Asante Samuel finally signed with the New England Patriots and has become the last player in the franchise to sign a contract for this upcoming NFL season. His contract is worth no less than $7.79 million. Such accord will prevent him from becoming an unrestricted free agent.

The cornerback did not assist the training camp for over a month, in addition to being out for most of the preseason, due to the contract difference of opinion he had going on with the team that started when the Patriots applied the contract label to the five year expert back in February. As per the holdup the parties were unable to come to an agreement by the deadline stipulated on July 17th making a long term bond for this season unavailable and forcing them to re-sign for only one more year with the team.

Coach Belichick stated he was happy that they were able to work things out but he is concerned with the practice that Samuel missed out. Even though Samuel did some of his own training, Belichick considers that it is not enough and that it’s not the same as practicing with the team and did not mention when he would begin to practice.

Samuel was a fourth-round draft pick back in 2003 from Central Florida and has started thirty-nine games for the New England Patriots. He also tied the Denver Broncos Champ Bailey for the NFL lead in interceptions during the 2006 regular season and then returned two more touchdowns during the playoffs.

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