ESPN’s Adam Schefter has just broken the news that the New England Patriots, just days before the NFL season begins, have traded five-time Pro Bowler Richard Seymour to the Oakland Raiders. In return, the Raiders will send a 2011 first-round draft pick.
The move comes unexpectedly from the Patriots front office, as it had been presumed that the 53-man roster had been set after Saturday’s cuts. The Raiders made room on Saturday by cutting veteran QB Jeff Garcia amongst others.
Seymour, 29, was drafted sixth overall by the Patriots in 2001 out of Georgia. Over the past decade, he has been one of the most dominating defensive linemen in all of football, having won three Super Bowl titles with the New England dynasty. He has 39.0 career sacks, tying his career high in 2008 with eight. His proven leadership will be helpful to the young Oakland squad.
As mentioned, the Patriots will receive a 2011 first-round draft pick in return. With the expiring contract of DT Vince Wilfork, this pick may be incredibly useful for them down the line. If the Raiders were not to succeed in the near future, the Patriots would receive a rather high pick, further more assisting in the rebuilding of the defense. The team already lost S Rodney Harrison and LB’s Mike Vrabel and Teddy Bruschi this season.
SFC will have more on the story hopefully as the day progresses.
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