!!

by dmstorm22 on Apr 28, 2011 1:30 AM EDT up reply actions

You still like Mankins?

His ability to absolutely suck against Justin Tuck kinda helped blow your chances as well.

EVH+DLR=BFFs........ God I Hope So!!

by dmstorm22 on Apr 28, 2011 1:30 AM EDT up reply actions

They still held up in the final drive.

even though the Pats used tons of max protection. Ashante Shamuel had man to man coverage on a wr, who btw was thissss close to not being on the 45 man roster.

Non Sibi Sed Patriae ;I bleed Scarlet and Grey...A Buckeye for Life.
Cameron Heyward- Future 3-4 RDE for the New England Patriots.

by NinjaZX6R on Apr 28, 2011 1:46 AM EDT up reply actions