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Somehow the Atlanta Falcons only gave up a seventh-round draft pick Wednesday when they acquired Asante Samuel from the Philadelphia Eagles. The four-time Pro Bowl cornerback wasn’t a happy camper when Eagles GM Howie Roseman swooped in and signed Nnamdi Asomugha last season and then traded for Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. Samuel wasn’t shy about making his feelings known that he wanted out of Philadelphia at the end of last season and was willing to restructure his contract to play for the Falcons. No.22 sure got his wish. The 31-year-old defensive back reunites with Thomas Dimitroff and helps solidify a secondary featuring Dunta Robinson and Brent Grimes.
Asante Samuel joined 790 The Zone in Atlanta to discuss the Philadelphia Eagles finally trading him to the Atlanta Falcons after wanting to be traded for quite some time, Thomas Dimitroff helping sway his decision in wanting to become an Atlanta Falcon, his thoughts on the Falcons organization over the past few seasons, bringing a new swagger to the Falcons defense and why the Eagles struggled so much last season.
Why did this deal take so long to happen?
“Everything happens for a reason, so I guess the timing was the best thing of all things to happen for it.”
How much did knowing Thomas Dimitroff from your days in New England play into choosing the Atlanta Falcons as a trade partner?
“Man it had a lot to do with it. The comfortability between me and him was a lot and we are familiar with each other and my productivity. He is all for that. We know each other a lot. We got a lot of history together.”
What did you think of the Atlanta Falcons over the last couple of seasons?
“Man I think it is a great franchise. I think it has tremendous talent. Young talent. Receivers. The defense. The cornerbacks. The scheme. From the general manager to me and Thomas Dimitroff. I think it is just a great place. A few missing links and a few missing pieces will take it to the top and I am excited. I think I am a part of those missing links. Hopefully we can make some big things happen.”
Can you bring a swagger to the Falcons defense? Can you make this defense better from a confidence standpoint?
“Well yeah I think that is one thing I definitely bring to the table more than anything. My confidence level is way above anything you could ever imagine. I think that confidence stepping on the field, stepping in the locker room from how you put on your clothes to how you come to meetings to how you talk to your coach. I think the confidence level is going to be there and I think it should trickle down to everybody and everybody is going to be out there thinking I gotta make a play with my confidence.”
What happened last year with the Philadelphia Eagles? They made so many free agent moves. What went wrong?
“[Laughs] You know man that’s a question a lot of people can’t figure out. A lot of sad Eagles fans over there. Nothing but love to them and I had a blast over there. I don’t know. That’s something you have to ask the coaches and the managers over there. You know what I mean? Life goes on. I am happy to be a Falcon and that’s what it is.”
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