Asante Samuel Signs!!!! (Not!)

Reports that Asante Samuel has signed his franchise tender seem slightly exaggerated.

As of last night, the 27th, the news was...

Asante has shown up in Gilette Stadium
Asante has taken his physical
Asante is back with the team
Asante has signed his tender...

Then we heard...

Asante has not signed the tender
Asante wants the team to promise not to franchise him in 08, and....

most puzzlingly...

Asante has said he would sign the tender Tuesday, whatever the outcome.

All of which leads me to ask the perenniel question,

WTF?

The only sense I can make out if it is that, since the Pats have adamantly refused to promise anything of the sort, Asante's side is offering something in exchange for the Pats not re-franchising him.

One possibility would be that Asante plays for less this year, in exchange for a promise not to franchise him next year. Another possibility is that he signs said one year deal this year, in which a no franchise clause kicks in at certain points usually used as escalators, for example, playing time or interceptions.

I don't think the Pats take the 08 tag off the table, without getting something back.

Well, theoretically, Samuel comes back today (Tuesday the 28th.) If not, bear in mind that Asante Samuel is an anagram for a sealant: me, us; but also for

Satan? Um, lease;
Team anus seal;
and of course,
Emulate an ass.