July 29, 2005 CBS SportsLine.com wire reports FOXBORO, Mass. -- Three-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Richard Seymour skipped the opening practice of the New England Patriots' training camp on Friday, starting what could be a lengthy holdout. Advertisement Seymour's absence would further erode the core of the Patriots' defense. A day earlier, veteran linebacker Ted Johnson unexpectedly announced his retirement, citing a series of concussions and fear of long-term damage. And last week, Tedy Bruschi said he would sit out the entire 2005 season while he recovers from a mild stroke, leaving New England without either of its starting inside linebackers from last year's championship team. Seymour, who wants to renegotiate a contract that has two years remaining, also did not report to the team's June minicamp. Coach Bill Belichick said after Friday's practice that he was "just concentrating on the people that are here. Coach the guys that are here." Seymour's teammates didn't pass judgment but said they want with the team. Bill Belichick says he doesn't want to comment on Richard Seymour's absence from training camp. (Getty Images) "We love Seymour," safety Rodney Harrison said. "We miss him. We support him." Quarterback Tom Brady said, "Richard's a great person. He's a great teammate. Hopefully, he's here (soon). I can't control it, so I'm just going to go out there and worry about playing quarterback." Linebacker Mike Vrabel also refrained from taking a position on Seymour's holdout. "I don't really have any thoughts on Richard," he said. "I can only comment on the people that are out here right now practicing." Vrabel, though, reportedly has the kind of long-term extension Seymour is seeking, as does defensive end Jarvis Green. According to the Boston Herald, Green, who started in the playoffs last season while Seymour was injured, is getting a five-year contract worth between $12 million and $18 million. Terms of Vrabel's deal were not available, according to the Herald. Drafted sixth overall in 2001 by the Patriots out of Georgia, Seymour was named to the Pro Bowl in two of his first three seasons. He missed the last game of the regular season and the AFC playoffs last year with a knee injury, but returned for the Super Bowl, logging two tackles, including a sack of Philadelphia quarterback Donovan McNabb. Seymour signed his six-year, $14.3 million deal in 2001, his rookie year. Although holdouts are common in the NFL, the Patriots have largely been spared in recent years. Several high-profile players have signed below-market deals to remain with the team, including Bruschi and Brady.
Bluffing. All holdouts are bluff which is why most teams who don't want to give the extension don't do it. When the fines start rolling in he will report.
you know if he just did what he was suppose to do and show up and be part of the team he probably would have gotten a new contract. just like vrabel, green and harrison is about to get. cut him is what i say, bill will find someone else who wants to win another superbowl. we won a lot of games last year while he was hurt.
We won't cut him...there is no need. He has two years left and we can very easily hold on to him whether he wants to play or not. Though I agree Jarvis Green was very good in his absence during the playoffs and regular season over the last two years with the injuries/retirements at LB I would think we could use as many good DL as we can get in case a permanent switch to the 4-3 for this season is in order....
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (TOMW74)</div><div class='quotemain'>you know if he just did what he was suppose to do and show up and be part of the team he probably would have gotten a new contract. just like vrabel, green and harrison is about to get. cut him is what i say, bill will find someone else who wants to win another superbowl. we won a lot of games last year while he was hurt.</div> Please do so. He is young and an all pro. I hope Ted Thompson would get all over that. Write a letter to Bill saying cut him. So cut him and that means u lost 2 of your starting CB's. 3 LB's and your best DE. I agree cut him.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (porky88)</div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (TOMW74)</div><div class='quotemain'>you know if he just did what he was suppose to do and show up and be part of the team he probably would have gotten a new contract. just like vrabel, green and harrison is about to get. cut him is what i say, bill will find someone else who wants to win another superbowl. we won a lot of games last year while he was hurt.</div> So cut him and that means u lost 2 of your starting CB's. 3 LB's and your best DE. I agree cut him. </div> We lost 1 CB (Ty Law) Poole was hurt last season and is still on the team and 2 starting LB's...Phifer played sparingly...and Seymore will play regardless...if he sits he'll just go into next season with 2 years left again and it won't help..though I have a feeling something will be worked out after Harrison gets a new deal...If Seymore shows up his deal will come a little quicker.
If he shows up why would they pay him more? If they really need him they will give him want he wants, and he would end his holdout
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (panthersare#1)</div><div class='quotemain'>If he shows up why would they pay him more? If they really need him they will give him want he wants, and he would end his holdout</div> Because then it wouldn't be team being "forced" into paying the man..they would be doing because they want to...if you try and force them they won't be as likely to budge because it allows other players to feel they can hold out and force the team to pay....
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Pats37)</div><div class='quotemain'> Because then it wouldn't be team being "forced" into paying the man..they would be doing because they want to...if you try and force them they won't be as likely to budge because it allows other players to feel they can hold out and force the team to pay....</div> Well they just gave him a new deal because he held out
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (panthersare#1)</div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Pats37)</div><div class='quotemain'> Because then it wouldn't be team being "forced" into paying the man..they would be doing because they want to...if you try and force them they won't be as likely to budge because it allows other players to feel they can hold out and force the team to pay....</div> Well they just gave him a new deal because he held out</div> No they didn't...they threw something his way to get him in camp....probably a bonus of some sort and a promise to work out a new deal....you should try reading the whole article..not just the headlines. http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/3854126
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (panthersare#1)</div><div class='quotemain'>I read the article and it seems like they gave him the deal to end his holdout and get in camp.</div> FOXSports.com has learned the Patriots and their All-Pro defensive lineman Richard Seymour have come to a financial agreement to end his holdout with the two-time defending Super Bowl champions. Seymour is expected to report to the team by Wednesday morning. "We are very pleased that this situation has been resolved and that our complete focus can move back to the field," according to a statement released Tuesday by the team and player. Seymour had been a holdout since camp began last week, as he's still working off his rookie deal. While the team did not lock him up to a long-term extension, the two sides came to an agreement for this season that worked out for both parties. It is expected that Seymour's agent and the Patriots will try to hammer out a long-term deal sometime this year. Please read again...
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Pats37)</div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (panthersare#1)</div><div class='quotemain'>I read the article and it seems like they gave him the deal to end his holdout and get in camp.</div> FOXSports.com has learned the Patriots and their All-Pro defensive lineman Richard Seymour have come to a financial agreement to end his holdout with the two-time defending Super Bowl champions. Seymour is expected to report to the team by Wednesday morning. "We are very pleased that this situation has been resolved and that our complete focus can move back to the field," according to a statement released Tuesday by the team and player. Seymour had been a holdout since camp began last week, as he's still working off his rookie deal. While the team did not lock him up to a long-term extension, the two sides came to an agreement for this season that worked out for both parties. It is expected that Seymour's agent and the Patriots will try to hammer out a long-term deal sometime this year. Please read again...</div> The NE front office is very judicious about things like this. Pats, do you think this long term deal will ever come about?
I think they do everything they can to get him to sign a brady like deal making him the 4-5th highest paid lineman in the league but if he seriously thinks he is going to get a Jevon Kerse 66 mil with a 16 million bounus he is nuts...I'd say more like low to mid 50's with a 9-10 million dollar bonus would get it done for the pats...I believe they will sincerly try and get something done..its just whether or not it works for them.
Seymore received a 1 year bump in salary from 2.87mil to 4mil...I like the move by the pats.... http://patriots.bostonherald.com/patriots/...&format=&page=1
2.87 million isnt that bad for a DE. Julius Peppers took a pay cut last year and made 2.7 million last year. And he is better than seymour
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (panthersare#1)</div><div class='quotemain'>2.87 million isnt that bad for a DE. Julius Peppers took a pay cut last year and made 2.7 million last year. And he is better than seymour</div> The franchise number is 6.6...I'd say 2.87 is a little low for a top 5 lineman..as for Seymore and Peppers thats like comparing apples and oranges..Seymore is a DT/DE depending on what your playing...he is more versitale along the D-line...not just a Pure end..
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (panthersare#1)</div><div class='quotemain'>The Panthers asked Peppers to take a pay cut so they could bring in players during their 1-7 start.</div> OK......
