View Asante Samuel's Career Statistics >>

• Samuel has started 39 of 59 career regular-season games and has notched 184 tackles (162 solo), 16 interceptions for 224 yards and two touchdowns, 63 passes defensed and three forced fumbles.
• Samuel tied for the NFL lead with 10 interceptions in the 2006 regular season, achieving the second highest interception total in Patriots history and the most in club annals since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger. Samuel's 10 interceptions trail only Ron Hall's total of 11 for the Boston Patriots in 1964.
• Samuel led the NFL with 24 passes defensed during the 2006 regular season (Chris McAlister, 22), becoming the first Patriot to lead the league in passes defensed since Ty Law (23) in 2004.
• Samuel set a career high with three interceptions against Chicago on Nov. 26, 2006, becoming the first Patriots player to have three picks in a regular season game since Roland James on Oct. 23, 1983.
• Samuel returned two interceptions for touchdowns in the 2006 playoffs, giving him three career playoff interceptions returned for touchdowns. He is tied with Oakland's Willie Brown for the all-time NFL playoff record in that category.
• Samuel has shown an ability to consistently find the end zone, having returned five interceptions for touchdowns in four NFL seasons, including three in the playoffs. He returned one pick for a score in both the 2003 and 2004 regular seasons and also found the end zone in the 2005 and 2006 playoffs.
• In 2006, Samuel was part of a Patriots secondary that allowed just 10 touchdown passes by opponents, a mark that led the NFL and stands as the fewest allowed in team history for a single season.
• In 2005, Samuel started all 15 regular-season games in which he played and tied for the team lead with a career-high three interceptions and led the team with a career-high 18 passes defensed. He also notched a career-high 53 tackles (41 solo).
• Samuel's four career playoff interceptions are tied with Ty Law for second in Patriots playoff history, trailing only Rodney Harrison (6).
• Samuel played in 13 games with eight starts in 2004 and led the team with 12 passes defensed.
• Samuel started all three postseason contests for the Patriots in 2004 and finished tied for the team lead with four pass breakups.
• Samuel tallied his second career touchdown with a 34- yard interception return for a score against Cincinnati (12/12/04).
• Samuel was named NFL rookie of the week for his performance in the Patriots' victory over the Jets in New England's 2003 home opener. He returned his first career interception 55 yards for a touchdown to seal a 23-16 Patriots victory.
• Samuel spent much of his rookie season as the Patriots' fifth defensive back, and earned his first career start in place of an injured Ty Law in the Patriots' 19-13 overtime win at Miami (10/19/03).

2007 (16/14/0/0):  Led the team in passes defensed four times in 2007 (at CIN, at MIA, vs. WAS, vs. PHI)... Moved into 10th place on the Patriots' all-time interceptions list with 22, passing Don Webb with a two-interception performance in the Patriots' 31-28 win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Nov. 25... Named AFC Defensive Player of the Week for Week 12 for his two-interception performance in the Patriots' 31-28 win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Nov. 25... Finished first on the team in interceptions with six and passes defense with 18 in 2007.

at N.Y. Jets (9/9):  Played a reserve role at cornerback in the Patriots' 38-14 victory to open the season... Tallied two solo tackles... Stuffed Jets running back Thomas Jones at the line of scrimmage on second down as New York went 3-and-out in their second series. San Diego (9/16):  Interrupted a Philip Rivers pass intended for Vincent Jackson in the third quarter of the Patriots' 38-14 victory over the Chargers... Racked up three solo tackles.  Buffalo (9/23):  Made his first start of the season at cornerback in the Patriots' 38-7 win over the Bills...  Picked off a Trent Edwards pass and returned it 42 yards for his first interception of the season and the 17th of his career... Tallied three solo tackles.  at Cincinnati (10/1): Started at cornerback... Hauled in his second interception in as many games, picking off Carson Palmer on a pass intended for Chad Johnson on the Patriots' own 2-yard line with 1:22 remaining in the first half... Registered four solo tackles and two passes defensed.  Cleveland (10/7):  Started at left cornerback...  Picked off Derek Anderson in the first quarter for his team-leading third interception of the season and his third in as many games on a ball that had been deflected by linebacker Adalius Thomas, which set up a Patriots drive that resulted in a Donte' Stallworth touchdown reception... Had recorded interceptions in 12 of his last 14 regular season and playoff games with the pick against the Browns... Did not register a tackle.  at Dallas (10/14):  Started at left cornerback... Contributed two tackles in coverage in the Patriots' 48-27 win.  at Miami (10/21):  Started at left cornerback... Registered a season high three passes defensed in the Patriots' 49-28 victory over the Dolphins... Broke up two Cleo Lemon passes intended for Marty Booker on the same second-quarter drive, forcing a Miami punt... Tallied two tackles in coverage.  Washington (10/28):  Started at left cornerback... Led the secondary with four solo tackles, hauled in an interception and registered two passes defensed in the Patriots' 52-7 victory over the Redskins... Picked off a Jason Campbell pass intended for James Thrash with 4:33 remaining in the second quarter... Stepped in front of a pass intended for Santana Moss, stopping a Washington drive cold on third down in the first quarter.  at Indianapolis (11/4):  Started at left cornerback... Batted away a Peyton Manning pass intended for Anthony Gonzalez on a third-down try in the first quarter, limiting the Colts to a field goal try... Made one solo tackle in the Patriots' 24-20 comeback win over the Colts.  at Buffalo (11/18):  Started at left cornerback... Tallied three tackles (two solo) in the Patriots' 56-10 rout of the Bills. Philadelphia (11/25):  Started at cornerback... Collected a season-high two interceptions while making three solo tackles and leading the team with three passes defensed in the Patriots' 31-28 comeback win over the Eagles... Intercepted on A.J. Feeley pass on the Eagles' second offensive play of the game and raced 40 yards to the end zone for his third career return for a touchdown to give the Patriots a 7-0 lead... Picked off his second pass of game, snatching a Feeley pass in the back of the end zone with 3:52 remaining in the game, helping to ice the Patriots' victory.  at Baltimore (12/3):  Started at cornerback... Tallied three solo tackles in coverage in the Patriots' 27-24 comeback win over the Ravens.  Pittsburgh (12/9):  Started at cornerback... Credited with a pass defensed as he stepped in front of a Ben Roethlisberger pass intended for Hines Ward on third and two in the second quarter, forcing Pittsburgh to settle for a field goal... Tallied three solo tackles in coverage.  N.Y. Jets (12/16):  Started at cornerback... Dropped Jerricho Cotchery on a hard hit in the fourth quarter for one of his two solo tackles in the Patriots' 20-10 win over the Jets.  Miami (12/23):  Started at cornerback... Tied a season high with four solo tackles in the Patriots' 28-7 win over the Dolphins while also registering a pass defensed... Broke up a Cleo Lemon pass intended for Derek Hagan in the third quarter, forcing a Dolphins' punt.  at N.Y. Giants (12/29):  Started at cornerback... Contributed four solo tackles in coverage and a pass defensed as the Patriots became the fourth team in NFL history to finish its regular-season undefeated in a 38-35 comeback victory over the Giants... Knocked down an Eli Manning pass intended for Steve Smith in the first quarter.

2007 Postseason (2/2/0/0):  Jacksonville (1/12):  Started at cornerback... Made four tackles (3 solo) in the Patriots'31-20 win over the Jaguars.  San Diego (1/20):  Started at cornerback... Stepped in front of a Philip Rivers pass intended for Chris Chambers for his fifth career postseason interception, helping to set up a Patriots' touchdown drive in the second quarter... Made three solo tackles in coverage... Notched a pass defensed, breaking up a Rivers pass intended for Vincent Jackson in the first quarter.

Buffalo (9/10): Started at cornerback ... Registered four tackles (3 solo) in the Patriots' 19-17 victory over the Bills ... Teamed with Eugene Wilson to stonewall Willis McGahee for a 2-yard loss on a rush off right end in the first quarter ... Combined with Rosevelt Colvin to stop McGahee for a 2-yard loss on a rush in the third quarter. at N.Y. Jets (9/17): Started at cornerback ... Collected two solo tackles and two passes defensed in the Patriots' 24-17 win over the N.Y. Jets ... Read Chad Pennington's eyes perfectly and knocked down a short pass intended for Derrick Blaylock in the first quarter ... Deflected a pass intended for Laveranues Coles in the second quarter. Denver (9/24): Made the start at cornerback and tallied four solo tackles and a pass defensed ... Broke up a pass intended for Rod Smith in the second quarter. at Cincinnati (10/1): Started at cornerback ... Notched five solo tackles in the Patriots' commanding 38-13 victory over the Bengals. Miami (10/8): Started at cornerback ... Collected seven solo tackles and two interceptions in the Patriots' 20-10 win over the Dolphins ... Picked off a Joey Harrington pass intended for Wes Welker in the second quarter and returned it 26 yards to the Miami 10-yard line ... Recorded his second interception of the afternoon, when he grabbed a deflected pass intended for Welker in the fourth quarter ... Teamed with Rosevelt Colvin to stonewall Ronnie Brown for a 3-yard loss on a screen pass in the fourth quarter. at Buffalo (10/22): Made the start at cornerback ... Recorded two solo tackles, an interception and three passes defensed in the Patriots' 28-6 road victory over the Bills ... Stepped in front of Lee Evans and intercepted a JP Losman pass, halting a Bills scoring opportunity at the end of the first half ... Saved a touchdown by administering tight coverage on a deep pass intended for Evans in the end zone in the fourth quarter ... On the next play, knocked down a third-down pass intended for Evans. at Minnesota (10/30): Started at cornerback and collected three solo tackles and a pass defensed in the Patriots' commanding 31-7 road win against the Vikings ... Broke up a deep pass intended for Bethel Johnson in the end zone during the opening stanza. Indianapolis (11/5): Made the start at cornerback ... Registered eight tackles (7 solo), a pass defensed and a forced fumble ... Batted down a sideline pass intended for Reggie Wayne in the third quarter. N.Y. Jets (11/12): Started at cornerback and recorded five solo tackles. at Green Bay (11/19): Inactive. Chicago (11/26): Started at cornerback ... Named AFC Defensive Player of the Week after collecting eight tackles (7 solo) and career-high three interceptions in the Patriots' 17-13 victory over the Bears ... Recorded his first interception of the afternoon when he stepped in front of a Rex Grossman slant pass intended for Bernard Berrian in the first quarter ... Intercepted a Grossman pass intended for Desmond Clark and returned the pick 27 yards in the third quarter ... Teamed with Tedy Bruschi to stuff Thomas Jones for a 2-yard loss on a short pass in the fourth quarter ... Sealed the victory with a leaping interception in front of Rashied Davis with 1:52 remaining in the fourth quarter. Detroit (12/3): Started at cornerback ... Notched two tackles, an interception and four passes defensed in the Patriots' 28-21 comeback victory over the Lions ... Batted down a pass intended for Roy Williams in the end zone on a third-and-seven play during the second quarter ... Intercepted a Jon Kitna pass that was intended for Corey Bradford late in the second quarter ... Knocked down a deep pass intended for Mike Furrey in the third stanza ... Broke up a deep pass intended for Williams at the end of the third quarter. at Miami (12/10): Started at cornerback and registered four tackles (3 solo) ... Stonewalled Wes Welker for a 1-yard loss on a short pass in the second quarter. Houston (12/17): Started at cornerback ... Notched three tackles, an interception and two passes defensed in the Patriots' commanding 40-7 victory over the Texans ... Broke up a pass intended for Eric Moulds in the second quarter ... Stepped in front of Owen Daniels, intercepted a David Carr pass and returned the pick 33 yards to the Houston 5-yard line in the fourth quarter. at Jacksonville (12/24): Started at cornerback ... Notched three solo tackles and a pass defensed in the Patriots' 24-21 division-clinching win over the Jaguars ... Knocked down a David Garrard pass intended for Reggie Williams along the sideline in the first quarter. at Tennessee (12/31): Started at cornerback ... Posted two solo tackles, two interceptions and four passes defensed in the Patriots' 40-23 victory over the Titans ... Batted down a deep pass intended for Brandon Jones in the third quarter ... Defended another deep pass down the left sideline intended for Jones in the fourth quarter ... Intercepted a Vince Young deep ball intended for Courtney Roby in the fourth quarter ... Picked off another Young pass that was intended for Roby along the sideline late in the final stanza.

2005 (15/15/0/1): Led the team with 18 passes defensed … Tied for the team lead with a career-high three interceptions.

Oakland (9/8): Started at cornerback and tallied three tackles (2 solo) in the Patriots’ 30-20 victory over the Raiders on opening night … Stopped Lamont Jordan for a 1-yard loss on a screen pass in the fourth quarter. at Carolina (9/18): Started at cornerback and registered two passes defensed … Broke up a pass intended for DeShaun Foster in the second quarter … Batted down a pass intended for Keary Colbert along the sideline in the third quarter. at Pittsburgh (9/25): Collected three tackles (2 solo) and a pass defensed in the Patriots’ 23-20 victory over the Steelers … Batted down a pass intended for Antwaan Randle El at the goalline on third-and-15 in the first quarter. San Diego (10/2): Collected three tackles (1 solo) … Teamed with Willie McGinest to stop Darren Sproles for a 1-yard loss on a screen pass in the third quarter. at Atlanta (10/9): Registered two solo tackles and three passes defensed in the Patriots’ 31-28 win over the Falcons … Broke up a pass intended for Roddy White in the second quarter. at Denver (10/16): Tallied four tackles (2 solo) and a pass defensed … Broke up a pass intended for Jeb Putzier with a blistering hit in the first quarter. Buffalo (10/30): Notched six solo tackles, two passes defensed, including an interception in the Patriots’ 21-16 victory over the Bills on Sunday Night Football … Made a diving interception on a Kelly Holcomb pass intended for Eric Moulds in the third quarter … Batted down a pass intended for Josh Reed on third-and-three in the fourth quarter. Indianapolis (11/7): Recorded eight tackles (5 solo) and two passes defensed … Batted down a pass intended for Marvin Harrison along the sideline in the first quarter … Knocked down a deep ball in the end zone that was intended for Harrison in the third quarter … Partnered with Willie McGinest to stonewall Edgerrin James for a 2-yard loss on a rush off right end in the third quarter. at Miami (11/13): Notched five tackles (4 solo) and two passes defensed in the Patriots’ 23-16 road victory over the Dolphins … Deflected a pass intended for Marty Booker in the third quarter … Batted down a pass intended for Chris Chambers in the third quarter … Provided tight coverage on Chris Chambers and forced an incompletion on the Dolphins’ final fourth down chance in the fourth quarter. New Orleans (11/20): Notched four tackles (3 solo) in the Patriots’ 24-17 win over the Saints. at Kansas City (11/27): Registered four solo tackles. N.Y. Jets (12/4): Collected a tackle in the Patriots’ 16-3 victory over the Jets. at Buffalo (12/11): Collected three solo tackles and two passes defensed, including an interception in the Patriots’ commanding 35-7 road victory over the Bills … Batted down a pass intended for Roscoe Parrish in the first quarter … Halted a potential Bills’ scoring drive by intercepting a JP Losman pass intended for Sam Aiken in the end zone. Tampa Bay (12/17): Recorded seven solo tackles and a pass defensed in the Patriots’ 28-0 shutout victory over the Buccaneers … Batted down a pass intended for Joey Galloway in the second quarter. at N.Y. Jets (12/26): Started at cornerback and collected an interception and two passes defensed in the Patriots’ 31-21 victory over the Jets … Left the game in the first quarter with an injury … Batted down a thirddown pass intended for Jerricho Cotchery in the first quarter … Picked off a pass intended for Brooks Bollinger and returned the interception 15 yards in the first quarter. Miami (1/1): Inactive.

2005 Postseason (2/2/0/0): Jacksonville (1/7): Registered four solo tackles, an interception and three passes defensed in the Patriots' 28-3 AFC Wild Card victory over the Jaguars ... Batted down a pass intended for Ernest Wilford on third-and-nine in the first quarter ... Deflected a third-and-10 pass intended for Jimmy Smith in the third quarter ... Sealed the game when he picked off a Byron Leftwich pass and returned the interception 73 yards for a touchdown on the first play of the fourth quarter. at Denver (1/14): Notched three solo tackles, an interception and three passes defensed ... Provided tight coverage on Ashlie Lelie on a fourth-and-one fade route on the goalline in the second quarter ... Intercepted a Jake Plummer pass intended for Lelie with a tip-toe grab along the sideline in the second quarter ... Knocked down a pass intended for Lelie in the second quarter ... Batted down another pass intended for Lelie in the third quarter.

2004 (13/8/3/3):  Indianapolis (9/9): Saw extensive action in the secondary and notched three solo tackles and a pass defensed in the Patriots' 27-24 victory over the Colts ... Batted down a Peyton Manning pass intended for Reggie Wayne in the second quarter.  at Arizona (9/19):  Collected two solo tackles and a pass defensed in the Patriots' 23-12 victory over the Cardinals ... Broke up a Josh McCown pass intended for Karl Williams in the fourth quarter.  at Buffalo (10/3): Saw action as the fifth defensive back in the Patriots' 31-17 victory over the Bills.  Miami (10/10):  Started at cornerback and tallied four solo tackles, a pass defensed and a forced fumble in the Patriots' 24-10 victory over the Dolphins ... Batted down a deep ball intended for Marty Booker in the second quarter.  Seattle (10/17):  Saw significant action at cornerback in the Patriots' 30-20 victory over the Seahawks ... Stopped Mack Strong for a 2-yard loss on a screen pass late in the fourth quarter.  N.Y. Jets (10/24):  Started at cornerback and notched three solo tackles, two passes defensed and a forced fumble in the Patriots' 13-7 win over the Jets ... Forced Justin McCareins to fumble in the first quarter, but the loose ball was recovered by the Jets ... Batted down a pass intended for Justin McCareins in the third quarter ... Knocked down another pass intended for Justin McCareins in the fourth quarter.  at Pittsburgh (10/31):  Made his second consecutive start at cornerback and collected three solo tackles against the Steelers ... Forced Antwaan Randle-El to fumble in the second quarter, but the ball rolled out of bounds.  at St. Louis (11/7):  Started at cornerback and tallied a solo tackle in the Patriots' 40-22 road win against the Rams.  Buffalo (11/14):  Dressed but did not play in the Patriots' commanding 29-6 victory over the Bills.  at Kansas City (11/22): Collected four solo tackles and two passes defensed in the Patriots' 27-19 Monday Night victory over the Chiefs ... Tipped a pass intended for Eddie Kennison down the right sideline in the second quarter ... Batted down a Green pass intended for Kennison during the Chiefs final drive of the game.  Baltimore (11/28):  Inactive.  at Cleveland (12/5):  Inactive.  Cincinnati (12/12):  Registered a solo tackle and three passes defensed, including an interception return for a touchdown in the Patriots' AFC East clinching 35-28 victory over the Bengals ... Knocked down a Carson Palmer pass intended Chad Johnson in the first quarter ... Picked off a Carson Palmer pass intended for T.J. Houshmandzadeh and scampered down the sideline for a 34-yard interception return for a touchdown in the second quarter ... Batted down a pass intended for Tony Stewart in the end zone during the third quarter.  at Miami (12/20):  Collected five solo tackles and a pass defensed ... Knocked down an A.J. Feeley pass intended for Marty Booker in the second quarter ... Teamed with Willie McGinest to stop Sammy Morris for no gain on a rush in the fourth quarter.  at N.Y. Jets (12/26):  Registered five solo tackles in the Patriots' 23-7 victory over the Jets ... Stopped Justin McCareins short of the first down on a fourth-and-six play in the fourth quarter.  San Francisco (1/2):  Started at cornerback and collected three tackles and a pass defensed in the Patriots' 21-7 victory over the 49ers ... Batted down a Ken Dorsey pass intended for Curtis Conway on third-and-five in the first quarter.

2004 Postseason (2/2/0/0):  Indianapolis (1/16):  Started at cornerback and collected three solo tackles in the Patriots' 20-3 victory over the Colts.  at Pittsburgh (1/23):  Recorded four tackles and four passes defensed in the Patriots' 41-27 AFC Championship victory over the Steelers ... Deflected a Ben Roethlisberger pass that was then picked off by Eugene Wilson in the first quarter ... Used a corner blitz to stop Duce Staley for no gain on a rush up the middle in the first quarter ... Batted down a Roethlisberger pass intended for Plaxico Burress in the second quarter ... Broke up a Roethlisberger pass intended for Burress in the third quarter ... Deflected a Roethlisberger pass intended for Hines Ward in the third quarter ... Knocked down another pass intended for Burress in the end zone during the fourth quarter.   

2003 (16/1, 3/0): Played in all 16 games at cornerback with one starting assignment … Made his NFL debut at Buffalo (9/7) … Named NFL Rookie of the Week for his performance against the N.Y. Jets (9/21).

N.Y. Jets (9/21): Named NFL Rookie of the Week for his performance against the Jets … Registered his first career interception when he picked off Vinny Testaverde and returned it 55 yards for the game-winning touchdown on the first play of the fourth quarter … It was the first time a Patriots rookie returned an interception for a touchdown since Oct. 17, 1999 when Andy Katzenmoyer picked off a Dan Marino pass and scampered 57 yards. Tennessee (10/5): Tallied six solo tackles, his second highest tackle total of the season. Miami (10/19): Made his first career start and made two solo tackles … Deflected a Jay Fiedler deep pass that was intended for Derrius Thompson … The tipped ball was then intercepted by Eugene Wilson. Denver (11/3): Sealed the Patriots’ fifth straight victory by intercepting a Danny Kanell pass intended for Ashley Lelie with seven seconds remaining in the game. Indianapolis (11/30): Registered a career-high eight tackles (7 solo) … Made a nice tackle to keep Edgerrin James out of the end zone on a seven-yard run, setting up the Patriots’ goal line stand late in the fourth quarter.

2003 Postseason (3/0):  Tennessee (1/10): Collected two solo tackles in the Patriots’ 17-14 divisional playoff victory over the Titans … Sealed the victory by breaking up a pass intended for Drew Bennett on fourth-and-12 with 1:38 remaining in the game. Indianapolis (1/18): Tallied three solo tackles and a pass defense in the Patriots’ 24-14 AFC Championship victory over the Colts. Carolina (2/1): Saw action as the fifth defensive back in the Patriots’ 32-29 Super Bowl XXXVIII victory over the Panthers.

• Asante's father gave him his first name, which means "Thank You" in Swahili.
• Ten minutes before Asante's final high school game, he replaced his team's injured starting quarterback. Samuel threw two touchdown passes, intercepted two more, and rushed for 80 yards. He also returned punts and kickoffs.