Samuel, Moss want to stay
Stars head for free agency
By Karen Guregian / Patriots Notebook
Monday, February 4, 2008
GLENDALE, Ariz. - Asante Samuel [stats] knows he may have played his final game as a Patriot last night. Playing under the franchise tag this season, the cornerback becomes an unfettered free agent.
“If my teammates could hear me now, I love all of you to death. Hopefully, we can have many more seasons to come, but if we don’t, life goes on,” Samuel said after the 17-14 loss to the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII. “But I’d love to remain a Patriot.”
Wide receiver Randy Moss, another free agent, also reiterated his desire to stay.
“If I am in a New England Patriot uniform next year, I would love to be in one,” Moss said. “If I am not, you know, the show must go on.”
Moss, by the way, was limping noticeably on his right leg after he walked off the podium from his press interview.
Other prominent names on the may-not return list include wideout Donte’ Stallworth, who has a $6 million option bonus the team may not pick up, as well as receiver Jabar Gaffney [stats], defensive backs Eugene Wilson and Randall Gay and long snapper Lonie Paxton.
Too far to kick
In the second-guess department, coach Bill Belichick opted against having Stephen Gostkowski attempt a long field goal in the third quarter, instead going on fourth-and-13 from the 31. A harried Tom Brady [stats] did not come close to hitting Gaffney in the end zone.
When asked about not going for the field goal, Belichick said: “Yeah, but it was a 50-yard field goal.”
Technically, it was 49, on an indoor carpet. Adam Vinatieri’s kick to win the 2001 Super Bowl was a 48-yarder.
The Pats had gotten a second chance on that drive after winning a challenge when Belichick correctly caught the Giants with too many men on the field - Chase Blackburn did not get off in time - during a third-down play.
LINK
http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/f...ts&position=10