I guess the checkbook is open this year!

I’ll admit that I hadn’t been buying the Asante Samuel rumors. I just assumed that Samuel would want a giant pile of cash, that corner wasn’t a position that was on fire for the Birds (unlike, say defensive end or “additional touchdown scorer”), and that Samuel wasn’t exactly what the Eagles would be looking for.

I suppose I would be very incorrect.

I assume the thinking on Samuel is that the Eagles stunk at creating turnovers last season, especially in the secondary (they were tied for last in the NFL with only 11 interceptions) and that a guy with 22 picks in 75 career games (including 10 in 2006) could change that.  This definitely counts as one of those playmakers that Dunavin was all moist about. 

The interesting twist here is what the potential deal implies for the rest of the secondary.  Does this mean Lito is on his way out?  That Sheldon Brown is moving to safety?  I dunno.

I’m on the fence right now about the deal.  Seems like a big financial commitment for a player/ position that I didn’t think was very desperate.  But hey, maybe the Birds (traditionally not dummies about the cap) know things about where the cap is headed, potential uncertainty with the CBA, etc etc.  Maybe this deal will actually look cheap in a year or two? 

Still, we can’t complain that they’re not getting after it.  This isn’t a signing for a rebuilding year.  This means 2008 will count.