Patriots’ Samuel close to ending holdout

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Star cornerback expected to sign 1-year deal, report before season begins

New England Patriots cornerback Asante Samuel is close to ending his contract holdout, ESPN.com reported.

Samuel reportedly wants to be ready for the start of training camp, but the team has "no indication right now" that the four-year pro will do so. New England opens the regular season at the New York Jets on Sept. 9.

Samuel's agent, Alonzo Shavers, told the Boston Herald that a contract resolution is close, but didn't specify how close.
MSNBC staff and news service