Richard Seymour Traded

[Rondo2287]

Ya the fact that this is 2011 really makes me think its part of the philosophy that the pats want to wait and see what is going to happen with the salary cap in the coming years.  

[Fan from VT]

I hope they know something within the organization, like Seymour's slipped more than is generally perceived. I know it's good to plan ahead, but man the Patriots have some real chances at the superbowl right now. Does this help them? Or does it at least not hurt them? Not sure.

[nickagneta]

There's some excellent defensive talent coming out next year and if the Pat's can get a top 4 pick, Carlos Dunlop, who I think could be a monster in this league for years, could be there.

It could work out Nick, but its for a 2011 draft pick, not next year. Trading a good player now for a draft pick two years down the line is risky, im ok with the deal but not really happy about it.

Oops. Still. Great move IMHO>

[jambr380]

If they really were going to lose him after this year, then this move was genius. Our defense already was a little weaker than we would have liked, but hopefully some of the younger guys can take over. I also think they think really highly of Burgess...the offense should score 100+ points/game, so maybe it won't matter...

[ManUp]

Good for the future, but as for right now the defense doesn't look very good.

[GroverTheClover]

Eh. Seymour's first few years were awesome. Since then? He's kind of gotten by more on his reputation instead of his on the field performance. Is he still an above average pass rusher? Yeah, but he's no longer among the elite, I can't help but think he's past his prime at the ripe old age of 29.

His injury issues likely contributed to the trade and I can't help but think that the Ellis Hobbs comments about certain players dogging it and faking injuries may have been true, particularly about Seymour.

[perks-a-beast]

Honestly, Great move for us, Horrible move for the Raiders. How do they benefit from this trade? It's not like Richard Seymour now leads them to the playoffs. I would even be surpised if they're a top 10 team in the AFC this year. They gave a up a 1st round pick, which will probably end up being in the top 10 or 12, and for what, a guy way past his prime, whose contract is expiring and probably wont even reisgn with them after this season? Awful.

[Fafnir]

Honestly, Great move for us, Horrible move for the Raiders. How do they benefit from this trade? It's not like Richard Seymour now leads them to the playoffs. I would even be surpised if they're a top 10 team in the AFC this year. They gave a up a 1st round pick, which will probably end up being in the top 10 or 12, and for what, a guy way past his prime, whose contract is expiring and probably wont even reisgn with them after this season? Awful.

The Raiders have tried having high picks for years now, hasn't helped them. How good this move is depends on if they resign him, and if they do for how much.

I appreciate that Oakland is trying, but until they get a professional management team in there they will continue to be awful.

[Mike-Dub]

Honestly, Great move for us, Horrible move for the Raiders. How do they benefit from this trade? It's not like Richard Seymour now leads them to the playoffs. I would even be surpised if they're a top 10 team in the AFC this year. They gave a up a 1st round pick, which will probably end up being in the top 10 or 12, and for what, a guy way past his prime, whose contract is expiring and probably wont even reisgn with them after this season? Awful.

Yeah... I agree this is a horrible trade for Oakland and a good trade for us... I just hope the pick isn't protected and wish we could of got something that would have helped us this year.

[jdpapa3]

He must've slipped a lot because you don't trade good players for picks when you're a contender.

[perks-a-beast]

Honestly, Great move for us, Horrible move for the Raiders. How do they benefit from this trade? It's not like Richard Seymour now leads them to the playoffs. I would even be surpised if they're a top 10 team in the AFC this year. They gave a up a 1st round pick, which will probably end up being in the top 10 or 12, and for what, a guy way past his prime, whose contract is expiring and probably wont even reisgn with them after this season? Awful.

The Raiders have tried having high picks for years now, hasn't helped them. How good this move is depends on if they resign him, and if they do for how much.

I appreciate that Oakland is trying, but until they get a professional management team in there they will continue to be awful.

But do you honestly think that Richard Seymour will re-sign with the RAIDERS? He will have so many more options in 2010. (Vikings, Cardinals, Eagles, ect.) Knowing Seymour, he'll want to go where he has a chance to win.

[SaCaCh]

We probably din't want a 2010 pick because there is no CBA yet. But by 2011 there should be one in place and rookie salary caps will be in there.

[Jon]

He must've slipped a lot because you don't trade good players for picks when you're a contender.

See, that was my first instinct when I heard it.  But the fact of the matter is that that rule is much more applicable to basketball where superstars dominate the league.  But in football, it's really different.  Instead of 12 or 15 players, there's 53 on the active roster, so each player has an inherent lesser value. 

Furthermore, whereas Kevin Garnett can play nearly the whole game in the playoffs and impact the game offensively and defensively, Seymour only played the defense.  So by the nature of the game, he can only impact less than 50% of the plays in the game (because of offense and special teams), and that's not even counting the fact that BB would've subbed him in and out anyway.

Overall point is though while I'm a little reserved about seeing him go, I trust BB and think he has the best interest of the team in mind. 

[Aeacus]

We probably din't want a 2010 pick because there is no CBA yet. But by 2011 there should be one in place and rookie salary caps will be in there.

QFT  The Patriots organization is smart enough to know there is a good chance there will be an improved rookie pay system in the new CBA and that the Raiders won't improve until Al gives up control.  Which won't happen anytime soon.  So that pick in 2011 might be substantially more valuable than a 2010 pick. The Patiots will use it far better than the Raiders would have anyways.

[Neurotic Guy]

I think this move is consistent with a team philosophy that plans for being in a position to contend year after year, rather than a team philosophy that puts present ahead of future.  This team has 3 (I think) 2nd round picks going into next year's draft -- a draft likely to have every decent freshman and sophmore in the draft due to likelihood of higher rookie salaries than the following year.  Then, in 2011, they'll have a top 10 pick along with their own (who knows, perhaps in the market then for a top flight QB to groom for a few years down the road?).  That's how to reload while you are already great.

The Pats may not win a superbowl every year, but they'll surely be among the contenders for many years to come.