Where is Seau?

[satz]

I am not a old guy homer but come on , patrick willis lit it up last year but no one mentions that his speed is great is chasing guys down after the catch or behind LOS. he just did not read plays maybe people want to see play like that.
NO 3-4 ILB is going to be good in coverage due to bigger size.mayo is good in short passing game but any extended coverage distane a Back or TE who is lighter will win as with size one cannot brake and turn fast. We shut down westbook last year and seau was in the nickel package coveing him alone coming from the back field. yes he is slower that say patrick willis but he read the play and stop westbrook faster and in one goalline stand short of 1st down .

Harrison interview he mentioned that he will talk to BB after junior also so have a feeling he will be coming back.even in the glory year of LB BB used upto 10 of them old young and all size for situational stuff. A player like seau gets critical in goal line stands where with no space you are not challenged in speed but where if you read your plays faster you can make a stop .A reason once the field shrinks you see harrison,bru and seau making plays.

 

[JoeSixPat]

...Likely surfing in Hawaii.

With training camp under way and no sign of Seau, is it safe to assume that he is done? Great career, but unfortunate that he did not win a SB.

That's about as safe to assume as it was to assume that Roman Pfifer wasn't playing for the team because he wasn't in camp.

This in a way is a veteran perk that Belichick offers to quality veteran players who have no desire or real need to be in training camp (actually having them sit out keeps them fresh and lowers the potential for injury) But Belichick never give someone an outright pass to signed player to sit out camp.

The solution? Don't sign them until late in training camp.

That would be a safer assumption than the notion that he's retired.

 

[fgssand]

Just saw him on Best Damn and he looked great. He said he's recovering from a separated rotor cuff injury. He talks with BB almost everyday. He's enjoying his recuperation time, surfing and spending time with his kids etc. He's hopeful that when he's healed that he'll be able to play and that at that time the Pats have a spot for him. He said that the Pats locker room is full of players that he "loves" and that he'd like to be back playing with them and finishing some business.
All sounds good!

Thanks for this posting - I hadn't heard of his injury/surgery until you posted.

TC is a long road and there will guys that play themselves off the team, be it due to injury, inexperience or lack of intelligence, too young / old or slow to make the final cut.

I do feel with the infusion of youth - Mayo, Crable, dare I say Guyton with new vets Hobson, Williams that the mix with the sage old vets and 2nd-3rd year players, while tough to figure for us, will be easily sorted out by BB & Co. leading to a much improved group.

I do think Jr. returns, possibly end of the month and will be a welcome additon when used as the savvy vet - just imagine what JR. coudl add to Mayo's growth.

These things have a way of working themselves out in TC.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

The only way Seau returns is if one of the kids at LB or Bru or Hobson gets injured.

 

[DEVILSADVOCATE]

Whatever he is doing i hope it's not smoking weed with Kevin Faulk

 

[TripleOption]

NO 3-4 ILB is going to be good in coverage due to bigger size.mayo is good in short passing game but any extended coverage distane a Back or TE who is lighter will win as with size one cannot brake and turn fast.

1. If a TE is lighter than Mayo at 245+ lbs, he is not a TE. He is a glorified WR (Shannon Sharpe type)

2. Mayo stayed stride for stride with Faulk in practice and broke up a deep pass. He has the wheels to play with the RB's.

3. You will almost never ask your 34 ILB to run with a RB deep. If an ILB can play the Hook to Curl area, he is fine.

 

[sebman2112]

They've been talking about him a lot on X-Games, apparently he's been training with one of the BMX guys and surfing. Great to hear that he's keeping in touch with BB, I'm leaning more and more towards the idea that Tank is just learning the D from his position until Junior is feeling better and it's quite a bit later in TC...could be wrong, but I'm hoping our ILB rotation is Seau, Bruschi, Hobson, and Mayo in a 4 man rotation that keeps the vets fresh and kicking butt, and allows the new guys to make an impact and learn the system without being overwhelmed. With Tank capable of playing the position and Rodney also there, the run vs. pass defense is versatile to be amazing and stay fresh all 60 minutes. Fingers crossed...

He's been training with Kevin Robinson (world record holder, two time X Games Big Air gold medalist, and bodybuilder).

 

[PatsFan37]

He's hopeful that when he's healed that he'll be able to play and that at that time the Pats have a spot for him. He said that the Pats locker room is full of players that he "loves" and that he'd like to be back playing with them and finishing some business.
All sounds good!

Very good news. However, the roster, at this point, seems so tight that I wouldn't be surprised to see Seau either not brought in for the first game, or brought in late in pre-season and then cut in one of those wink-wink deals.

Too many times, now, BB has gotten aced by some team picking up a bottom-of-the-roster high potential guy that he's been trying to sneak on the PS. In other threads, people are making points about the need to transition the team through the retirement of the original superbowl veterans. That means having layers of guys who are skilled vets, up-and-coming younger players, and high-potential rookies. Carefully managing the 53 and the PS.

That's why it may be Izzo's last year. But I agree with those who think Seau has the leadership and on-field instincts to be a big contributor. I also think when you've got a special relationship with a player like that, he'll help you play the necessary games at roster cut down.

 

[signbabybrady]

Just saw him on Best Damn and he looked great. He said he's recovering from a separated rotor cuff injury. He talks with BB almost everyday. He's enjoying his recuperation time, surfing and spending time with his kids etc. He's hopeful that when he's healed that he'll be able to play and that at that time the Pats have a spot for him. He said that the Pats locker room is full of players that he "loves" and that he'd like to be back playing with them and finishing some business.
All sounds good!

I saw that as well and it was a real fun interview.

Also not sure what he was saying but he did say something about 2 weeks. Not sure if he meant his shoulder should be healed in another 2 weeks or that a decision could come or maybe he meant nothing. When he said it no one on the panel picked it up and it didn't have much context to it but he did utter the phrase 2 weeks.


There was a real funny part though. They had a pannel of guys on the show the two regulars plus Gary Payton and Chris Webber. Well they asked Seau wether he felt like there was unfinished business? He answered with a nice long rant about how he loves the game and really loves all the guys in the Pats locker room and how it was really tough for him to be 40 seconds away and that he would love to get back out there with the guys.....The rant was making me want to run through a wall for this team and then when Seau was done C Web said "I am ready to go put on the pads and play" it was pretty funny.


If I had to give an opinion on wether he was going to be back based on that interview alone I would bet he is returning. Now there are other factors outside of Seau's desire so we will see. But wouldn't bet against it if I were you.

 

[JMarr]

Very good news. However, the roster, at this point, seems so tight that I wouldn't be surprised to see Seau either not brought in for the first game, or brought in late in pre-season and then cut in one of those wink-wink deals.

Too many times, now, BB has gotten aced by some team picking up a bottom-of-the-roster high potential guy that he's been trying to sneak on the PS. In other threads, people are making points about the need to transition the team through the retirement of the original superbowl veterans. That means having layers of guys who are skilled vets, up-and-coming younger players, and high-potential rookies. Carefully managing the 53 and the PS.

That's why it may be Izzo's last year. But I agree with those who think Seau has the leadership and on-field instincts to be a big contributor. I also think when you've got a special relationship with a player like that, he'll help you play the necessary games at roster cut down.

Like who? (I don't follow these things as closely as I should).

I too think that Izzo will be cut. Has been killer on ST but cannot hang LB, especially this year with the "youth movement." Personally I think that BB overstates the importance of special teams a bit, or put another way, I don't think you keep a position player on the roster who can only play ST, no matter how good he is in that role, IMHO.

 

[Mike the Brit]

Just saw him on Best Damn and he looked great. He said he's recovering from a separated rotor cuff injury. He talks with BB almost everyday. He's enjoying his recuperation time, surfing and spending time with his kids etc. He's hopeful that when he's healed that he'll be able to play and that at that time the Pats have a spot for him. He said that the Pats locker room is full of players that he "loves" and that he'd like to be back playing with them and finishing some business.
All sounds good!

Thanks. That makes a lot of sense.

I don't completely buy JoeSixPat's "BB is sparing him camp and will sign him later" theory. If you have a vet you want to play during the season, why not sign him, have him in camp for the meetings and walkthroughs, but keep him off the field when the going gets too physical to save him? But if he's had surgery, that's a different matter.

 

[signbabybrady]

I don't think you keep a position player on the roster who can only play ST, no matter how good he is in that role, IMHO.

Belichick does every year.

 

[TripleOption]

Personally I think that BB overstates the importance of special teams a bit, or put another way, I don't think you keep a position player on the roster who can only play ST, no matter how good he is in that role, IMHO.

Wow. Special Teams is a third of the game. If you suck at Punt, Punt Return, Kickoff, Kickoff Return and Punt/Kick Block..well, you will suck.

Frankly, your "humble opinion" has no basis whatsoever. Every team has a Special Teams ace...but maybe the 32 guys running NFL teams don't know as much about football as you do.

 

[JMarr]

Wow. Special Teams is a third of the game. If you suck at Punt, Punt Return, Kickoff, Kickoff Return and Punt/Kick Block..well, you will suck.

Frankly, your "humble opinion" has no basis whatsoever. Every team has a Special Teams ace...but maybe the 32 guys running NFL teams don't know as much about football as you do.

How Belichickian of you. I guess since he uses that line alot it alot it must be true. How many plays/snaps do special teamers get during the course of a game compared to a starting linebacker or wide receiver. Following your logic, the ideal team would devote as many of its best players to STs as to offense and defense. And before you start trying to educate me about field position, extra points, etc. don't bother. Just because Belichick parrots some talking point for the media at every press conference doesn't make it the gospel. Not that it would prove a point either way, we'll have to see if Izzo makes the 53 this year.

 

[fgssand]

How Belichickian of you. I guess since he uses that line alot it alot it must be true. How many plays/snaps do special teamers get during the course of a game compared to a starting linebacker or wide receiver. Following your logic, the ideal team would devote as many of its best players to STs as to offense and defense. And before you start trying to educate me about field position, extra points, etc. don't bother. Just because Belichick parrots some talking point for the media at every press conference doesn't make it the gospel. Not that it would prove a point either way, we'll have to see if Izzo makes the 53 this year.

Are you kidding me??

You say don;t educate you but the numbers are what they are....just a quick guesstimate leads to this.

Lets see, say total of five punts in a game, opening kick of each half, say 10 kickoffs and extra points after scores a 38-20 game, that would equal 27 plays. Not insignificant by any means since each and every one of those 27 plays are potentially, huge field advantage or scoring plays, game changing plays is what they are. I sure do want experience, talent and the ability to win that phase of the game - don't you?

I'll take Izzo (or special special team players) and some starters thank you on my ST's.

 

[signbabybrady]

Following your logic, the ideal team would devote as many of its best players to STs as to offense and defense.

I it is not equall but most teams and especially the patriots have plenty of their best players on STs. Think of Maroney, Hobbs, Welker as returners, Vrable and Bruschi on kick coverage and return, Wilfork and Seymour on the Field goal units, The list goes on and on. Think Deion Sanders and Hester (one of the best players on the bears and all he really does is special teams. You are way off base on this one.

 

[mgteich]

1) STers play many more plays than #4 WR's or backup linemen or lots of other players.

2) It is not a matter of replacing Crable or Mayo with Seau. You all have your binkies, but I would much rather have Seau on the team as the #4 ILB than Alexander, Guyton, Redd or Rudd. I am fine with Vrabel, Thomas, Woods and Crable outside.

3) I think that we have enough inexperience in our 8 man LB corps with Mayo and Crable. I would also mention that Woods and Hobson are 26 and 28 repectively, still young.

 

[Scouse Patriot]

I don't think you keep a position player on the roster who can only play ST, no matter how good he is in that role, IMHO.

If you had Hester you would.

 

[jmt57]

We could ask Bill Cowher and Pittsburgh Steeler fans how important special teams are. Or Bill Parcells.

It's far more than just the number of times special team players are on the field over the course of a game. Significant yardage can be gained or given up much more easily on special team plays due to the amount of distance being covered. Field position is an important component of an NFL game, and that is dependent on special teams play. An extra ten yards gained on a return can end up being the difference between kicking a field goal or having to punt when the drive stalls.

I'd be willing to guess that there are probably a higher percentage of special team plays that end up being touchdowns than there are the percentage of 1st-2nd-3rd down plays that end up being touchdowns. Yes, the value that somebody like Kelley Washington brings to the team as a special teams player far outweighs his value as a backup receiver.

 

[Seven Nation Army]

Everything that JMarr said is correct.

Special teams may be a third of the game, but this is not a three-platoon league. There are two platoons and some specialists. You would never keep a non-specialist who just plays special teams. Otherwise you would have positions like "Gunner" on the roster.

In truth, every ST player is actually from one of the two platoons (offense/defense). Larry Izzo is a linebacker who happens to play all his snaps on Special Teams. Devin Hester is a wide receiver who happens to play all his snaps on Special Teams.

JMarr's original point is spot on. If the coaches don't feel comfortable putting Izzo on the field as a linebacker then he gets cut. No matter how good he is on special teams.