Samuel Signs One-Year Tender

Asante Samuel ended his holdout and signed a one-year contract with the New England Patriots today.

Samuel signed a one-year, $7.79 million contract and reported to Patriots camp eager to get back to work.

He wants to build on last season -- the best of his first four since New England drafted him in 2003 -- when he tied Champ Bailey of Denver for the NFL lead with 10 interceptions and picked off two more passes in the playoffs.

The Patriots received a temporary roster exemption for Samuel then got down to the 75-man limit by Tuesday's deadline by placing wide receivers Troy Brown and Chad Jackson and cornerback Eddie Jackson on the physically unable to perform reserve list, releasing offensive lineman Chris Patrick and putting rookie defensive back Mike Richardson on the injured reserve list with a hand injury, sidelining him for the season.

Samuel arrived in the area Sunday night and took his physical Monday when contract details were being finalized. No details were released on whether the Patriots gave up their right to designate him as a franchise player again next year.

By making him their franchise player after last season, the Patriots prevented him from becoming an unrestricted free agent. But they were committed to paying him the average salary of the top five players at his position. Samuel wanted a long-term contract, but it wasn't worked out before July 17, the deadline for such deals until after the season.

He originally said he would sit out the first 10 weeks of the season.

The Patriots drafted Samuel in the fourth round out of Central Florida. He started all 15 games in which he played the past two regular seasons. Last season he returned an interception 39 yards for a touchdown that gave New England a 21-3 lead in the AFC Championship Game in Indianapolis.

But the Colts won 38-34, depriving the Patriots of a shot at a fourth Super Bowl title in six years.