A lot of good stuff in this week’s edition of the NFL Notebook, including why the Patriots may have been inclined to draft LSU’s Danny Etling, as well as why Tom Brady could be headed for a not-so-awesome milestone. We also ask the question: If Trent Brown is at one end of the size spectrum when it comes to franchise history, who might be on the other? But first, we go deep with Patriots Hall of Fame finalist Richard Seymour on playing for Bill Belichick, as well as what he thinks of New England selecting a pair of fellow Georgia Bulldogs in the first round of this year’s draft.
1. Richard Seymour knows what it’s like to be a surprise first-round pick out of the University of Georgia. So it wasn’t a shock to hear he was happy Bill Belichick defied some expectations in the first round of the draft when he selected a pair of Bulldogs last week, taking offensive lineman Isaiah Wynn at No 23 overall and running back Sony Michel 31st overall.
In 2001, with some clamoring for a field-stretching wide receiver, Belichick made Seymour the sixth overall selection. The defensive lineman would go on to become one of the best in the game at his position, playing eight seasons with the Patriots, winning three Super Bowls and being named to the AP All-Pro first team three times.
For Seymour, hearing that two more former Georgia stars are headed to Foxborough is a point of pride.
“First of all, it’s a credit to the players,” Seymour told BostonSportsJournal.com. “They positioned themselves over the course of their careers at Georgia to have standout careers. They put in the work, and they earned the right to be first-rounders. I’m sure they were honored to go to a class organization.
“Both were leaders and captains, and big contributors. That’s an honor, playing in the Southeastern Conference. They were able to play at a high level for an extended period of time,” he added. “I think the thing that really stands out for me about the both of them is their leadership qualities, in addition to their ability. They’re both tough and smart. They’re fundamentally sound, and very disciplined. They’re exactly the sort of guys you’d want on your team. I think it’s a win-win all around for the Patriots.”
Both Wynn and Michel should aspire to have the same sort of career as Seymour, who is one of three finalists this year for the Patriots Hall of Fame, along with offensive lineman Matt Light and linebacker Mike Vrabel. Seymour said he was “humbled” to be selected as a finalist.
“I think if you look back, I mean, when you get drafted and if you can be mentioned among the greats of the organization, then, you’re doing something right,” Seymour said of the honor. “To be honest, it’s something I never really thought about when I played, but now, I’m truly blessed and honored to be a finalist.”
2. One other note from Seymour — we asked him a lot of the same questions we asked these guys here about what it’s like playing for Belichick. And he echoed a lot of the same themes — that playing in New England and for Belichick isn’t for everyone. “I think there’s a reason for their success,” he said with a wry laugh. “I also read a quote somewhere that says, ‘When it comes to coaching, if everybody likes you, you’re not doing something right.’ It was pretty clear early on that he wasn’t trying to make friends. It’s not his job to be a cheerleader. He wants to have a team that’s ready to go. I mean, as a player, you need to have a balance. Sometimes, if your team just got blown out, you don’t want to get into them. It’s all about finding that balance.”
He’s also spending a lot of his time as a professional poker player.
“It’s a hobby for me, one that I would say has close parallels to football in terms of the fact that you have to be disciplined, and fundamentally sound,” he said. “You can’t be too high or too low — you just have to be so consistent all the time. It’s something I really enjoy doing. It’s just like football, in that you have to give it your all and pour everything you have into it every time. Unlike football, you can do everything right sometimes and still lose. One of the parts of the game I have to get over is doing everything right, and still losing. That’s one of the really mentally tough aspects of the game.”
3. Speaking of Seymour and the Patriots Hall of Fame, it looks like fellow finalist Matt Light is trying to lobby the fan base. He released an off-the-wall online video this week touting his credentials. Nothing like that from either Seymour or Vrabel, at least right now, but there are still another few days left before voting ends on May 14.
Former Patriots lineman Matt Light asked Denzel Washington for a little inspiration. With enough fan votes Matt will be in the Patriots Hall of Fame. Vote here. https://t.co/9t9OJDW2pd #askdenzel @tresgatosTV @improvasylum @LightFoundation @JuddApatow @TB12sports @985TheSportsHub pic.twitter.com/wSyrkMlVFz
— Corey Rodrigues (@coreyrodrigues) May 4, 2018
