Sources: Asante is Going to Sign

 It looks like Asante Samuel won’t be holding out past Asante Samuel after all.  John Tomase of the Boston Herald reports:

  According to a report on the NFL Network – and confirming what a source close to Samuel told the Herald more than a month ago – the cornerback is expected to sign his $7.79 million franchise tender this week and report to Foxboro to join his teammates.

 Samuel’s agent, Alonzo Shavers, stopped short of confirming the report, which he initially referred to as “speculation.”

“I’m sure he’ll definitely be around in the near future,” Shavers said. “I just don’t want to speculate because he hasn’t given me an inkling one way or another. I’m sure when he’s ready, he’ll tell me. He’s not given me the green light, so I can’t confirm or deny anything.”

When asked how close Samuel was to reporting, Shavers said, “Well, the season is about to start.”

 If he is indeed reporting now, Samuel gives himself two weeks to prepare for the Sept. 9 opener against the Jets. The source said Samuel was concerned about starting the season rusty and wanted to spend enough time on the practice field to get back to game speed.

Despite the reports, the long and bumpy road with Asante Samuel hasn’t become smooth yet.  What we know, is that Asante will once again be playing for a contract.  And that’s the thing, he still working for a contract, and the Patriots need to be the team that signs him.  The good news is, also according to sources, Asante and the Patriots were nearing an agreement before the deadline, so they may be able to work with that to get an extension completed.  Also, their ability to near a new contract may have also convinced Asante to sign his franchise tender.