sebman2112
In the Starting Line-Up
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When healthy, Richard Seymour has been one of the best D-linemen in the NFL, and a huge factor in NE's past success. Over the past few seasons Richard has flashed signs of continued dominance, but he's also fought through various injuries that have effected his ability to get on the football field, and play at a high level.
Here are my questions, and I'll give a few possible outcomes to his '08 campaign, to see where the board stands. I'm also going to throw in my own opinion on each possibility.
If Seymour struggles through injuries during the 2008 season, and plays at a decent level when on the field, but not a dominant level, what effect would that have on his future in NE?
My opinion: Restructuring his contract would seem like a good idea, but I'm not sure Seymour would be willing to take a team friendly restructure, so he might end up on the trading/chopping block prior to the '09 season.
What if Seymour is able to stay healthy this season, and plays at the dominate level we became used to in prior seasons?
My opinion: His $9.7M '09 cap hit becomes a little easier to swallow, and maybe the Patriots would try to work something out to keep him around a few more years, while slightly lowering that '09 cap hit.
The other question is, if Seymour does play at a high level the next season plus, would he resign with NE before he's actually scheduled to become a free agent, or would he want to test the market? Also, would Seymour hold out, if the Patriots franchised him in 2010?
My opinion: Richard wouldn't resign before he's actually scheduled to hit free agency, as he'll want to cash in one last time. I also think he would hold out if the Patriots were to franchise him. this all hinges on his being healthy and playing at a high level going forward though, since I don't think the Patriots would resign or franchise him, if he continues to have injury issues. Wilfork might be a better candidate for the tag, but I hope the Patriots can resign him before he's actually scheduled to hit free agency.
Here are my questions, and I'll give a few possible outcomes to his '08 campaign, to see where the board stands. I'm also going to throw in my own opinion on each possibility.
If Seymour struggles through injuries during the 2008 season, and plays at a decent level when on the field, but not a dominant level, what effect would that have on his future in NE?
My opinion: Restructuring his contract would seem like a good idea, but I'm not sure Seymour would be willing to take a team friendly restructure, so he might end up on the trading/chopping block prior to the '09 season.
What if Seymour is able to stay healthy this season, and plays at the dominate level we became used to in prior seasons?
My opinion: His $9.7M '09 cap hit becomes a little easier to swallow, and maybe the Patriots would try to work something out to keep him around a few more years, while slightly lowering that '09 cap hit.
The other question is, if Seymour does play at a high level the next season plus, would he resign with NE before he's actually scheduled to become a free agent, or would he want to test the market? Also, would Seymour hold out, if the Patriots franchised him in 2010?
My opinion: Richard wouldn't resign before he's actually scheduled to hit free agency, as he'll want to cash in one last time. I also think he would hold out if the Patriots were to franchise him. this all hinges on his being healthy and playing at a high level going forward though, since I don't think the Patriots would resign or franchise him, if he continues to have injury issues. Wilfork might be a better candidate for the tag, but I hope the Patriots can resign him before he's actually scheduled to hit free agency.
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