Should Asante stay or go? That is the question. There is no simple answer to this situation. I think we’d all like to keep him around for 2011 so that we’d have 3 awesome cover corners. We’re making a Super Bowl run. Corner is a key position. That’s one spot where being deep is a really good idea.

Unfortunately, egos and personalities can complicate matters. Asante met with the media on Monday and gave some confusing answers. He opened up by talking about how happy he was to be back with the team. As he started to answer questions things started to sound different. He talked about wanting to be wanted. He made it sound like he was far from completely comfortable with everything that had gone down in terms of personnel moves.

Keeping all 3 CBs only works if the players allow it to work. We saw in 2008 that having a trio of CBs was far from a sure thing. Lito Sheppard acted like a jackass and played that way as well. There are some key differences. Lito wanted a raise at the time. He was furious that we gave a huge deal to Asante, but wouldn’t re-negotiate with him. Asante right now is fine with his contract. He already got a mega-deal from the Eagles.

Asante does see the writing on the wall. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie – big CB who can be physical and press. Nnamdi Asomugha – big CB who is very physical and a master at press coverage. Curtis Marsh – big CB who has the potential to be outstanding physical, press cover guy. Asante is nothing like the 3 offseason additions. He knows he isn’t in the long term plans.

It would be great if Asante could step back and see the big picture. There is absolutely a place for him on the 2011 Eagles. Help us go get a Super Bowl. We’ll deal you next March. For now, sit tight and do your thing. Sure, you’ll lose a few snaps, but not that many. Asante is still a special playmaker and you want those guys on the field as much as possible.

In 2012 we will have Nnamdi and DRC as the starters. Hopefully Curtis Marsh or Trevard Lindley will have emerged as a starting caliber corner by then. Watch Marsh practice now and you can see just how naturally gifted he is. He’s also a really smart guy. He’s just raw. As he figures things out, the sky is the limit for him.

If Asante is able to buy into the notion of the 3 Amigos, we should keep him. If he’s ambivalent about it, we can still keep him. If he flat out shows us that he’s not going to accept the arrangement, we have to trade him. You don’t want someone on the team making waves. That makes life miserable for everyone.

The question is what happens if we deal him and then DRC or Nnamdi get hurt. You put Lindley on the field and see what he can do. He did play well at times last year. He’s not some hopeless prospect. Marsh might make a substantial jump between now and mid-season. He should get better everyday. I can’t wait to see him in preseason games. I’m also curious about Brandon Hughes. He looked good last year in the season finale and has done well so far at Lehigh, from what I can tell. I think Joselio Hanson needs to stay in the slot, but he could move outside in an emergency.

If we do trade Asante, what is his value? Real tricky question. He’s a blue chip player at a premium position. He’s also 30 and isn’t cheap. I don’t know that we have a realistic shot at getting maximum value for him.

SCENARIOS

Jets — I would love to deal him to the Jets for CB Kyle Wilson and a draft pick. Wilson is a 2nd year CB who struggled as a rookie. He’s got excellent potential.

Panthers — Carolina could use a CB. Plus, Sean McDermott is familiar with Asante. We could trade him for LB Dan Connor and a draft pick. Connor could then be a backup at MLB and SAM. Carolina has a young CB I like named Captain Munnerlyn, but he’s only 5’8, 186 so I’m not sure we’d have any interest in him. RB Mike Goodson had a good rookie year and could be a very good fit for us. We’d have to get picks with him, but he could be an excellent backup here.

Niners — I don’t see a lot on their roster that would interest us. LB Navorro Bowman could play MLB or WLB in our system. We might have to take just picks from them.

Lions — Looks like they could definitely use a CB, but I don’t see much in the way of interest on their roster. Draft picks.

Browns — Tom Heckert is the GM who ponied up big money to bring Asante to Philly. He could be interested in doing that again. Don’t know if the Eagles would be interested in WR/RS Josh Cribbs. LB D’Qwell Jackson could be of definite interest, but has struggled with injuries the last 2 years. Draft picks.

Broncos — With the uncertain status of Perrish Cox, Denver might need a CB. Don’t see a lot on their roster. LB D.J. Williams is talented veteran, but I don’t know if they’d be willing to deal him or he’d be someone we wanted. Can play inside or out. Productive player. They’d have to throw in a pick with him to get the deal done.

Patriots — I doubt they would have any interest, but there isn’t a sure thing across from Devin McCourty. The Pats have options (Bodden, Butler, Dowling), but you never know what Belichick is thinking. The only player from them I’d really want is Big Al. Logan Mankins would be interesting, but isn’t going anywhere. NE has the draft picks to deal, but I see this as a real longshot.

I know a lot of you would like to deal Asante for a RT. I just don’t see a good fit out there. That may change if we see some young players emerge in preseason games and then make veterans expendable. For not, I’m not seeing a RT that’s “the answer”. The guys we want aren’t available. The guys who are available are ones we don’t want.

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There is no practice today. Players get the day off. For tonight’s post I’ll be addressing some of the questions you guys asked from last night and this morning.