Seymour traded to Raiders

WHAAAATTTTT!!!!!!!!!!????????????????????????????????

Thats it?

WWHHHAAATTT? IBWT, obviously, but the Pats never cease to surprise me. Must have a stud among the rookie class

Great move. Two potential 1st rounders in 2011. Nice way to set up for the future. Seymour is not what he used to be and to get a 1st rounder is outstanding. Another beneficial Oakland transaction

and then who are we going to get in return when we trade this pick in the next couple days??? inquiring minds want to know...

In Bill we trust but this one is hard to digest…

I'm shocked!

Why are all the picks 2011?? I thought this draft coming up was 2010? This have something to do with the CBA?

Oh yeah.. and also.... WWHHHHAAATTT!?!?!?!?

YYYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEESSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!

hahah that's exactly what i just said.

Perhaps they are going to pay Wilfork?

WTF!!!!!!!!!!

Wow... a first round draft choice TWO YEARS FROM NOW!! Whoopee crap! Somebody has to put a lock and key on the liquor cabinet at Gillette - this is starting to get really insane. Defense still wins Championships - not draft picks two years from now. The offense had better average 40 points this year because the defense looks like a sieve right now.

This must be a move towards resigning Wilfork?

great move! he would have left next year anyway now you have value, plus now you can trade for an ilb with the pick. we were overloaded at DE and with the 4-3 , burgess tweening on passing downs and pryor emerging this makes perfect sense.

terrible absolutely terrible

should be a top 5 pick

if they lock up vince and brady i'm OK with this

You have to be Kidding me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What were the Patriots thinking!!! i hope the raiders have the worst record in 2011 or this was a disaster trade

Cant say i seen this coming, but maybe now they could sign Vince.

Mike - I understand your busy and all, but PLEASE, we need some insight. I like the 2011 1st Round pick, but is this also a precursor to a Wilfork extension?

I'm going to guess that the pats have gone for 2011 draft picks instead of 2010 draft picks because they would like the one year window to see how things work out with the labor situation.

Why a 2011 pick? Is this because of the uncapped year possibility in 2010?

Mike,

First of all, how much money are the Pats going to save on the cap? Secondly, do you believe that the biggest reason for this move was to free up money to be able to extend Wilfork and/or Brady?

Hey Mike - any idea why the trades this weekend are for 2011 draft picks?

I assume it is related to the CBA - but it does seem strange to be dealing talent and getting nothing in return for two full seasons.

Wow, that could be a good pick though. Do you guys have another DE ready to take his place?

Given the recent history of the Raiders, this could easily be a top five pick.

So now we talk about how the Seymour of 2009 isn't the Seymour of 2003-5, and that this may end up looking like a great deal?

Apparently BB saw enough from the rest of the D-line to make the loss of Seymour bearable. Given that Jarvis Green would start for most teams, maybe he's right?

this has to b incorrect no way we give up our main pass rusher 4 a pick 2 yrs away

I can't wait for the "Ah-ha" moment that will happen when I realize what BB is doing... But I'm definitely not there yet....

He's not the same player he used to be and they got a first round pick... Not a bad deal... They have depth at DL... Guys settle down it will be fine.

So much for Bob Kraft spending big money to retain his

stars in the uncapped year.

So, are they going to lock up Brady &/or Vince now?

obviously they have someone in mind to slide into that starting RE. Jarvis Green? Myron Pryor?

If this allows them to re-sign Vince WIlfork then I am ALL for this trade.

I cant believe it Bruschi and now Seymour. I hope its safe to buy a Wilfork jersey now!

whoa...thats nuts

This is a mistake plain and simple. 2011 first round pick. Great! Why not go for it all this year and worry about the money next year.

lets get busy with Vince's contract. I guess Brace and Pryor are the real deal

Not sure how I feel on this one yet. I was one of the few that liked Seymour more than Vince, but now this possibly gives us a chance to resign Wilfork. Also I suppose why not get something for Sey before he walks out the door at the end of the year. I would have liked to have him on the roster this year though.

As you can see I am undecided so far.

Would it be alright by Coach Bill if we try to win this year?

They better get more than just a 1, even though it should be a mid 1st Rd at most.
&
WHAT!?!?!?!?

Say it ain't so!! If Wilfork gets paid with a long term contract then it makes some sense but if not then it's a little confusing.

I wonder if injuries have caught up with him.....

This is going to be a Top 5 pick. I hope.

In Belichick I trust.

Makes too much money for what he brings?

Although he seems to get injured a lot and is going to be a huge hit against the salary cap, this is kind of a shock. Maybe drafting Toms replacement in 2011? You know the raiders are still going to suck as long as AL Davis is alive, so it at least it should be a good pick...

We're keeping Brady, right?

I wonder if injuries have caught up with him.....

Now isn't that a rude awakening

You gotta be kidding me. They wouldn't have been able to sign him, but still ...what about '09?!?!

HUGE MISTAKE!

Seymour's play and his act must be getting old real fast for this to happen.

He probably did something heinous.

WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! thats it bill has lost his mind. bring pioli back PLEASE!

wow... did NOT see that one coming!

who's next bill

Shocker!

In Bill We Trust.

Ugh. At least it's a first rounder from the Raiders, which will be like top 5, but come on! What's happening here? I hope they know what they're doing better than me! (They do.) BUT STILL!!!!

Love this move!!!! It's the right time to make a move like this. He had 1 year left on his contract and he will not be worth the money he will be seeking. Let someone else overpay. That's why the Patriots are the smartest team in the NFL. They can make a move like this (which in unpopular with some short-sighted fans), but it puts the franchise in an excellent position for the future.

Poor Richard. Years of dedicated service and this is how he gets repaid.

Player with high salary and declining skills for a first rounder? Considering Al Davis will be here past the apocalypse that can only mean the Raiders will continue to suck - sounds good to me.

Brilliant move.

Pats are stacked on the D-line, Seymour has played his best football (still very good, and will certainly be missed), get the financial relief to lock up Wilfork, and get a very high first-round pick. Tough to see, as I love Seymour, but I've gotta hand it to BB here. Brilliant.

WTF

Thanks for everything Seymour. Trade makes sense. They won't be able to sign both Seymour and Wilfork. Trade one now and get value. Raider's 1st round pick? We're talking about a top five pick. Good job Pats.

Kevin Carter signing must be coming next

In Bill we Trust seems to not apply to this situation - I am shocked, and really kind of angry. They BETTER sign Wilfork with the extra money, like within the next hour or two. Otherwise this move is completely insane, rather than just the regular run of the mill insane.

I dont like this...Clearly BB is thinking of the future and not this yr.Without a cap next yr Pats can get a top five pick without strapping the team for yrs and yrs...This is shocking to say the least.

Good Trade, Seymour is getting old and has had his share of injuries. The Raiders suck, so it should end up being a top 10 pick in 2 years.

Hurts now, but won't matter unless the Pats can't stop the run all year.

This might be the best Boston trade since 1958. Yep, better than McHale and Parrish. Better than Tek and Lowe. This is Bagwell in reverse plus some. I mean, this is Bill frigging Russell. If this is right, and this is Oakland's own pick in 2011 .....that might be the number one pick in the entire draft for a guy who is going into his 9th year, has a big cap number, is always hurt, is a FA at the end of the year and hasn't been his old self in some time. don't get me wrong, Richard was a nice player last year but he isn't the old Richard Seymour. The NFL actually may have to block this one, its that unfair.

I like the move...i have not seen the dominate richard seymour for at least 2 seasons. Injurys probabaly had a lot to do with that. His name and money continued to be linked with greatness but his play lately became average.

lets all remember it was only 6 years ago when we got rid of lawyer milloy right before the season, and that worked out great

Sheeet... noone saw this one coming, shows they got confidence in the brace, pryor draft and should mean they can lock up Wilfork long-term going forward. Poor Richard though, going from superbowl favorites to weakest team in weakest division in fball.,

poor seymour,after all he has done for the pats,they send him to uncle al,and the raiders.a first round pick is sweet,but it dosent help being two years from now,and it does free up 3.3 million in cap space,but that isnt much either.

I like it!!
Seymours' best days were behind him. The Pats have won many times without Seymour.

You have to be kidding me. Richard Seymour to the Raiders!!!!!! What is that going to do to our D Line?

In Bill We Trust!!!!!!

I am all for it. We would lose him (or someone else) next year based on cap numbers, so why not get a first round pick for him now? Tough in the short-term but brillant long term. I would of preferred a 2010 pick which is almost certainly in the top-10, but you can't complain about any first round pick from the Raiders.

i believe in bill

in Belichick we trust!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Maybe there is another move in the works, maybe another team involved somewhere?

2011 draft pick? Is this next draft or the one after that? What if the pick ends up in the top 4? Those picks are money traps. If you told me it was a 6-10 pick next year I would be happy.

Is this a joke? A perennial Pro Bowler...leader on the club...face of the defense... A week before the season kicks off? I can't wait to hear this story.

Forget about how we feel about the deal ... imagine Seymour waking up this morning & realizing he is now a Raider. Talk about depressing.

are the Pats imploding....seymour...vrabel...bruschi...draft choices not making the team...past draft choices discarded.....oconnell..jackson..Thomas...etc....draft picks going like candy in trades with no results..alex smith.....something is funky in foxboro

Is this a joke? A perennial Pro Bowler...leader on the club...face of the defense... A week before the season kicks off? I can't wait to hear this story.

Did the Pats give up on this year? is brady next?

This is shocking! There has got to be an incredible backstory here..

Maybe there is another move in the works, maybe another team involved somewhere?

A first round pick for Seymour is AMAZING value. Not only that, the Raiders suck, We could be looking at another Jerod Mayo.

Think about that: One year of a declining Seymour in exchange for 4-5 years of a rising Mayo. Its a Randy Moss caliber steal!

I love you Al Davis!

he hasnt been the same playe for some time and was going to want to get paid...i thought the undrafted rookie williams had a big upside....ill be curious if they sign him back....mike any word on slater?

Thanks for everything Seymour. Jarvis Green time. And please, figure out a way to play Wilfork!

the guy was overrated at best, and always injured. Great in his prime, but lately not so much. Classic Bill move to get something before the guy walks. I don't think he will be or would have been the difference this year as it pertains to winning a Superbowl, so why not get something for him. As for it being a "good" pick in 2011, let's hope it isnt a top 5 pick because the money situation up there is completely out of whack. This now frees up money to sign Vince and give Tom the extension he deserves.

Maybe there is another move in the works, maybe another team involved somewhere?

Big Mistake!

I disagree with trade completely. Not even a 2010 1st round pick, and only a 1st? This is definitely a sign that Scott Pioli had a lot of clout in the decision making process and without him "checking" Bill, things are going to hell. Alex Smith, Kevin O'Connell, just a 2 for Cassel & Vrabel, D. Thomas only worth a 7, and now this with Seymour...

Caserio needs to grow up fast and learn to stand up against Bill on these decisions. No way half this nonsense happens if Pioli is still around. Clearly, Pioli is the mastermind. Might be time to start becoming a Chiefs fan. eesh.

Let's face it, we can't afford to keep Seymour and Wilfork. So we potentially get very good value in a high first round pick.

Surprising a team that prided itself on veteran leadership is dumping all it's veterans.

WOW!

It will be interesting to hear what the story behind the trade it.

I don't think it was an issue with money alone. Bill must have thought his line could do fine without Seymour.

The Raiders first pick could be high.

Wow........Is bill blowing the team up for a rebuild or something? or is he cashing it in?

This is an awesome deal. Seymour is going to be 30 in a month, he's had injury problems in recent years and he isn't worth the huge contract he's been pining for. A first round pick from Oakland in 2011 is most likely going to be a top 10 pick. I love how Belichick keeps stealing from those hapless Raiders.

Nooooooooooo ....

Gets the juices going early on a Sunday morning. I like him but he has missed so much time will he really be missed?
Oaklands first rounder is always a good pick these days.
Vrebal, Harrison, Bruschi and now Seymour atleast this we are not going have to watch this dynasty age into a bad team.

In 2 years you guys will be happy because you get Oakland's pick, which you know it will be in the top 10 BUT right now there will be no 2011 season because of lockout. Who is going to get to the QB now?????????

overpaid over the hill. Thank you again al davis

Brady and the boys better be ready to put up 30+ a game.

They need cap space but why now? 1 week before the season starts???

Are they going to sign Wilfork? is someone going to be released
they now have an open roster spot...

Mike

Remember what people said after he released Lawyer Milloy before week 1 of the 2003 season! 14-2 with Superbowl Win..

Fantastic! With the new labor agreement first round picks will cost a lot less

Can't realy question any Patriots moves. Most seem to turn out well in the end.

This is a great move! They can now sign Wilfork who is a much better player at this stage. Seymour hasn't been the same since 2006. Now you get a first round pick from a terrible team which could be TOP 5!!!! No brainer and one of the reasons this team is able to sustain greatness long term. Does hurt for 2009 however.

This is a shock, but you have to trade something to get something, folks. They obviously didn't plan on resigning him after his contract expires, so if they were going to try to get something for him, the time to let him go is now. Keep 2 things in mind: The Pats might not be done dealing, and Belichick has put together 3 Super Bowl teams... that's 3 more than anybody on this board.

I like it. "Play and his act and injuries and money" and a high draft pick we'd NEVER have a chance at without a big trade. Ain't that enuf?

Hey Bob, what a relief it is for me to know that a moron like you is okay with the Pats move.

ARE U KIDDING ME???????????????????????????????????

Fantastic! With the new labor agreement first round picks will cost a lot less

Seymour had slipped - imo - and he was walking after this year. BB must have felt he had the line covered. There was so much DL depth that starting quality players would sit. Now, Bill has $6 million on cap space (per Miguel's patscap). We can expect more to happen. So exciting, eh? I hope the Pats extend Vince.

In Belichick we trust, but c'mon now people!!!! What is going on?!

Top 5 pick! Which they will trade down before the draft.

Mike,
I'm not sure how the D-Line will play out with this trade, but what I really had a question on was the Raiders 2011 pick. In all likelihood it will be a top 5 - top 10 pick, which in the current climate would cost them big bucks. Do you believe the Patriots made this trade assuming that there will be a rookie cap in the new collective bargaining agreement that will be enacted within the next year or so which is why the Patriots would want that high of a first round pick? Thanks keep up the good work.

Because its the Raiders, you know it will be a top 10 pick if not top 5. Is Pe ppers back on the radar? Unlikely. The pass rush hasn't been there w/ Seymour the past couple years. Wilfork will be signed to an extension. Like w/ Bruschi the torch is being passed. This offense can score enough that an avg defense can take you far. Getting younger all around. In Bill We Trust.

for a team that has to win this year, not sure why we are unloaidng talent.

flip the pick for someone who can help us win THIS sb

Salary cap room now available to sign Wilfork... .. Think big picture.

Buy low, sell high. This type of Kraft/Bellichick discipline is what makes the Patriots great. Like Michael Corleone would say
"nothing personal, strictly business."
We got the first 8 years of Seymour with 2008 being a so-so season and 2007being a bust. This year would be probably injury prone.
I love watching #93 and wish him well on the Raiders, so long as his interests don't conflict with our interests.

Again, nothing persnaol.. . stricly business.

Great move! Seymour was an a-hole and EVERYONE in the league knew it---even his wife was arrested for LYNCHING someone---unbelievable! Always hurt, never living up to his potential---have fun in Oakland!

I can't believe all of the pink shirt fans saying this a bad deal.

He was going to walk after this season! No way the Patriots would have made him an offer, especially with #12 also up for an extension.

Great value for a player who's best years were behind him.

Either a)he's a shell of himself physically, or b)he was definitely going to walk after this season.

Maybe after playing in Oakland for a year, Seymour will be more willing to resign here for reasonable money. To date, he's only seen the Patriots way, a year in football's worst program may open his eyes to how good he has it (wishful thinking, I know...)

sweet move. overrated and over paid and always injured. Any 1st round pick is worthwhile, he blows.

sweet move. overrated and over paid and always injured. Any 1st round pick is worthwhile, he blows.

That's the way things go. Who knows, the first round pick may end up to be a younger version of Seymour? We'll get younger and better in the long run.
My question is, who replaces him now?

It's like eating pumpkin pie only to realize that the cab you took to the bakery isn't a cab but a truck loaded with shoes from a yard sale that took place three months before in a town you never heard of!!!!

You are all crazy. Seymour has been hurt the last three years. To get a 1st round pick for him is genius, and from the Raiders who will suck until Al goes away. Now they have the money to sign Vince.

I agree. Total shocker. I am hoping this has multiple parts to it. Like- Signing Wilfolk and Mankins as a result.. Belichick must have tremendous confidence in the rookie D-lineman. Bitter reminder that we can't fall in love with our favorite players because Belichick never will.

Looks like a 3-4 front is more likely now with Wilfolk, Warren, and Pryor or Brace.

Be real fellows. Bill knows what he is doing. Richard is not the same player he was a few years ago. The defensive line is in good shape. They would have never been able to resign him anyway. Mark my words he will have injury problems the rest of his career.

This just in.... AP reports that Tom Brady has been traded to the Minnesota Vikings for Brett Favre and first round draft picks in 2015-2020. ;-)

This is a great move, freeing up $$$ for Wilfork and dumping a guy who has not had a great season in three years, is overpaid and is nearing the end of the line. Another brilliant move to get something for a player who would not fetch much in the future...

Pats showing they do not want to be held hostage by big contracts on aging stars!!!

Julius Peppers will be a Patriot by the end of the week

The only decent part (front 4) of the D just got weaker.

With the worst back 7 in the NFL, things are looking very suspect now.

Brady best be on his game.

They may be looking at 2011 because they have their first round pick in 2010 and 3 2nd round picks already. Just a guess. Spread out the picks

They must feel that they have someone that can step in, and not hurt the club. By the way, the QB situation remains fragile. They might as well bring in Garcia, for a try-out.

Confusing Yes, But now there is an open roster spot. Who does it go to?

Following the 2003 blueprint... you have to trust Belichick. The D needed a shakeup then and needed one now. The young guys need to step up as the coaches do. This season just got alot more interesting!

A great GREAT move. Seymour was never the same after his knee injury years ago. A nose tackle is infinitley more important in a 3-4 defense than a end so its time to lock up Wilfork to a long term deal with the money saved from dealing Seymour.

who will take his place??

I continue to drink the coolaide!

In Coach Bill I trust!

Thank you Richard. It was one heck of a ride!

Hate to see him languish his career away a Raider- hopefully he'll get offered a great contract by a more competitive team when he's eligible. (Hopefully not a Jets contract.)

Not shocking when you think about what the Patriots have done this offseason. This means that Bill loves Derrick Burgess and most likely will have him fill in on the line in Seymour's vacancy. Frees up money to go after a good veteran backup QB and any other hole they need to fill throughout the year as well. In the end, this may turn out to be a top 5 pick, and if that is the case this is a solid deal.

I can't believe all of the pink shirt fans saying this a bad deal.

He was going to walk after this season! No way the Patriots would have made him an offer, especially with #12 also up for an extension.

Great value for a player who's best years were behind him.

Absolutely great move we got the best of his years. We not only free up money but get a first rounder for next year. This move does not surprise me he is on the down side of his career and can't stay healthy.

I just threw up on my own balls!!!

What next Wilfork to Tampa Bay for a #1 in 2012 and a sixth in 2013?

He was gonna walk after the season and they'd lose his value for nothing. This is a classic cut-throat move by that org ....it hurts now, but we love how they do business, so we shouldn't complain.

What the frick and frack????????????????? In Bill I trust...In Bill I trust...In Bill I trust...In Bill I trust

Great Move!! Seymour has been injury prone the last few seasons and has not been the same player for the Patriots since he signed his big contract!

I loved Seymour early in his career, but the big money and maybe injuries have limited his effectiveness. He is not a Pro Bowler any more..He doesn't get double teamed any more...

Great Move!

Great Move!! Seymour has been injury prone the last few seasons and has not been the same player for the Patriots since he signed his big contract!

I loved Seymour early in his career, but the big money and maybe injuries have limited his effectiveness. He is not a Pro Bowler any more..He doesn't get double teamed any more...

Great Move!

THIS IS SOOO MESS UP! DAMN

reading the comments i'm reminded of the outrage from when lawyer milloy was cut loose.

i like the move.

As Virgil Solotoz would say (paraphrazed) "Let's face it, the Seymour was slippin." Think the Richard Seymour of 2007 (injured) and 2009 (good but. .). This is not the Richard Seymour of ProBowl fame. That time has passed.
I want Kraft to manage my 401k. He knows when to hold em and when to fold em. Don't under-estimate his keen business sense's impact on why the Pats are what they are.
Wilfork is going to get a pay-day.... We were probably not going to be able to sing Wilfork and Seymour anyhwo so which position and player potential is more importnt to us .. . I saw Wilfork as does Kraft.

Maybe we are going for peppers next year
i like the trade

Outstanding. Injuries have taken their toll on him..he's an old 29 now, be happy we swindled the Raiders AGAIN. Money goes to the younger healthy bigger buck in Wilfork. Raiders will not finish with more than 5-6 W's a year in the next few years...looking at a potential Top 7 pick. Love it.

Pats know what they are doing green will fill in just fine and they can pay wilford and rebuild a new line

Having Seymour around does not guarantee a Super Bowl championship this year. I like the trade. I want the Pats to be competitive for the next 10 years and dumping 30 year old, oft-injured players who don't seem to consistently play hard is a perfect example of selling high and buying low. The big question is why do the Raiders want an older DE? Now maybe they win 4 games instead of 3. Great move Al.

are we going to know anyone on this team???????????????

we certainly are a ways from simply adding Peppers to the mix to shore up an older but savvy d. Oy.

In Bill We Trust. That being said, I do feel bad for Seymour. He was a great Patriot and now he's a Raider?! That hast to stink!

Another great move... Guy has played like crap for the last few years... Anyone think this is who was "doggin'" it?

The concept of loyalty and past contributions to the team seems elusive to Brilliant Bill B. Who doe we have on defense agian, Mayo, Wolfork, and who?

In 2011 the draft picks could be salary restricted like hockey. This would make being in the top 10 a much better value then it has ever been. If you believe that the raiders will be horrible for year and , i do. Then you would have to assume the pats would pick up a top 10 pick in the first draft of salary restricted rookies. This could be a really great value if the gamble works out. At least that's what i think i could be totally wrong who knows.

WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I wanted to get to the Super Bowl THIS year!!!! So--where is his replacement coming from----the same place as the one for Mike Vrabel?????

Seymour is fading and has missed alot of games in recent years. They are getting rid of him at the rght time.

Thanks for the memories, but I do not have a problem with this trade. The guy has been playing hurt for nearly 5 seasons; at least they got something for him.

If Belechick thinks this is a good move for the team (frees up money, allows some younger players who they are high on to play, Seymour was slipping, etc.) then is it not possible that he knows more than most fans (of course not all) about what is best for his football team?
As brilliant as some of the posters here may be, very few of them have 3 Super Bowl rings. I'll crawl out on a limb here and go with the coach on this one.
The knee jerk reactions by some of the know-it-alls are to be expected. Most of us simply don't take them seriously.

You can't keep Seymour and Wilfork. If Seymour gets to Free Agency we get NOTHING!! Great move

In BB I trust. I don't get it, but that's how I felt after the Matt/Vrabes deal. Waiting for another shoe to drop.

Poor Seymore, they literally sent him to hell!

Raiders! Stop whining Patsies, we made you what you are with the tuck rule BS call, and we traded Randy Moss to you, stop whining you'd be nothing without AL Davis and the Raiders. Now it is our turn to return to excellence, recognize!

I'm not shocked at all. In fact a first rounder for him next year would have been a steal, but since it's 2 years out it's a little more logical for Oakland. Seymour has been overrated for about 3 years, due to injury mostly, but still. He's still a great player when completely healthy, but that hasn't happened much in a while. I see Vince getting his contract done soon and maybe Brady too. That keeps everyone happy.

You have to keep in mind that:
1) Seymour is going to be a free agent at the end of the year
2) He is turning on the wrong side 30
3) He makes a lot of money
4) He hasn't been the same since injuring his leg in 2005
and
5) This 2011 pick is going to be a top pick because the Raiders are awful
6) It is a 2011 pick, and under the new collective bargaining agreement, might have very favorable salary cap numbers
7) This frees up cash for Wilfork and/or Brady

We just traded ONE year of Richard Seymour for a top 10 (probably top 5) draft pick and locking up Wilfork and/or Brady long term.

I like it. Deepest spot on the team? Already gotten the best production and youre not going to pay him anyway. Pick is a long time from now. No clue what your getting. Keeps up good feelings so you can dupe Al Davis a couple more times before he croaks.

First thing I thought was holy sh_t. But the NFL is trying to put in a rookie pay scale and by 2011 it is likely to be in place. Next year they will be concentrating on avoiding a lockout. So the Patriots will get a good pick at a decent (still expensive) price as long as Al Davis is still running that team. I just want to know what is next, because suddenly there seems to be a lot of depth issues on this year's Patriots.

Good move. He's not getting any younger. Has been injured frequently. Can leverage the 2011 pick to trade for someone else. Definitely gives them $ to sign Wilfork.

I live Seymour....but it's a smart move.

With Seymour, Mankins, Wilfork all coming up for new contracts, something has to give, I guess. Plus will they be looking at extending Brady before his contract is up as well?

A lot of fans have felt that Bob Kraft would spend whatever money
was required in the uncapped year to retain his key players by
using the franchise or transistion tags. Do you still feel that way?

I'm worried that a certain quarterback has his contract expire after the 2010 season. He is going to expect a contract like the Manning boys.
Will Belichick with Kraft's blessing trade him to Oakland?

Probably going to be impossible to sign draft picks next year with the uncapped year so I could see why you'd make it 2011. Same with the Thomas trade yesterday.

Still though - Seymour looked good this camp. Where's the pass rush come off the line now? Makes me a little nervous.

he hasn't done nothing in 3 years plays 1 year good out of a 3 year contract

I'm not convinced Wilfork is all that GREAT...

I'm not convinced Dean Peas is that great either...

For that matter, I'm not convinced Dante Scarnecchia is that great either...

Looks like I'll be moving up on that ticket waiting list again though.

$500 every other Sunday for this???!!??!?! Even people who can afford it will eventually stop buying...

Are you people serious? How can pats fans not realize how good of a move this is when even fans on ESPN of other teams are saying how much of a steal this is.

This is potentially an injury prone declining 30yr old player for a future TOP 10 pick. Al Davis just enjoys making terrible moves. Essentially this is Seymour for a 1st round pick and Burgess.

Now there is cap room to resign Vince and others. Great move

Belichik's a fool. Most overrated coach in history. If Joe Gibbs had Tom Brady he would have won 10 Super Bowls. Period.

Everyone hoping it's a top 5 pick needs to remember that the Patriots don't like giving a unproven rookie all that guaranteed money, and that they historically always trade out of the top 10.

Huge Mistake! Are you kidding me guys.... He's oft injured, older, slower then before. You are thinking of the old Richard Seymour...we haven't seen that guy in years. This is a great move...could be #1 pick....

Hard to believe! Say goodbye to the 4-3. Now what is in store for the next moves the Pat's will make soon? Hope they make more sense than this one does on the surface!

Mike, When you do your analysis of this trade, can you give us a ball park for a top 5 rookie contract vs. the ballpark of what Seymour would be looking for on his next contract? Thanks.

Wow, I just spit my morning coffee all over my computer! Totally unexpected, but my first thought is that BB didn't get us to the Super Bowl by doing things conventionally. He's the shrewdest coach in the business and I have no doubt we'll be praising this decision in the years to come. Gonna really miss Richard of course, but that's football.

If you watch Seymour during games he always takes plays off! I think its a great move! Jarvis Green will have a big year and by week 6 we will all be saying Richard who!

Love this trade!! Seymour was overrated and overpaid.
Now the Pats can sign Vince Wilfork and gain a top 5 to 8 pick in 2011.
AWESOME MOVE!!!

PEPPERS!!!!!!!

Why not get a first-round draft choice for the 2010 draft?? Forget about 2011, this defense needs help like yesterday, not two years from now!
I'd say Old Man Davis made out pretty good on this one. He Gets a premier defender NOW for this season and & doesn't have to pay for him until 2011!!
Jeez, Brady's contract runs out at the end of the year too. Lets see if we can get a first-round draft choice in 2015...NOT....I realy don't get htis one.. I think Richard will be dominate this year... Well, better lock up Brady, Moss,Wilkork & Mankins for the future or this will be a bad trade!!

WOW!!!!!

I am dumbfounded. Absolutely stunned. And yes, In Bill We Trust. But this is ballsy. Though I don't think a move like this would be made unless they are sure they are gonna be fine upfront. But even then, this is a move that can be potentially dangerous to a defense that has been suspect by many anyways. I don't think its too far fetched to say that this feels like a punch to the jaw.

Seymour had one more season in N.E., so why not secure a top 5-10 pick. It frees up $$ to keep better, younger, more valuable players.

As for the pick being in 2011 I think it's two fold. First & foremost it's financial plain & simple & second, scouts have repeatedly said that the 2010 draft class looks like it will be thin and the 2011 draft looks to be shaping up to be very strong. You can also always use 2011 picks to help move up in the 2010 draft if in fact you see a player you need.

The only trade I have had a hard time accepting was including Vrabel in the KC deal as it led them to having to make an expensive trade for Burgess. Now who knows, the performance on the field of Vrabel for the Chiefs & Burgess for the Pats may end up changing that perception. We as fans have to rely on the Pats management to know more than we do as they eat, breath, & live football in a way we can never understand.

You're correct, BRadyMOssWELlker, you can't say I SEEN it coming.

I don't see any depth on the D-line. Guess this means we're going with the 3-4.

This is why those in the Pats organization have three Super Bowl rings and all of us on this blog have none. From what I remember his contract is up after this season and he would have walked because there is no way we would have paid whatever crazy amount of money he surely would be asking for. His best days are behind him and now is the time to make this type of deal to get something of value in return. We all are so shocked only because of his name and PAST performance but in all honesty, once again, history will show that the Pats made the right move.

Sneaky suspicion that this tale has yet to be completely told......Lots of movement around the league in this stanza so let's see what all unfolds...

i think this means that on the short term we will be moving to a 4-3 defensive front with the slim numbers at linebacker and we no longer have the desired personel to run the 3-4 i just hope this works out

4-----GET ABOUT IT.........

Brillant! BB knows he'll win the SB in Feb 2010, again Feb. 2011 and then have a Top 5 pick waiting for him April 2011. Guy is a pure genius!!!

Just kidding but my guess is somethings not right with Big Sey and BB see's that.

In Bill we Trust !

UGH! First Teddy and now Seymore?! Rough week for Pat's fans. I'm sure Bill has a plan and that better include locking up Vince and Brady.

While I can't say I'm not surprised, the move actually makes sense. Seymour is in the last year of his contract, so of course he's gonna want a new deal with big money. The Pats priority right now is getting Wilfork an extension, plus trying to re-sign some of their own players; many of which have expiring contracts after this season. Also, It is EXTREMELY rare to draft a player in the 1st round then get a 1st round pick in return when he's traded 9 YEARS later! Seymour, while still a good player, isn't the same player he once was. Jarvis Green would be a starter on most other teams (remember the 07' season when Seymour didn't even play the first 6 games? (Did we even skip a beat with Green in there?). With next season probably being an uncapped year, this move clears out some BIG money on the cap. Besides, I think the pats have something else up their sleeve. In Bill We Trust!

It sucks to lose a long time standout like Seymour but this could be a very, very good move for them. The Raiders are just about the worst run team in all of proffesional sports. They stink and show few signs of getting better. Provided Al Davis survives another year or two a Raiders first rounder is all but guaranteed to be top ten, potentially even the #1 pick overall. This also allows the flexibility to sign a younger a equally impactful Wilfork to an extension (I hope). All this in trade for one year of Richard Seymour's services.

Looking forward to seeing Mike's take on this.

I don't know about this one. It's probably good value because Seymour is almost 30, his contract is almost up, and he's a marquee player in the NFL, so he would present a tough situation after this year. However, he is so valuable to this team right now. I know the D-line is deep, but none of those players can do what #93 does. And imagine the shock in the locker room. The season is about to get underway, the Bills come to town in 8 days, and all of the sudden one of your top players and team leaders is gone, and you won't see a return for 2 more years??? That's a tough pill to swallow for his former teammates.

Seymour and Belichick had some issues a couple of years ago and one had the sense that their relationship was not warm. Seymour's production (regardless if due to injuries, or not) did not match his price, and he was moving on after this year. A bold, and coldly calculated decision. Wilfork will be signed long-term, and then it will be D-line by committee this year with a lot of situational substitutions to keep everyone fresh.

Seymour has been plagued with injuries and on the downside of his career, this is another move towards the future and it's a good move ... But wow, Vrabel, Bruschi, Harrison and now Seymour, we are looking at a totally new defense ...

A first rounder for an injury prone, aging player in an area of deepness, on the oldest team in the league that is looking to extend its dynasty into the next generation of players. And to get it from the worst team in the league that is sure to stay that way for a long time.

Brilliant!

Thanks, Bill!!!

I am now totally confused leading up to the first game next Monday. Maybe Mr. B really thinks offense is the only thing that counts.

Seymour has not been dominant the past couple of years. He's entering the last year of his contract, and chances were they were not going to resign him. They will be able to allocate that money elsewhere.

They also played a lot more 4-3 in the preseason, where does Seymour fit in that lineup? They have more than enough tackles, TBC and Burgess playing at one end, Green and Warren the other. Why pay that much money for a 2-down player who clearly hasn't played up to his abilities the past couple of years.

To get a 1st round pick for him, even if it's 2 years from now, is much better than nothing at the end of this year. It also gives them flexibility to either sign extensions now (Wilfork) or during the year.

That 1st round pick in two years, could be high (it's the Raiders after all), and for all we know there could be a rookie cap at that point. And it gives them further flexibility for a loaded draft next year (trade 2011 pick for 2010 pick if their player is available).

Fantastic trade. Weren't going to keep him. They are transitioning to a 4-3 to make use of their lineman depth and a stud MLB like Mayo. And they want to resign Wilfrok/Mankins/Brady etc. So they get a 2011 first round pick which will probably be a top end pick with a rookie salary scale.

Now we line up Warren, Wilfork, Brace, Burgess in a 4-3, with subs Banta Cain, Pryor, Green.

Chill out people. How many super bowls have you all won? BTW, this "Now we know who the brains was (Pioli) is ignorant. He was in charge of contracts and scouting, not making the ultimate decisions.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

in bill we trust .

Relax everyone. Seymour was going to be injured for at least 5 or 6 games and was nowhere near the force he used to be. Two first round picks in '11 are going to look better as the 2011 draft approaches. BB gets paid to make the tough decisions. This one couldn't have been easy. This opens the door for Jarvis Green, Mike Wright and Ron Brace (who I believe is going to make people miss Seymour a little less). Many scouts had Brace rated the same or higher than B J Raji.

Someone, Please call 911. I just had a heart attack!!!

didn't hobbs just talk about high paid guys always injured

Kinda similiar to when Lawyer Milloy was tossed just before week 1 2003 ...

Like 1st round picks...FLEXIBILITY. Who now gets 53rd spot on roster?

In Bill I trust...In Bill I tr.tr.. In B..B.. ahh what the heck. What is he thinking? Richard has always been a force on the line. I guess Ty Warren is ready to go full tilt.

In Bill we trust..

By all accounts, Seymour has been ineffective for the entire pre-season. Love the guy, clearly the best pass rusher on the team for years, but how many times has he started more than 12 games in a year? Not discounting anything that he has done for this franchise, but perhaps the Patriots are making a real move towards a younger identity, Vrabel, Bruschi, Seymour, maybe the coach thinks that the window has closed on the mainstays. I would have been more interested in a 2010 pick and a chance to get Tebow playing WR/H-Back in some packages....just an outlandish fantasy I suppose, GO PATS!!!

Doesn't Belichick remind you of Red Auerbach back in the day? Trading guys on the decline to dumb ass teams for their first round picks? ]

Wow...
I am guessing we are now going to be a base 4-3 team. The thing I find fascinating is that by going to the 4-3 we now have guys like Wright, Pryor, and to a certain extent Brace all being able to contribute in the 4-3 - were as they would get eaten up as a 3-4 base defenders.....

Seymour was such a monster force his first couple years in the league (does anyone remember him eating Alan Faneca alive in the AFC championship??) - he clearly has either lost it or has been coasting the last couple of years...

Belichick is fearless and ruthless!

Peace

Joe E O

This is a great trade.

I hope we can stop the run this year or its all over. I dont know if this was such a wise move.

Solid move. Seymour is on the downside of his career and his play hasn`t been that good the past couple of seasons and will continue to slide from here on in.
A 1st round draft pick in your pocket is a great thing, it presents so many possibilities.
Another great move by BB to keep the Patriots moving forward!

Few thoughts:

1. In Bill We Trust

2. Seymour is up there in age and the Pats are deep at D-Line. Seymour's value to the team has slightly declined.

3. This clears up a bit of cash to finally sign Wilfork to an extension

Nothing like a New England fan who cries when a big name leaves the team. Big names = national relevance. Seymour or Wilfork were going anyway.. now they get a 1st round pick. And if rumor is right, picks will be money slotted in 2011.. making the Patriots a viable 1st round team again. Think about it, picking low or out of the 1st round has been slowly deteriorating the team! NE doesn't want to pay the rookies!!

It's all cause Hobbs ratted him out

What did Seymour do that would merit this kind of punishment?

Seymour was always over-rated; great move to get a first round pick because the Raiders will be terrible for several years to come

This is a good move, relax you clowns. This is the reason we have been at the top and now it will extend into the next decade. This most likely a toP five pick. We will sign Vince and rework Brady. D-line is deep with youth watch for Brace and Green to make impact

Relaxxxx....given that high school "b" team defense they've thrown out there thru pre-season, do you really think Seymour was an integral player?

We Trust in Bill

Seywour was a great player, but if you only have the money to sign him or Wilfork. I would spend it on Vince, since they have Warren coming back. Seymour could have walked without the Pats getting anything. By trading now they get the Raiders 1st pick in 2011, which should be at least top 10. All of you panicking out there need to realize that it's not 2004 anymore.

Thank you Daniel (# 114)...you nailed it

patriots have no clue what there duing anymore there giving everything away thats why they havnt one a superbowl in yearssss!!!!!

He must be done then. Injuries have taken their toll, and the Raiders are known for taking washed-up has-beens. Blind faith in Belichick; he's earned it. How appropriate he fobs him off on Crazy Al.

I'm not at all surprised. When was the last time Seymour made a play?

Trust Belechick people. It has been harder and harder for Seymour to stay healthy. Maybe payback time for that holdout he had.

You can tell the people who have a clue and who don't. The ones questioning the move would be the latter. Sigh. 1) The CBA expires soon. No one knows how the cap is going to be affected. 2) Seymour is getting on in years, not as much age wise, but miles wise. 3) BB has a history of not giving huge money to either the OL or the DL. Think of the guys he let walk. 4) They need to sign some guy named "Brady" after next season. Remember him? 4 SB appearances, 3-1, an MVP. I think he's pretty good. They weren't keeping EVERYONE, especially considering the CBA expires soon and no one can project the cap. So seriously, simmer down. You sound like Yankee fans.

This may be cleaning up after some of the huge mistakes Pioli made. There is only so much money for contracts and you could see this coming. And we talked about the DL depth all summer. We're going to be okay. And give Wilfork a few bucks for heavens sake. The guy is a real team player and deserves it. Now let's focus on another back up QB.

Al Davis = Sucker

Seymour has been outstanding for the past eight years but he would not be in a Patriots uniform in 2010. Do you think that the Patriots could or would be able to match what the Jets or Cleveland, or Denver would offer for his services in his walk year? Sorry to see you go, Richard, but the Patriots maximized his value to the team and it suggests that they have confidence in Brace and Pryor.

Don't be surprised when they let Brady go....

My guess is that Kraft and BB realized they can't afford Brady, Wilfork and Seymour, no matter what happens with the CBA. They have to keep Brady and they like Wilfork's age and upside better.

Now they have multiple first rounders and with the $$ it takes to sign a top 5-10 pick, I bet they trade this is the coming 12 months. Hey, this is a classy organization and we as fans have been spoiled by their success. Until they have a run of bad years, I say believe in the Brain Trust of Gillette!!!!

I know that we are comfortable in having Richard for those super bowl years but let's face it, maybe his best days are behind him. Vince Wilfork is more valuable to the Pats than Richard. Also, I find it very difficult for us to be able to sign him after this season anyway. If we don't sign Vince, then I'll start to worry. In Bill I trust. I have to trust him.

Good trade. I am a big Seymour fan, but to get what is almost certainly going to be a top 10 pick despite 2 years down the road is huge. You may or may not have noticed how frugal teams are giving up 1st round picks. Seymour is still a beast but it is suspected they will run a lot more 4-3 and Ron Brace has looked excellent in preseason. Not to mention Jarvis Green who would be a starter on 80% of teams in this league. There are some intriguing college sophmores right now who likely will come out their junior year...Arthur Brown the LB in Miami, Patrick Peterson the CB for LSU, hell maybe at that point Terrell Pryor's passing might be improved and could be an option. Arthur Brown tho next to Mayo would be siiick

not a bad move looking to the future it will pay off for the Pats in the long run Bradys back great offensive line special teams pretty good defence needs some work but will be a force in 2009 where fine

richard was great 4 us. he has 3 rings! he not the same player he was. 2011, we will c. 2 first round picks..! trust master coach Bill.

Isn't locker room presence important? No Vrabel, 54, Harrison or Seymour.....lots of anchor's in the locker room are gone. Sign Vince and Brady to long term contracts puh-lease.

yeeessss......young defense than older player as wise salary cap......let s move quick defense player to catch other team players to stop gains.....let s ready regular season ....let s go patriots !!!!!....we trust bill !!!!!!

WWWWWWhhhhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaatttttttttttttttt?

And once you go through the shock, this is a business move. No more salary cap to worry for Vince. At some point, D-line needs to get younger too.
But without Seymour taking up two O-line guys, the pass rush is even harder, and with suspect secondary, this is bad for this year, and the good result is coming out a few years down the line.

No Seymour, Vrabel, Bruschi, Rodney Harrison. Feels really strange.

From the perspective of recent Pats history, this hurts. Richard contributed a lot to this team, but look at the facts and this will likely be a great move.

1) His contract is up at the end of this year.
2) Re-signing him would likely not be cost-effective (especially considering the uncapped year).
3) He will be over 30.
4) They need money to re-sign Wilfork and Brady.
5) The pick should be pretty high due to the fact that the Raiders are not a good team
6) If they took a 1st round pick for the 2010 draft, they would probably not be able to sign all of their picks (assuming they kept them) as that would give them two 1st rounders and three 2nd rounders. Add the need to re-sign Wilfork and Brady to five high draft picks in an uncapped year and that would be a salary cap nightmare.
7) This gives them more flexibility in this year's draft to trade up if there is a player that they covet.

While many of us are looking at this from the perspective of fans of Richard Seymour, if we look at it as fans of the team (without loyalty to individual players) this deal is the type of deal that keeps the Pats competitive.

Great Job Pats. Thank you Richard and good luck to you.

Def. signing Wilfork. In Bill I trust.

Could they be using this pick to trade for Julius Peppers from the Panthers????

Thanks to Richard Seymour for being a great Patriot. He did a lot of the dirty work that doesn't end up in the highlight reel but leads to victory.

This move is all about maximizing value, getting younger, trying to be the team of the next decade too. He obviously wasn't going to be re-signed for the money he'd have demanded. As for Al Davis, he wants to see a winner again while he's still breathing. I hope Seymour has a monster year for them.

Like a lot of folks, I was stunned at first but to piggyback the comment made regarding the initial shock of Lawyer Milloy back in 2003 and seeing all the posts, I have to think this is a good long term move. Plus, these guys in Foxboro know a lot more than the general public. Bill and Kraft have a great knack for letting go of a player at the right time when there is still value to be gained. A little eerie foreshadowing moment...Seymore was a guest on Colin Cowherd's show on ESPN on Friday and he said, "this is a what have you done for me lately league". Who knew that he would be gone by Sunday morning.

At least keept him thriugh this season, and then dealt him if he did not perform.. Maybe Bill has something else in mind this yerar?? We shall see...

Great move.....pats loaded at defensive line ...Seymour not what he once was...need the roster spot...free up money to sign Vince...get a probable top 5 pick in 2011....and trade Seymore when he still has value...why not!...

No, really.....WTF is Belichick doing now???

Did Bill pick up the option on OJ Simpson, too?

not a bad move looking to the future it will pay off for the Pats in the long run Bradys back great offensive line special teams pretty good defence needs some work but will be a force in 2009 where fine

I love this... he's like Wakefield & Tek; his best days are foregone ....

The Raiders were just going to waste their first round pick anyway, at least now they get some value for it.

The one thing you can always trust in that the Raiders will terrible. I just feel bad that Seymour has to play for them....

Good trade. I am a big Seymour fan, but to get what is almost certainly going to be a top 10 pick despite 2 years down the road is huge. You may or may not have noticed how frugal teams are giving up 1st round picks. Seymour is still a beast but it is suspected they will run a lot more 4-3 and Ron Brace has looked excellent in preseason. Not to mention Jarvis Green who would be a starter on 80% of teams in this league. There are some intriguing college sophmores right now who likely will come out their junior year...Arthur Brown the LB in Miami, Patrick Peterson the CB for LSU, hell maybe at that point Terrell Pryor's passing might be improved and could be an option. Arthur Brown tho next to Mayo would be siiick

Congratulations Vince Wilfork! you will finally be paid.

great, great move by the Pats. JJ said it all _ no way is Seymour the same player he once was. And this might be a top 3-5 pick, knowing the Raiders leadership. Brilliant.

I suggested that on Reiss's blog last week but the question never got in. It's his last year, they have to sign Wilfork and they have a bunch of young talent on the D-line. I'm sorry for Seymour but I saw this coming.

Very interesting trade here. I do believe that this means that Myron Pryor and Ron Brace have excelled in displaying the versatility the d-line needs. The team is definitely employing a 4-3 scheme now because they just don't have the interior pressure that Seymour brought to the table in his prime. For those of you who had the foresight to equate the labor situation into this deal, I am very impressed because when the new labor deal is struck, your home team will not only be under the cap, but also flush with 2 first rounders, presumably under a different rookie pay scale (because we all know this WILL be a high pick), that is more palatable for the organization.

Hopefully now, Vince can get paid and they may be able to use the roster spot to pick up another linebacker to add to the mix. As for Brady, there is no rush to pay him right now as his contract runs through 2010, he is coming off a catastrophic knee injury (despite the kool-aid pundits serve the people that state that he 'fully recovered'), is dealing with a shoulder issue and last but not least, getting older. Too many question marks to pay ANYONE in this business. All the great ones get old and injury prone...

The team will have its difficulties this season, but it is clear that they are trying to turn the roster over and go younger, building from the ground up. As history tells us all, the team, no matter how many problems they've had early, always play best in the latter stages of the season when roles are defined and the coaches can better adjust the game plan to the roster's talent. This is just another deal in a line of decisions where the coach felt it is better to get younger, and get something for declining players rather than the old school method of being overly loyal, paying them based on past performance, and watch them get so bad, the team suffers as a result. (Remember the original 'Big Three' of the Celtics and the late 80's Patriots?) A tough move to swallow indeed, but necessary.

First rounder for an aging lineman with a contract set to expire, great deal regardless of the year of the pick Raiders will not win more than 5 games in a season anytime soon.

Appalling.

Seymour didnt see this coming he just built a new home in North Attleboro. He is old and didnt even play every down. A young player will be more hungry, Seymour's name wasn't used much. A good gamble because he walks next year and we got great value. Brace and Wilfork will both be on the field now, an wilfork get signed. Seymour will hate Oakland !!!

WTF??? Wow, I'm shocked... who else do we have right now that is as good or even 1/2 as good at the DE position. We'll never rush the passer well and the only way our secondary is decent is because of the pressure on the QB makes him throw it poorly. Forget SB this year... did they not learn from the Giants in the SB?

There will be a lot fewer 15 yard personal fouls tacked on to the The Patriots this season.

His accomplishments will be very much missed, however.

The Patriots are looking more and more like the Atlanta Braves of the 1990s. Pittsburgh has won two Super Bowls since the Pats last one. Two years in a row Brady drives them down for a championship winning TD, and two years in a row a Manning burns the sieve-like defense and the Pats get nothing.

So how do Kraft and the Pats respond? By making their defense much WORSE to pad their own enormous profits. Asante Samuel left, and their cornerbacks couldn't stop anyone.. No pass rush? Get rid of your best rusher. Great move. But at least Kraft is getting richer.

You gotta know when to 'Hold Em' and know when to 'Fold Em. ' Double B is the best Poker Player in The League. Please let the man Deal the Cards and we'll all Collect at the Super Bowl.

well it is the Raiders so it s./b a good pick....question QB Matt Castle is a 2nd rounder and Seymour is a 1st round pick?

I hope this works...IBWT!?! (IN BILL WE TRUST!?!)

I hope this works...IBWT!?! (IN BILL WE TRUST!?!)

All I can say is that, there's the one's who think they know what's going, and those who don't. Don't care where I fall in, but nobody on here is a GM in the national football league, thank god. All I can say is, you had better hope that Oakland doesn't have a fluke year this year or next. Cause Seymour is worth a Top 10 pick at least. Old, not the same, whatever. Top 10 or this trade is a bust.

You know what I think happened? I think that one day last summer, BB woke up and said, "I think I'll trade Mike Vrable. That will will really mess with some minds!" A month or two later it hits him: "Richard Symour is as dominant as ever, but what if I just traded him anway? God, people will go crazy! It will be SWEEEEET!" It's obvious the man is unstable. I mean, aside from having won three Super Bowls and having the highest regular season winning percentage in the last ten years and the best playoff coaching career ever, what has BB REALLY accomplished? Any reality TV shows? Nope. Best selling books? No. And not a single win in the in the Oreo Double Stuff Racing League (hell, the raving lunatic doesn't even compete!).

Yes, it's clear the man has lost it--if he ever had it. And all of us in the donut eating, porn-loving blogosphere need to start speaking truth to power! There is no doubt that this is the end--consider me a Houston Texan fan from here on out!

also freeing up some salary to sign wilfork this year, a much higher value player when you really think about it

At least we know it will be a high pick!!!!

ok trade by the pats

WTF X2?

Seymour has been underperforming for two years. His no-hussle sluggo style missed tackle on Manning single handedly cost the Pats the Super Bowl in 07. Great move Billski.

I am a 5ft 5in asian guy maybe I can go play defense? They might need my help! HAHAHA . I do like the trade if they lock up Wilfork and Brady soon! Plus that me be the 1st over all pick 2011! LoL

ellis hobbs had it right....he had to go
vince gets his $$
raiders come through for us again....a first rounder for an overpaid player with significant wear and tear
only bill would have the moxie to make the team better in the future by taking a hit now
go ron brace!

Sad....but I do think this is pretty shrewd. We will be fine with Jarvis Green and Burgess stepping into this roll. Seymour, for all I love him, would have been a whiny bitch as the contract got closer. Now we can spend on Wilfork, who has more in the tank and it is ultimately more important, and see what BB does with his picks. It would be foolish to think that he is going to take a 1st rounder in 2011 straight up. He always does funky draft things.

Brilliant move! Recycle a high 1st rounder for another high 1st rounder after getting the prime years out of the player (moves like this impact a team for two decades). I can't believe the Raiders would make this move? The Patriots were not going to be able to keep both Seymore and Wilfork. I believe that they never lost a step because of their depth when Seymour went out with injuries anyways.

that whole division is gonna suck this year.

You guys deserve it.

Go Bears.

DOES'T MATTER WHERE THIS PICK ENDS UP.THE'LL END UP TRADING IT ANYWAY FOR MORE PICKS

I think it is a great move you got to beleive in Bill and the Patriots organization as a whole.... I know its hard because Seymour has been such a great player for us but in a previous post he is not the guy he used to be and thanks to Oakland we will be able to get a nice pick in 2011 as i really think they are going to be bad for a while.... GO PATS!!!!!

The last 3-4 years, the Patrriots just haven't been able to make the big stop at the crucial moments of the game. Their Super Bowl era is marked with big plays at big moments, and they miss this quality.

There is no doubt it is time to start making over the defense, and this step is a sign to the team of what is to come. Players need to step up. Seymour is a real good defensive lineman, but his days of "stepping up" are behind him. Just look at his last couple of seasons, they just don't match his ProBowl Years.

Belichek wants a defense he can rely on, not one that is pretty good but lets you down when most needed. This is just part of a makeover, and we still have plenty of strength to rely on with Mayo, Adalius Thomas, and our Vince, and the surrounding cast. so this trade does not create the gaping hole it would if we did not have such a strong supporting cast.

Surprised? Yes. Dismayed? Not really.
Go Pats.

as a loyal Pats fan this a a great trade. They send 30 year old seymour to the raiders for a pick that is gonna be in the top in year 2011. the raiders are 22-70 since 03 so i will take my chances. Seymour was at the decline part of his career an he only had one year left. Think about do you think the Pats would have signed him at the age of 31 for a 4 year deal until 35. The answer is NO. As you can tell Bill has faith in his younger players, Also if you look at it like this. Seymour was the 6th overall pick in the draft nice. We had him for 7 solid years and paid him the money he deserved. Now we trade him and get a pick 2 years from now that is gonna be as good as the 6th pick or better. Im no fortune teller but most likely the raiders wouldnt have a good season in many years from now, because of Al David he cant draft well Darius Heyword Bay 1 st round pick very dumb. Thats all in Bill we trust

They know something....

Not only has seymour slipped a little did you really think he was going to play 16 games this year? He gets injured almost every year.

Tell me it isn't true...................Not Richie. What is that all about? My day is ruined......................

They need to get rid of Matt Light before Seymour. 80% of the sacks come throught Matt Light.

No one is safe from the wheelings and dealings of Bill Belichick.

Brady for a first rounder and two second rounders in 2012?

The philosopy here is to pay guys for what they WILL DO, not for what they HAVE DONE and that is a big reason for their long term success. Seymour has done a lot for this team but he will demand bigger bucks next year and they'll now get much more value out of the DL position with the younger guys (who they must be satisfied with). Now sign Brady and WIlfork, and to me this looks like a very smart long-term move.

maybe in a few years when the stench of losing finally wears Seymour down, he'll want to come back to the Patriots at a lessened price for a 6th round pick. Suck it, Raiders.

posted by merc: this has to b incorrect no way we give up our main pass rusher 4 a pick 2 yrs away

Main pass rusher??? I haven't seen Seymour within 10 feet of a quarterback since he walked off the practice field with Brady last week!!! Seymopur has benn living on reputation for 5 years.

Wow, insane or what!! ...How do you get rid of one of the real heart and souls of the team?? ...He is and was one of the greatest...When will Brady go?

The times they are a changing

Sign Wilfork. Extend Brady and please, get more protection for Brady!

I see holes at DB and we need to get some big time help to keep The Man protected. I don't know about anyone else but, the hit Brady took from Albert Haynesworth was a wake up call. All these moves are moot unless we give him better protection and improve our pass defense. Seymour's gone. We'll survive. Forget Peppers. He's 29 too and will cost even more. It ain't gonna' happen people. Our DL is fine.

Hard to believe they got a future 1st round pick for Seymour. He has been on the downside of his career anyways, not playing well and constantly injured. Great move by the Pats.

My first reaction, of course, is one of shock. Not so much that Seymour was traded, but that he was traded for just one pick, two years from now.

But then I remember when the Pats cut one of my favorite players, Lawyer Milloy, and how THAT turned out. Turned out pretty friggin' awesome, as I recall. And I suppose there's always the possibility that another deal(s) is in the works.(Dare I dream of Julius Peppers in a NE uniform after all?)

Also, I know that a lot of people think this hurts us this year, but as we play more 4-3 maybe not. And, let's all remember, Bellichick and Kraft are certainly concerned about not just this year, but all the years ahead of us.

What? Is he in his contract year? Is he asking for the deed to Gillette? Will the Raiders have the number one overall in 2011? Will I live that long?
Somebody explain. Please!

This leaves a roster spot open in order to pick up another quarterback. They'd never go into the season with just two.

Fine, but Vince Wilfork better step it up this year.

This may or may not be a good trade, and yes Seymour isn't as good as he once was, but to the people saying that he hasn't done anything in a few years....GET A CLUE. Seriously. How about leading the team in sacks last year with 8 (from a 3-4 defensive end, not a pass rushing position!). Not to mention that it tied his career high. And he WAS getting double teamed, not as much as before, but still enough to free up Warren and Wilfork a bunch.

This trade is about the future. Seymour can still play and for you unappreciative fans who had no idea how good a player you were watching...get a clue.

?????????????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Holy Crap! THAT'S a shocker

This is an AWESOME move. Guys....we got a first round draft pick...FROM THE RAIDERS!!!! We will be picking in the top 10 guaranteed.

This is a steal! For us!

Lest you forget - and I love Seymour - he is on the downside. We won big time here.

This is a good move. Brady and Wilfork need to be signed and Seymour has been playing hurt. The team is well stocked at this position and the future draft pick should be in the lottery given Oakland's recent history.

2011 will have a new CBO, and upper first rounders won't get the guaranteed money they do now. You'll get a stud for normal money, and set yourself up as the team of the next decade too. Love Richard, but hey, the Celtices should have traded McHale and Parish before they broke down. Instead the Celticcs wandered through the desert for 20 years. Let's keep trading with Oakland! LOL.

Guys,

Richard is one of the top three linemen in the game - WHEN he is motivated (and has someone like Willie McGinest by his side...)

But let's face facts here, he has been only going through the motions these past two years.

At least we get a No 1 pick for him, and as someone pointed out, we save a heck of a lot of money...

Wow, that was a surprise. Thank you Richard Seymour for all your years as a Patriot, you did a lot for your team in their Super Bowl years. Good luck as a Raider. Perhaps you come back after the year, and we'll have the pick and the player! Like 95% of us, IBWT!

W - H - A - T ? - ? - ? Has he lost his mind. This makes no sense at all, just plain ole dumb!!!!!!

Remember when Richard Seymour used to be good? Guy averages 4.5 sacks a year. Speaking of average, that is what Richard Seymour is. He's in a contract year so he might improve a little bit this year, but he was gone after this year, so he leaves one year early and the pats get a 1st rounder that should be near the top of the draft as the Raiders should be one of the worst teams in the league, remember the last time the pats had a top 10 pick, Jerod Mayo. Id rather have another Mayo than seymour

Nice move? Look at the first round draft record.....not good. They BETTER sign Wifork.

About OL help, I know it was only preseason, but did anyone watch Vollmer Thursday? The man is a beast, and with a little polish and seasoning, he'll be the LT for the next decade. He was awesome.

Had to reflect on this one a little bit, but the Raiders really needed some quality D-line help. We got two mid round picks for burgess (next year), and the pats will not see any benefit for 2 years. The Raiders got Greg Ellis from the Cowboys, who looks to be solid also. I like the trade, Seymour is a real PRO--- like Ellis, so this D-line will be vastly improved with his addition. It gives the Raiders alot more versatility to shift from 4-3 to 3-4.

For all you Raider haters, this is a team on the rise. McFadden, Bush, Fargas!!!!! --Wow, I can't wait to see these guys for 4 quarters. J-mac looks much improved, I love our tightends and our receivers will be a surprise this year. Seymour is nothing but a positive for the Raiders, he will along with Ellis help mold this young defensive unit to become professionals. With our corners and a little defensive pressure, this could be a good year. 10-6 this year/12-4 2010. The pats will basically get a high second rounder, plus we get the picks for the oft injured Burgess, tha Raiders will prove to be the winner of this trade.

S&B POET

Awesome trade. Toooooooo many fans deal with EMOTION. This is a BUSINESS. In BUSINESS it's either you do or you don't. BB has ICE WATER flowing thru his vains. Fans opinion mean NOTHING to him. He has a vision of what needs to be done and NEVER let's anything change his mind. We as fans have ZERO, NADA clue what is happening. All we are, are arm chair QB's without a clue. Get over it. BB you made a GREAT decision to keep the Patriots on top for the next 5-8 years.

I am not a Pats fan but think the Pats management might in the words of Brits be "be too clever by a half". The Pats secondary is questionable and everyone knows a cornerbacks best friend is a pass rush and the Pats only had 31 sacks last year. So trading away your best pass rusher?. This might make sense but the Pats have the best player in the league in Brady and he is probably on the downside of his career but should have 5 more great years. So you win now.

I do think though they are concerned that Brady has them over the barrel in coming contract negotiations. So a high pick in 2011 gives them a little relief if the contract does not work out and if it does it works out great to draft the next franchise QB.

Kraft is also betting the ranch on bringing the NFL players to their knees look at how many Pats are going to enter free agency. Might be a shrewd move trading Seymour but I think when you have Tom Brady you worry about winning this year.

what the hell are they doing who cares about a 1st round draft pick...i understand hes old but the pats Defense sucked last year and now they give up a pro bowler..then vrabel..then bruschi..i think there defense will be worse this year..

At first hearing the news, i thought, Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?!?!? ... After digesting everything, wow, what an incredible move. The Patriots are all biz. I swear, they view players as stocks in a portfolio. Seymour was an absolute homer investment. So basically, they're selling Seyour at a top-tick price, and will be investing the profits into a 2011 "growth stock". These guys in management in New England are exceptional.

Yet all the so-called "experts" say the Pats are unbeatable. This move saves very little cap money and seems horrendous for a team looking to win NOW. By the way, Oakland desperately needed a d-lineman and may hit the jackpot here.

WHo cares? The Steelers are going to win the Super Bowl.., again!

For the best of interest, let him go. He was a great player in the past, but not any more now.. I've noticed that he is getting slower after all the surgeries n injuries..He doen't have the pass rush neither.. Hey Pats, nice move for getting 1st round draft..

Brilliant move!!! Trade away one year of a player who's very solid (though a bit injury prone) and who you're not going to resign after this year anyway and in exchange you get a probable top-5 draft pick next year who'll be under your control for years to come. This is how the Pats will stay relevant for years to come rather than fading back into obscurity.

Good Trade. You can hide your sins on defense without Seymour more so that you could with missing a Brady or Moss. They still would have had a better defense with Richard in the fold. Hope they can keep Vinnie...

It appears that Bill Belick believes that he is the "greatest magican" not only in football but the Solar System.
No Rodney, No Bruschi, No Vrabel = NO DEFENSE (to speak of anyway)
Coach Bill should look into that crystal ball he has to check how in the hell they are going to win a or any games this year or next year.!!! Maybe the crystal ball needs new batteries.

Listen...NE is putting themselves in a great position to be holding the potential draft pick for Tim Tebow!! Do any of you dopes know what thats worth right now? This potential 1st rounder could mean a great trade situation at draft time....think ahead people..!!!

"The dogs will always bark, but the caravan moves on."

I was shocked to see Seymour get traded. He was one of the best players in the league for a long time.. But thinking objectively to it, the Pats know how what they are going. How many other francises have had the same amount of success as the Pats over the last 8-10 years. The Pats have some young linemen up front, and maybe Burgess can go back to DE. This is a short term sacrifice for a long term reward...Try not to get to attached to the player..

I like it - Seymour's best years are clearly behind him and he still has enough value to get a #1 pick (and given the state of the Raiders, potentially the #1 overall pick) in return. Also frees up $ to re-sign Wilfork and creates more playing time for Jarvis Green. My immediate concern would be the loss of veteran leadership with Vrabel, Harrison, Bruschi and now Seymour gone, but I think long-term this is going to work out fine.

Pats got good value on this trade. But the defense, already suspect for this year, just got weaker.
They are a Super Bowl contender, but no team with a defense this shaky-looking can be considered a Super Bowl favorite.

Nice move? Look at the first round draft record.....not good. They BETTER sign Wifork.

Posted by montanatim September 6, 09 12:11 PM

Hello! Seymour was a first round pick. Mayo. The Patriots are actually quite successful whent they are picking at the top of the first, rather than the end.

Holy Crap!!! never ever would have seen this one coming... must be because the D is so stacked .. oh wait

This is the official END of the "Dynasty D"--everyone is gone & it makes me sad! However--I'm sure that my sadness pales in comparison to Richard"s!! Thanks for all you did & I'm sorry that if you had to go--you had to go there!

seymour is still good . we all hope. hey pat fans . i really can believe yall thought ya would get asomugha. i see we arent da only dillusional fans . anyhow. your team is still great .. :)

He's a lovable guy but I think it was a great move when you look at the costs vs. benefits of the situation. His play no longer justifies his contract. Bill saw upside in another direction.

uh Tim Tebow is no NFL qb and is coming out likely after this year. He is not a big time prospect pal.

Hmmm... Julius peppers?

At first hearing the news, i thought, Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?!?!?
Posted by TMT September 6, 09 12:19 PM

Hahaha!!!! that is so money

I had this intuiive feeling earlier this summer that 93 was going to the Raiders. What is done is done. BB is alwyas looking ahead.

2011 is the year in which a slot payment goes into affect(if the CBA goes through) . Now a high first round draft pick doesn't break the bank when it comes to signing and the rookies will have to take whatever the slot payment is. This makes the affordability of the high first round draft picks and predictability of what you are going to pay so that you can utilize the monies elsewhere(free agents,trades,and other draft picks). It is a great business move as their was risk each way. The Raiders are pretty stupid to give up a first round draft pick for a player that may only stay for one year unless they have money to sign him now. The Patriots must have assumed that Seymour's asking price wasn't going to work for next year and got something very good in return. I know people have an emotional attachment to him as fans we like to admire the players and have players considered to be our own. That's the loyalty that breeds in all of us as we just felt with Bruschi but with the management team that controls this club they see things that we don't and as fans we will judge their moves and sometimes contradict those moves. That is the element of the game that I now enjoy. Good luck to Richard Seymour and who knows, maybe we will see him back in a Patriots uniform next year.

for all you people crying about this trade, wake up and smell the coffee....1) Seymour was walking after this year, 2) Seymour's play has steadily been going down hill since 2005, 3) in a 4-3 scheme, Seymour is easily replaced.

to those who think his play hasn't gone down hill, why has he not been on the field during passsing downs the past two years....simple, he is no longer the force he was....injuries and his attitude (knock on him at Georgia) have turned into a slightly above average defensive tackle in the NFL....too often after he signed his last deal did he decide to mail it in during games....only when he was being challenged by fans and media about beinga dog would he respond with an inspired game.....bottom line is here is a great talent, that as soon as he made a couple of big contracts he decided to turn the motor down and only play when he was either 100% healthy or pissed off from people questioning his heart....see ya later SEY!

Fantastic move. BB does it again. Gets great value on aging dissappointing, almost mediocre player who is the most important player on the line. That player is Vince Wilfork. The Pats now have TWO 1st rd picks and THREE 2nd rd picks. With the ascension of Mike Wright, acquisition of Burgess, Warren and Green, etc, shifting to more 4-3, this is fantastic value yet again in the cap era. This is what Carolina DID NOT do with Peppers. Difference between a good organization and the best.

Hate to see him go but if they can resign Vince, then i is worth it. Adios Richard Seymour

After the great performance by the backups in the last preseason game I am not surprised. He was a great player but his best years are behind him.
I wish him success...Thanks Richard !!!

First the pick is a certain top ten no matter what, Russel in Oakland is borderline bust with no work ethic. So no worries about the pick we get.
Wilfork is more important a player at this point !

So we get to two first rounders in 11 with three second rounders coming this year.

one point to make do we even miss Pioli ? Seems like we have not missed a beat here.

Good luck Richard we appreciate you and Good Luck S Pioli as the Chiefs go into the forbidden waste land that is the Midwest.

BRILLIAT MOVE BRILLIAT!!!!

MY PREDICTION: The first round pick will be used in a trade for Peppers. They will not use the money to keep Wilfork, but instead to sign Peppers to a long term deal. Brace will eventually replace Wilfork.

GUYS cmon now, think about it!!! This is the best move ever and i love seymour, he's gone after the season anyways now we get a possible 1-5 pick or whatever or however BB chooses to rip off the league LOL. We are going 4-3 this year. warren, brace,wilfork, and green for starters not to mention burgess, mike wright, and pryor. Name 1 bad trade BB has made and I'll agree this is a bad move till then STFU with all the negativaty!!! sit back and enjoy having the best football coach and personel director ever to live. as we take another steal in the draft and this years SUPERBOWL!!

This post shocked me in two ways: first, the unceremonious end to perhaps the greatest career in team history, and second, the comparatively paltry salary Seymour is paid. These two shocks seem to conflict with each other. I would not discount that the salary cap geniuses are making the right move here, but it seems almost too crazy a move for the long term value to matter. Seymour was more responsible for Super Bowl victories than Brady ever was. Watching games this year will be much more frustrating.

Hello, 9-7.

Seymour HAS NOT BEEN THE SAME since he blew out his leg in 2005. He missed 6 game sin 2006 and has not been as big an impact as he was earlier in his career. With Wilfork getting the double teams, he should have gotten better, not more mediocre. I love the guy, but this is incredible value. They can find a 23 year old Seymour in next year's draft at half the cost. This also means more 4-3 D this year.

Bill is moving richard to a team that will not be a contender for the playoffs in the next three years.

Would you like to see Indianapolis, Pittsburgh, Miami with Richard?

Think out there.

No more Vrable, Bruchi, and now Seymour - - - where's the fire in the belly now?

I agree with Don Logue--No Vrabel, No Rodney, No Tedy & now No Seymour!!!! Perhaps we should ask the Patriots organization--what have YOU done for me LATELY?

SALARY CAP FOOTBALL ----- If there was a cap in baseball,the sox would be thinking about trading Bay.

I know they were trying to convince Kevin Carter to come back for a year..but this seemed a little over the top. Still, I don't mind it that much. We weren't resigning him after this year, and he was due for another injury. 2011 will have a rookie salary cap in place, and Oakland should finish in the bottom 10 in 2010, so its a calculated gamble. I think this also indicated that the Pats will be primarily using a base 4-3 this year.

When did Harry Sinden start running the Pats?

Not sure how I feel about this trade. I'd feel better about getting a first round draft pick if it was for 2010. But isn't he still a top D lineman? Yes he would have been hard to sign after this year, but how much does the line suffer THIS year because of this move? This means putting a lot of faith in Jarvis Green and rookie Myron Pryor to fill the position. Definitely good for the future but I think it hurts them this year.

This move is outstanding. To all of you Seymour rump-swabs, look at it this way. Seymour was in the final year of his contract and was not going to be re-signed. Oakland is a joke. The 1st rounder they traded is likely to be a top 10 pick in the 1st year of a potential cap for rookies. Bill is a mastermind in this one and took advantage of senile Al Davis yet again. Yes, it may hurt this year, but better to get rid of a guy a year early than a year late. Without this deal, the Pats get 1 more season out of Seymour and then a compensation pick at the end of the 2011 3rd round. The Pats have the depth on the DL to still excel without Seymour for this year, so the move was a no-brainer.

I think this speaks more to the uncapped year, and the upcoming lockout/strike than it does to Seymour's abilities. Notice both trades (Dave Thomas) were for 2011 picks. With Kraft sitting on the labor board, they must know the big push against the union is going to be for a rookie cap, and they are planning for the future. The Pats are usually ahead of the curve on these things, so i'd like to give them the benefit of the doubt, but it makes me worry about this season.

Get a grip!

We got enough guys jumping off the Tobin.

We don't know the whole story....

Our secondary haven't shown us they're capable of covering WRs, so we need linemen who can put some pressure on the QB. Clearly Seymour was no sack specialist.

Let's see what moves Bill makes this week.

A great move by BB, the master chess player!

All tactics aside, and I have to trust the Pats braintrust based on their track record...

THANK YOU RICHARD SEYMOUR!

As any lifelong Pats fan knows, it was with your arrival ten years ago that the Patriots became the incredible top flight franchise that they are today.

Thank you for giving us everything you had, we'll never forget it and we'll always love you.

Got excellent value since this is more than likely going to be a top 10 pick. The 2011 draft, if all goes according to plan, will be the first draft in which a rookie salary scale will be in place. We get a great draft pick that isn't going to cost a ridiculous amount like top 10 picks are getting now and free up the money to re-sign big Vince and Brady. Tough one to swallow, but I think this was something we had to pull the trigger on.

Seymour's 29, and has a lot of miles on him, as he was barely 21 in his first year in the league. He's had injuries, and we've all heard the "whispers" that he isn't the player now that he was just 3 years ago. Regardless of whether that's because of injuries, or simply age, there is a good chance that Seymour best days are in the past. Given the need to sign Wilfork, Brady, Mankins, etc, it makes sense that Seymour wouldn't be signed. DL is the deepest position on the defense. Assuming their is football in 2011 (and maybe a rookie salary cap?), the Pats get a probable top 10 pick to either choose a player they covet, or trade down for multiple picks. Sure, Seymour might have been solid this year, but, now they at least get value for him, rather than nothing a year from now.

Chill people..we have won three Super Bowls..In the games I saw last year, Seymour was a non factor....not the player he used to be..not able to get a decent push on the opposing OL...We are getting younger, not older..Harrison, Tedy B, Vrabel and Seymour, great guys, good players but we're getting younger especially on defense and that's what leads to more Super Bowls!!

All tactics aside, and I have to trust the Pats braintrust based on their track record...

THANK YOU RICHARD SEYMOUR!

As any lifelong Pats fan knows, it was with your arrival ten years ago that the Patriots became the incredible top flight franchise that they are today.

Thank you for giving us everything you had, we'll never forget it and we'll always love you.

I don't know if anyone has posted this yet, but maybe the Pats WANT the 2011 pick as the rookie salary scale will go into effect. If you only have to pay a top five pick 5-8 million versus 25-50 million, then this potential top five pick could be very valuable.

Look, I am split on this trade. I loved Seymour and the talent that he brought to the D-Line. BUT, we got his best eight years and then traded him for a potential top ten or even top five pick. He was going to leave for the money after this season (which he certainly should do, if that is what he wants) and it is better to get a top pick in 2011 versus a compensatory pick (which also would have been in 2011 and would NOT have been higher than a late, late 3rd rounder).

For those who think that we were going to franchise Seymour? We would franchise Logan Mankins or Vince Wilfork before Seymour and that is for certain.

I am just happy that we have BB running the ship and not some of the fans who post to Boston.com

the defense was already pretty bad with seymour (not that seymour was the cause of it or anything) but without him, its gonna suck even more! vrabel, rodney, bruschi, thomas, and now seymour. WHY WHY WHY?

lets say hello to another year without any postseason play.

i guess i just have the future to look forward to. in 3-5 years, this team is going to be killer with all the draft picks they've recently acquired

Seymour was a great player, but I agree he hasn't been the same player since the knee injury (when lining up at FB). They'll miss his batting down passes. Still, they got max value for him. I wouldn't want a #1 in next year's draft when the cap may be off. A #1 in 2011 could be a different story. Also, in a 4:3, he'd be a tackle, and Bill obviously felt that Vince and Brace could be a winning combo. Pryor's been a surprise at DE. So, I think it made sense. They've said all along they're not about going for broke in any given year. Instead, they want to be competitive at an elite level every year. This move fits that strategy. Let's hope they extend Vince.

Will miss Seymour, but think we get good value on this trade.
Im guessing that Bill is about to sign Wilfork, a veteran QB or a player like Peppers within 48 hours.

Good Luck Richard, it was great having you here...and I hope that draft pick brings us the stud of studs.

Another Blogger here, expressed concern that this could be similar to the move the Pats made when they released Milloy just prior to the 1st game against the Bills several years ago. Although in this case Seymour has been traded, I can understand the relativity & would also be concerned that the same situation may occur at this close point to the regular season. Hopefully the Defense is able to Unite & put this move behind them & be successful. Otherwise, I think they did get good value out of this trade. As long as Al is involved in the day to day decisions of the Raiders, they will not be successful. His time has passed, & one of the All time great original AFL franchises is suffering greatly as a result. That will be a good thing as we look forward to the 2010 season being a bad one for Oakland & bringing the Pats a top pick in 2011, if not some great opportunity for a blockbuster trade sooner than that.

Post # 129 sums it up. Thank you Stan

Tip a glass to the man with class - #93 will definitely be missed.

Sad to see him go but I'm not surprised, I guess. Probably wasn't gonna get re-signed, and the pats have some good depth at DL, so it makes sense. Still...

This move SUCKS.

I will miss him but you can't deny, when you look at the cap and the pick. the value proposition was too good to turn down. Another crazy Raiders trade.

I like Richard Seymour very, very much. But he has spent an awful lot of time out injured the last few years. From a pure dollars'-and-cents' worth, the ROI was just not very good. Sorry to see him go.

Seymour has been oft hurt, and has played in about 55-60% of potential snaps over the last 4+ years and its questionable the effectiveness that he played most of them at. He wanted a top dollar deal, and he is not a top dollar player. When he played full out, he was indeed disruptive, but that happened very infrequently.

Best of luck to him; if he decides he hates losing, he can always resign with the pats next year for a reasonable cost for his wear and tear vs performance.

I just felt a DE like Dwight Freeney, in contrast to Richard, was able to shake off double defenders much more than did Seymour, and he was about 70 pounds lighter. Add to it his knee trouble, and it may be a coup.

The Pats probably couldn't sign both Seymour and Wilfork, so getting a 1st round pick now is better than letting him walk after this season. The Pats have depth at DL, so they can make the move now. Bill just keeps the picks piling up to keep the team competitive. The losing franchises keep mortgaging thier futures to try and win now. Keep up the good work Bill!

Nothing the PATRIOTS do surprises or bothered me, but this trade hurt me badly.
In the past the trades made proved to be good, they seem always to come out smelling like a rose so we can only hope for the same.

At least the Raiders could have thrown in Jeff Garcia too--something tangible we need now as a backup to Brady.

First round pick for a guy in his contract year, very astute move by Mr. Bill.

Well, the d'backs can't defend the pass, they have no pass rush, and now without Seymour they won't be able stop the run!

Still no Linebackers and Derrick Brooks is waiting for a call.

Do you think Hoyer will more the team against Blitzburgh like he did against the third stringers on the Giants? Oh, Brady is doomed to go down with and injury.

Seymour is starting to get up there in age. Now NE gets a 1st rounder draft pick. Typical BB move. He see's these guys on a daily basis. All we see is what happens at game time. They should focus on getting Wilfork a new contract for next season.

This has echoes of the Lawyer Milloy move prior to '03. Only minus the trade to a division opponent who you have to play the first week of the season. He was awesome early, but has been injured so much the last few years it seemed as if that elbow brace was part of his uniform. In Bill we trust!

I see the Pat's moves as a matter of business and the future. This team was getting older on defense. With Tedy's retirement, Vrabel's trade and now Seymour's ... it's obvious what is happening. Stagnation in football gets you nothing.

Fortunately, this organization does the right thing 99% of the time. Getting a first round pick in 2011 for Seymour is good and sets us up to continue being a player for championships and Super Bowls!

Seymour's first 5-6 years he was as dominant a defensive lineman as there was in the game, but his production has slowed down a bit due to injuries over the past two seasons. He will be missed, but w/the exception of Assante this team has not missed on anyone. Granted they will now be able to sign Brady and VW, but a top 5 draft pick albeit 2011 is gonna cost some serious $$ regardless of the position. Still the best team on paper, and maybe there is another trade looming with a DE coming to NE.

peppers signed a 1 year 16 million deal. if ANYONE thinks the pats will trade for that theyre insane. good bye richard. thanks so much for the last 8 or so years. it was fabulous. im sorry you had to go to oakland, but it will only be 1 year, then you can get a fatty contract somewhere else.

Classic Belicheck. He has no blood in his veins. Getting a 1st for Seymour is a good move. Like Vrabel - not much left in the tank. A 1st for him is a steal.
Would that more CEO's operated as smart as BB.

Coach Bill is now officially a GOD.

Remember THIS, above all else, Wailers and Gnashers of Teeth:

Belichick didn't trade what Seymour has DONE.

He traded what he WILL do.

...And that will almost certainly be a TINY FRACTION of what this splendid, but aging, injury-prone, and Cap Retardant FootBall player has accomplished.

In other words: what we did to the Raiders in the Randy Moss trade was NOTHING.

We just RAPED them.

Coach Bill'll be lucky if he doesn't serve TIME.

Everybody else is trying to build a Kingdom.

Coach Bill...is expanding an EMPIRE.

OK, next I'm waiting for the following headlines:
"Redsox deal Beckett in surprise trade."
"Celt's gain draft choices in 2012 for Garnett."
"Brady for Favre in blockbuster deal; high round drafts included."
C'mon.......WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT !!!!

You can be guaranteed that Brady will not retire a Patriot.

By the way, Thank You to Richard Seymour. You gave it your all and we as fans appreciate that.

Best of luck to you and your family.

Is Bellichick out of his mind? I can't believe this! The DL was the only section of our defense in which we could have been sure not to have any issues. Now we've got issues everywhere. The Secondary wihtout Rodney, Ellis and Asante, a linebacking corps without Bruschi an now a D- Line without Seymour...? I thought we supposed to win a championship this year...

1. Captain Belichick is re-arming the team for the next decade.
2. Raiders will win 2 games in the next 2 years, so 1st round 1st pick.
3. If the salary cap goes away, why not load up on draft pics cheaper.
4. Strong rumors Belichick wants crabtree from 49ers, 49ers would settle for this since crabtree is sitting out.

Is Bellichick out of his mind? I can't believe this! The DL was the only section of our defense in which we could have been sure not to have any issues. Now we've got issues everywhere. The Secondary wihtout Rodney, Ellis and Asante, a linebacking corps without Bruschi an now a D- Line without Seymour...? I thought we supposed to win a championship this year...

I'm still in SHOCK.

I can't BELIEVE we just hoisted Oakland's (2011) 1st Rounder for our beloved but brittle, aging, and GUARANTEED-to-Command-a-Bloated-Salary Lineman!!!

!!!!!!OAKLAND'S!!!!!!

The Pats just cleared 3.865 million from the salary cap. Stay tuned Pats fans, there could be another move coming. Maybe they'll trade the Raider's pick, or a hundred other possibilities.

Terrible move. What the heck

The results of this move will be answered on the field. I hope BB recognizes that our last "slam dunk" chance to win a SB are this year.

We'll know if Mark Sanchez has 50 years to throw the ball in Week 2 or ditto for Trent Edwards next Monday.

This also could send opponents scrambling to redraw offensive schemes having NO CLUE what BB has in mind. Burgess IS a weapon.

This may start a new era in Patirot football.Seymour, Tedy, Rodney, I hope everything turns out right for the Pats. It sure will be a different look. It will be strange with our #93, #54,and #37.

Might actually make the 4-3 MORE feasible.. You had to have Seymour to hold up the right side in a 3-4. With a 4-3 you have left to right LDE Warren, LDT Brace/Wright, RDT Wilfork, and then RDE Burgess/Green. That works, especially given the linebackers we have.

With the 3-4, Green is a shadow of Seymour's impact over-all. Wright, Brace are too slow. Burgess will be challenged playing inside of the edge on running plays. And then the weak right side of the linebacker corps. Even if Guyton over performs the 4-3 is better.

A true PATRIOT fan would not question the trade,just BELIEVE"IN BILL WE TRUST" he's not looking for one Super Bowl,he's looking for Brady to leave with at least five

The times they are a changing

Reading through all the comments, seems like people that take a minute to look at the pros and cons are for the trade, while everyone with a gut reaction is against...

Me, I'm pro-trade. I feel bad for Richard, I really hope he gets paid. And I think he will be motivated to have a big year to prove the Pats wrong, so we all should be ready for that..

He wll be missed, but let's face it; he spends more time on the DL than he does on the field. How much can a player contribute who spends 6 or more games a year on the sidelines? He makes good plays from time time, but so didn't Bruschi and Tedy wasn't injured nearly as much (stroke not withstanding).

We have all learned to trust the Pats when they make a big decision like this. Still, it's hard to see such a true Patriot (i.e. with us from the get-go) get traded. And to the Raiders!?! What an inglorious end to a terrific career with the Patriots. Thank you, Richard and good luck (so long as it doesn't cost the Pats). We'll always remember you as a champion who made us Champions.

BB HAS TAKEN US TO THE PROMISED LAND AND HE WILL AGAIN. LETS NOT QUESTION THE BEST HEAD COACH IN THE NFL,AS HE MAY BE BUILDING THE BEST TEAM, ANOTHER CONTINUING PART OF DYNASTY II.

I personaly think this is a good move. Richard is not the same player as he is a couple of steps slower.I hope this free up some money to sign vince to a long term contract We can only get stronger!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey, Fanatical Yankee #403: find a different metaphor for your praise of BB's genius, will ya'?

If the Patriots have a defense ranked ABOVE #30 this season, I'll be SHOCKED. First Mike Vrabel was INEXPLICABLY included in the Matt Cassel trade. Then Rodney Harrison retired. Then Tedy Bruschi Retired. And now Bill "looking more like Harry Sinden with each passing day" Belichick TRADES RICHARD SEYMOUR to strip away what little veteran leadership our defense has left?

Bill BETTER hope that Tom Brady can score 40+ points per game, because the Pats defense doesn't scare ANYONE anymore, and will probably LET UP 40+ points per game. Then again, maybe Bill is hoping for some top 10 draft picks FROM THE PATRIOTS should Brady go down? After all, he's OBVIOUSLY more interested in making a REAL Super Bowl run in 2010 or 2011 than he is in 2009. Best case scenario, it's 2005 ALL OVER AGAIN, where the Pats make the playoffs with one of the WORST DEFENSES IN THE NFL, then lose to a #1/#2 Seed in the Divisional Round that actually has a good offense AND DEFENSE.

It seems to me that, with Seymour gone, not only does Jarvis Green get a chance to excel more as a pass-rushing end (he seems to have a nose for getting to the QB), but that Derrick Burgess will get more opportunities to play as a pass rushing end in the 4-3. There are only so many ends they can put on the field at the same time. The Pats have shown in the past that they place a VERY high premium on having extremely powerful, beefy, line-controlling players at the Nose position, so it makes sense they would put their eggs in the basket of re-signing Wilfork, who is such a power player and is 2 years younger (and has 2 years less wear and tear) than Seymour. And while I'm definitely not an expert on D-line play, I think that the pass rush has been the weakest part of the Pats D in the past 2 years (you can argue it's the backfield, but they'd look a lot better if the line got to the QB sooner), and that Seymour's sack production is one part of his game that seems to have suffered. In the preseason, the Pats stuffed the run very successfully - I see this as a move to get more youth and speed into the pass rush. And of course, the 2011 1st round pick was a master stroke! BB has consistently succeeded by looking farther down the road than his competition, and I think this move is a perfect example of how "strategy" succeeds over "tactics".

Seymour would've wanted way too much to stay....this is all designed to free up $'s to sign VW and lock up Brady.

This is why this franchise is the best....they always think out of the box.

My trust is in BB et.al.

WAKE UP!! BB knows his D line is DEEP. Richard wasn't going to be here after this year anyways. He took an expiring contract and turned it into a probable top 10 pick. Seymour's role was to fill holes and tame the running game. He was amazing in the 3-4 scheme. He'd be great in the 4-3 that they're planning on running this year. They'll have no trouble doing that with Wilfork, Warren, Green, Brace, Burgess, Wright, etc. BB wouldn't have done this if he thought the drop off from Seymour to his replacement would have a huge affect on their defensive scheme.

all you pats fans that like this trade are on crack...the pats questionable defense just got a whole lot more questionable

i cant be more thrilled that that beast seymour is out of the afc east

My head is STILL ringing.

Did we REALLY yoink OAKLAND'S FIRST ROUNDER??????

For an AGING, DECREPIT Lineman who ~ worshipped though he is and OUGHT to be ~ is GUARANTEED to command a salary, a year hence, that is FAR beyond what is smart to pay'm???

OAKLAND'S First Rounder??????

Holy SHEEYOT.

Ladies and gentlemen: We RAKED them.

We absolutely RAKED them.

* If this was a Fantasy Football league, I PROMISE you: This trade would get GLANKED.

In fact, the GM's who made this trade would need to leave TOWN.

I am NOT KIDDING!!

I said this when they traded Vrabel, to paraphrase the Godfather and Hyman Roth: "This is the business they've chosen......I didn't ASK....why they traded Seymour!!! Because it had nothing to do with BUSINESS!!!

Its all coming together now. Jeff Garcia got released by the Raiders. He will be Brady's backup. This opens up a slot for a BU QB. Saves money

The Pats just signed another guard for the O line. A. J. Feeley is getting cut by Philly today. Let's see if the Pats scoop up the veteran backup QB.

As hard as it is to lose Seymour short term, this is a great move... The reason for the 2011 pick vs 2010 is strictly because of the CBA. Everyone knows that the new CBA MUST include a cap on rookie contracts, so a top 10 pick (the Raiders will pretty much guarantee that) will cost far less in 2011 vs 2010, allowing more cap space to keep players like Wilfork and extend Brady. Let's face it, Seymour has missed a lot of time lately and the Pats have been fine. Jarvis Green will play more... As a BC season ticket holder, I can assure that Ron Brace is a certified NFL type player...

GUESS MONEY RULES....THANK YOU RICH FOR THE SUPERBOWL YEARS

This is what happens when you are a desperate second place team.

At least it did not include a Theo move of signing a 39 year old replacement.

Great Move!!! I love how crazy some of us Boston fans still get. That's why none of us are in BB's shoes. Probably the best coach of all time. I'd like to hear what all of you neysayer morons will say when we win the super bowl this year and have a top 10 pick in 2011 go with it. Our D-line is STILL a strength. Even without Seymour. The interior lineman (Wilfork, Wright, Brace, Pryor) will do a fine job stuffing the run and closing holes (Seymour's specialty) in the 4-3.

WTF?? Vrabel traded, Seymour traded, Bruschi retired - are we REBUILDING?????

All said and done thanks Richard for 8 great years.Best of luck for your future.

IN BILL WE TRUST!
Pioli was a glorified ball boy, who did Bill's bidding. We all freaked out when we released other impact players ala Milloy and Law. Bill likes to shake things up at the last minute, it'll be interesting to see who responds well and steps up.

The NFL,NBA,MLS it's little more than a "modern" form of slave trading,,,
no one really cares what happens to these over-the-hill-at-30 athletes. Often they're suffering from long-term injuries that they've kept masked by pain-killers and steroids - with the coaching staff totally complicit but they shrug off any responsibility claiming it's just "business" or that these young men already knew the risks involved. Repeated concussions and other profound injuries often lead to suicidal behavior and preclude finding jobs beyond their playing days. Whatever the reason for the Pats dumping Seymour, invariably some function of cost versus performance, everyone loses when a great player is deemed less than capable.

thanks for everything ŕ 93 - i was a Seymour fan since his arrival

good luck !

The Patriots defense is going to be horrible. They already can't defend the pass. Now this. Kind of leaves you wondering.

Has been a great player. However, during last 3-4 years only when not injured or when motivated. Wright & Brace will now get more playing time. Sign Wilfork!

If you don't think this was an unbelievable move then you don't understand todays NFL. I am thinking all the people againt this must be pinkhat pats fans who would be dogging Seymour by mid-season if his stats weren't good enough. Seymour is still a stud but 4 years from now he'll be gone while their new stud pick will just be starting. They were losing Seymour at the end of this year anyways.

Oakland = New England Patriots West

Seymour has been overrated for YEARS now and has been living off his reputation (much like the rest of the D-Line) for a long time. People seem to forget this defense shut down the then record setting Peyton Manning WITHOUT Seymour and won numerous other games without him. He's not hungry anymore, it'll be reality check time for him in Oakland.

This pick is being traded anyways.

2011 may be the first year with a rookie salary cap... great move frees up cap space, Seymour probally would have walked after next year and shows commitment to be a perenial contender.

Remeber the late 80's Celtics.............Bill does......Dump the oldtimers.....get draft choices and turnover the roster...great deal..........Seymour, a very good player, has lost a step......shocked?......at a Belicheck move?...........NO

Expect a LOT of 45-42 games this season, with the Patriots actually LOSING a few of them. Expect RBs to run wild on the Pats, the Peyton Mannings of the NFL to have 5-10 SECONDS to safely throw against the Pats, and expect MANY 30-50+ yard ESPN Highlight Reel pass against a young, inexperienced secondary.

Bill Belichick may say "it is what it is", but "what it is" right now is a defense that's EVEN WORSE than last season and probably #28-#32 in the ENTIRE NFL.

I'm still shocked at this. But the bottom line is, for whatever reasons they had to trade him he is now a Raider.

Thanks Seymour, for all the hard work and excellent years you put in here. In my eyes anyway you'll always be a Pat.

Fanatical Yankee, lol, good one! (though still think you might ask your doctor to lower your dosage)

I've been saying this should happen. This should have happened three years ago. In 8 seasons, Seymour only played a full season twice and the best sack total he had was 8 (twice). Not good enough out of your premier d-end to average 4.875 sacks per season.
The only issue I have is we traded him right before a contract year (the only time he plays hard), but for a first rounder that is almost sure to be a top 15?! Throw in a couple more picks on top of that??! Thanks Al!
Green (although smaller) is faster, more aggressive, less expensive, and plays hard EVERY down. Look for 10 - 12 sacks by Christmas. He has 27 career sacks to Seymours 39 with about one-fifth the playing time. This is an overdue move and we will be happy with it by seasons end. Good job, Bill. I have not been happy with some of your moves, but this one works.

If they trade this pick for a 2 in 2013, a 4 and a 6 in '14, and a 7 from 2014-2020, I'm really gonna be pissed.

I Love the Move. Good Ole Oakland. Always ready to be fleeced by the Pats. Seymour has been living off his reputation for too many years now. We need his salary to be used to keep Wilfork and Brady.
After watching this preseason, Belichick must have come to the same conlusion that I did. That the Pats' defense, as currently constructed stinks. Seymour was not going to contribute anything to its improvement so why not get rid of him and his salary, sign younger defensive players i.e. Wilfork; sign Brady to keep him happy and continue the rebuilding process on the defense. Good Work Bill. Keep up the rebuilding process. As an aside, I like the move to sign Simmons. He will prove to be an
upgrade at the back-up guard spot.

upgrade over either at the back-up guard psspot.

Great move by the Pats, and BB. Seymour has been very average and injury prone the last few years. Frees up cap space for Wilfork and others. It would have been impossible to keep both next year and Seymour is on the downside of a great career. The Pat's do need a pass rusher ASAP. The Julius Peppers of 4-5 years ago would be a great pickup but now he is what Seymour is going to be in a few years OLD. The Seymour of 4-5 years ago just wreaked havoc allowing others to get to the QB. We have not seen that since and Pats need to get back to rushing the QB and creating turnovers style that was so effective during the great Super Bowl run.

Richard Wilfork deserves better than the Raiders!

Funny how if you go to other teams boards the prevailing opinion is that the Pats fleeced the Raiders in this deal. Unfortunately the comments here are full of pink hatted, ungrateful, panzi-azz fans who probably didn't follow the team prior to 2001 shouting "WTF???", "I THREW UP ON MY BALLS!!!", and "MEYEK!!! REASONING???".

I loved Seymour and appreciated all he has done for this franchise, but face it, he's on the backside of his career and most likely wouldn't have been back after this year anyway. They got a future 1st rounder from a team that's been in rebuilding mode the past several years, and will most likely still be in rebuilding mode as long as Undead Al is still running the show out in Oakland.

And for those lamenting that "Seymour, VRABES, Rodney, and Bruschi" are gone from the defense it's not like the D last year was dominating with those guys, as they were near the bottom of the league in most categories.

One sentence can explain all...The Patriot brass smell a 2011 lockout.

Brilliant move yet again by BB.

And if you can't see why, then you don't understand the NFL, haven't been paying attention to the Pats latest defense scheme and players, or you're plain ole' myopic.

Seymour '09 is not the same as Seymour '03. People get caught up in the "name" rather than the expected future performance. It's the classic case of confusing past performance with expected gains. See., e.g., Lawyer Milloy, Drew Bledsoe, et. al. The great move is not holding on to a "known" but aging commodity, but investing in an unknown Microsoft. Let someone else use the best typewriter around.

Further, Seymour was walking after this year. No question about it.

1st Round draft picks are great assets, especially those from a team like the Raiders. This is a fabulous deal for us no matter how you slice it, and it helps keep this club strong for years to come, not just with a likely stud in '11, but with $ for Vince and Brady.

Holy smokees, thanks Raiders! Now go win your 6 games this year with Rich. Or 4. Or 2.

The Patriots just tore down their front wall on defense, especially considering they aren't likely to be able to re-sign Wilfork. (Along with how tough it was going to be, this now probably makes him mad.) Add that to the fact the secondary has been weaker and weaker every season since Ty Law left, and I do think they've made a big mistake.
It's time to stop this blind, "In BB we trust" stuff, guys - open your eyes - it has been years - they are stuck on 3 SB wins...

Okay here We Go...I Am...Liiiiv ID.

In Bill Belichick we trust my *SS!!!

Lemme break it down and remind all of you: Bill didn't win those championship..Veteran Leadership....Veteran Leadership..built and adapted to Brady and the newcomers who came...Disciplined Corey Dillon...Tamed Randy Moss...Even prepared the way for Brady. It isn't so much that Bill is axing Vrabel, Seymour, Bruschi...You people are getting ALL These championships...and you ARE FOrGETTING, that before we had These Championsips, we loved this team cuz they have LEADERs...but lets break it down even further

Deal or No deal, playing hurt or not: whenever SEymour got Hurt by Playoff time...tell Me..Tell Me...It did not embue our being ROyally screwed...but bless his class..becuz he would play hurt.

SEYMOUR IS the Best DEfensive Lineman in the Effint LEAGUE. This aint an arguement...NO ONE...is fucking better. No One.

This move is soulless...I couldn't care less if we "win another championship" just as long as smash New Giants for what they did...and win the Conference..Selling out the heart concept of this team can only slap Home grown Fans in the Face...and I dont take to getting slapped

Bruschi > Brady any day

The bottom line? $$,$$$,$$$

What happens when the owners lock the players out? Is there still a draft?
This move BETTER mean they are resigning Wilfork long term.

Is this also an indication of more 4-3 vs. 3-4???

This team would be SO much more successful if BB would just listen to all of you. I'm really surprised he does not request input through these message boards, as you all know so much more about football than he does. We could still have Troy B, L Milloy, T Law and countless others if he only listened to all of us, who have very little idea what we are talking about. I doubt it has anything to do with BB picking up details from Seymour's game pre season, evaluating the best moves for the team at the end of the year and freeing up space to build NE another SB team. He really sucks at his job, not listening to us over the years. We were SO good here in NE before he arrived.

This is a good move, big Vince is the key to that front seven. He is the best nose in the NFL and he is athletic enough to thrive in a 4-3, see game film from his days at the U. They couldn't keep both and I believe he is the more vitale one to the successof this defense

This is a good move, big Vince is the key to that front seven. He is the best nose in the NFL and he is athletic enough to thrive in a 4-3, see game film from his days at the U. They couldn't keep both and I believe he is the more vitale one to the successof this defense

This is a good move, big Vince is the key to that front seven. He is the best nose in the NFL and he is athletic enough to thrive in a 4-3, see game film from his days at the U. They couldn't keep both and I believe he is the more vitale one to the successof this defense

great and i mean great trade!

Gimme a freakin' break, cdkeli (#440). Now you want us to start crying for professional athletes who make more in one game than most of us make all year?

Slavery in involuntary. Being a professional athlete is a CHOICE. If they don't want to risk concussions and long-term injury, then nothing is stopping them from just quitting and getting a $50,000 a year job like the rest of us. And news flash: no one really cares what happens to you anyway, whether you are an over-the-hill athlete or not.

A little help?

Can somebody transcribe post #452 for me, please?

I just installed Symantec SarcasmBlocker 2009.01, and I can't read a THING! ;p

You all will look back and say great move BB. Seymour is on the decline and was gone when his contract was up regardless so we get probably a top 10 first rounder maybe even a top five. (Gives them a some room to resign Wilfork and Brady but also some insurance as BB could be planning for life without Brady be because of injuries or contract issues)
BB is no dummy thank god he doesn't listen to most fans.

traded from the best team in the NFL to the worst. Imagine how he feels as a champion. I believe the patriots did this to help there team now, and a nice 1st round pick from the worst team in the NFL. Hope this works out

"Fanatical Yankee, lol, good one! (though still think you might ask your doctor to lower your dosage)"

~ JaxPat

Thanks, Bro.

And, Yeah: I get that a LOT! ;p

A rookie salary cap is being proposed in the new players agreement. I believe it would come into play in 2011. So you see the reason for a deal for a 2011 first round pick. That also means the Pats could keep a high draft pick for that year and not have to break the bank. It also means this year they can up their offer to Wilfolk to sign him. As some have said before: IN BILL WE TRUST.

Seymour has been living on his reputation for years. He has constantly been injured that past 4 years and when he was not injured he was not particularly productive. Pats gets some peices to build with and save some salary. Good move by the pats.

LOVE THE MOVE! This is why BB is paid a sum to run the Patriots, while the majority of the fans complaining on here slave away at some job for peanuts.

While I have some great memories of his play, Seymour is not the same player he once was. With Vince Wilfork also in the last year of his contract, the Patriots would not have been able to re-sign both players. Not to mention the Patriots have one of the deepest d-lines in the league and have capable replacements for Semour waiting for their shot.

Getting a 1st round draft pick (in 2011 when there should be a rookie salary cap) from a one of the worst franchises in the league in return for a player who would have been lost for nothing to free agency for spring is a brilliant trade for B.B. and the rest of the Patriots organization!

I'd say the trade opens up the possibility of either re-signing Wilfork to a new deal or signing Julius Peppers as a UFA this offseason.

Yeah and that stud is Ron Brace Boston College, baby. Yeah...:)

ok, here's some alternative thoughts...there is no guarantee a first round draft choice is a hit, esp one that goes to 5 PBs, so the player we get in return will almost certainly not be as good as RS. Also he was cheap (this year) at 4m. Clearly BB saw three things, 1 the def was slow as he had been too loyal to the older players, 2 none of the other contenders have a high powered offense, stop brandon jacobs and you beat the giants (hence 4 man line) and Pitts off...please, 3 although he wouldnt know this, he suspected RS was going to hit FA for Haynesworth money. BB is no genius, he just understands percentages better than anyone else...see his view on draft picks...you can't really hit consistently on them, therefore the more you have the higher odds you have of getting a hit, and this is just another example of that. BB doesnt know its right for sure but as he keeps telling you, it's in the best interest of the team....perhaps people should start taking him at his word (having said that dropping Lenon a 135 tackle LB for three years for Ninkovich who is a weak backup at best was strange)...and what is his mantasy with TEs he's never had a good one, yet he cant help trying to trade for one...(have KC or SD won anything in recent times with stud TEs?)

A diminished big $$$ Seymour for a couple of years vs. a young Seymour for 10-12 years? Pats HOF maybe but a good move!

With the Pats trading away 1st round picks because they don't want the high salary costs associated with signing them and with Oakland being a perennial loser, it seems the Pats will eventually trade Oakland's first rounder for multiple middle round picks in 2011.

Just because you get a number one pick does not guarantee the player will be good. The Patriots are old and on the way out. Let's not buy into the ESPN blabber mouths - they think the Patriots will be good forever. This just does not happen in pro sports. Look at the 49ers, Steelers, Redskins, Raiders and other teams that were good for 5-10 year periods.

This was a decent move for the Raiders.

Oh no, Vrabes, Bru, Rodney, and Big Sey are gone. What is Bill doing tearing apart our sucky defense from last year? We should be keeping all these players well into their 30s because they've been so much fun to watch over the years and I own some of their jerseys. Who cares about the fact that none of them are productive, they are leaders in the locker room and thats more important. This franchise is now a laughingstock because we haven't won a Super Bowl in OVER 4 YEARS!!!! If they trade away one more guy who was good 8 years ago I'm never watching them again!

BB fleeces Al Davis again. It almost constitutes elderly abuse. From the comments of NFL people in Adam Schefter's column it seems the league feels that way too.

Seymour was a great player, but whether because of injuries or "mileage" is past his prime, despite being 29. He has an injury history, is in the last year of a contract, and wants a multi year deal paying him an amount equal to the best in the league which he han't been in at least 3 years. The Pats have more important positions and players to lock up at this point: Brady, Wilfork, Mankins. It's a no brainer- and thank God Al Davis is the one without a brain. Think about it. The Pats weren't going to resign him anyway. The DL is the deepest position on the defense. Now they have a probable top 10 pick in a possible rookie salary cap year. If not, they can always trade down for multiple picks. Either way they replenish talent so that the franchise continues to operate at an elite level. Belichick IS brilliant.

Let's see now.....the Pats used a 1st round pick to get Seymour....used him for 8 years....won 3 championships with him....and now trade him for a FIRST ROUND PICK? ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT MOVE!.

It's pretty simple, managing the salary cap. Oakland is going nowhere in either 2010 or 2011. Their first round likely will yield 2-3 very good third rounders. That's where you pick up lineman who may have been lost in college traffic or technically underperformed. Remember, technique and team interplay is paramount

Bill is a genious, i have tons of respect for what he has done for New england, but this is tough to hear.. We just got rid of a 5 time pro bowler who is not even 30 yet?? how many players ever make 5 pro bowls in their career, but to do it by age 29 is amazing.. The only upside to this is that we dont have to play him twice a year for the next five years. Any maybe the raiders might win a game or two this year now

Can"t keep both Wilfork and Seymour... They weren't going to take a discount

First off all, no one hear knows enough to say anything worth reading. Let the Patriots do what they do. Thats why they are doing it and we are reading about it. Crazy fans drive me nuts. HEY NEXT YEAR IS UNCAPPED?! Why bring in a first rounder in a year UNCAPPED? New England does not over-pay, PERIOD. Thanks for the years of service, but when its time to move on, its time to move on.

Listen,
We want to be competitive in a few years and long term. We are a perennial playoff team with 3 Super Bowls to our name in the Belichick era and this gives us more options in a year where they could be a rookie cap. Put your emotions aside on this one. The Raiders blow hard and this could be a top 5 pick and two years from now, you all will be jumping for joy even though your wearing your emotions on your sleeves now

And of course...

THANK you, Richard Seymour, for all you've done, and all you contributed to this Emerging Legend of a Dynasty.

Once a Patriot, always a Patriot.

Thanks to Richard Seymour for a great eight seasons, but, with him being a free agent and with next year most likely being an ucapped year, good move to get a first round pick for someone who won't even be with the Raiders for more than one season. What will this do for Oakland? Possibly get them to 4-12 and then bid farewell to him. Stupid move by Al Davis, again. Think he's old and senile, he told reporters after the trade was completed that "he'll fit in nicely on our defensive line with Matuszak and Hendricks!" "Coach Madden will find a way to use him"

This sucks but what else can a good manager do in this age of salary caps and free agency? It's a painful move emotionally but business-wise, it was almost a no-brainer.

I am trading this comment for a future comment in 2011.

Love Richard Seymour and what he brought to the Pats. A class act on and off the field. All the above drivel about his performance dropping off is noise. He had 8 sacks last year and he is 29 years old. He is arguably at his peak and may be there for 3-4 more years.
That said, love the move. Seymour is a FA at the end of the year. They were not going to pay Seymour what other teams would be willing to pay him in an uncapped year. So they get a 2011 FRP when new CBA slotting system is in place. A FRP for 5-6 years (in two years) when they w/b able to plan w/$cost certainty as opposed to having Seymour for one year. And BTW...if the price is right a year from now they can always get him back as a FA...not likely but maybe.

Seymour is a Defensive Tackle in the 4-3. He is not a great outside edge rusher in a 4-3 alignment. With the change to the 4-3 this year I think BB saw that he has lots of very good interior DT options and the factors of the expiring contract, an offer of a 1st round pick and the fact that Seymour's performance has declined from his best years probably all combined in the decision.

I wish Seymour well because he has been a big part of the team over the past 8 years but I think this deal was too good to pass up.

Post #332 is great. Nice analogy.

The last time we got rid of a pro bowl caliber defensive player right before the opening game was Lawyer Milloy. And that year we opened up the season against Buffalo at home as well.

We got blown out by Buffalo 36-0 to open the season, but then went on to win the super bowl against Carolina.

Will history repeat itself?

great, they still can't cover anyone.

Thank god you guys do what you do and that your not in team management.

We all love Richard Seymour, a great guy, a great family man, a great defensive player.

With the secondary we have, we need a ferocious, rabid defensive linemen which Richard isn't.

Ellis Hobbs said in an interview this week that there were some in the locker room making big $$ and dogging it w/injuries. Although news to us on the outside, those on the in weren't fooled by Seymour's slothful ways of late. Had some good years with us but it was time to go and Belichick sold while his stock was still high. GL out there 93 and avoid the Humboldt sash

Seymour only has to play for Oakland this year, and then he's a free agent. The Raiders are just renting him. The Pats got value while they still could.

A business move by an increasingly cold organization. NFL teams are accounting firms with a football appendage; our beloved Pats being no exception.

I think It is OUTRAGES Seymour is a GREAT PLAYER I think Robert Kraft and Belichick have been hitting the sauce to much THERE NOT THINKING WHATS NEXT BRADY I cannot believe How Dumb Robert Kraft is I use to Respect Kraft but ever since He made this move I have lost all respect for him If he keeps this up He needs to find another job CAUSE THAT WAS THE MOST STUPIDEST MOVE THEY HAVE MADE
First Vrabel WHICH WAS STUPID to dump him STOP HANGING around the BARS KRAFT your not thinking You will destroy the Patriots team GET SEYMOUR BACK

This guy is an idiot, sent shock waves across the NFL, why would anyone make such a dumb statement. Mike should go to work at the Herald

Aside from the OL not getting Tom Brady killed and an offense that worked like it did two years ago, their second best hope of getting to the SB this year was a D line that could overwhelm and come from a variety of places. That's gone with this trade. Now instead of an exceptional D line, they have an above average one to combine with their below average lbs and dbs. They'll still get in the playoffs but, to me, they just made a significant dent in the only part of their defense that wasn't below average. This move makes sense in the long term but probably just sent the AFC Championship someplace else this year. Enjoy watching a defense that fails to make the big play for a fourth consecutive year.

This move has the earmark of a great management team that understands what it takes to be a competitive team over a number of years. No guarantee of course as there is always the element of luck....good and bad.

Seymour was great while we had him, he's giving us more value in the future than he could give us in person. He may have a good year (indvidually) this year but I look for him to sign a hometown discount with Atlanta next year.

Someone pull #501 away from the bar!!!

Bye Seymour Sorry Robert Kraft wasn't in solid mind when made this decission It was one of his worst mistakes he has ever made Seymour has done so much For the Pats and how does Kraft repay him BY KICKING HIM TO THE CURVE maybe Kraft needs a kick
SEYMOUR You will be missed alot YOUR FANS LOVE YOU Can't say much for Robert Kraft
STUPID MOVE KRAFT Maybe they should trade Kraft LOL
WHOS NEXT And don't think of getting rid of Willfork he is your power in the line If Kraft does that just means He wants to destroy the Patriots team I use to respect Kraft until this move no more

I have been a Raider's fan for 35 years. I think that this trade will benefit both teams. The Raiders get much needed defensive help now and the Patriots get a valuable chip for the future.

Seriously the more I think about this, the more I love it. I agree Seymour was a great player and is still a very good player, but a Raiders first round draft pick should be very valuable in two years. One other thing I haven't seen mentioned is if the pick ends up being in the top 5 just think what BB could do with that. Maybe he makes the pick for a great player or based on prior drafts, maybe he makes a killing in a trade? I can only imagine what BB could get for a top 5 first rounder especially with a stud player on the board. I feel bad for RS going to Oakland but he's accomplished a lot in his career and it will only have to be for one year.

not the player he once was. good trade

If we take a look at it this way. What did we do before the '07 season? We went all out on free agency & geting player (moss,thomas,stallworth). Most likely Bill wanted one last shot w. That team. After that season all we have been doing is getting younger. I bet other teams would never give up a first rounder for richard. This in the long term will be a good trade. Sign a much younger wilfork to an extention.

First round pick....trade down, BB motto...so what good is it with Pats dismal drafting!!!

What a joke...

Its tough to comment until you see what pans out the next few weeks. You can never accuse Belichick of being status quo. I love the fact that he treats this as a business and takes emotion out. You hear former players like Hobbs make statements but players always want to come here and he is the main reason.

So Brady and Moss should be retiring about the time this draft pick has any value to the team? Dumb, dumb, dumb. Looks like Pioli might have been the brains behind the operation. Bill forgets what's it's like to not have a Hall of Fame QB. He'll be in for a rude awakening when Brady retires. The only reason Cassell succeeded is because the Patriots had the easiest schedule in NFL HISTORY entering last year.

If anything, the Patriots should have been trading future draft picks to try to win a SB while Brady's still here. This is an "Opposite George" move.

This concerns me a lot. Since Romeo Crennel and Charlie Weis left, the Pats have not won a Super Bowl and appear to have exchanged their focus for winning to a focus on not paying their players. The only chance this team had to win the Super Bowl was to generate a lot of pressure up front, since their secondary is vulnerable. They won't pay Wilfork, so they'll probably franchise him next year and it will be his last as a Patriot. Yes, Seymour has seen better days, but that's party due to the system where Belichick won't ever turn anyone loose to create havoc. I've never been a fan of reactive defense. I believe in an active defense that dictates to the offense. You know, the kind the Giants used to defeat the Pats in the Super Bowl. I'll reserve final judgment, but my initial reaction is that I don't like it.

The best time to trade a player is when they have value. Perhaps Bill expects a player (drafted or otherwise to step up.)

Pats to sign Jeff Garcia?

I like it.....Money freed up to sign Wilfork and Brady. I so smell a Julius Peppers trade!!

Yes!

How about the rights to Troy Brown, Drew Bledsoe, and Teddy Bruschi for our entire draft years 2012-2016!!?? Please I need those guys!

Don’t like this move YET! Maybe, in 2011 i might, only if Bill is able to draft an impact player?? In the meantime; Re-signing Wilfork, Mankins, Gostkowski, would be a start. Seymour is a premier d-player that was a big part of 3 SupeBowls.This defense is really suspect! We will miss Richard more than we know, specially come PLAYOFFS when we can’t stop anyone!

Hey, for you older fans, remember the end of the Celtic dynasty with Bird-McHale-Parrish. For five years, the writers were saying, "We need to trade one of these guys and get younger." But no one pulled the trigger so we ended up watching Bird lying on his back while the C's were eliminated in the first round. This move takes courage but it's the smart thing to do. The Pats need to get younger and hungrier. Yes!!!

YOU'RE RUINING MY SUMMER!!!!!!!!

Not that we're emotionally involved with our players or anything....

Good luck, Richard-thanks for the memories-we'll miss you!

we still don't have an adequate backup for Brady. This might be a tool to get one

hey #522...what do u mean by "older" fans remembering Larry, McHale and Chief??...they played until the early 90's....your average 35 year old is considered "older" now??...what are u 15 years old?

He was going to walk at the end of the year anyway. He was looking for a 4-5 year contract extention and we all know the Pats don't give that. Early on we may feel the impact, but by the end of the year we'll have forgotten about it. Big Sey has missed 8 games over the past 2 years. We need to get younger on defense and..........in BILL we trust. Oh yea, this could turn into a top 5 pick.

All the people crying about Seymour were the same guys complaining about Seymour always being hurt and about Wilfork not getting signed. I wonder if they'll be crying when that draft choice turns out to be a top five pick in 2011?

Not sure what to make of this trade. A first round pick is nice value for a player who hasn't as dominant in recent years but i don't think we have anyone even close to replace him with this season.

It makes sense, now they can give Wilfork the money he deserves and they have good backup to fill the hole. 1st rounders are hard to come by and there was no way they could sign Seymour and Wilfork. BB is looking to the future, as he always does!! GO PATS!!!!

I heard that Seymour had relations with BB's wife and that's why he traded him. I think this is the best move for the team in the long wrong. If they gave Seymour a new contract and he died in a plane crash, they'd be out all that bonus money and it would be a cap killer. Well done Bill. In Bill I trust.

I was still baffled over the Vrabel trade, but thought "Okay...at least we still have Tedy to lead the defense. He's such a great leader". Hmmm..."Well, Richard really gets them motivated it. It'll be okay." I have run out of self assurances that there is a man out there that can step in & take the leadership roll that these 3 guys brought to the team.

In Bill we trust....but I'm having a hard time swallowing that one right now.

Should have done it after the superbowl loss to Jints. He is a good player but definitely overhyped. While he does get double teamed sometimes, he made too few game changing play to warrant the big contract. He is the type that demands top dollars and it is better to spend the money retain other good players.

Here is my view on this trade. I've always respected Richard Seymour's play, but always felt Jarvis Green brought more pass rushing skills to the defense. Now, it could be that BB did not ask RS to rush the passer, but Jarvis constantly plays in the backfield of the opposing offense. Since speculation is that they may play more of a 4-3 than a 3-4, it would make sense to get Jarvis more playing time, because he can bring a lot of pressure. Since RS injured his knee playing fullback, he hasn't been the same (no knock on him, he was doing what they asked him to do), though I believe he is still young enough to recover, and still wreak havoc. From a business, as well as a football point of view, I think this is a great move. Here is why, his contract, and that of Wilfork are up at the end of the year, it would be harder to replace Vince ( younger, and plays Nose) then it would be to replace Seymour (bit older plays DE). If you must sacrifice one, why not Seymour? Even if the PATS switch to a 4-3, keeping Vince still allows them to play a 3-4 when the game plan calls for it. There are not that many 3-4 nose tackles out there, especially one that plays a two gap system. In terms of getting value for a player, I see no downsides to this deal for the PATS. Richard was drafted with the 6th pick in the draft almost 9 years ago, yet the PATS have a chance to get the same if not better value for him. Let's think about this for a second, you bought your new car 9 years ago, you get very good use out of it (ie: 4 SB appearances won 3), then the dealer calls you up and says, I'll trade you for another of the same value or better straight up. Would you pass on the deal? In my humble opinion, I think making this deal with the Oakland Raiders is like stealing candy from a baby, considering our recent trades history with them. For example, Moss for a 4th, Burgess for a 4th...and now Seymour for a 1st!!! I say we thank Richard Seymour for his great years of service, he should come back some day and have #93 retired, and accept his (Red Jacket, to go with his Yellow Jacket), I honestly believe he will be an NFL Hall Famer, as well as a Patriots Hall Famer. For now, we really should consider sending flowers, and chocolate to thank Mr. Al Davis for letting us use a car for 9 years, and pay us the same price we paid for it.

Thank you for SnowBowl! Thank you for Moss! Thank you for Burgess! Thank you for 2011! THANK YOU OAKLAND!!! The NE PATRIOTS DYNASTY is truly built by the OAKLAND RAIDERS!!!

Remember the collective bargaining agreement is up in the air...the 2010 season may be an uncapped year and, 2011...well who knows. By moving Seymour now, the team positions itself to work with the current cap, the possible no cap for 2010 and with two picks in 2011 it is well position to work with the new CBA.

All you have to know is that the trade was with the Raiders. That means we ripped them off big time. Raiders do not make good personnel moves.

O'Connell, 3rd round pick -- nothing.
Crabel, 3rd round pick, looks like nothing
Thomas, 3rd round pick -- 7th in trade
Smith, 5th round pick -- nothing
Burgess, 3rd and 5th -- part-time pass rush specialist

In a year where the patriots are universally considered at least
contenders, they trade away a defensive linemen who is worth a
future high-1st round pick. Are they trying to win now or in 2 years?

I don't get it.

BB's got the rings. And the rep.

Of course he was about a half season from being fired, again, before
stumbling across Brady.

in 2011 there should be a slotted rookie pay scale along with the cost-certainty approach, factor in cotracts and cap space for brady wilfork and gostkowski
nice chip tp have in 2011 lets all go drink some more belichick kool aid

The Pats line has been decimated. Sanchez and the JETS will tear apart the cocksure, horrible Pats.... J-E-T-S....

I just can't believe that this story is getting so many posts. Why don't all of you idiots spend your time on something worthwhile, other than football.
You all idiots need lives.

THE PROBLEM WITH THIS TRADE IS THE PICK IS TWO YEARS FROM NOW AND IT WILL POBABLY BE A TOP FIVE PICK.THE PATRIOTS
WILL THEN TRADE THE PICK FOR SOMETHING IN 2012 0R 2013
AND BY THE TIME THE PLAYER DEVELOPS BRADY,MOSS, AND
CO WILL BE RETIRED.I DONT UNDERSTAND HOW THIS TRADE HELPS THEM NOW. THE WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY DURING BRADY'S CAREER IS CLOSING , THEY NEED HELP ON DEFENSE!

Willem - absolutely one of the most narrow-minded, inane, and ridiculously stupid comments on here. Well done. Half a season from being fired - what the heck are you smoking?

To get, you've got to give. We've got a lot of talent on the D-line and we now have an extra 1st round pick that will probably be in the Top 10 in 2011. And we have stocked pretty well with 2010 draft picks already.

Since 2001, we've been contenders every year. How many teams can make that claim?

Go learn a thing or two about the game of football and how championship teams are put together, then come back with some legit points.

Thanks, Richard. Nice knowing you. Hello Chad Bradford. Welcome to the Pats in 2010 via Raiders 1st round pick.

This is a good deal. Richard Seymour has been great, but he is about to enter the declining years of his career, which often results in a high priced, more injury prone player.

If the Pats use that #1pick wisely, the can get value with it or for it. Using track record as a barometer, I trust the Pats will do this.

Moreover, the money saved on Richard Seymour will enable signing other key players.

Seymour is great when he is healthy, but he is regularly injured and he has lost a step. He has one year left on his contract, and the salary cap situation is up in the air. The Pats got a likely top 10 draft pick for him; he would have walked at the end of the year. The Pats now have plenty of cap room and draft picks to acquire the players they need.

How is this not a good trade?

At first I was shocked.. but then saw the other side. I'd rather get something for him instead of having him walk in a uncapped 2010 to the highest bidder at the end of the season and get nothing. the new rookies got to be able to accomplish what he did or he wouldnt be expendable.

Unfinished Businees this year!

The way the Pat's have maneuvered around in the draft when they stockpile high choices gives them a LOT OF GOOD options!

I am a life long Cowboys fan, but I have a lot of respect for what they have built in recent years.

OK I read this and was yelling WHAAAAAAT! scared everyone in the house.
Well I hope this means Wilfork gets signed and Brady gets an extension. What about Moss, how much longer does he have on his contract, I would love to see him for a couple more years.

Hey, Dom baby ... sorry to whiz in your kool-aid, but ... BB
was a failure as a head coach till Bledsoe got clobbered, which
forced Brady into the lineup, and the team had a transformation.
Till that point they were a .500 team. BB had been head coach for
1.5 years or so. Had the continued on in their mediocrity -- likely
considering Bledsoe's slide -- BB may not have survived. He had
already pooped out in Cleveland. My point is simply that BB was
not always considered one of the great coach's of all time. And
that his fortunes changed not because of some great decisions he
made, but my fortune, when Bledsoe was injured.

I'm a huge Patriots fan. But some of their personnel moves lately
are real head-scratchers. And this one makes no sense at all. Usually
when a team has a chance to win a championship, they load up for
that particular year. For instance, overpaying for Burgess makes sense
if you think that that is the missing piece. But then they go and make
a move -- trading Seymour -- that doesn't pay off for at least 2 years.
Who cares what happens in 2 years? The NFL's approach to roster
building is apt to have changed quite a bit by then. Regardless, this
trade does not help their chances for this year.

Even geniuses do stupid things. And on the face of it, this was a
stupid trade.

After 547 comments, there cannot be anything valuable left to say. Please stop.

Seymour is a great player no doubt. But as the Godfather put it..."it's not personal, It's just business"

Is it any different in our lives? Nope! Let's face the facts as Mike laid out:

1. Seymour was in the final year of his contract and MOST likely was not coming back.
2. Wilfork's contract is up at the end on the year, you have to re-sign him.
3. You can't afford both!
4. Next year is uncapped
5. A 2011 1st rd pick is brilliant because there will be implementation of the "rookies rule" ie rookies not getting ridiculous J. Russell contracts....

No doubt Seymour was and IS great. But you also have to think about the future of the PATS franchise. THIS IS A YOUTH MOVEMENT....

if in doubt see: Vrabel, Bruschi, Harrison, Brown, and now Seymour..

Great players...great era...hopefully they can build a new one!!

I think Richard is one of the key components in all of the 3 superbowl wins... but the Pats made a great trade to get an early first round pick from the pathetic Raiders.... given that Richard is going to be looking for BIG numbers next year and the Pats are going to a 4-3.. which lowers the impact of Seymour's impact. PLUS... the Pats can always bring him back next year... after he spends a year with the misrable Raiders... he may be willing to come back to NFL paridise for a discount....

I bet the Pats brass is thinking that the Raiders won't be able to sign him for the 2010 season and that they'll return to their hapless selves. Thanks Richard you're awesome!

When Bellicheck makes a trade with Al Davis and the Raiders, I have to believe that we are getting the better end of the deal.

"All you have to know is that the trade was with the Raiders. That means we ripped them off big time." --- Best take of the night.

"You all idiots need lives." --- The worst.

Receiving the Raider's 2011 1st rounder in return for one year of Seymour is a steal, no doubt about it.

Sports are big corporate business!

This is what Seymour deserves for letting Eli out of his grasp! Same with Samuel, Hobbs,etc.

I really don't get this one. I thought we were going to the Super Bowl this year, so why give up a top defender?

Belichick is no fool, so something is up.

I am so pissed !!!!! OK 2011 !!! what are we gonna do till then!!!!! Cant grasp the decision made

Its all about the money!!!!!!!!!!!

whatever.....we look to the future obviously. i can stand the wait for another three superbowls haha

Big C was always a very good player but always a tad overrated. Too often we were told his contributions could not be measured in sacks or tackles or stops behind the line of scrimmage. I guess he was always double covered so he "opened things up for everyone else". Whatever, how come no one ever said that about Reggie White, Richard Dent, Charles Haley, Bruce Smith. Yeah I know different system, I'm not saying he wasn't very good, just that I have always felt he was a tad overrated especially since the latest contract went into effect. Either way I would still like to thank Richard for being a fantastic New England Patriot. Good luck Richard We will miss you!!

2011 is the capped year for rookies.. That's why 2011. It'll be a top 5 pick as well. Smart.

Hog

as much as i like r seymour.. i think this move is MUCH MUCH better than the mike vrabel's trade. i think Mike Vrabel did a LOT more and had a LOT more value than R seymour...

It's all about money. The Pats are rebuilding.

Wouldn't it be funny if Seymour tanks, this year, and then rejoins us for a couple mill a year, just like JT with the Fish?? ;p

And who knows what we might parlay the Raiders' 2011 1st Rounder into, by the time all is said and done?

A Top 5er, IF the Rookie Salary Cap ~ a goofy idea! ~ is installed by then, would reclaim its historic value ~ as opposed to its current status as an Albatross!

And it could be parlayed into a couple 1's AND a 2 and a 3, by the time Coach Bill gets done wheeling and dealing!! Woo HOOOOO!!!

I love all the comments and opinion expressed by all the experts on here. I didn't know we had that many experienced, successful and KNOWLEDGEABLE coaches and GMs here in the New England area.

I will sleep better knowing this...

it's what makes belichick,belichick...tremendous

I like it! Local media and fans continually talked of him as being in the top few d-linemen in the league. But on the national scene his name was rarely ever mentioned in such discussions. He was another of our parochial obsessions. He may have started out belonging in that grouping during the first half of his career, but his play and production have been significantly lower for several years – basically ever since he held out, disrupted the team, and got his enhanced deal. That petulant holdout while he was still under contract set the tone and the ugly precedent, by the way, that led directly to Deion Branch following the same path the very next year. Another costly disruption, but this time the team realized it had to draw the line to nip this trend in the bud. That led to the departure of Branch, which resulted eventually and ultimately in deer-in-the-headlights Reche Caldwell being the primary receiver and costing the Pats the AFC title game and a subsequent certain fourth Super Bowl win over the offensively challenged Bears. Seymour’s un-Patriot-like selfishness cost this team dearly. And it should be clear to everyone that he would be demanding Haynesworth type money next year and would certainly not be back. The last time BB caused a stir by shipping out a ‘vital’ cog of the defense coming out of camp just before the season opener with Buffalo, the stunned Pats rallied on to successive 14-2 seasons followed by SB victories (Milloy in ’03).

Jarvis Green is better
Meri was better then harrison
Mayo is better than bruschi

Its time to move on and let go of what is holding us back

If you are complaining now, what would you be saying at the end of the season when Seymour walked and we received nothing in return? Unless you haven't been paying attention, he was not coming back unless the $$ was just too much to ignore...and that wasn't going to happen. Richard made the "mistake" a lot of Boston sports stars are starting to make (See Jonathan Papelbon)....they are talking about money before it is time to talk about money. Good player but BB is right...this is business. And from that perspective, this WAS a good move.

If you have been watching how Richard hs been guarded the last couple of years you shouldn't be surprised. Much more single coverage and much more often with success by the opposition. He has gone from a great pro bowl player to a good player. At this stage in his career it is a good move for the Patrots to extract some value for him as after this year he would be gone. The Patriots could not pay he wants he wants and can still demand from less successful teams looking to draw on his name.

your best defensive player for a first round pick, which will udoubtedly be traded for a second round pick, which will undoubtedly be used to select another Patrick Chung, who looked liked Eugene Chung against Giants Thursday night. Should have traded him to the Chiefs for a guy named Vrabel.

How stupid is Al Davis? He traded a probable top 5 pick in a draft that will probably have a rookie salary cap, for a player on the downside of his career, who will be a free agent at the end of this year!!! If the Raiders want to keep him, they will have to use the franchise tag, which will be close to Albert Haynsworth money. RS will want out of that dysfunctional team, so they won't get him to sign any other way.
Great job BB !!!

Oakland traded 1st round pick to rent Seymore for 1 year who made that call?. You know he's going to be in K.C. ,Cle.,or Den when his contract runs out.

wow its good to know everyone in patriot nation is a tool... Seriously guys in bill we trust...never forget. To answer the cap question we free up about 3.7 mil this year in cap space by trading him. Second there was no way we were going to be able to afford Brady, Wilfork and Seymore so we got rid of the guy we needed the least. We have back ups for Seymore, Jarvis Green, Ron Brace, ect. We have depth at that position so don't worry about our D-line. Will it be weaker, probably, but not that bad. Your over stating Seymore's ability he was injury prone. Sure he was great...but not worth a 70 million dollar deal. Bill must have been satisfied with what he saw from the back ups. Wilfork is the necessity, he is a top 3 nose tackle, which are diamonds in the rough. He was essentially the patriots rushing defense. You put wilfork in and you cover both A and B gaps. Now the reason we traded for 2011 picks is because we probaly would not have gotten a first rounder in 2010. (Raiders are Idiots) But Bill noted the possibility of the ROOKIE SALARY CAP...Which means we could get a top 5 pick at a reasonable price. Which we would trade down and be set in the draft for the next 5 years. This is a franchise, and I know we all want another ring, but think of the team for the next decade. This is one of Bills finest moves.

Somebody please get #507 away from the keyboard before she hurts herself.

Anybody notice that Terrance Nunn cleared waivers. Everybody said that BB made a mistake cutting Nunn and that Nunn would draw a lot of attention from other teams. Nunn is now on the Patriots practice squad. Oakland made the mistake. Giving up a number one draft pick for a guy who has made it clear that the main thing he cares about is going to the team that pays him the most money. Oh yah, if Wilfork is upset, remind him that if he took the home town discount, the Patriots may have been able to afford to keep Seymor.

2011 might be the right time to draft Brady's replacement. If the Raider's pick ends up being a top 5 pick (which it should because Seymour will be long gone for the 2011 season), the Pats could potentially draft Sam Bradford, QB - Oaklahoma. How would everyone feel about the deal then if it ends up landing us our future franchise QB?

Not sure if Bill Bilichick is a Genious on this one... Or, is Al Davis just an absolute moron? The Raiders are NO where close to being contenders and they give up a first round pick to have Seymour play there for (1) season. He is not going to re-sign in Oakland. This was an unbelievable deal for the Pats. This will more than likely be a top 5 pick in 2011. The Pats are loaded up front, Wilfork is more of a priority than Seymour so hopefully he is signed. Seymour has been a very good player for the Pats - but not a "Great" player. This is the kind of stuff that makes Bill Bilichick the best coach in all of sports! How can we second guess him?

Number 577, totally agree -- 507 can't construct a coherent sentence, let alone an intelligent thought.

The Patriots have always been masters at letting people go exactly at the right time -- just when they've peaked and are starting on the downside, but still are good enough to get a lot in return. Sometimes it hurts for a single season, but generally not more than that. Does anyone really feel Seymour has more value than a top 10 overall pick, who could be a stud for the next decade? The NFL is a cold business and as great as he was, this is the right move.

Ellis Hobbs threw Seymore under the bus. I never liked Hobbs as a player now I don't like Hobbs as a person

I love the morons that post (shout) IN ALL CAPS.

How many of have even one (not multiple) Super Bowl rings as a GM or coach under your belt.

Shut your traps.

Belichick is still the smartest guy in the room (the NFL).

Crazy move - Win Now - Nothing else matters.

The Patriots fleeced the Raiders again!

If they did for a football reason (even if I disagree with it), then I'm okay with it. If they did for a corporate reason (get rid of the guy who stood up to the organization in order to get paid), then I think it stinks. I'm inclined to believe the second reason more than the first.

i think that yes the patriots are now in transition. i think belichick may very well use that 2011 #1 to trade back in to the 2010 draft and get a QB, I THiNK THAT BRADY NEEDS A SUCCESSOR SOONER RATHER THAN LATER ! trade back in and get JAVON SNEAD OF OLE MISS ! did you see him yeaterday against Memphis!

Was hoping for but never really expected Pats to dump either Seymour or Wilfork or BOTH. I’m jumping with joy over the trade of Seymour and would have been equally happy if Pats traded Wilfork too. Both are vastly over-rated. They are NOT superstars but believe their press releases and think they are. No question both are in top 1/3 of D-linemen, but they continually take themselves out of the play rather than stand their ground; and in doing so, have created huge holes for opposition RB's and clean passing lanes for the QB. Both have priced themselves out of their Patriots team value. While I doubt the Wilfork will be part of the unheard of any longer “In-Season Trade”, if Wilfork doesn’t change his negotiation price he will not be signed except perhaps as a franchise player who will then be traded.

Not related to Wilfork at all. Remember, both would be up for FA next season, and Seymour was not going to be signed on even for a year contract.

This is about transitioning, when it's time to look at a Tom Brady in his tenth or eleventh year at the helm.

The aging defense syndrome, also - is less of a factor with guys like Harrison, Seymour, Vrabel and Bruschi gone. A rookie can be trained up. A guy with eight years of high impact on his joints and muscles only gets slower and more likely to think about all that comes AFTER football.

On the surface it looks terrible, but lets trust this organization. Everytime they make a controversial decision that the fans don't like it always turns out to benefit the team. Patriots weren't going to be able to pay Wilfork, Seymor and Gostkowski in the same year, plus the could be a rookie pay cut for 1st rounders in 2011. Also don't rule out the Pats resigning Seymor next year if the cap money goes up. He's not going to sign with the Raiders so basicaly they are renting him for a year.

I dunno..there could be more to this..Julius Peppers maybe?

I dunno..there could be more to this..Julius Peppers maybe?

Seymour wasn't Old I am not sure Pats will find anyone that will fill his shoes Seymour always gave his all. for the team How does Kraft treat that Throws him out like he is an old shoe.
Seymour was only 30 Kraft will never here the end of this if the guy that replacing Seymour stinks
I use to respect Robert Kraft but now he is just making bad moves

What is Jarvis Greens contract status? Initial shock is over and he hasn't had the best of years lately with injury so jury is still out. Leaves big shoes to fill! He was a class act.

Maybe Bill cant sleep over the 2001 tuck ruling, this should make us even!

I hope Wilfork breaks his LEG!!!

YEAAAAAHHHH!!!

HEX,HEX,HEX!!!! That would be Awesome!!

I think the trade was excellent for the Pats.....a note of thanks to Richard for the many years of dedicated and excellent play

Forget the compensation for a second. There was no way we could resign wilfork AND seymore, and the priority was wilfork. Seymore was gone after this year 100%, so I'm very pleased with the move.

next stop, dancing with the stars!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Great move! The guy had his years, but they are GONE.

IF 2011 sees a rookie salary cap then this draft pick will be like gold, however it still won't have a positive impact on the team for probably 4 years (at least 3).

The loss of Seymour leaves a pretty big hole in a D that already seems underpowered, though perhaps this is in essence a signal that the team is committed to Willfork, as it was unlikely they'd both get resigned considering the money they'll command.

At least this way they get something of high value in return for his departure, which baring a home-town discount would have likely been at the end of this season anyway.

And while Richard is probably sad about the trade it will result in a big pay-day for him after this season when he signs somewhere other than New England. And considering all he's done for the franchise doesn't he deserve it?

Anyone realize the year they went 16-0 in the regular season Seymore played 9 games had 1.5 sacks and 14 tackles. Basically they were without him that year and did just fine. Great trade. They got big time value for a guy on the decline and in his final season with NE anyway.

I tend to live in the present. The bottom line is the Patriots are not a better team without Seymour. Maybe in two years we will look at this as a stroke of genius. But for now, this is a suspect defense that just became a little more suspect.

Belichek is addicted to trading and with his Traders Anonymous sponsor now in K.C. he cannot push himself away from the bar and stop. it is not always about the financial bottom line. Football requires leadership and they los at least 4 high quality leaders in the last 3 months. and whats with slinging draft picks around for players who end up flipping burgers. was the advance scouting that bad on alex smith, greg lewis et al?

It sends a message: Don't rock the boat or we will trade you to the Raiders!

single cover. past his prime. contract year. health questions.will still miss him!

I think I'm going to make a lot of money betting against the Patriots this year.
A very questionable defense just got a LOT worse.

Trading an ALL PRO for an unknown pick 2 years off..

Pathetic.

Al Davis got the best of this trade, I'm sure of it.

I really think Richard needs to "MAN UP" and go there for one year. He'll do terrific and then will be ready for a huge payout and will still be 31 at that time. He's a great player but has been a big baby before and will be again... Is he really gonna give up $3.6 million and sit out the year? Who's gonna want him next year? Richard there is no winter in Oakland.. Play in nice weather for a quarter million per game! Not so bad!