Atlanta Falcons on verge of acquiring Asante Samuel of Philadelphia Eagles, sources say: The Falcons are on the...http://es.pn/IjFD5O
Asanti Samuel welcome to the family #ATLANTA FALCONS
Asante Samuel to Falcons said close
Updated: April 25, 2012, 9:03 AM ET
ESPN.com news servicesThe Atlanta Falcons are on the verge of acquiring Philadelphia Eagles Pro-Bowl cornerbackAsante Samuel for a late-round pick, league sources told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter on Wednesday.
A deal is likely to be completed as early as Thursday and before the NFL draft, sources told Schefter.
Yasinskas: Good fit for Falcons
If Asante Samuel is traded to the Falcons, his arrival could give Atlanta a strong trio at cornerback, writes ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas.Blog
Samuel, 31, is a four-time Pro Bowl pick. He would give new Falcons defensive coordinator Mike Nolan a strong trio at cornerback withDunta Robinson and Brent Grimes, who Tuesday signed his franchise tag tender. Grimes will make $10.262 million this season.
Samuel's contract calls for him to earn $9.9 million in 2012 and $11.4 million in 2013, meaning he might be asked to rework the deal to help the trade fit under the Falcons' salary cap.
Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff was New England's director of scouting when the Patriots selected Samuel in the fourth round in 2003. Samuel set a career high with 10 interceptions for the Patriots in 2006.
Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan said Samuel, who had 30 tackles and three interceptions in 2011, has been a difficult opponent.
"As far as Asante Samuel, I can only speak for having played against him a number of times and I know that's he's been extremely difficult to play against and has done a great job against us when we've played him in the past," Ryan said.
The Falcons were 10-6 last season and 13-3 in 2010 but lost their first playoff game each season. An improved secondary would boost the team's hopes for 2012.
Falcons linebacker Sean Weatherspoon called Samuel "a player who would improve anyone's defense."
Samuel has 45 career interceptions in nine seasons. His three interceptions in 14 games last season was his lowest total since 2005.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
