Seymour misses out on starting
FOXBOROUGH -- There isn't a young player Bill Belichick has more affection for than Richard Seymour. It's almost a father-son relationship. But that relationship seemed strained yesterday after Seymour did not start in a 27-13 win over Jacksonville because he missed two days of practice to attend his grandfather's funeral in South Carolina.
Belichick went on the defensive when asked about Seymour, who didn't enter the game until the second quarter, after the Jaguars had moved the ball well against a Patriot defense that started Jarvis Green at right defensive end in a 3-4.
Belichick answered "coaching decision" when asked why Seymour didn't start. Belichick added, "Sorry to hear everybody can't understand that, but I do what I think is best for the team, that's all."
The team did not release Seymour's name to the media of players who did not practice during the week, mentioning only safety Chris Akins.
It was Seymour, who appeared almost teary-eyed, who revealed later he had gone to the funeral. He said the team was aware he was leaving. Evidently, Seymour did not get back in time on Friday to attend practice, leaving him with only one day of practice in preparation for the game.
When that happens, usually the player doesn't start.
"It was unusual not to start," said Seymour, who made the Pro Bowl last season and appears a shoo-in for the honor this season. "It was very disappointing, but it was a coach's decision and coaches coach and players play. That's all I can do. When my number is called, I go out there and do the best that I can, and that's all I can do.
"When I came back [on Friday], they said Jarvis was going to start." Seymour didn't offer much more about the conversation with Belichick and repeatedly said, "I guess you'll have to ask him.
"I just play. When I go in and my number is called, I just go in and give maximum effort when I'm called upon. That's all I can do. Any time you're a player, you love to start. I felt I was ready to go. I wasn't hurt. I wasn't injured. I felt fine. Mentally, I was prepared. Everything was fine. I guess he felt differently."
Seymour was used on the field goal team in the first quarter, but didn't see his first defensive snap until more than five minutes into the second quarter. When he made his first tackle with 8:46 remaining in the first half, stopping Fred Taylor for a 1-yard gain, he pointed skyward and tapped his heart.
Seymour finished with seven tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble. Before Seymour entered the game, the Jaguars drove 71 yards on five plays on their first possession, kicking a field goal, and 68 yards on 13 plays on their second possession, also producing 3 points.
"When I went in, I went in," said Seymour. "Jarvis went in and did the job he did and did what I could do. I knew I was going to play. [Belichick] said I was going to play."
Not starting Seymour was a move that could have backfired had the Jaguars capitalized by scoring 14 points instead of 6.
"I'm not going to say this, that, or the other thing," Seymour said. "As you can see, we needed help. I came in and did what I could.
"You have to be a pro about it. Things aren't always going to go your way. You have to step up and give maximum effort. From the start, in pregame warmups, I was ready. Physically, mentally. Wasn't hurt. I was ready to go.
"I'm going to be a professional about it. I'm going to keep doing the things I've been doing. As a player, I've grown a lot and matured a lot. I've seen a lot, been through a lot. I'm just maturing as a player. That's just as far as it goes. I'm not going to look at him any differently. I'm just going to do what I do."
