Can I Please Have Some More?

By Steven Adams

For New England Patriot Asante Samuel, it must feel like he's the main character in Oliver Twist. He's in line, watching everyone else get their own bowls of gruel (or cash) filled, but his has been left a little short. He had 10 of the team's 22 interceptions last year.

"Please, sir," he asks Robert Kraft and Bill Belicheck, "Can I have some more?"

The Patriots have slapped the franchise tag on him, meaning he only gets a guaranteed one-year, $7.79 million salary, according to the Boston Globe. Asante wants more. The Boston Herald reports that several teams, including the Jets, are willing to get closer to what he's asking for, which is rumored to be close to the 8-year, $80 million deal the San Francisco 49ers gave Nate Clements.

The Patriots seem to have ducked the "no-name" strategy that won them three Super Bowls, presumably because Payton Manning found a way to get past them and get the Lombardi trophy.

They are now paying big money and have signed free agent names like Donte Stallworth. Junior Seau, linebacker Adalius Thomas, tight end Kyle Brady, running back Sammy Morris, and kick returner/receiver Wes Welker. And let's not forget the most un-Patriot addition of them all, the trade for Randy Moss. Randy Moss? It just doesn't feel right to type that.

There is apparently a large gap between what Samuel feels he is worth and what the Patriots are willing to pay. Samuel says he's not going to be in mini-camp, and that he's willing to stay away until the 10th week of the season. An extension has to be met by July 14.

While his asking price does seem a little steep, the Patriots better blink first. If the trademark overall defense begins to slip, it's going to be even harder to overcome the reigning Super Bowl champs, no matter how much they upgrade the offense.

Steven Adams shares his thoughts at bigdaveonsports.com