Life After Seymour
It’s been 243 days since the Patriots traded Richard Seymour to the Raiders, and I couldn’t be happier.
It’s been 3,303 days since the five-time All-Pro linebacker was a top choice out of Georgia, and the anchor to a preeminent New England defense.
It’s been 8 months and 1 day since I’ve stopped worrying about Seymour’s unhappiness in the locker room, if he was arriving late for mini-camp, or holding out for better contract negotiations.
It’s been 9 years and 16 days since fans swooned over David Terrell, and wanted his name called by the Patriots in the 2001 Draft.
It’s been ages since New England fandom has questioned Bill Belichick’s shot selection and defensive strategy.
It’s been eons since I’ve read something like this:
“Someone mentioned a 21-year-old lineman named Richard Seymour. He’s 6 feet 6 inches and 300 pounds. He can play over tackles or over guards and centers. He can play three downs, two outside, and one inside. He once covered 40 yards in 4.87 seconds. One of the most devastating comments about him is that he never takes a play off. Never. Imagine that. His belly is as flat as the plains. He is tall and fast.” – Michael Holley, Globe Staff, April 24th, 2001.
There won’t be anymore whining of Patriots fans, wondering what he will look like on a transitioning NE defensive line. Young Seymour was ferocious and relentless. His scouting report says it all. No fancy emphasis needed.
You put Richard Seymour on your defensive line, and he’d compete with the crème de la crème, needing double or triple team coverage. A stud. Mammoth strength. Whopping potential. He was the Ferris Bueller of pranksters. Too good to be true.
Two years and a knee injury later, Seymour was more than effective in man-to-man coverage. After the rush of Super Bowl success, David could tackle Goliath. He was being dominated.
In the final days of Richard the III, there wasn’t much love left in the tank. He didn’t find the need to genuflect, hallow at the sacred ground, because he came here, and did what he needed to do. He was drafted, won three Super Bowl rings, and had enough of the winners attitude.
Jaded. He’d seen numerous coaches come-and-go, get their promotions with other teams, but he was still standing in Foxboro. Same old jersey number 93.
But when Richard Seymour was traded to the Oakland Raiders for a 2011 1st round draft choice, he was offended. Irate is a better the word. Disrespected by the franchise that brought him to the top of his game, and recycled him back into the NFL triage. Traded for a future top draft pick, someone who will want it more than he did.
He didn’t show up for days. They threatened to nullify the trade but it would cost him an automatic five-game suspension by due process of NFL-law. He filed a grievance, claiming he was “blindsided” by the trade, and was still dealing with “personal issues” back in New England.
He eventually showed up, and enrolled in the black-and-silver. He played defense off every JaMarcus Russell miscue. Maybe even shared a candy bar or two. The Raiders were miserable, and finished 2009 with a 5-11 record, good for 3rd in the AFC West. In February of this year, Oakland gave him the franchise tag.
What have the Patriots done without Seymour? They’ve gotten lighter, younger, and more cooperative on team chemistry. They were able to draft players like Ron Brace and Myron Pryor, who are less likely to make an All-AFC roster, but more likely to make plays every Sunday.
What has Seymour done for the Patriots? Inadvertently recruited veteran DL Gerard Warren to New England, who was Seymour’s teammate last season in Oakland.
“It’s all business,” Seymour told Warren. “Come in. Play winning football. Have fun. Family environment. When you walk in through the doors, it’s all business. Very appealing.”
Thanks again, Big Sey. Thanks for the memories.
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