Asante wanted to be Donovan McNabb in HS

by JasonB on Mar 1, 2008 9:02 AM EST in Philadelphia Eagles News

I found this little note in an old article on Asante Samuel I found. Thought it was pretty interesting.

Back then, Samuel used to be a quarterback. His high school team, Boyd Anderson in Lauderdale Lake, Fla., lined up a cadre of receivers and let it fly.

"He used to sprint out of the pocket, try to be Donovan McNabb," recalled his cousin, Emory Jones. "He got run down all the time."

There was also a great story about his final HS game.

Samuel was preparing for his final high school game when Egelsky approached him 10 minutes before kickoff. The starting quarterback was hurt and couldn't go. Asante would have to play both ways.

He threw two touchdown passes, intercepted two more, and rushed for 80 yards. He also returned punts and kickoffs.

"It was one of the greatest performances in a single game I've ever seen," Egelsky said.

"Just showing the coach I could play a little quarterback," Samuel said.

The article is a really great read and reveals a lot about who Samuel is as a person. I'd highly recommend it.

Anyone else find this interesting?

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Comments

Great....even more QB controversy...

:-)

When I made the choice that I did I thought I was doing the right thing, not going to Vegas and drinking for two or three days. ---Tony Romo

by BrianS on Mar 1, 2008 9:28 AM EST reply actions

Even more QB controversy?????

come on how could you even consider this to even have the possiblility to be more QB controversy. he is a guy who played second string qb in highschool. and to top that of that he mimiced McNabb when he played.

by NickPampani on Mar 1, 2008 10:01 AM EST up reply actions

I think you missed the sarcasm...

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by JasonB on Mar 1, 2008 10:11 AM EST up reply actions

Yeah man

Totally kidding about Samuel at QB. It's Feeley all the way.

In seriousness, I like the signing and I think it makes the team better. I hope that one of my favorite players (Lito) doesn't get run out of town (or talk his way out of town) because of it.

But, if only because of health issues, I think this is an upgrade.

When I made the choice that I did I thought I was doing the right thing, not going to Vegas and drinking for two or three days. ---Tony Romo

by BrianS on Mar 1, 2008 10:41 AM EST up reply actions

yeah

yeah i feel the same way about lito. he diffinatly is one of my favorit players and i really dont want to see him go and if he does this pick up would be much of an improvement.

i relly like the pick up and i am really excited about this off season

by NickPampani on Mar 1, 2008 10:58 AM EST up reply actions

Lito Demotion

I don't think the Eagles plan to throw Lito out in the street. They are not paying him that much this year, and they could just hold on to him as nickel corner and insurance policy. If he wasn't playing that much, they might put him back to return kickoffs, which he did in college. That isn't to say that if the right trade develops they won't trade him.

by dmullin on Mar 1, 2008 9:32 AM EST reply actions

Yeah but...

I highly doubt Lito is going to accept a backup role. If they can talk Brown into moving to safety, then maybe they will have the option. But that's the first move.

http://www.sporsdork.com

by BFH on Mar 1, 2008 10:16 AM EST up reply actions

Actually

Let me rephrase that. Lito is NOT going to accept a backup role. Either he's the other starting corner or he's going to demand to be sent elsewhere.

http://www.sporsdork.com

by BFH on Mar 1, 2008 10:25 AM EST up reply actions

that's what i'm hoping will happen

By the comments Sheldon has been making, I don't see a problem moving him to S. He's been saying that he doesn't want anyone to leave and he looks forward to playing alongside BOTH Lito and Asante and to have the best secondary in the NFL. He also said he spoke with Lito after the signing and Lito plans to be here.

Moving him to S, gives us the best base/nickel/dime unit in the NFL. Bring Q in at S in nick/dime and move Sheldon down to either the RCB or to the Nickel CB. Lito takes the other spot.... Let's just hope it happens that way...

by foos05 on Mar 1, 2008 10:29 AM EST up reply actions

LBs

as i was looking t this depth chart i noticed that jordan is our starting Will and not spikes

by NickPampani on Mar 1, 2008 10:31 AM EST reply actions

Where's Takeo?

The fact that Spikes' name is not on this list is WAY more interesting than Lito being listed as the second stringer.

by RichieOfAshburn on Mar 1, 2008 11:16 AM EST up reply actions

spikes

Spikes was placed on IR at the end of the season so he is not listed on the depth chart because of the shoulder.

by Buckwampum Birds Fan on Mar 3, 2008 8:01 PM EST up reply actions

yeah

i saw that too, i was hoping someone else did. what gives? i know spikes is making a ton of money, but i don't know if i'm ready to throw the entire lb core into the hands of the young guys

by king myno on Mar 1, 2008 11:17 AM EST up reply actions

Depth Chart is Wacky

I just checked the interactive depth chart on the Eagle site. I think some editor believes March 1st is March Fool's Day because it is obviously incorrect. Maybe it's being updated this morning but go check it out, it's not right.

by RichieOfAshburn on Mar 1, 2008 11:36 AM EST up reply actions

LBs

the facts are that omar is good enough to be that cornerston of our linebacking core. he has played 2 years one with trotter and one with spikes, he is ready to take on the leading role. gocong had a good year and is looking pretty solid.

i trust jim johnson when he says our young lbs are ready.

my speculation is that spikes is on his way out. i think he is still a great player that could be great trade bait. there are alot of young lbs out there and alot of teams that could use a veteran lb to solidify their deffence. teams like detroit and cincy need defence help and we need reciver help i know williams and johnson are soposidly off the market but that just means they havent had the right offer made to them yet. detroit has spent somthing like the 4 of their last 6 1st round draft picks ond WRs.

by NickPampani on Mar 1, 2008 11:41 AM EST up reply actions

ummm

my speculation is that Spikes ended last year on the IR and they neglected to stick him back in when they were so eager to put Samuel's name there... It's been fixed now. Honestly they should either disable the depth chart for now or make sure it's up to date. I'm not saying Spikes won't go eventually, but for now he's a starter.

by foos05 on Mar 1, 2008 12:04 PM EST up reply actions

Because he was on IR

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by JasonB on Mar 1, 2008 12:24 PM EST up reply actions

Depth Chart

I don't understand the idea of moving Sheldon to safety. First, I'm assuming everyone means strong safety. Second, Quintin Mikell played very well there. So why would we move Sheldon to that spot?

It makes more sense to make Lito the other starting corner opposite Asante (assuming he isn't getting traded) and making Sheldon the nickel. That way he doesn't lose his job.

by ajay on Mar 1, 2008 11:55 AM EST reply actions

depth at cb

I was just on the eagles website and I noticed that will james is not a big deal because we have hanson but I would think of we were getting rid of lito we would sign james because at the very lwast he know our system and he knows our sceams when a rookie wouldn't.

by NickPampani on Mar 1, 2008 5:05 PM EST up reply actions

james

we still have lito... we COULD sign James, if we want him to get beat every time he steps on the field...

by foos05 on Mar 1, 2008 5:29 PM EST up reply actions

james

my point wasn't that I want james although I do think he is a good player my point was that I think if we were planning on trading lito we would of signed james

by NickPampani on Mar 1, 2008 5:47 PM EST up reply actions

Q

I like Q alot, he's a solid player and he did well last year. Sheldon is a better overall player. Also in the same light that Lito won't be happy as a backup, I doubt Sheldon will either. Q would still play safety in nickel and dime situations when Sheldon would move down to the 3rd corner.

Why would we NOT want Brown on the field somewhere in base packages?

by foos05 on Mar 1, 2008 12:02 PM EST reply actions

Indeed

He hits hard and he's a smart player. However, if the right offer comes in for Sheppard, you know the Eagles will pull the trigger.

The more I think about it, the better I like the spot the organization has put themselves in. The only way I could possibly get upset at this point is if they trade Lito for 50 cents on the dollar.

http://www.sporsdork.com

by BFH on Mar 1, 2008 8:29 PM EST up reply actions

Agreed

The public comments by Sheldon Brown, expressing a willingness to do what it takes (move to SS) to work with both Lito and Assante, make this all very intrigue-ing.

Sheldon can play the nickel in obvious passing situations, and Strong Saftey in situations that are NOT obvious run situations. Q has made himself a fine SS, but does not have the cover skills Sheldon can leverage against the fine NFC East TE (Witten, Shockey, Cooley).

Q can ply SS in obvious run situations (or perhaps JR Reed) both these guys provide saftey depth, and can be full-time special teamers. Q as a special team captain improves the Eagles there.

IF we keep Lito, and I think we should unless we get comparable value (aka Roy Williams or Larry Fitz), it is much easier to deal with his injuries. The depth of having 3 starting corners leaves you better equipped to deal w/Lito's fairly frequent injuries, and also allows Lito the time to take off and heal up.

With Sheldon as a swing player (3rd corner or Strong Safety), this team could carry 9db's... & be optimally equipped to deal with a non-devastating inj to a key player like Dawk, Lito or even Assante (heaven forbid) next year. I would go after another CB in the draft (2nd or 3rd round), making Joselio Hanson a fine dime cb, behind Lito, Assante and the new-comer (And also remembering Sheldon would swing over as the nickel when not playing SS)! At Saftey, you have 3 starting calibre guys in B-Dawk, Sheldon and Q. JR Reed and Considine round out a now deep saftey contingent.

AWESOME!

by meangreenmachine on Mar 2, 2008 1:49 PM EST up reply actions

ahhh

my friend... I've been preaching this same scenario on here since the trade... honestly, i would much rather keep lito and go this route. i'm not saying i'm the only one that's been here saying this stuff, but it seems that it's pretty divided on weather people would rather us trade lito.

by foos05 on Mar 2, 2008 6:32 PM EST up reply actions

we all know its better

we all know its better to keep lito then trade him in most if not all situations. the only issue is we do want happy players and while having lito and sheldon both stay and play in that ideal and perfect situation but we do not want an other mouthy player(which i dont think we have)in the locker room bringign bad press and hostility.

when push comes to shove i think it would be better to keep both lito and sheldon then get rid of them. if they are happy in their situation we MUST keep them.

by NickPampani on Mar 2, 2008 9:29 PM EST up reply actions