Are you there, Asante? It's me, T....

Seriously…training camp is wrapping up, preseason GAMES are starting and you are still nowhere to be found.

I know you were tied for the league lead in INT’s and are a great player that has far exceeded his draft position. I understand that you were being paid like a 4th round draft pick, and not like the star you are. I know you saw guys like Nate Clements get the big pay out and that even in Foxboro, Adalius Thomas got a SWEET deal with a nice cushy patch of guaranteed money and all you got was the franchise tag, with no long term deal and no guaranteed money. I understand that you feel slighted by Mr. Kraft, Mr. Pioli and Mr. Belichick, but you gotta try and see it from my perspective too.

I am not only a patriots fan, but I am a fan of football in general. I understand the rules of the business of football, too. I understand that the $7 million dollar one year contract you would get as the franchise player would be more money than you’ve made your whole career. I also know that you will LOSE more money than you’ve made your entire career by sitting out the first 10 games of the season. Sitting out will also paint a certain picture of you to the league. While sticking to your guns is admirable, that top 3 salary they are offering you makes it difficult to understand why you are holding out. That’s MILLIONS more than most of your fans will ever see in their lifetimes.

You’ve won two rings with the Pats and this season, you have the offense to make a run again. The defense is poised to hold strong, but the secondary does need you…they do every year. You can’t get that long term deal you want right now, but think what type of deal you could get if you put even more than last season’s career highs in tackles, INT’s and yards in the record books.

The NFL isn’t fair to its players, I understand that. I understand that everyone in the league is just one injury away from retirement and there is very little that is guaranteed. I also understand that the Patriots are one stellar D back away from making another run at the Lombardi trophy. So with that, I ask you to come home, put the red, white, silver and blue back and make your fans, like myself, happy.