Is Something Rotten in the State of Denmark with the Seymour Trade?

It's now four days after the trade and I am still feeling like there's really something missing with it. Something just seems amiss in the way it went down. The aftermath only throws question marks at it as well. Yesterday, some things have come to light, but really I think more a quick glimpse of the iceberg as opposed to a real view, which may never be seen.
Dale and Holly mentioned that Tuesday that something wasn't right. Maybe this was some of that was remnants of Holly's upset feelings, since his binkie Hobbs was traded so fast on the second draft day. Yesterday more came to light and they talked about it more this morning. I tend to think that Holly has some insight into the team and that he noticed something was odd with the way the trade was done. I knew that in time more would come out about this.
When the trade happened, I think all Patriot fans were shocked by it, but surprisingly many could see why they did it and were satisfied with the trade. Lawyer Milloy Two, it was not, at least at that point. Since then though, the mediots have fueled the fire with all kinds of talk. It's no surprise that Felger hates the trade and that Mazz does as well. The fans of Boston hammered him in the comments section Sunday, but that was before these talkies really got into motion. Now, these locals are taking the ball and running with it. They hate the trade and it's almost like the lie-gate frenzy as they are pouncing on the team in every way they can. And of course, when the many voices of unreason keep harping on things again and again, opinion builds, even though it is way off base. It's hard to argue points when you can be cut off, talked over or put down. It's really no wonder that opinion has changed in a few days when the team is up against voices drumming up their own shows.
I felt it was a good trade and still do. To me what they did was make a move for the future and there is nothing wrong with that. What they were faced was a tough situation with two stand out defensive linemen that wanted big contracts; Seymour, who had a large front ended deal of some thirty million and Wilfork, who was looking for his first big one. A choice had to be made as it was possible they would lose one if not both. They made a choice and it was the best they could do given the situation.
Seymour was not going to give any home town discounts; it was all about the money, big money. That was evident and has been since his arrival in Foxboro. There have been holdouts and a "I am going for the bucks" attitude. If there was any chance at all of the next contract being of value for the team, I truly believe the Patriots would have not traded him. But an almost 30 year old defensive end who is looking for top dollar and a long deal will not find that here. The economics of it doesn't make sense and the Patriots never make deals like that. Sure, he may have a few good years, but with a front loaded contract, it's very possible that with age, his play could go quickly downhill. There is no value in a situation like that.
Many are upset they traded him yapping away at what could have been a big year for him here, but in the end, I really doubt these fans would have been happy with a third round pick, for that is all they would have received if he had walked away to another team. But surely they could have franchised him or did a sign and trade? Maybe, but it's very possible they had an understanding with him that they would not franchise him. If that wasn't the case, would the team really wish to pay Seymour the possible nine million dollars to do that for a year? I really doubt that they would and who knows what kind of a reasonable trade could be made if they did that. It's very possible that the Patriots did not wish to get into all that, with all the rancor that could bring.
So in many ways it was a choice between a third round pick and having him for the year and trading him and obtaining Oakland's first round pick in 11. While fans might be upset now, they are missing the whole point of extending the window of opportunity for the team. The team is not tying themselves to long contracts of older players, but looking to the future in big ways. Given the total chaos in the Raider franchise, the thoughts are that it will be a high pick and by then, it's possible that salaries of rookies will be slotted. If that occurs, those higher picks will be much more valuable and CoachB will have a bigger chip to use, either for a player or other picks.
Many have said Seymour was over rated and that he did not play injured and dogged it at times. I do not believe that at all and felt he really added a lot to the D. Granted, he didn't have the stats, but playing that position, it was never about stats and that is why he made Pro Bowls like he did. I know many fans have trashed him on and off, but I do not think they are anywhere near correct in their assessment. He's a tough player, but he does have nagging injuries here and there and one can only wonder if he was on of the players Hobbs talked about when he ran his mouth a week ago.
What this trade also did was free up about three million from the cap and while that may not be enough to do a deal with Wilfork, it's clearer that it might be able to be done in the long run. As Kraft stated, because of the future of the CBA, dealing with large contracts is hard if not impossible. Granted, Manning and Rivers and a few others have gotten big deals at this time, but those teams might be out of luck if certain things are not in a new CBA. Basically, it's a large gamble to do that with an uncertain future. I think the Patriots are smart in doing that, but I do think WIlfork will get a nice extension when more is known. The extensions of Kaczur and LeVoir were chicken feed compared to a long multi million dollar deal.
The one thing that has not been discussed at length is that the Patriot offense this year was not going to be like last year's in a number of ways. It's obvious that the team was going to be a more 43 instead of a 34. I think that was quite important because it's not the Seymour in 34 that we are replacing, but a Seymour that would have been in the 43. There is a big difference there and maybe CoachB felt that that was more doable in a new D. Time will certainly tell about that, but it's a point that has been overlooked.
There are many who make the point of the Patriot's hurting themselves for this year, but it almost seems like they are talking about this trade as if this team were one of the run of the mill franchises with management that is clueless. Those that do, even at this point, do not get it and frankly never will. Many just wish to take this opportunity to trash the coach and the team, while others will are more wagon jumpers, fair weather fans and chicken littles. I think Coach Belichick knows what he is doing with the trade and is more likely to be correct with what he has done than wrong. Given his track record, I am sure he has a plan to have this team strong this year, more so than what many of the pundits think and write about. Many of them will never get it. A team sometimes has to give up a valuable quantity to get something of value in return. Apparently, CoachB thought it was not going to be a large downgrade; time will tell as the games are played.
Give that any possibilities and reasons might be quite legitimate, it's day four and there have been all kinds of stories about Seymour. It started with Peter King on Monday, claiming that a friend of Sey said he might not report. That was further confused by Oakland coach Cable claiming that Seymour was in New England as he had some unfinished business with the team. That was incredibly confusing as the only reasons for that could have been a roster bonus or some injury issue and neither existed.
And then there was some strange thoughts as he did not report on Tuesday. Friend Rodney Harrison said that he was quite upset by what had happened and it seemed like he was emotionally hurt by being traded. There were also rumors that the possible reason he had business with the Patriots was that he wanted some severance money from them, so as not to create a glitch with the trade. I really did not believe that he and his agent, Parker, would stoop that low, but considering how Parker's rookie client, Crabtree, was the only player that held out, I did think anything was possible given the situation.
There was a lot of talk as to if the trade went through and whose problem it really was, the Pats or the Raiders. The Raiders didn't have a player and they would have the draft pick for awhile, so they were throwing the ball to the Patriots. Meanwhile, the Pats were busy preparing for Buffalo and saying that since the Raiders held his contract, they were in to position to do anything. In a way, it was like a stalemate, with only Seymour holding the cards.
Yesterday, it got a bit stranger as Seymour was again a no show. Tom Curran talked about the situation and with info from PFT added that Seymour was very upset because his agent had told him an end of career deal was quite in the works with the Pats. Given Seymour's stance and the edict from Kraft about long term big deals, I found this to be a bit odd. It's obvious that Parker could have stretched the truth on this. There was a lot of talk about the 'Five Day Letter' and who would send it and the possibility of Big Sey retiring. Curran also added that there was a slim chance if Seymour was out this year that a return to the Pats could happen. The bottom line was that this was headed for an odd no man's land as it had been many many years since a player pulled a stunt like this ala Duane Thomas.
The Raiders did renegotiate a few contracts, so it's obvious they are trying to make room for him under the cap and then some, but they have really not made any public move to bring him in. I am sure there are negotiations with his agent that have been going on.. Whether that will mean that he will be with the team or will instead stay out and a loose cannon, it is anyone's guess at this point.
It's all a total mess and with more information from Holly, it's not clear. He said earlier that the team and Seymour was in negotiation for an extension and things got nasty and that was when he was traded. He also thought that because of that, it was Seymour who the team wanted to keep and not Wilfork. I do think this might be more a smokescreen to the reality of the situation. Kraft pointed out weeks ago, extensions were basically at a stand still because of an uncertain future with labor. With that in mind, my guess is that the Patriots knew that negotiations with Seymour were far apart and that led to the trade. It is disappointing that Holly has taken this new path.
Bottom line, one has to wonder what the outcomes are with Seymour. Firstly, he could report some time and play for the Raiders. Secondly, he could report to the Raiders and fail the physical. Thirdly, the Raiders could send the Five Day Letter and Seymour could be placed on the DNR List and be gone for the year. Fourthly, he could retire. The last option I feel is not going to happen. Not only does Seymour want a new contract, but he's not at all ready to retire. He looked really great in the preseason, so I do think he wants to play this season, especially since it is a contract year for him. If for some reason, he does not pass a physical, there are a few paths that this could go down and that will really complicate the situation as that might be the only way the trade could be voided. If he was to come back here, I am sure he would be gone in a heartbeat to another team as bridges have been burned and the Patriots have moved on.
What does this all say about his legacy, not reporting and not going out with any class? It doesn't at all help with it and as each day goes by, his image sinks more and more. As far as the league goes, this is the last thing they want to have happen; having players decide that they can negate trades by not showing up. If that in anyway happens, every player traded will follow the Seymour example and there will be chaos. One has to wonder if Seymour's holding out only makes the trade look better as one who has put himself far above the team, was now gone.
On one hand, I do think Seymour doesn't wish to taint his standing, but with it already being done, I do think he could follow his agent Parker deep into uncharted territory. Maybe they are plotting up some new angle that hasn't been thought of? Given that Crabtree is holding out and may not play with Frisco this year, anything is possible.
As of late this afternoon, word was that the Raiders have sent Seymour the Five Day Letter. With that, this situation is getting cleared up. Seymour must make a decision whether to report or be gone.
Whatever happens, I do hope the truth will come out on this, whether this be Holly's, of a deep contract being worked on, a recognition that sides were far far apart or whatever the circumstances really were. But that should not at all be the focus as games will be played soon and the season started, far more important than a trade.