The trade of Richard Seymour was a surprise.  But were you really all that shocked?  For the New England Patriots, under Bill Belichick, this is how they do business.  Circumstances may be a bit different this time, but in reality, we should have seen this coming.

The timing of the entire situation reminds me of Lawyer Milloy.  The valuable compensation reminds me of Deion Branch.  The opportunity to save money reminds me of Damien Woody.  They knew they could never afford Seymour and Wilfork.  And while Wilfork has hinted that he would take a cost-saving deal to help the franchise, Seymour has done nothing but ask to be paid and be paid well.  So they deal away a player that many fans view as overrated and aging for a first round draft pick.

And with that draft pick, they are loaded in the next two drafts.  In 2010 they have their first rounder, and three second rounders (their own, plus one from Jacksonville and one from Tennessee).    In 2011 they have their first round pick, Oakland’s first round pick, and then their own pick in the second round.  Thanks to Mike Reiss at the Boston Globe (soon to be moving to the new ESPN Boston) for the draft status.  Of course this could all be moot if there isn’t a new CBA, and the league ends up in a lockout.  Assuming the two sides come to some sort of labor agreement, the Pats are looking at 7 talented, young players joining the team in those two years.  And if there aren’t any available roster spots, Belichick will trade some of those picks for higher ones in 2012.

What about this season?  Well, the Patriots just broke up one of the best defensive lines in football.  They weren’t flashy and didn’t pile up the stats because the style of 3-4 they play isn’t built for stats.  It was built to win, and win they did.  Now the team will rely heavily on the likes of Jarvis Green, as well as rookies Myron Pryor and Ron Brace to fill the void Seymour leaves.  And based on preseason play, we should expect a lot more 4-3 alignment with Derrick Burgess on the line as an end.  Are they weaker today because of this trade?  Yes.  Will they be better off down the road?  I think so.

Seymour’s departure, along with that of Mike Vrabel and Tedy Bruschi, also means that the only players remaining from the 2001 Super Bowl Championship team are Tom Brady, Kevin Faulk, and Matt Light.  But remember, that was 8 years ago.  Considering the average NFL career is somewhere around 3 or 4 years, we should be fortunate we have anyone left from 2001.  We have been blessed with stability in New England.  Some teams switch coaches and see the entire roster turned over in two or three years.  There will be a leadership void in the locker room.  But I see plenty of players, both young and old, who have the ability to step up and take charge.

Besides the injury to Tom Brady last year, we’re in the midst of more change then we are used to in New England.  A large draft class, surprising cuts, trades, retirements, and lest we forget the departure of Scott Pioli and Josh McDaniels.  It all adds up to a year of intrigue and excitement.  We’ll see you Friday with a preview of the season opener.