"Philadelphia has a surplus of shut-down, cover cornerbacks.

The Panthers need one.

And if the Eagles decide to make Asante Samuel available, the Panthers would be interested in the Pro Bowl corner, a league source said Saturday.

But Samuel's big contract would be a stumbling block in a potential trade with the Panthers, who committed more than $272 million last week to five of their core players, rookie quarterback Cam Newton and a couple of new additions.

The Panthers likely would need Samuel to restructure his contract, a scenario that probably would kill any chances at a deal.

Samuel, 30, who has 42 career interceptions, appears to be the odd man out in Philly after the Eagles acquired Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie from Arizona in the Kevin Kolb trade, and signed coveted free agent Nnamdi Asomugha to a five-year, $60 million deal Friday.

The Eagles reportedly have Samuel on the trading block, although Samuel's agent, Alonzo Shavers, said no one from the team has told him that.

"It's not an issue. You've got two of the best in the same camp," said Shavers, referring to Samuel and Asomugha. "It's going to breed competition, or the organization has to make some changes."

The Panthers' stated policy is not to talk about any players under contract with other teams due to the NFL's anti-tampering rules."