Falcons Weekly Release - Bengals Home

2013 ATLANTA FALCONS VETERAN PLAYERS
ASANTE SAMUEL
CORNERBACK
22
PRO BOWL YEARS
2012, 2009, 2008, 2007
HT: 5’10” WT: 185 NFL EXP: 11 ACQ: TR-’12 (PHI) 2nd YEAR WITH FALCONS
BIRTHDATE: 1/6/81 COLLEGE: UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA
TRANSACTIONS
• Originally selected by the New England Patriots in
the fourth round (120th overall) of the 2003 NFL
Draft.
• Signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as an unrestricted
free agent on February 29, 2008.
• Acquired by the Falcons in exchange for an
undisclosed draft choice in a trade with the
Philadelphia Eagles on April 25, 2011.
2012 (FALCONS)
• Recorded 38 tackles (35 solo) with five
interceptions, one touchdown and 18 passes
defensed in his first season with the Falcons.
• According to Stats LLC., allowed just 39 completions
on 74 defensive targets, with quarterbacks
completing only 52.7 percent of passes thrown his
way.
• Notched his first interception as a Falcon, picking
off QB Carson Palmer vs. Oakland (10/14).
Returned the pick 79 yards for a touchdown.
Including postseason, his 10 interception returns
for touchdowns rank fifth in NFL history.
• Intercepted QB Drew Brees’ first pass attempt at
New Orleans (11/11) for his second interception of
the season. Added two tackles and three passes
defensed.
• Picked off QB Eli Manning’s first pass attempt of the
game vs. New York (12/16), marking the fourth time
he has intercepted Manning in 11 regular season
meetings.
• Collared five tackles (five solo) and picked off his
fourth pass of the season at Detroit (12/22). Picked
off passes in back-to-back games for the first time
as a Falcon.
• Closed out the regular season with interceptions in
each of the final three games, including a pick in the
season finale against Tampa Bay (12/30).
AUDIBLES
Samuel is the only player in NFL history to register
at least one INT return for a TD in each of his first
six NFL seasons (including postseason). His four
postseason INT return TDs are an NFL record.
• Recorded his 50th career regular season
interception in the 2012 season finale. Became
one of 10 cornerbacks to intercept 50 passes in his
career and just the 39th player in NFL history to
accomplish the feat.
• According to Stats LLC., Samuel is the second
fastest cornerback in NFL history to reach 50 career
regular season interceptions, accomplishing the
feat in just 146 games (Lem Barney, 114).
CAREER
• Has totaled 416 tackles (362 solo) with 152 passes
defensed, 50 interceptions, 10 interceptions
returned for touchdowns (including postseason),
five forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries in
his career.
• Earned Pro Bowl honors in four consecutive
seasons from 2007-2010, longest streak by an
NFL cornerback during that time. Also earned
Associated Press second-team All-Pro honors in
2009.
• Since joining the League in 2003, ranks second in
interceptions with 50, first in interception returns
for touchdowns with 10 (including playoffs), and
according to Stats LLC., first in passes defensed with
160.
• Since 2006, he leads the NFL with 44 interceptions.
• Is the NFL’s all-time leader with four postseason
interception returns for touchdowns.
• His teams are 39-9 overall (.813) when he records
an interception (20-2 with NE, 16-5 with Phi. & 3-2
with Atl.), including a 27-2 record at home (14-0
with NE, 12-1 with PHI, 2-1 with Atl.).
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