Seymour a Raider
On Monday, September 7th, the Oakland Raiders agreed to trade a first round pick in 2011 to the New England Patriots for 5 time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Richard Seymour. This appears to be a good trade for both teams, and as a Raiders fan there are things that I love about this trade, and things I hate about it. Also, as of today, Seymour still has not shown up to practice for the Raiders and the season starts Monday night against the San Diego Chargers. He will be learning a new position in a new system (he played end in a 3-4 and will likely be playing tackle in a 4-3 with the Raiders).
What I Like About The Trade
The Raiders get a 5 time Pro Bowler and 3 time Super Bowl champion to help upgrade a horrendous run defense. It doesn't hurt that he also excels at rushing the passer (he collected 8 sacks last year). The Raiders also get a player who will push others on the Oakland defense and will lead by example. Also, if Seymour and the Raiders don't agree to a contract extension he will be a free agent and next year could be an uncapped year, which means that this could be a walk year for him and if he plays well he could make himself a lot of money. That gives him incentive to show up and work his butt off to make the Raiders as good as he can.
Also, by giving up a first round pick the Raiders don't lose as much as people might think. I wrote an article earlier this year about the Jay Cutler trade and how the Bears didn't give up much when they traded two first round picks because they're terrible at drafting in the first round. At the same time I was looking at the Bears' draft history I also looked at the Raiders' draft history and it was even worse. The Raiders essentially traded a future bust for a possible future Hall of Famer.
Also, by giving up a first round pick the Raiders don't lose as much as people might think. I wrote an article earlier this year about the Jay Cutler trade and how the Bears didn't give up much when they traded two first round picks because they're terrible at drafting in the first round. At the same time I was looking at the Bears' draft history I also looked at the Raiders' draft history and it was even worse. The Raiders essentially traded a future bust for a possible future Hall of Famer.
What I Don't Like About The Trade
The Raiders didn't do enough to shore up their defense. Seymour is a great player, but he is only one person. Coming to the Raiders and that defensive front he will see a lot of double and triple teams, which won't lead to a good season for Seymour statistically. And while he improves the line, the Raiders still have plenty of holes elsewhere. They still need another linebacker alongside Kirk Morrison and Thomas Howard and could use a more vocal leader than Seymour, who leads by example.
Also, the Raiders gave up a future first round pick, probably a high one, for a player who will probably walk after this season. I know that I said the Raiders didn't give up much for him, and I still believe that, but the pick they gave up in the hands of a smart and capable organization could turn into a star, and at a cheap price if there's a rookie wage scale implemented in 2011. Unless Seymour ends up signing an extension this is a loss for the Raiders because they could have used that pick either for a need in 2011 or in a different trade for a player that would be in Oakland for at least the next 4 or 5 years.
Another potential problem is that Seymour is 29 right now, and at around 31 is when defensive linemen usually start to regress and become more injury-prone. Seymour already missed 7 games two years ago and if he's injured the trade is a total loss for the Raiders.
Also, the Raiders gave up a future first round pick, probably a high one, for a player who will probably walk after this season. I know that I said the Raiders didn't give up much for him, and I still believe that, but the pick they gave up in the hands of a smart and capable organization could turn into a star, and at a cheap price if there's a rookie wage scale implemented in 2011. Unless Seymour ends up signing an extension this is a loss for the Raiders because they could have used that pick either for a need in 2011 or in a different trade for a player that would be in Oakland for at least the next 4 or 5 years.
Another potential problem is that Seymour is 29 right now, and at around 31 is when defensive linemen usually start to regress and become more injury-prone. Seymour already missed 7 games two years ago and if he's injured the trade is a total loss for the Raiders.
Bottom Line
I like the trade. It shows confidence by the people in charge in the organization that they can win this year and next. Either way the Patriots benefit from this trade, they were going to lose Seymour after this season anyway, but the Raiders either buy or rent a player who really improves this team. Maybe they could have gotten someone better, but they have Seymour and if he can improve the run game enough that the Raiders aren't in the bottom half of the league they could actually have a record at or around .500 for the first time since they lost the Super Bowl 7 years ago.
