Asante Samuel: Eagles fans better cheer for me

Atlanta Falcons cornerback Asante Samuel, who was traded from the Philadelphia Eagles to the Falcons during the offseason, says Eagles fans better cheer for him, or else.

Samuel said as much after practice on Thursday afternoon, as reported by Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk:

"They better cheer for me," Samuel said. "They're going to cheer for me or we're going to have a problem right there in Lincoln Financial Stadium. All y'all fans, all I did for y'all, y'all better cheer for me."

Samuel, who spent four season with the Eagles from 2008-11, intercepted 23 passes and returned two for touchdowns and even forced two fumbles and recovered three. He also defended 62 passes in the four seasons he was with Philadelphia. He does admit that being traded from the Eagles does add some motivation for him:

"It's not any game, I'm going back home," Samuel said. "It'll be exciting. They'll be happy to see me. Everybody gonna cheer for me."

Eagles fans are not known for being the most welcoming in the NFL, especially with players that have left the team. Samuel may be surprised at the kind of reception he gets at Lincoln Financial Field.

The game between the Eagles and Falcons is scheduled for Sunday at 1 p.m. and will be televised on Fox. Radio coverage of the game will be provided by 94.1 WSTR FM and WQXI 790 AM.