Philadelphia, PA

The Philadelphia Eagles have enough to worry about after a disappointing slow start to the season. Now coming off their bye week, add a disgruntled Pro Bowler to the list.

Cornerback Asante Samuel took some verbal shots at Eagles president Joe Banner and general manager Howie Roseman.

Samuel made it clear he doesn't have any issues with coach Andy Reid but was definitely unhappy that his name was circulated in trade-deadline rumors as being on the block.

"Me and Andy talked, cleared it up, everything is good," Samuel said. "Everything has been good with me and Andy. That's my guy, that's who I play for, that's who I continue to play for. I go to war for Andy. It is what it is, all the other stuff upstairs."

Upstairs is where Banner and Roseman work for the Eagles and where Samuel directed his venom.

"It's a business. They run it like a business, so they're going to do what they need to do," Samuel said. "So they're upstairs playing with a lot of money, playing a little fantasy football. You know what I mean? So they're doing their thing."

Asked if he was specifically talking about Banner and Roseman, Samuel didn't shy away.

"Maybe so," he said. "Do you think they're upstairs playing fantasy football with the owner's money?"

Samuel later met with Reid and had a slightly different message when he talked to reporters, no doubt directed by his coach to tone it down.

"Obviously, I let my emotions get the best of me. Everything is good. I'm happy to be here, and everything is settled," Samuel said. "(Reid) explained to me how the business works, and I'm that much more educated on how the business works in the NFL. Let's get a win on Sunday."

A Pro Bowl corner who won two Super Bowl rings with the Patriots, Samuel has had his future with the Eagles in doubt since this summer, when the Eagles added cornerbacks Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.

Reid Reid issued a statement after Samuel criticized the team and confirmed that the Eagles discussed "significant trade offers" for their three cornerbacks but emphasized they decided to keep them all.

"Asante is a valuable member of our team, and we appreciate all that he brings to this organization," Reid said in the statement.

Now the Eagles are hoping they can focus on a make-or-break stretch of home games. Dallas visits Sunday night followed by a game against the Bears on Monday Night Football. Ex-Eagle Kevin Kolb and the Arizona Cardinals come to town after that.

Three wins - the Eagles are 0-2 at home so far this season - and Philadelphia will definitely have a playoff heartbeat heading into a road game against the New York Giants. Anything less than two wins and the season could be over.

 

 

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