We have an entrant in the Asante Samuel sweepstakes (maybe).
The Eagles cornerback is on Tennessee's radar, a league source told TitanInsider.com on Wednesday. The Eagles reportedly are seeking "at least a third-round pick" for the three-time Pro Bowl selection, according to the report.
Why such a deal would make sense for the Titans:Cornerback Cortland Finnegan, who started all 16 games for the team last season, signed as a free agent with the Rams earlier this month. Tennessee now lacks a blue-chip player at corner, though Jason McCourty and Alterraun Verner have shown promise at the position. Plenty of cornerbacks will be available in the draft, but the team might prefer a known quantity in a league that grows more pass-happy with every week of play.
Why it would make sense for the Eagles:It would solve a problem for Samuel and for the team's three-headed monster in the defensive backfield. Nnamdi Asomugha is the star of the group, on paper, but suffered as a hybrid corner in Juan Castillo's defense in 2011. Shoving Nnamdi into a zone scheme after he spent most of his career as a dominant cover man in Oakland generated problems. Samuel's presence forced Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie into a slot role, another awkward scenario. The Eagles appear ready to move on, with general manager Howie Roseman acknowledging last month the team would field calls for Samuel.
"The Philadelphia Eagles are driving the train. They don't have to do anything," Samuel's agent, Alonzo Shavers, told TitanInsider.com on Wednesday. "They have always been very professional about their business and we would expect them to continue to be."
Then, of course, there's The Tennessean's Jim Wyatt, who shoots down the whole thing:
