Tennessee Titans Won’t Trade for CB Asante Samuel

Looks like I’m not alone on the idea that the Tennessee Titans won’t be spending a third round draft pick on acquiring Asante Samuel. Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean posted an article today that made me all warm inside, or at least a little better. He talks about how the Titans feel pretty good with Verner and McCourty, as well as Hawkins, Campbell, and Mouton.

Another article, via the Daily Times, says Samuel is more likely to be released than traded. He, being writer Bob Grotz, talks about how Samuel has burned his bridges in Philly after publicly trashing the Eagles team president last year.

There is also talk of the third round pick being a conditional pick.

Via the Daily Times:

"Which makes the proposeddeal of Samuel to the Titans for a conditional third-round pick comical.Conditions? Just take Samuel and pretend it’s a third-round pick. If you feel like it, give us a late seventh-round choice. If you don’t like that, we’ll give you the pick back. Just don’t tell anyone. There’s your conditional draft pick."

I’m not a fan of trading for Asante Samuel, plain and simple.

Yes, looking at his career stats may entice one to drool, but stats only tell half the story. If you may remember Kenny Britt’s historic game against the Eagles two years ago… Kenny Britt was held out for two quarters due to disciplinary reasons. He then proceeded to thrash the Eagles secondary, recording 225 receiving yards and three touchdowns.

That’s what I think of when I think of Samuel.

Also, why trade for a CB when there is a draft coming up with a pretty impressive depth at the position.

If the Titans were determined offset the loss of Cortland Finnegan, why not draft another player who mirrors his energy and play style. South Carolina’s Stephon Gilmore plays with the same fire as Finnegan does and is a player the Titans could send on blitzes just like they did with Finnegan.

Samuel is not a blitzer. In his nine year career he has recorded zero sacks. Finnegan has recorded six thus far in his six year career.

There’s also the fact the Titans just don’t spend those type of picks on CB’s, even when drafting. Verner is a fourth round pick, McCourty is a sixth round pick, Campbell is a 7th round pick, as was Finnegan. The only high CB pick on the roster is Ryan Mouton, who was taken in the third round a few years ago. They do a

good

great job of finding gems late in the draft.

In the end, it just doesn’t make sense on almost any account for the Titans to trade a third round pick for Samuel. That’s a fact.

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