August 03, 2006
Seymour checks in
Patriots defensive lineman Richard Seymour met with the media after this morning’s practice. He is not a full participant in practice, he said, only coming out on the field for a walk-through segment of the workout.
Here is a bit of the initial Q&A:
How is it to be back on the field?
“It feels good to finally get on the field with the guys. It’s something in the offseason that you train for, just to get back out on the football field. I was able to come back out in some walk-through practices and I’ve been watching a lot of film, doing a lot of studying with the guys, having a lot of meetings. I just haven’t been able to be out on the football field. But I’ve been able to get the mental reps I need.”
Have you been held back because of anything with your contract?
“No. I signed my contract a while ago.”
Why have you been held back? Is it something physical?
“Yeah, just a little tightness in my quad.”
You’re just being preventative?
“Training camp is tough, it’s grueling, and I was just at a point where I didn’t want to come out and further re-injure it. So we decided to work with the strength coaches and just continue to get better. Hopefully, I’ll be back soon.”
If there was a regular-season game Sunday, could you play?
“[Laughter]. I think the doctor would have to give me some prescriptions and I’d be out with the guys.”
You were in the same situation last year as Deion is this year. How frustrating can that be?
"The business side of it, obviously you have to take care of it. Obviously we love to play this game, but we're not going to play it for free, or whatever the case may be. Everyone's situation is different. Mine is different from Deion's. Deion's is different from Tom's. Everyone's situation is different and you have to handle it accordingly. I don't do those contract negotiations. I have an agent who does that for me and I have confidence in him."
Does this mean you'll be at practice this afternoon?
"I'm still down. We had a walk-through. I just came out for the walk-through. I'm still working with the strength coaches and hopefully I'll be back out on the football field soon."
