RICHARD SEYMOUR excited to join the Oakland RAIIIIIIIIDERS this year

[OG Hack Wilson]

eymour says he's excited to join Raiders
By JOSH DUBOW (AP) – 40 minutes ago
ALAMEDA, Calif. — Richard Seymour ended his five-day sit out and will join the Oakland Raiders on Saturday, saying he was initially "blindsided" by the trade from the New England Patriots.

Seymour was acquired last Sunday for a 2011 first-round pick but did not report to the Raiders, raising speculation he did not want to join Oakland.
In his first public comments since the deal, Seymour told the Boston Herald on Saturday that he was taken aback when coach Bill Belichick told him of the trade, which is sending him from one of the NFL's model franchises to the one with the worst record over the last six years.

"First of all, I was blindsided by this whole event," Seymour told the Herald. "When you get blindsided, you should take a moment to gather your thoughts. I have a lot of personal issues more pressing than football."

Seymour has four children and is the guardian of a 15-year-old cousin, who had recently joined him in the Boston area. Seymour's family will return to South Carolina, while he flies to Oakland on Saturday to join his new team. He was scheduled to talk at a news conference later Saturday.

After five days of uncertainty, the Raiders are pleased to add a five-time Pro Bowler to their roster in time to play in the season opener. Coach Tom Cable told his team after practice Saturday that Seymour was joining the team and would play Monday night against the San Diego Chargers.

"It is a morale boost," Pro Bowl cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha said. "I think guys are pretty excited to have him because guys know what he's done in the past. He's got a good reputation so the morale of the team is pretty good right now."
Seymour said he has been in regular contact with Raiders owner Al Davis and coach Tom Cable. He said he has talked with the Raiders about a possible contract extension or a promise not to be designated the franchise player following the season, but was given no guarantees.

Seymour turns 30 next month and is in the final year of a contract that pays him about $3.7 million this year. Had he not reported, he could have been suspended for the season and had his contract roll over to 2010.
"I didn't demand anything to go there," he said. "I'm happy to go there, and I told them that. But me and my family have never been separated. This was a difficult transition."

Seymour has been a stalwart in New England since being drafted sixth overall in 2001. He played on three Super Bowl winners with the Patriots, recording 39 career sacks and being selected to the Pro Bowl for five straight seasons beginning in 2002.
The Raiders were looking to upgrade a run defense that was the worst in the league during the exhibition season and has been the worst over the past six seasons. Since going to the Super Bowl following the 2002 season, Oakland has had the worst run defense in the NFL, allowing 141.7 yards per game on the ground and 122 touchdowns rushing.

Despite his late arrival, Seymour said he plans to be on the field for Oakland's opener Monday night against San Diego.

"I'll be the guy on top of the quarterback," he said.
Defensive end Greg Ellis said he expected Seymour to contribute in the opener even though he won't even have a full practice with his new team.
"That's not far-fetched," Ellis said. "You think about it. He's been a pro now nine years. It's not like he wasn't practicing with the Patriots. It's not like he was just sitting there doing nothing. So he's in football shape, I'm pretty sure, with the program he's coming from. So I don't think that'll be an issue at all."
Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

["THE" MoSav]

2 sacks and brought pressure all day, really gonna help this defense

[OG Hack Wilson]

2 sacks and brought pressure all day, really gonna help this defense

u a raider or 49 guy?

[elmizzy]

Hmmm I don't know but judging by his signature it looks like he's a raider fan  dumbass

[M Dogg™]

2 sacks and brought pressure all day, really gonna help this defense

u a raider or 49 guy?

Does it matter, what's wrong with showing love to the other team across the Bay. Shit, I still show love to the Dodgers, it's just when it comes to my Angles then I ain't got love for no one. Same with my Raiders, I don't hate the Niners, not when I REALLY hate the Broncos and the Chiefs. So what's wrong with being honest, are we suppose to all be drinking Hateraid.

[.:DaYg0sTyLz:.]

2 sacks and brought pressure all day, really gonna help this defense

u a raider or 49 guy?

Does it matter, what's wrong with showing love to the other team across the Bay. Shit, I still show love to the Dodgers, it's just when it comes to my Angles then I ain't got love for no one. Same with my Raiders, I don't hate the Niners, not when I REALLY hate the Broncos and the Chiefs. So what's wrong with being honest, are we suppose to all be drinking Hateraid.

Yeah, shit I live in San Diego and I HATE the Chargers. But I can be realistic and tell you when they are good.

[Teddy Roosevelt]

2 sacks and brought pressure all day, really gonna help this defense

u a raider or 49 guy?

Does it matter, what's wrong with showing love to the other team across the Bay. Shit, I still show love to the Dodgers, it's just when it comes to my Angles then I ain't got love for no one. Same with my Raiders, I don't hate the Niners, not when I REALLY hate the Broncos and the Chiefs. So what's wrong with being honest, are we suppose to all be drinking Hateraid.

How you gonna disrespect the Chargers by not showing them any hate?

[OG Hack Wilson]

Hmmm I don't know but judging by his signature it looks like he's a raider fan  dumbass

who are you?

["THE" MoSav]

im a niners fan as my sig shows, im just talking real shit about football who i like or doesnt like doesnt change what i see and at least in week 1 richard had a huge impact on the Raiders d.