Changes

In 2005, Samuel started all 15 games he appeared in and set then personal career highs for a season in almost every one of his statistical defensive category's.  In the Patriots come from behind win on ESPN's [[Sunday Night Football]] he made a key diving interception that helped the Patriots win 21 to 16... In the 2005 post-season Samuel was the Patriots unofficial MVP as he made 2 interceptions, including one that he returned 73 yards for a touchdown, 6 knocked down passes, and 7 tackles in the Patriots two post-season games. In 2006, his production exploded as he set career highs for total tackles (64), interceptions (10 - tied  for best in the NFL with [[Champ Baily]]), and passes defensed (14). In the 2006 season he started 15 games (he missed one due to injury) and three multiple interceptions games. He had the best game of his career on the week eleven matchup with the NFC best [[Chicago Bears]] when he had 3 interceptions, 9 solo tackles and 3 passes batted down. The last interception he recorded in the game sealed a 17-13 Patriots victory over the Bears. He was named AFC Defensive player of the week for his effort. As always, Samuel saved his best playing time for the playoffs and in the 2006 Patriots playoff run Samuel (three playoff games) had 2 interceptions, both returned for touchdowns (tying an NFL record <ref>http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs06/news/story?id=2738507</ref> for most interceptions returned for touchdowns in the playoffs), 7 tackles, and 7 passes defensed.  

In 2005, Samuel started all 15 games he appeared in and set then personal career highs for a season in almost every one of his statistical defensive category's.  In the Patriots come from behind win on ESPN's [[Sunday Night Football]] he made a key diving interception that helped the Patriots win 21 to 16... In the 2005 post-season Samuel was the Patriots unofficial MVP as he made 2 interceptions, including one that he returned 73 yards for a touchdown, 6 knocked down passes, and 7 tackles in the Patriots two post-season games. In 2006, his production exploded as he set career highs for total tackles (64), interceptions (10 - tied  for best in the NFL with [[Champ Baily]]), and passes defensed (14). In the 2006 season he started 15 games (he missed one due to injury) and three multiple interceptions games. He had the best game of his career on the week eleven matchup with the NFC best [[Chicago Bears]] when he had 3 interceptions, 9 solo tackles and 3 passes batted down. The last interception he recorded in the game sealed a 17-13 Patriots victory over the Bears. He was named AFC Defensive player of the week for his effort. As always, Samuel saved his best playing time for the playoffs and in the 2006 Patriots playoff run Samuel (three playoff games) had 2 interceptions, both returned for touchdowns (tying an NFL record <ref>http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs06/news/story?id=2738507</ref> for most interceptions returned for touchdowns in the playoffs), 7 tackles, and 7 passes defensed.  

After the 2006 season, Asante's contract with the Patriots ran out but the Patriots decided to place their franchise tag on him <ref>http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2768800</ref>. The franchise tag effectively makes the only team he can do contract negations with the Patriots who must at pay him at the minimal a NFL set predetermined price. At first contract negations between Samuel and the Patriots appeared <ref>http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2007/01/23/price_goes_up_on_cornerback_samuel/</ref>  to be going well but recently they seem to have soured <ref>http://patriots.scout.com/2/633030.html</ref> as they reached difficulty's <ref>http://www.nfl.com/nflnetwork/story/10108712</ref> in reaching a common price on his value. How the outcome of the contract situation will turn out or whether Samuel will play for the Patriots next year is uncertain.         

After the 2006 season, Asante's contract with the Patriots ran out but the Patriots decided to place their franchise tag on him <ref>http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2768800</ref>. The franchise tag effectively makes the only team he can do contract negations with the Patriots who must at pay him at the minimal a NFL set predetermined price. Soon after applying the tag, contract negations between Samuel and the Patriots appeared <ref>http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2007/01/23/price_goes_up_on_cornerback_samuel/</ref>  to be going well but they soured <ref>http://patriots.scout.com/2/633030.html</ref> as they reached difficulty's <ref>http://www.nfl.com/nflnetwork/story/10108712</ref> in reaching a common price on his value. After almost a month of holding out of the [[Patriots Training Camp]], Samuel signed the one year franchise contract<ref>http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2007/08/27/samuel_shows_up_at_patriots_camp/</ref>.         

      

      

=== NFL Stats ===  

=== NFL Stats ===  

== External Links ==

== External Links ==

*[http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/396071 NFL Stats]

*[http://www.nfl.com/players/asantesamuel/profile?id=SAM616410 NFL Stats]

*[http://scout.scout.com/a.z?s=121&p=8&c=1&nid=1839490 Samuel News]

*[http://scout.scout.com/a.z?s=121&p=8&c=1&nid=1839490 Samuel News]