Remembering the Patriot: Asante Samuel
Welcome to another edition of Musket Fire’s Remembering the Patriot series in which the writer draws a random 21st century New England Patriots player from memory and remembers his contributions to the franchise. This morning, we’re taking a look back at the career of former Patriots cornerback Asante Samuel.
Over the course of his five seasons with the Patriots, Samuel earned two Super Bowl rings, a Pro Bowl berth in 2007 and a spot on the Patriots’ All-2000s team. Not too shabby.
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The Patriots nabbed Samuel in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL Draft, from which point he made an immediate impact for the team, picking off two passes and returning one for a touchdown.
After injuries sidelined Tyrone Poole and Ty Law in 2004, Samuel took over a starting role. He actually started for the Pats in Super Bowl XXXIX against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Samuel broke out in 2006, intercepting an eye-popping 10 passes and 24 passes defended. That was the most interceptions for a Patriots cornerback since Ron Hall picked off 11 in 1964, when the game was a very different form than it is today.
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The good times kept coming for Samuel in 2007 when he snagged six picks, returning one for a touchdown. However, his final snaps as a Patriot will forever be remembered by the interception that he let slip through his hands on the New York Giants’ game-winning drive in Super Bowl XLII.
In five seasons with the Patriots, Samuel accumulated 22 interceptions and three pick-sixes in the regular season and five interceptions and three pick-sixes in the playoffs.
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The Philadelphia Eagles signed Samuel to a free agent deal in 2008, where he would play for four years before finishing his career with two seasons in Atlanta. Samuel was one of the best cornerbacks in Patriots’ history, and one of the better cover men of this century; he is the NFL’s 32nd all-time leader in interceptions with 51.
The Patriots haven’t had a cornerback quite like Samuel since he departed eight years ago, although former practice squader Daxton Swanson was awfully reminiscent of Samuel in the 2015 preseason.
In case you missed it, here is yesterday’s edition of the series:
Remembering the Patriot: LB Rosevelt Colvin
Next: 5 positions Patriots must address in free agency
Be sure to check back tomorrow morning as we remember the career of former Patriots running back Antowain Smith.