Asante Samuel was undoubtedly a big part of the history of the New England Patriots. He led the secondary through many successful years, as Bill Belichick and Tom Brady crafted the dynasty that Patriots fans know and love.
For his New England career, Samuel recorded 51 interceptions in 157 games played. He led the league in interceptions with 10 in 2006 and nine and 2009. For his New England career, which spanned five years, he played in 75 games, starting 53 of them. Recording 22 interceptions, he also recorded 79 pass deflections
If anybody would understand the mannerisms of defensive- minded coach Belichick, it would be Samuel. Belichick’s tough style, according to Samuel, may be why Tom Brady left. Recently speaking to TMZ sports, Samuel offered a bit of perspective as to why the quarterback may have taken his talents to Tampa.
“He probably just got fed up with it at the end of the day. He probably just got tired of it. He probably got tired of some inner-circle things that he wanted,” Samuel told TMZ Sports, explaining Brady might have been upset about departures of tight ends and receivers. “It worked out for me, man. It made me a better man, but it’s not something I enjoyed. … The strict rules. For me, we clashed a lot of heads. I just think I was treated a little differently, but maybe it’s because he was trying to get the best out of me. It worked out for me, so I can’t really say it was that bad.”
An All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection with the Patriots in 2007, Samuel certainly had the best years of his career at Gillette. It’s interesting to hear the perspective that Samuel thinks he was treated differently. Like he alludes to, Belichick certainly got the best out of him, despite how strict the coach may have been.
