New England Patriots Links 9/11/09 - Seymour Issued 5-day Letter From Raiders

Shalise Manza Young updates us on the Richard Seymour situation, and where it stands now.

Richard Seymour has been sent a "five-day letter" by the Raiders, meaning he has five days from receipt of the letter to report to the team. If he doesn't, Oakland would have the right to place him on the roster/suspended list, meaning Seymour would be unable to play anywhere in 2009 and will not get paid.

The news was reported Thursday night by the CSNBayArea website. The report quoted Greg Papa, the radio play-by-play announcer for the team.

The veteran defensive end, traded earlier this week by the Patriots to Oakland for a No. 1 draft choice in 2011, has yet to report to the Raiders. If Oakland places him on the roster/suspended list, the team would retain his rights for 2010, which he would play under terms of his 2009 contract. Thus Seymour would not be eligible for free agency — which he currently can exercise at the end of the '09 season — until after the '10 season.

Fred Taylor comments on the misconception that the Patriots offense will have to score lots of points to make up for a perceived weaker defense.

"No, no added pressure," insisted RB Fred Taylor. "Going into each and every game, as an offense, we want to execute and we have to trust the defense. That’s the way it’s always been. We just have to trust each other.

"In football, they always say, ‘Be prepared to play 60 minutes.’ That’s the way you approach the games. You have to be tough – mentally tough, physically tough – to be able to operate when you’re tired, whatever the score is. Thirty points … you’re not always going to score it."

TEAM NOTES

• Game Advisory: Patriots vs. Bills.
• Andy Hart comments on Patriots announcement of their 2009 Team Captains.
• Erik Scalavino Pats offense feeling no pressure; Thursday notes.

LOCAL LINKS

• Mike Reiss points out the magic that can occur when a legendary coach and star QB come together.
• Christopher Price offers some player memories of their first "Welcome to the NFL" moments.
• Chris Gasper notes Monday will be showtime for the Patriots secondary.
• Dan Duggan reports CB Leigh Bodden is excited about showing the critics what the Patriots secondary can do.
• Shalise Manza Young notes Leigh Bodden hasn't tasted victory since his final game in Cleveland.
• Ian Rapoport says Fred Taylor can't wait to start playing football again and notes a running game is essential in keeping the pressure off Tom Brady.
• Ian Rapoport notes Tom Brady and Randy Moss are looking to pick up right where they left off.
• Christopher Price introduces us to new Patriots Michael Matthews and Kendall Simmons.
  
• Dan Duggan catches up with new Patriot and ex-Giant TE Michael Matthews.
• Mike Reiss sat in one last time for his live on-line chat answering reader questions, mostly about Richard Seymour and Monday's season opener against the Bills.
• Ian Rapoport Patriots Notebook: Ultimatum for Seymour; Pats named their captains; DB Bret Lockett thinks it's 'kinda wild' that he ended up on the Patriots - he may replace the injured Slater; despite interest from at least two teams, the Terrence Nunn said he didn’t consider not returning to be on the Pats’ practice squad.
• Chris Gasper Patriots Notebook: Richard Seymour declined to report for 4th straight day; rookie Myron Pryor will have to step up in Seymour's absence; injury report shed light on some previous ailments; ex-Steeler Kendall Simmons put on pads for the first time in a year; ex-Giant Michael Matthews will wear number 80.
• Kerry Byrne offers proof that there is life after Richard Seymour.
• Andy Vogt says T.O.s play can match his mouth.
• Chris Forsberg follows some former Patriots to see where they landed and whose uniforms they're wearing now.
• Ian Rapoport says Tyrone McKenzie is disappointed he won't be playing, but busy with his rehab and still learning from his teammates.
• Kathryn Tappen hosts a "rare candid one-on-one interview" with Bill Belichick.  Part I and Part II.
  
• Jim Lazar makes his picks for the first NFL week of the season.  Pats over Bills 37-16.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Page 2 (ESPN) NFL T-Shirt Gallery: AFC East.
• Mike Lipka (STATS) Bills-Patriots Preview.
• Tim Graham (ESPN) Moss, T.O. focused on game, not each other.
• Bill Simmons (ESPN) The NFL enters the Tyson Zone so named "after reaching a point at which I would have believed any story about Mike Tyson (real or made up)."  This year's strange offseason falls into that category.
• Adam Schefter (ESPN) NFL investigating Favre's comments that he played last year with a torn biceps tendon.  The Jets never listed it on the injury report and may be fined.  (50 second video)
• Tim Graham (ESPN) Tannenbaum addresses Farvre injury report.
• Tim Graham (ESPN) Harrison would love a bounty on T.O.
• Judy Battista (NY Times) Back-to-back titles are rare, but Steelers look poised for a run.
• Peter King (SI) Weekend Pickoff.  King picks Pats over Bills 31-6.
• Joe Posnanski (SI) NFL 2009 Predictions, champs, potential surprise teams and potential disasters.

VIEW FROM BUFFALO

• Chris Brown (Buffalobills.com) Owens vs. Springs rivalry renewed.
• Mark Gaughan (Buffalo News) It's now or never for Jauron.
• Sal Maiorana (Rochester D & C) Buffalo Bills receiver Owens no fan of no-huddle.