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Asante Samuel energized Falcons' first OTA

By D. Orlando Ledbetter

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

FLOWERY BRANCH — About midway through his first organized team activity [non-contact practice] with the Falcons, cornerback Asante Samuel made a plea to the offense.

“Get me some action over here so I can show these people [as he pointed to the coaches] what I can do,” Samuel said Tuesday.

When no passes immediately came his way, Samuel went to the top and involved Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff in his antics.

“Dimitroff, tell them to get me some action,” Samuel said.

The offense was working on their inside timing routes and finally got around to throwing some passes to Samuel’s side of the field. Samuel stepped in front of a pass from backup quarterback John Parker Wilson that was intended for Kevin Cone. Samuel ran to the sideline for a quick pose, with his arms crossed.

“That’s the G-Stance,” Samuel said. “I’m the first person to do this. [He posed again.] I branded it. ”

A few plays later, Samuel nabbed a Matt Ryan pass that was intended for Drew Davis.

Samuel, 31, who was acquired in a trade with Philadelphia in April, said there was a method to his madness in calling for some action in practice.

“That’s what you’ve got to do, put the bull’s eye on your shoulder and step up to the plate,” Samuel said. “That’s how you get better. If you are talking [smack] and you’re telling them ‘they can’t do this or they can’t do that,’ of course, they are going to try. But if you don’t back it up, they are going to [make fun of] you.”

Samuel has 45 career interceptions in nine seasons, fourth among active players. His 38 interceptions since 2006 is tops in the NFL.

Samuel spent some time Tuesday at right and left cornerback. Dunta Robinson played inside when the Falcons went to the nickel defense.

“I have a preference,” Samuel said. “I want to be on the left side. This is a right-handed league, and I want to be where the ball is coming.”

While Samuel has a stated preference to play on the left side, he plans to blend into Mike Nolan’s defense.

“Check his record,” Samuel said. “He’s always been a good coordinator. Over there with Miami ... he had a top-five defense one year. I can tell by the schemes and the different coverages, that he’s mixing it up.

“It’s not about one coverage. It’s about confusing the offense. This is a league with great quarterbacks. You have to confuse people. He’s going to do a real good job.”

Samuel’s play caught the attention of coach Mike Smith.

“He made a couple nice plays on the right and left side,” Smith said. “The thing that Asante allows us to do is it gives us a lot of flexibility in terms of how we want to line up our players. That’s something that coach Nolan and the staff have spent a lot of time discussing and something we’ll look at very closely through these next nine OTAs that we have.”

Samuel’s antics caught some off guard. Under Smith, the Falcons have taken a businesslike approach to practice.

Other than a few outbursts from the linebackers, there usually isn’t much loud talking. Not since the DeAngelo Hall days under coach Jim Mora has there been a player calling for some action during practice.

“It was cool,” linebacker Sean Weatherspoon said. “I really don’t know him that well, but just getting out there with him today and seeing the way that he competes. ... He talks a little smack, and I definitely like that. He was having a good time out there today, and he was making some plays.”

The Falcons believe Samuel could add swagger to the defense.

“I think so. We definitely need something like that,” Weatherspoon said. “Anytime that you can add a player of that caliber to your defense, that’s going to be a bonus.”

Needs to work on his mixed metaphors.

Like and was hoping for this, as he's certainly the third best db of the current trio.


This honestly never occured to me, but damn we need it badly. Who else would have been this guy previously?

Spoon and Abe. The strategy needs swagger, imo, not the players. They are fine. I love Abraham's demeanor on the field, and Spoon is 100 mph all the time.

Dunta (almost wrote Dante; silly me) is clearly the most suited to a press position. I don't think he's the worst, just the worst-used over the last few years.

With the idea of having 4 out there, I'd go Dunta,Grimes, Decoud, and Moore for run/man; swap Dunta for Asante for run/zone; and consider swapping the unused CB for Moore/Decoud for a passing situation that still asked for 2 CB/2 S.

However, I'd expect them to swap out either the MLB or Nicholas and run a nickle for a lot of the time. This is a little scary, as Asante is awful in run support.

While I certainly think Asante will be a huge upgrade over Owens/Franks, these kinds of articles make me chuckle. If I had a nickel for every time I read a rosy offseason article about a new addition looking great, electric, etc. I would be able to buy Matt Ryan's house.

F*ck this 'D Block' swagger.

wanna strut? Get off the field on 3rd downs once in awhile, instead of jumping around on worthelss plays or being out of position or leading tackles with the crown of your helmet.

Plus, this guys is hollering at TD to 'get him some action'? Did I miss something? Is TD calling plays now?

Great. Is there some sort of rule that CB's have to run thier mouth? STFU and just do the damn job already.

Having a bad day Fun? This guy is joking around and showing confidence. A workplace with humor and laughs is typically more productive and creative than one in which people can't be themselves. I for one am pumped about our DB's swagger. If we put Dunta at Nickle and everyone stays healthy, and with Mike Nolan coordinating. OMG our coverage could be sick!!!! Will it work out I don't know, but I sure think the odds are good.

"Samuel’s antics caught some off guard. Under Smith, the Falcons have taken a businesslike approach to practice.

Other than a few outbursts from the linebackers, there usually isn’t much loud talking. Not since the DeAngelo Hall days under coach Jim Mora has there been a player calling for some action during practice."


Look, Im not calling for Petrino-like discipline ( ) but I am of the opinion that until you 'earn' it on this field, STFU. Because generally, the guys with 'swagger' that call out the coaches by going to the GM during practice are the same guys that become cancerous locker room diva's when things dont work out. See Deangelo Hall.

http://insidetheiggles.com/2012/05/29/a ... greatness/

Asante Samuel Has Good First Practice, Talks Of His Greatness
May 29th, 2012 at 11:33 pm by Bob WankelEagles

Asante Samuel took to the field for the first time as the member of the Atlanta Falcons on Tuesday. And according to all accounts, things went pretty well for the former Eagle.

Associated Press writer Dave Campbell came away impressed with what he saw of “deuce deuce,” as did Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan.

“Asante I thought did about the same thing he has done to me for four years,” Ryan said. “He made a good pick. He’s going to make us better. Specifically, I think he’ll make myself and our wide receivers better going against him and Dunta [Robinson] and [Brent] Grimes every day as corners. It’s going to be good work for us.”

That’s fine. No problem with that. Samuel is a good player who figures to help an Atlanta secondary that’s been a real weakness over the past few seasons, so Matt Ryan should be excited about his arrival.

Here’s where the story jumps off the insanity train.

At one point during the practice, Samuel playfully began to chirp, “Can I get some action out here?” Am I out here for my health? I want to show the people what I can do!”

I didn’t particularly care for what I perceived (perhaps unfairly) as Samuel’s selfish attitude during his time in Philadelphia. Meanwhile, I usually don’t have a problem with a player running their mouth on the field–it brings a little excitement and energy. But there’s a fine line between jackass and entertaining–Terrell Owens did it for years.

After intercepting a Matt Ryan pass (didn’t realize it was the playoffs already), Samuel was heard pointing to himself as he said, “Deuce Deuce right here.”

And really, isn’t that what it’s always been about with Asante Samuel? Look at me. Deuce deuce.

After practice, he explained to reporters that he’s willing to do whatever it takes to help the team. You know, as long as it also benefits him.

“I want to be on the left side. I’m a left corner but I’ll do anything I can to help the team. This is a right-handed league and I want to be where the ball is coming.”

Should be interesting down in the ATL this season. The Eagles lost a very talented corner, and I’m not sure their secondary won’t be better for it.

There is a difference between being a verbal leader ( a raw raw type like a Ray Lewis ) or just a self promoting yapper, like a MeAngelo Hall.

The Falcons need a verbal leader.

Ray Buchannan in his prime was a great yapper, and a great motivator. But, when his skills started to slip. and he was still yapping and strutting: he looked like a jackass.

Lets hope Samuels is the former, and not the latter

GEEZ we can turn winning the lottery into a disaster here.....If he picked off a Matt Ryan pass and Ryan thinks the guy can help him be a better Qb; then I don't see the down side. We're taking 30 seconds of a hour plus practice; and saying what?

No good article goes without scorn? Somebody on the Falcon team is going to have a good year....It might even be Mike Smith? its getting bad when I need to be the positive one (: