Richard Seymour Traded

[libermaniac]

I think this is the Patsies' way of throwing in the towel and admitting there is no way they can compete with the Dolphins for the next 2 years.    Go Dolphins!

[Rondo2287]

Haha

[nickagneta]

Let's not forget the power that Robert Kraft has behind the scenes with the owners of the NFL. As chairman of the broadcast committee that negotiated the current broadcasting deals the league has as well as the main negotiator behind getting Reebok as the official apparel company of the league, Kraft knows tons of behind the scene info. That he would be involved in the restructuring of the new CBA and the changes that will be brought forth to the NFLPA, though not currently announced, would not surprise me in the least. He could be passing such info along to Bill and Bill could be using that info to place the Patriots into a leading position once the new CBA is in place.

The Patriots redefined how to use the salary cap and be successful long term in a structured environment specifically designed to deter long term success and promote balance. Kraft is seen as one of the more powerful and influential owners in the league due to his team's on field success and Kraft's ability to build his own stadium, develop the area and make money like crazy. He and Bill will know how the new financial environment will be working and how to beat it before it is even put in place. Of that I am sure.

And that's why I think this is a fabulous move. It is far reaching and soon to be a trend setting move. Watch! The copy cats will be coming out of the woodwork trying to pull off these trades very shortly.

And anyone who believes that Belichick isn't the mastermind behind everything Patriots since 2001 hasn't been paying attention. Pioli was a great numbers guy and a tremendous help in creating what happened here but this team will not miss him. He was important not essential and he will be replaced just as every large name player who left has been and every coordinator who left has been.

[Chris]

I am a bit late to the party here, but this was a great move by the Pats.  For one thing, you cannot put a price on a first round pick from the Raiders.  I would be shocked if that is not in the top 15 picks, if not top 10. 

But more importantly, as good as Seymour is, this team did not NEED him.  He has the ability to dominate the game as much as any defensive player in the league.  But the key word there is ability.  The consistency was not there.  He always seemed to be injured, or just not playing up to his potential for whatever reason. 

Now don't get me wrong, it will hurt them not to have him.  But its not like they could fully count on him anyways.  Besides, with the struggles this team has had defending the pass, the fact that they can put more of a passrusher in there for him might help to mitigate what they lose in the run defense.

Ultimately, I think it was clear that he was gone next year anyways.  He simply has not shown the consistency needed to get the kind of contract he is going to be wanting next season.  So for them to be able to get not only a first round pick, but a first round pick from the Raiders for him now is an absolute coup.

Now, hopefully this means they are committed to resigning Wilfork, because if they let both of them go, then they will be in trouble.

[the_Bird]

Will they re-sign Wilfork, or just keep hitting him with the franchise tag year after year?  A fair contract for Wilfork is going to pay him as one of the highest-priced defensive linemen in the game anyway; if they just keep franchising him, it's basically the same dollars each year but with the team holding an option every season.  Unless Wilfork is willing to actually hold out, it's in the Pats best financial interest to franchise him each year until he's no longer worth it. 

[Rondo2287]

People are talking about losing Seymour, Vrabel/Bruschi, and Harrison on this defense, but I think we are really looking to build our defense around the new big three of Wilfork/Mayo/Merriweather(Who will have a huge year).  It is absolutely certain that this defense needed to get younger and faster, and we are doing just that,  its impractical to attempt that transition without completely devoting too it and expecting growing pains.  

And I think this team is also going to the 4-3 because BB sees that Mayo has the oppurtunity to be one of the elite LB's in this league, and because of that wants the defense to center around him.  

whatever run stop we lose in Seymour I think we gain back from going to the 4-3 and allowing a line with guys like

Burgess/Green-Wilfork-Brace-Warren

to rush the passer and stop the run. Two strong run stoppers up the middle and pass rushers on the ends.  With Seymour being more of a run stopper than a pass rusher(Although I recognize he was also a gifted pass rusher)it makes sense to get guys that rush the passer more in the D-end position.  

Burgess is capable of double digit sacks from the D-end position which has shown by having sack totals of 3.5, 8, 11.5, 16 in the past 4 seasons.  the 3.5 number is troubling, however it should be noted that Seymour tied a career high in sacks last year with 8.  Which is Burgesse's third best total in the past 4 years.  

[the_Bird]

Brace is potentially the key guy; if he's as good as advertised pre-draft, line him up next to Wilfork and with Mayo on his backside, our problems with stopping the inside run should be taken care of.  Remember how much our team improved just by adding Big Ted Washington?  Amazing how much better the whole team D looks when the other guys can't get anything going on the ground.

Heard it mentioned elsewhere, but bears repeating.  The Seymour trade is the trade BB makes knowing he's going to be around for a while.  If BB was thinking of retiring, he's going to keep Seymour and gear up for one last Super Bowl ring on the way out.  Making the trade - especially for a 2011 pick - is the kind of thing you do if you're looking to set up the team even beyond The Brady Years.  Figure that Tom *probably* is human and will start slowing down in a few years, if that pick *is* top-five like it well could be, that's one helluva way to keep reloading.  Kind of like the Celtics winning a title and then having the #2 overall pick; just hope that it works out a little better this time .

[Brickowski]

The Patriots let Ty Law and Lawyer Milloy go and everyone said that their defense and team chemistry would fall apart, especially after that opening day loss to Buffalo in 2004 (or was it 2005?).  It didn't.

They had and oversupply of good defensive linemen.  Guys like Mike Wright and Jarvis Green can play. Seymour was good, but not that good, ands it's always better to trade a player a year early than a year late.

[Rondo2287]

And also lets keep in mind how valuable this pick could be.  If Oaklands past is any indicator you are talking a top 10 pick.  And unlike the NBA, these guys usually have at least 3 years of college seasoning which enables them to come in right away and contribute.  Potentially you are talking a FRANCHISE player with this pick. 

[the_Bird]

Ty Law is a guy that I think we let go a bit too soon; he remained a pretty effective player for a few years after we let him go, and our pass defense has been spotty in the years since.  The bigger point remains, though - it's been pretty rare that we've regretted letting anyone leave, it's almost always worked out for the best.

[Rondo2287]

Answer to the question of what happens if seymour doesnt report from Mike Reiss

What happens if Richard Seymour refuses to report to the Raiders?
Otis, Boston

A: Otis, if Seymour refuses to report to the Raiders, it is my understanding that the trade can't be finalized because he wouldn't have had a physical. Yet it's not that simple. If players could wiggle out of trades that easily, I think we'd see more of them not reporting. In this case, Seymour could potentially be served a "five-day" letter informing him that he could be placed on the reserve/did not report list. If he goes on that list, which could happen after five days of receiving the letter, he would not be allowed to play this season and would lose a season toward free agency.

[Brickowski]

I wouldn't be surprised if Belichick already has a "short list" of players to select with that pick.

Brady is 32 years old, and it may be time to start looking for the next franchise QB. 

[Rondo2287]

I dunno, Reiss said he expected Brady to be resigned through the 2014-15 season by this time next year, so 2011 would be a little early to be thinking about a replacement

[Brickowski]

I dunno, Reiss said he expected Brady to be resigned through the 2014-15 season by this time next year, so 2011 would be a little early to be thinking about a replacement

1. Maybe Reiss is wrong.
2. You want the next QB to have a few years as an understudy before Brady retires.  I do not think that Brady will hang around forever like Farvre.

[Rondo2287]

Ya is possible, but if he is 32 now that puts him at what 37-38 by the time that contract expires?  A qb that doesnt rely too heavily on athleticism, can last that long, I think the way brady understands the game he can play well up to that age range.  So I would probably be looking for somebody to come in around 2013 like Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay