Crazy statement. LT's contract in 04 made him the highest paid RB in the history of the game, did he "get the job done"? Other players on huge contracts include Brian Urlacher, Peyton Manning, Ray Lewis and now Bob Sanders.
In fact I like the Sanders comparison. As we've all said, the $100m bit isn't the scary thing about the proposed contract because he'll never finish it. The bit that makes you gulp is the $24-30m (depending on what you read) guaranteed money. Well Sanders is on $20m guaranteed for his 5 year contract. Like it or not, as you've already pointed out, that is the going rate for a top DB these days. So if we're really serious about becoming a perennial playoff contender, then that's the kind of money we're talking.
Now you can say you don't think he's worth it. You can say you don't think anyone is worth it (although market forces would obviously disagree). But to say that if you pay him that much he won't get the job done is ridiculous.
I don't think anyone here believes that signing Samuel would instantly transform our Defense - he is just one part of a very complicated puzzle. And obviously he's going to have a lot of pressure on him, wherever he goes. But I hope he does come to NO. I hope he takes his place as a starting Corner and continues the excellent play we've seen from him in New England. If he does that, as far as I'm concerned, he's earned his money, however much it does eventually turn out to be.