Seymour may continue his hold-out

[CaptainHook]

Seymour is a case study in how the NFL manages to keep salaries down by insisting that prized rookies sign long-term contracts. Seymour was the sixth player taken in the first round of the 2001 draft and signed a six-year deal worth $14.3 million. According to terms of the contract, Seymour would make $2.87 million in 2005. By reaching nearly $7 million in escalator clauses, Seymour's six-year total would be close to $21 million. And although that sounds good to anyone this side of the NFL or NBA, Seymour wants something along the lines of Jevon Kearse's eight-year, $66 million deal (negotiated by Rosenhaus with the Eagles) that included a signing bonus of $16 million. There is a precedent here, because the Patriots reworked quarterback Tom Brady's rookie contract with two years left and gave him $60 million over six years. Of course, he is a two-time Super Bowl MVP.

 

Historically, though, the Patriots have taken a dim view of anyone challenging their authority. Last year, you may recall, cornerback Ty Law, in the last year of his contract, was offered a four-year, $26 million deal. He declined and termed it "a slap in the face." The Patriots did not insult him again, withdrawing the offer. Law broke his foot early in the season and was released in February. One of the best cover corners in the league remains unemployed, though he is likely to sign a deal soon, possibly with the Lions, for whom he worked out Monday.

 

People close to Seymour say he's contemplating sitting out the 2005 season, but it would accomplish little, because he'd technically still owe the Patriots two seasons. Seymour may opt for a few $6,000 fines -- the cost of missing a day of training camp -- to make his point. Notably, he would be the first player to hold out since Bill Belichick became head coach in January 2000.

 

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Edited July 27, 2005 by CaptainHook

[charty]

Pats' Pro Bowl DE Seymour begins holdout

By Howard Ulman, AP Sports Writer | July 29, 2005

 

FOXBORO, Mass. --Three-time Pro Bowl defensive end Richard Seymour was not on the field for the opening practice of New England's training camp on Friday, starting what could be a lengthy holdout.

Seymour's absence would further erode the core of the Patriots' defense. A day earlier, veteran linebacker Ted Johnson unexpectedly announced his retirement. 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 re-negotiate a contract that has two years remaining, also did not report to the team's June mini-camp.

Drafted sixth overall in 2001 by the Patriots out of Georgia, he 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 quarterback Tom Brady.

 

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General thought is he will hold out for a couple days, just to show his dissatisfaction with the contract situation and then come in (as mentioned in Hook's story above). There is no way he can sit out for the year with 2 yrs left on his contract.