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Seau to visit Patriots

Email|Link|Comments (26) Posted by Mike Reiss, Globe Staff December 4, 2008 05:35 PM

Veteran linebacker Junior Seau is en route to New England for a visit with the Patriots, who are considering re-signing him.

Seau's visit was first reported by Jim Trotter of Sports Illustrated and has been independently confirmed.

Seau, who played for the Patriots in 2006 and 2007, has been out of football this season. In a gathering with New England media members at his San Diego restaurant in October, Seau said he would consider playing again, but only with the Patriots.

"The only reason why I would come back is to finish what we didn't finish last year," he said at the time. "That's the only purpose. There is no other reason for me to come back. With the guys in that locker room, and obviously the organization, there is such a great tie. I have a place in my heart for them forever. I wouldn't want to fight for anyone else but [Robert] Kraft and [Bill] Belichick."

The Patriots are thin at linebacker, and re-signed veteran Rosevelt Colvin on Wednesday. Colvin plays outside linebacker in the 3-4 alignment, a position hit by injuries to Adalius Thomas (forearm), Pierre Woods (jaw) and Vince Redd (ankle).

Seau plays inside linebacker, and the Patriots have veteran Tedy Bruschi and rookies Jerod Mayo and Gary Guyton at that spot.

Bruschi has been battling a knee injury of late. Prior to Sunday's 33-10 loss to the Steelers, Bruschi was worked out by members of the team's medical and training staff on the field, which appeared to be an indication that his knee injury was serious enough to potentially keep him out of action.

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26 comments so far...

AMEN!!!!!! I don't care if he's a reserve, Pats need depth and defensive help in any way. Plus it wont be a bad idea to have Mayo hanging around one of the greatest LBs ever

Posted by Ian December 4, 08 05:54 PM

Awesome news! Be great to have him back.

Posted by Dave G December 4, 08 06:06 PM

seau has a lot of guts and heart (obviously). why come back? cassel, no defense, poor record...it's debatable but im def glad to maybe have him back. the young guys will learn a lot.

Posted by Alex December 4, 08 06:09 PM

Seau will be another good mentor for Mayo. The Patriots wont make the playoffs but look like they want to finish out without quitting like many of these other non playoff teams do.

Posted by stephan December 4, 08 06:10 PM

What the heck? He said he'd only join the Patriots with this season being the last year of consideration for the NFL. On top of that, he said he'd only join if he really felt he would help the team, have fun during the process, and if the team looked to be in contention for a Super Bowl again. What an awkward time to volunteer himself. There is no need for Seau to be apart of this team, only if in fact, he's going to take some of Bruschi's reps. Gary Guyton, who plays in Seau's spot, has done a masterful job when replacing Bruschi. Why take away snaps from a 23 year old rookie trying to gain experience, and actually playing well, in favor for a 40 year old who's lost a few steps.

Posted by Jim December 4, 08 06:15 PM

The Pats don't need him. They already have an old, slow LB who takes crazy chances and gets run over. His name is Tedy Bruschi.

Posted by will December 4, 08 06:25 PM

I just think this shows the tremendous loyalty that Belichick is able to instill in his players, particularly veterans. Seau is coming back to help out a beleaugered defensive corps. I don't think anybody really thinks the Patriots could win the Super Bowl this year, so for Seau to be willing to sacrifice his body to help the Patriots scratch into the Play-Offs, shows his appreciation for a great organization.

Posted by Ray Gerrity December 4, 08 06:35 PM

Maybe Bill will let him play cornerback.

Couldn't be any worse than what we have now.

Posted by Mike December 4, 08 06:36 PM

Insurance policy only I'm sure - if Bruschi is close to having to shut it down ....Pats still hold out hopes for the playoffs and would love to be a spoiler.... Don't think its would be for nostalgia - otherwise we'd have seen Lynch come in to replace Rodney and Vinny T for Brady......; )

Posted by kento December 4, 08 06:44 PM

seau is back to take us to EVER!

Posted by Dave December 4, 08 06:47 PM

Wow adding Colvin and possibly Seau is basically the equivalence of putting a band-aid on a broken arm. Any truth to the rumor Otis Smioth and Duane Starks are visiting on Friday.

Posted by Howard Titlebaum December 4, 08 06:51 PM

I love this and I love Junior. Just wish the move had been made two or three weeks ago instead of now.

Welcome back all-time greats on Pats-D!!!!!

Posted by MN Pats Fan December 4, 08 06:56 PM

Give Junior Seau anything he wants He is a huge Part of why the Patriots went as far as they did last yr Sign him don't screw this up. even if he wants to stay for several yrs He is a POWER HITTER And w/ all the injured players Pats have You should have gotten him back sooner. WELCOME BACK JUINOR SEAU who else will be next coming back Love the idea Of Colvin now Seau WHO'S NEXT on the list

Posted by Paula December 4, 08 07:09 PM

I like the move, I just wish they would've done this earlier in the season. If there is anything I learned over the years watching BB's defense is you can never have enough linebackers. I almost wish they will keep Colvin and Seau beyond this year and include them in the rotation next year with Guyton, Vrabel, Crable, Bruschi, Mayo, Thomas, Woods, Redd, etc. I also think if he is healthy, they should bring Harrison back but more on a rotational basis like they are doing with Bruschi now, so that we could just focus on improving our cornerback situation...what do you guys think ??

Posted by Mike December 4, 08 07:10 PM

waste of time / space. the pats are finishing what they failed to finish last year and he's only going to take time away from the rooks.
If Tedy is really hurt then go ahead and sign him but otherwise.......maybe find a CB to play some minutes.

Posted by don December 4, 08 07:18 PM

I love how some are ragging on the possibility of Seau singing on without coming up with a single street free agent name of their own. "a band-aid on a broken arm"...funny choice of words considering when Seau broke his arm, I realized what a tough SOB he truly is. As for Adaius Thomas breaking his arm? Just as tough a player as Seau is. I bet these two guys have a ton of respect for each other but Howard Titlebaum thinks the addition of Seau is marginal. Howard, how did your football acumen become greater that Bill's and Scott's? I'm dieing to view your list of free agents that can come in and help. Please get back to us all ASAP! Maybe Bill and Scott read this blog too.

Posted by NoTorreUs December 4, 08 07:22 PM

This is the football highlight of the week for me. Colvin going in is okay, but Seau is probably in top shape and ready to go, and hopefully he can somehow motivate the rest of the team. Because they need 4 straight wins, and they haven't even gotten 3 straight all year.

Posted by Tom December 4, 08 07:35 PM

Mack Herron is due Friday a.m.

Posted by wppats December 4, 08 07:45 PM

dave

i sure wanted to be a part of EVER

good stuff mike reiss. you are the blogging equivalent of a ninja. keep it up!!

Posted by BH December 4, 08 07:53 PM

just enjoy the ride folks....this is a stellar organization, with tremendous pride and complete devotion to its fan base...as New England sports fans we have a birthright to complain and second-guess, personally I am still feeling pretty smug about the whole scene...welcome back Junior, Rosey and whoever else the brain trust wants to roll out..

Posted by twheb December 4, 08 07:58 PM

His experience, leadership and toughness alone is exactly what is needed for the Pats to make the playoffs. He's tough, fresh and hungry! Go Jr. - Go Pats!!

Posted by Roger December 4, 08 08:14 PM

Junior should have been offered a deal in AUgust. And, Colvin never should have been released. BB is screwing up a lot more than usual this season. IMO, and thats all it is, an opinion, is that BB has had one of his worst years at judging talent since he's been with the Pats. Outside of Mayo, the rest of the early picks were GOS Awful...mini corners in an NFL that is getting bigger and faster. What this team did not need were Ellis Hobbs useless clones.

Posted by Mike Allen December 4, 08 08:16 PM

I see Junior as that 1st down LB with Mayo if Bruschi can't go...But I don't see him coming in on nickle....nickle backers have to be Mayo and Guyton...both have freakish closing speed on ball carriers ...So how many LB's dress Sunday v Seattle?
Mayo
Bruschi
Seau
Guyton
Varable
Colvin....out will be Redd, Thomas, Woods

Posted by Tim D December 4, 08 08:23 PM

you douchebag bruschi haters need to stfu and gtfo. show some respect.

Posted by Alex December 4, 08 11:48 PM

Thanks Alex....respect your opinion ...but glad your not coaching/GM of the PATS...loyalty can't cover running backs out of the back field.

Posted by Tim D December 5, 08 04:39 PM

I would say brind seau back as an LB coach not to give him millions of dollars as a player when he has def lost a step like brett favre has...

but as they say

a fool and his money are soon parted

Posted by Jmarine December 8, 08 08:07 PM

DO NOT HIT THE SUBMIT BUTTON MORE THAN ONCE!

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Mike Reiss, Christopher L. Gasper and the rest of the Globe team provide regular updates –and a behind-the-scenes look– on the daily happenings of the Patriots.

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