Samuel is staying step ahead

By Mike Reiss, Globe Staff  |  June 27, 2006

FOXBOROUGH -- Entering his fourth NFL season, Patriots cornerback Asante Samuel has taken a different approach to his offseason training. He's gotten Freaky.

Staying at his Florida home instead of working out at Gillette Stadium -- so he could be present for the birth of his third child, Amaiya -- Samuel teamed up with Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Jevon Kearse to train two days per week. Kearse has been called ``The Freak" because of his unique combination of speed, power, and athleticism. Samuel now knows why.

``He's a powerful, strong, explosive guy, a freak of nature," Samuel said. ``I'm training out there, trying to hold him with resistant bands, and you need two guys holding them."

The work, supervised by trainer Jeff Sanders, was designed so nothing will hold the 25-year-old Samuel back entering the final year of his contract.

``I tried to pair them up as much as possible," Sanders said. ``Their strengths complement each other."

The 5-foot-10-inch, 185-pound Samuel has seen his role expand in each of his first three seasons -- starting one game as a rookie, 11 in 2004, and 17 last season. Samuel intercepted passes in each of his last three games last season and has eight picks in 52 career games.

Asked if he's prepared to become a No. 1 cornerback, Samuel said he believes he already fills that role.

``Over the past two years," he said, ``I feel like I've taken the best receiver on every team."

The Patriots' success in scouting and drafting in recent years has led two teams to consider director of college scouting Thomas Dimitroff for top roles in their personnel departments within the last six months. Dimitroff, 39, was scheduled to interview for the Vikings' vice president of player personnel post in January before pulling out of the search (Fran Foley got the job and was subsequently replaced by Rick Spielman). According to industry sources, the Rams also asked for permission to speak with Dimitroff for their vice president of player personnel job that ultimately went to former Panthers director of college scouting Tony Softli last week. But the Rams were denied because Dimitroff signed a contract extension only months ago. Dimitroff enters his 17th season in player personnel in 2006, and fifth with the Patriots.

Linebacker Tedy Bruschi said the Patriots have some kinks to work out in training camp because there was too much spotty play in the recent full-squad minicamp. ``We weren't as clean as we wanted to be in minicamps," Bruschi said after yesterday's Spaulding Rehabilitation Golf Tournament at TPC Boston in Norton. ``It's understandable. We're getting the system down again and just getting used to playing football again. I think once training camp starts, everyone will have done their physical work with the offseason program. In training camp, you have to work on becoming a good football team." Bruschi, who turned 33 June 9, feels he's in top shape. ``I've had a great offseason," he said. ``I just feel like I've put in a lot of work this offseason that I wasn't able to put in last season. I believe in the process -- minicamps and offseason programs and training camps. I think participating in all that will make me a better player this year." . . . The Patriots' offseason program continues through July 7 . . . Training camp is scheduled to begin July 28 at Gillette.