Adam Scheffer of the NFL spoke to Patriots CB Asante Samual and learned that he is not Happy with the "franchise tag" Here is the Quote.

This is to let everybody know that I'm not happy anymore and things are not going well," "At first I thought it was going well, but it's not."

"We have a difference of opinion in my value. They think I'm worth one price and the other teams think I'm worth a lot more. If a long-term deal can't be done at fair numbers for me and New England, then I want to be traded."

 Samuel said he also is prepared to take steps he would rather not and sit out this season.

"If it's best for me and my family," Samuel said, "I will do that. Absolutely"

  Samuel had a breakout season in 2006 He was the Patriots best cover guy and along with Denver's Champ Bailey led the AFC in interceptions with 10.

He was the best player on the field for the Pats in thier AFC title game loss to Indy. Pretty much shutting down perennial Pro Bowler Marvin Harrison and returning an interception for a touchdown.

There is no doubt that he was an important part of the Patriots defense .However having been with the Patriots since 2003 and only having this one outstanding year. Should the Patriots open up the checkbook for this guy?  It's not going to happen. The Patriots pay the big money to thier superstars(Brady,Seymore) and do not over pay for" good " players. Perhaps someday Samuel will be a great player but he's not today.

I know there are teams that will overpay for his services(see Nate Clements). The Patriots will not.  Samuel has no leverage here He's been franchised and if he decides to sit out . He's leaving 7.8 million on the table. There is no way the Patriots are going to trade him.

He should take the money and if a long term deal can't be agreed on by the end of the season he can file for free agency and sign with the highest bidder.

Asante, good luck in your pursuit of happiness but for now just shut up and take the money

I

 Greg Oden entering the NBA draft is pretty much a forgone conclusion wether OSU wins or loses this evening.  He is the consensus #1 pick and doesn't stand to gain much by returning for his sophmore year.

 Let me throw this out there, just for a goof.

Say OSU manages to pull off the upset and beat the Gators tonite.  Does anyone besides myself think ConleyJr might declare himself eligible for the NBA draft. 

Here is my reasoning for bringing this up. If Conley Jr enters this years draft I believe he will be the first PG taken. Acie Law is more mature and a better shooter but  Jr. sees the floor better is a much better defender and has more"upside".  He would surely be a lottery pick and I could see him going as high as 3rd especially if the Celtics or Grizzlies fall out of the top 2 picks. Either team could use a point guard. (and another shooter and a defensive presence and a clue).

Another thing to consider is that Conley Jr. has played with Oden since high school and are reportedly good friends. He may want to follow his boy into the NBA

    I would like to know what your thoughts on this subject are although I think I can guess what the OSU fans on this sites reaction will be.

Speaking of OSU fans get well Marty Walker so we can debate this.

Hi fellow Bloggers , if you were wondering why I have not posted anything recently. I regret to inform you that I have been forced to accept gainful employment. No more staying up all night watching the west coast games and the sleeping till noon(damn).

I just want to give a little shout out to a young man who a lot of people in Boston were getting ready to write off last year.

 Al Jefferson is quietly having himself one hell of a season

Jefferson has played well all season, stepping up when Paul Pierce was injured.   He's more than held his own offensively , but it's his rebounding that has really made him stand out . He has been a monster on the glass.

Since Pierce returned to the lineup Al's numbers have been huge averaging 18.0 pts. 13.5 boards and 1.6 blks per game . 

  Here are Tim Duncans numbers over the same period 19.1pts. 10.2 boards 1.8blks            

   While I'm not saying Al is Tim Duncan ,it does put him in pretty good company and with time I believe he could become a similar player.

 People have to remember this kid should be in his 2nd year of collage right now.

 Big Al's line tonite  31pts. 16 rebs. 2blks  3 tommy points

  Oh ya  the Celtics won again ,5 out of the last 6  So much for Greg Oden . Oh well you can't have everything

 Sorry about the title I couldn't help myself . The Celtics finally won again after a horrendous   18 game skid into the bowels of the eastern conference cellar.  Led by Paul Pierce who went for 32 pts and looked like "Truth" again for the first time since returning to the lineup.Pierce ran through the Bucks defense like turkey crap through a tin horn. 2nd year man Gerald Green had 21 pts including 5-5 3pts. The celtics shot a white hot 15-23 from beyond the arc. I'm glad to see them get the monkey off thier backs.  Now Pierce needs to go on vacation, I don't want Memphis making up any ground in the race to draft Greg Oden/Kevin Durant sweepstakes.