He did play very well last year, and we need him. How about incentives? Load him up with incentives and pay him if he produces. I hope he doesn't get too greedy.

At the time, I was glad we placed the franchise tag on Samuel to at the very least stall his departure. I have to say though that if you thought that a samuel holdout wasn't going to happen, then you were very naive. I think the franchise tag or any tag for that matter is a poison pill that should be got rid of because on most occasions all it achieves, is to sour relations. Samuel is a fantastic talent that New England should do everything to keep but they shouldn't break the bank like the 49ers did for clements. I can't believe that Bill didn't expect this scenario when he placed the franchise tag on Samuel, so I hope he has a realistic plan to keep Samuel. But if as expected, Samuel is eventually traded, it should only be to an NFC team.......the last thing we need is a talent like this coming back to haunt us.

Let's avoid another season of turmoil and angst in the locker room. If Samuel wants a trade, by all means try and find one that works. There's nothing worse than the #1 anything (CB, WR, DE) being a malcontent and not playing his best when taking up a huge chunk of cap space (that is, if he does show up to collect his paycheck and doesn't sit out).

If they can finangle a trade with Washington for their #6 and 4th rounder, for Samuel and #28 of the Pats... they need to take the deal. That lands them Laron Landry, the best Safety in the draft, and also allows them to draft a top CB with #24. Both rookies combined would probably be less of a cap hit than Samuel would be.