Asante Samuel is excited to be with the Atlanta Falcons after a trying 2011 season and offseason with the Philadelphia Eagles.
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The Eagles had been unsuccessfully shopping Samuel since last year, and one impediment to a deal was his hefty contract. Samuel, 31, was scheduled to make $21.5 million over the next two seasons, and he would count for more than $8 million against the salary cap.
But, as part of the trade, Samuel and the Falcons agreed to terms on a three-year, $18.5 million contract, a source with knowledge of the situation told NFL Network's Albert Breer. Then the swap was completed.
"I wanted to be a Falcon, so we made it work," Samuel said.
Samuel said Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff, whom he knows from his time with the New England Patriots, will make it an easy transition.
"He was a big part of making this happen, and he's excited, too," Samuel said. "He knows what I bring to the table. ... (He) had a lot to do with it and made me comfortable."
Samuel brings two Super Bowl rings and a plethora of playoff experience with him to a Falcons team that hasn't been able to win a playoff game with Matt Ryan under center.
"I'm ready wherever this team needs me to play: left, right, whatever," Samuel said. "We're all going to work together to be the best there's been."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
