Because the Eagles and New England Patriots only play each other in the regular season once every four years, there are very few members of the Eagles roster who have a lot of experience facing off with the likes of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. Several Eagles were on the team back in 2007, when the Patriots beat A.J. Feeley and the Eagles 31-28 at Gilette Stadium. Wide receiver Steve Smith was a member of the Super Bowl-winning New York Giants team that slayed the then-undefeated Patriots that same season and backup running back Ronnie Brown used to play the Patriots twice a season as a member of the Miami Dolphins.
But then there's Asante Samuel, the Eagles' loquacious Pro Bowl cornerback who joined the NFL as a fourth-round draft choice of the Patriots back in 2003. He played five seasons for the Patriots, rising to full-time starter during his second season, which, unfortunately, concluded with a Super Bowl victory over the Eagles. During his Patriots tenure, Samuel recorded 27 interceptions (including playoffs), highlighted by a 10-pick season in 2006. Then, of course, when Samuel hit the open market as a free agent in 2008, he signed with the Eagles, where he's made the Pro Bowl each season.
"Asante was a good player for us, he did a good job," said Belichick during his conference call with Philadelphia reporters Wednesday. "He's found a way down there in Philadelphia. Ball-hawking corner that plays the ball well, reads the quarterback, very instinctive, has a good feel for route combinations, anticipates well, has good quickness and very good hands. He's around the ball quite a bit."
Samuel's unique blend of energy and "yapping," added to his impressive skills, has become a mainstay in the Eagles locker room and on the practice field. It's the kind of personality that Samuel's former teammates remember fondly.
"One hell of a player," said Patriots defensive tackle Vince Wilfork during his conference call. "He's a funny guy. He loved to play and he had fun. His ball skills and his skill level is up there with the best, hands down. I'm glad I don't have to be throwing to him. Tom (Brady) has to figure that out so I'm pretty sure they'll have some rah-rah words back in forth all in fun."
Ah yes, the back and forth between Brady and Samuel. It's what Samuel remembers most fondly about his time in New England.
"He had Randy when Moss was there and I was there and we were always just competing," Samuel said. "I just liked to see (Brady) get red in the face when I got the best of him in practice. That's the best thing, he's a die-hard competitor, true soldier, true warrior and you love to play with a guy like that.
"Any time you can be competitive in practice, it always carries over to the game."
Samuel said the Eagles defense will have to be on their "A game" if they're to get the best of the Patriots Sunday afternoon, adding that they'll have to do what they can to throw Brady off his game.
"Especially with the great ones," Samuel said, "you always want to give them different looks, get them off balance, try to make them jittery in the pocket.
"(Defensive coordinator Juan Castillo) is going to put in the game plan, which he did already, and we have to go out and execute it. We have a lot of great athletes over here, everybody's energetic and athletic and can play ball, we just have to do it on Sunday and make plays."
