The Rundown: The Lament of Richard Seymour
Richard Seymour’s trade from New England to Oakland has perked some ears up amongst readers here, and I’m more than happy to write on the subject. For those of you who have been living under a rock this week, Seymour was traded, on the verge of the season to the Raiders, and here’s the latest non-news from New England.
Speculation has run rampant – ranging from a report that Seymour may have been shocked by the trade after hoping for a contract extension with the Pats to the possibility he will simply decline to report to the sorrowful Raiders. The story continues to generate more questions than answers.
When Belichick was pressed again about the possibility of Seymour returning to the Pats if the trade is rescinded, he relented.
“Whatever happens, then we’ll deal with whatever happens when it happens,” he said with a smile. “Whether that’s this week, next week, next year, next month, I don’t know. I’m concerned about getting our team ready to play Buffalo (on Monday night). Do you have any follow-up questions to that? Awesome.”
From a straight defensive standpoint for the Patriots, Seymour’s departure means that the Patriots defense is going to have to adjust.
Without Seymour, might the Patriots employ more 4-3 alignments, as they seemingly have with greater frequency this preseason, or remain true to their 3-4 heritage?
“Schematically, we’re going to be whatever we need to be,” [DC Dean] Pees answered. “We’ve always been a multiple team on defense. Multiple fronts, multiple coverages. We ask a lot of our players, and they’re going to have to know a lot of different spots. So, 4-3, 3-4-wise, I think it’s been pretty balanced.”
… it seems more players might have to get involved, particularly in the front seven. Players like rookies Ron Brace and Myron Pryor, as well as veterans like the recently acquired Derrick Burgess, who continues to try to carve out a role for himself.
“Those are two [Brace and Pryor] young players,” Caserio continued, “that have come in here – Ron’s been out there a little more than Myron has – like most of our young players, they’ve worked hard. They have an understanding of some of the things we’re doing defensively. They had some experience in the preseason. I think they’re moving in the right direction.”
Former BC DL Ron Brace must have impressed the team enough if they are willing to (more than likely) elevate him into a starting role, but still, this defense is not what it once was, and it won’t be the driving force like during the early days of the dynasty. They might be young and on the rise, but that’s just the thing … they’re young and on the rise.
As far as Richard, if he doesn’t report soon, then I think that the dreaded “five day letter” rule might apply. Although I’m not clear on where that stands … meaning whether it’s been sent already or not.
The only leverage that can be exerted against the player is the dreaded “five-day letter,” a precursor to placement on the reserve/left squad list.
“The club sends a letter to the player warning him that, in five days, the club has the right to place him on the reserve/left squad list,” [NFL Spokesman] Michael Signora said. “It explains to him that if they do place him in that category, he cannot play again this season, etc. After sending that letter and the expiration of the five-day period, the club does not have to place the player on the reserve/left squad list, but it may do so.”
Should Seymour not report to the Raiders, it sets up a rather delcious scenario for fans (like us) who don’t particularly care for both teams. This will likely draw out.
The Raiders, as we’ve reported, will take the position that a failure by Seymour to report requires a return of their 2011 first-round selection. The Patriots apparently are poised to claim that Seymour is now Oakland’s problem, and that there will be no givesy-backsies when it comes to the draft pick.
I’m only going to comment briefly on the Raiders desire to make a move like this. That they had no idea how he would react, they only can blame themselves.With this Seymour’s last year left on his deal, if they think that Seymour would re-sign to stay in Oakland … I’m not going to say what I want to say about the matter.
For some reason though, Oakland thinks that this move makes them a better team this year by helping a terrible run defense (which it does, if he shows up) and adding a veteran leadership presence (which again, it does, if he shows up). But to trade a future one (likely a top ten based on Oakland’s consistent terribleness lately) in 2011 with the likelihood that a rookie salary structure be will in place at that time is a brilliant move by the Patriots.
Add in the fact that while 2011 looks like a lifetime away for most franchises (up to 1/4 of head coaches will be fired this offseason) for Belichick it’s nothing.
As far as the Patriots, beyond the fact that Belichick has no remorse for basically stealing from a man clearly in the midst of a very public and very sad decline into dementia, this was a brilliant move for the Patriots. No other team in the league would have offered a number one pick for Richard Seymour at this point in his career, without at least getting a new deal done with the Defensive End first, not one (well maybe the Bengals or Cardinals).
As a Jets fan, my hope is that this now bad blood between the teams means that the Raiders will stop working with the Patriots as trading partners. The Patriots have gotten a number of great contributors from their team off the Raiders roster, and maybe this move will now dam that source of talent for the Patriots. Oakland is jokingly called a farm team up here in New England. I am amazed and dismayed that they got a future first rounder from a guy who clearly wasn’t returning (if you read the papers) to the Patriots next season — a very shrewd deal for the Patriots.
That said, the Jets can make some hay while the sun shines between now and whenever they cash in on that pick. The Patriots are without a Pro-Bowl Defensive End, and as noted above, should Seymour not report, then they are also going to have to fight (although they should succeed) in keeping that first round pick. A perfect outcome for a Jet fan would be that Seymour never shows, the NFL rules in favor of the Raiders on returning the pick, and Seymour sits out the year and the Jets don’t see him in any of the three potential contests against the Jets that those two teams play.
I can dream, can’t I?
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And the nightmare dream is that the league rules that it is not the Pats fault that the Raiduhs did not do their due diligence and rules the trade stands and the Raiders don’t get anything, the Pats get a cheap 2011 top 5 pick (because I agree the rookie scale will be less then), and the Pats end up with Seymour after a year when they take him back at a reduce salary and a late round pick of their own using one of their extra picks.
harlan
Harlan-
I agree that would be a nightmare but I can’t see it happening, the last part anyway. Seymour was already hinting about hitting the streets after the season when his contract is up. No way do I see him returning to the Pats after they made him (in his mind anyway) sit out a year and give up $3 million.
In any case, this is all good. Not only is there a good chance for a renewal of the blood feud between the Pats and the Raydahs but Seymour is out of our hair and anything that tarnishes the Pats glow works for me.
ESPN is reporting the league is looking into whether to fine the Jets for lying about Favre’s injury- aka they knew about his injury but didn’t list it on the report. Even after he leaves Favre screws us over. Not that it’s his fault for telling the truth- I blame Mangini more than him if we lose money from this.
Darn, i was really looking forward to watching seymour begin life as a loser-i mean raider
He may have told the truth, but why the heck did he feel he had to come out now and say that. The man’s a muppet, as we say in my neck of the woods, a prime time egocentic idiot.
As long as he’s in the news…to hell with the rest of the world.
i don’t understand why favre would do that to the jets….we pretty much gave him everything he wanted…his release so he can go play for the vikings and come out of retirement as soon as the vikings broke camp (who didn’t see that one coming)
what a d-bag
Glauber reported that although Favre said in his recent comments that he “got an MRI with 4 or 5 games to go and finally found out what was wrong” but at the time Favre insisted he hadn’t had an MRI and would get one after the end of the season.
Ha. Busted! One way or another he is lying.
Interesting. Well, as long as it’s only a fine it shouldn’t affect the team. If it was down to Mangini though, they should fine the Browns instead.
Back on topic – I expect Seymour to end up back at the Pats for the veteran’s minimum next year, so that the Raiders have to try not to finish last without him. They’ll then trade down about six times and end up with 20 first day picks, all of whom will end up in the Pro Bowl within three years. We might find ourselves rooting for a lockout in 2011.
Alternatively, it will probably get resolved satisfactorily and we can all go on with our lives.
Bent- according to ESPN other teams that have lied on injury reports have only been fined.
wait, so the Pats DC is named Dean Pees? Sorry, for some reason I laughed at that name.
There’s also the possibility that Seymour is trying to make hay, from the Raiders – We know that Davis splashes on players he likes, so, he may just be angling for a massive contract to keep him in Oakland for the rest of his career. Ultimately, that’s all that Seymour wanted in the first place.
It appears the Raiders are getting serious about completeing this trade……..apparently Al Davis has hired a cab to pick up Seymour immediately and bring him straight to the Greyhound bus station where the Raiders have pre-purchased a “first class” ticket for the ride to Oakland.
anyway tanny could get seymour from the raiders? what do you think it would take in terms of draft picks?
RE: Favre…sounds like he might be doing some damage control on his performance last year. Everyone knows he sucked last December and was a big reason we dropped out of the race (the other big reason being Mangini forgot what a blitz was and decided to play prevent defense on every down including 3rd and 1’s)
By saying that he knew he was hurt and that the team knew he was hurt and that Favre essentially didnt want to play hurt, he is covering for how bad he actually did play.
Oh, and I forgot to add: Trading a 2011 first round pick when you’ve been getting high picks every year for the last few (even though the way you’ve used them hasn’t made them particularly valuable) for a guy that WON’T EVEN BE THERE during the season which determines where that pick is placed is probably the dumbest thing Al Davis has EVER done. Even worse than the D. Hall contract. That’s up there with some of Isiah’s worst moves.
I hope they can rescind this deal on similar grounds to when they let someone get away with a crime because they went crazy.
Instead I ask this: Any interest in Seymour assuming he’s a free agent next year? Even if he sits out this year? At what cost?
Definetely BigKatFan,
If he ends up on that terrible Raiders team, there is absolutely no chance he makes it into the HoF.
Its trades like this that piss me off when I think of what could have been if BB was our coach.
Bent- disagree on the Seymour trade. Considering how bad the division is the Raiders might not be as bad as everyone says.
And more Favre news: Per Cimini’s blog:
Mangini is denying all wrongdoing of course, but to Tanny’s credit he admitted he should have listed Favre as probable. He knew Favre would play since he gave them the best chance to win (which, as Cimini points out, is more of an indictment on Kellen than anything).
Seymour is not ancient, he’s turning 30 this year, and is coming off of a very solid year (8.5 sacks for a 3-4 DE is excellent). That the Raiders think that a guy used to competing for Super Bowls would willingly go to Oakland AND sign with them was patently ridiculous. But, I think Seymour has 3-5 more productive years ahead of him. At the right price, I’d love to see him with Jenks and Ellis…a formidable “over the hill” gang. I don’t know how other folks feel, but I thought Seymour was the cornerstone of the Pats D and the one guy that kept offensive coordinators up at night. He’s versatile, plays the run and the pass equally well, and he’s really not that old.
As an aside, I know Football Outsiders is predicting injuries for the Jets because the Jets were so “injury-free” last season. But this latest Favre saga shows that Mangini under-reported injuries. Perhaps, the Jets were a lot less healthy last year than what was reported.
Aren’t trades usually based on the successful completion of a physical exam?
If he does not show, there can be no exam.
The trade gets nullified.
Anyone think the Pats might be pushing for Terrence Cody or Taylor Mays with Oakland’s probable high draft pick?
Could be some scary stuff down the road.
nvm, it’s a 2011 pick, not 2010.
Anyway, is there any TV personality less professional than Rodney Harrison?
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/danpatrick/blog/77001/
Not content on being a shameless Patriots shill (as if there weren’t enough Florios in this world), he goes beyond the call of duty by seemingly badmouthing every non-Patriots team.
Mel – Even so, you don’t make that trade unless you know you’re getting the guy for more than a season. (Unless it’s a get-you-over-the-hump type move). That’s the aspect of it that I find unbelievable and troubling, not the fact that the pick might be a high one (that’s just me being pessimistic).
Since Favre was clearly 100% likely to play, it would have been inaccurate to call him “probable” therefore, go away, NFL.
PS – How dumb are you, NFL? Everyone could tell he was injured from the Raiders game onwards. You should have fined them at the time, or asked to examine him yourselves.
Mo – I think if you don’t report for a medical, the rule is different from if you were to show up and fail it. If Seymour wants to be NE’s problem, he should show up, soak in some west coast sunshine and then deliberately flunk the medical (although I expect he’d get in trouble for that and I’m sure the Pats would still come out of it with their noses clean).
I would like to see Seymour on the Jets. Act now, and make a move. He would be the DE the Jets have needed for a long while, and would he thrive against his former teammates.
Seymour would appear to simply being unhappy with the idea of moving from a Pentouse franchise to an Outhouse franchise. Trades come with disruptions and this is really short notice, although extra money from Davis could calm the all-pro. Perhaps a few dollars and an assurance from Oakland that he won’t be franchised next year will make him happy enough to visit the Raiders for a year. And I wouldn’t even attempt to analyze what goes on inside of Davis’ head in making such a move for one year.
Seymour wants a big contract, it is ALWAYS about money. This is his last chance for a big fat signing bonus and if Al Davis ponies up he will suit up in black and silver with a smile.
Then of course, he will get tired of losing after 12 games, refuse to report, and OAK will trade him to the Dolphins for a 3rd round 2012 pick.
Mr. T will miss the boat because he will be flying to MS to try and convince TO to report after trading our number one pick to the Bills to obtain his rights.
PS – sorry, screwed up some details above, but you get the pont (i hope).
No way we get Seymour this year, although given Al Davis’ logic, maybe a 4th rounder should get it done?
Only way the trade makes sense is if they give Seymour a 4-year deal, otherwise, you rented a player who won’t be the difference for a lousy team at the cost of a top-five, rookie salary capped player. Stupefying.
I still don’t get why u guys are counting the raiders out. I really think they’ll be in it. Seymour will help a lot.
I tend to agree with the suggestion that Oakland will not be as bad as projected. (Although it still makes me sick to know that the Patriots will have yet another 1st rounder).
Heres how I see it. This trade is for a 2011 1st round pick. Thats not this draft, instead 2 drafts from now. So the value of this pick will be dependent on the results of the Oakland Raiders season from that year. Lets examine.
We know that the Raiders will be playing their AFC West counterparts, so that is 6 games versus Kansas City, Denver and San Diego. Obviously San Diego is a great team, but Denver and Kansas City are teams in transistion (if you want to call it that) and the Raiders stand a good chance against these teams.
The Raider will also play 8 games against the AFC East and NFC North (probably). Thats New England, Jets, Dolphins, Bills, Greenbay, Minnesotta, Chicago and Detroit. This represents the challenging portion of their schedule. Vikings will be looking for a new QB as will the Dolphins (probably), and Detroit will be another team in transition. Otherwise, this is a difficult schedule.
Finally the Raiders will have 2 games against either the 2nd or 3rd ranked teams from the remaining two divisions (AFC North and AFC South). My guess is they will finish 3rd this season behind San Diego and Denver, but either way they will play teams like Bengals/Browns & Texans/Jaguars.
All-in-all, with a young team that stands to get better. Jamarcus Russell and Darren McFadden are on the rise, this is a team that could win 7+ games in 2011. This would probably make the pick fall somewhere between 10-15 (based on recent years). While this is still great for the Pats, its not a top 5 like many people have been suggesting. Every win over 7 would make a huge difference.
The New England defense has been an aging group over the last several years.Billicheat is just getting value for an aging player while he can.One thing you have to give credit for to New Englands staff is they are great evaluators of talent.Look at Randy Moss everyone though he was a problem and he leads this team with Brady to the superbowl.Seymour voiced last year that he was looking to get out of New England and Bill gave him his wish.New England is looking to get younger and faster on defense and this is one move that will accomplish that goal.I cant stand the Patriots really i cant but their scouts and coaching staff always seem to make the right moves at the right time…