Seymour back at practice</p> FOXBOROUGH - As the Patriots stretched inside the Dana-Farber Field House yesterday, a voice bellowed out words that echoed off the white dome covering the field.</p> "Richard Seymoooouuuur!"</p> It was a reminder of the Patriots' biggest news of the day, as defensive lineman Richard Seymour made his first appearance at a practice this season.</p> "When you get a guy that's on his level, a five-time Pro Bowler, an All-Pro guy, it speaks for itself," safety Rodney Harrison said before the workout. "His work ethic, his ability to do so many different things, it's going to help our defense."</p> The question now is how soon.</p> As of yesterday, the Patriots have 21 days to decide whether to add Seymour to the active roster or place him on season-ending injured reserve. Coach Bill Belichick said that the next few days will provide a better gauge of when Seymour might return to action.</p> "After we see him and see where he's at, then we'll get an idea," Belichick said. "But until a player gets out there and starts practicing, I think it's hard to picture exactly what it looks like because he hasn't been out there. Other guys have done a lot more reps than guys who've been on PUP."</p> Seymour, who was not available for comment, began the season on the physically unable to perform list after his knee did not respond as hoped to offseason surgery.</p> In his return to practice, he stretched with his teammates and went through positional agility drills in the time that media members were present. Wearing sweat pants, shoulder pads, and a helmet, Seymour raced through a bag drill in which linemen reach down and touch the bags as they move laterally. He then worked on exploding out of his stance with his fellow linemen, going from a three-point position with his hand on the ground to lifting up and punching forward.</p> His potential return would bolster a defensive line that started the season strong but has tailed off a bit. As part of the Patriots' 3-4 defense, the three linemen are called upon to help control blockers and win the battle at the line of scrimmage, which, if executed, helps contribute to a stingy run defense.</p> In the last two weeks, however, the Dolphins (6 yards per carry) and Cowboys (6.2) have had success on the ground, which is a result of several factors, one of which is play at the line of scrimmage. The Patriots went from No. 7 in the NFL in rushing average allowed two weeks ago to 24th, a drop from 3.6 yards to 4.4.</p> The 6-foot-6-inch, 310-pound Seymour could be the perfect prescription to curing those woes.</p> "To add a guy who has been a tremendous mainstay on our defensive line, a guy that's very big, physical, strong, can do it all - rush the passer, stop the run - just his presence along with his leadership will be tremendous for us," Harrison said. "Of course, I feel like he'll give us a spark, just like when we get any of our guys back."</p> In Seymour's absence, six-year veteran Jarvis Green has lined up most often at right defensive end. Third-year man Mike Wright has played in three games with one start, while first-year player Santonio Thomas has had modest contributions in four games.</p> Harrison, who is one of Seymour's closest friends on the team, has shared some of his own experiences about working his way back from a knee injury.</p> "Just being patient, understanding the big picture, and not getting frustrated, understanding that it's a day-to-day process, and not going too far ahead of yourself and getting frustrated," Harrison said.</p> "At times, it's easy to be frustrated because you want to be back on the field and you see your team winning without you. But I think there is a lot of football left. It's only seven games, we're going into our eighth game. We're going to need everyone down the stretch."</p> Harrison said Seymour has put himself in position to contribute, assuming there are no setbacks.</p> "He's positive. He's worked extremely hard," Harrison said. "He's been focused, some tough days and some good days, but more good days than bad days."</p> </p>
