Throughout his 11-year NFL career, CB Asante Samuel was a playmaker. In his five seasons with the Patriots, Samuel amassed 22 interceptions, three that went for touchdowns. In 2007, Samuel was named to the Pro Bowl and was First Team All-Pro. Also, Samuel was apart of two Super Bowl winning teams with the Patriots.
In 2008, Samuel would sign with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he would continue his playmaking ways. In four seasons with the Eagles, Samuel had 23 picks, two that went for touchdowns, and three Pro Bowl appearances.
Samuel would retire in 2013 after spending two seasons with the Falcons. He ended his career with 51 interceptions(32nd in NFL history), six that were returned for touchdowns. He also had seven picks in the playoffs, which is tied for six in NFL history, and of those seven picks, he returned 4 for touchdowns, which is an NFL record.
Does Samuel belong in the Hall of Fame? He thinks so.
“If I’m not mistaken, it’s three people(seven players) in the Hall of Fame already with 50 interceptions in 10 years,” Samuel told TMZ Sports. “I mean I broke the playoff record, which Willie Brown had (most interceptions returns for touchdowns). He’s a Hall of Famer. I was a two-time interception leader in the NFL (2006, 2009), which is more than others.
“The facts are the facts, so if you are going by the facts, Pro Bowls and All-Pros, yeah, I was overlooked. I had 10 interceptions one year(2006) and didn’t make it to the Pro Bowl, so we’ll see how that go. The facts are the facts.”
Samuel, along with notable players such as Tony Gonzalez, Champ Bailey, and Ed Reed will be eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2019.
I think Samuel has a great case for the Hall. Based on the numbers, he was a playmaker not only in the regular season, but in the playoffs, too.
If we look at Samuel’s complete body of work, you have to say that he belongs in the Hall of Fame. Only thing you could point to is that missed interception opportunity in Super Bowl XLII against the New York Giants, but that does not overshadow the many plays he made in his career.