Raiders Working on a Long-Term Deal With Richard Seymour

When the 2011 draft kicks off next year, we’ll all be talking about what great position the New England Patriots are in to really make an impact because they’ll have two picks in the first round. One, of course, is their own, and the other will be the Raiders’ pick they gave up for defensive end Richard Seymour.

No one was surprised when the Raiders gave up a first-round pick for a 30-year old defensive end that doesn’t fit their system at all, but it is surprising to see that Seymour is apparently willing to negotiate a long-term deal.

He wasn’t happy about the trade at first, but is apparently willing to take just the money at this point in his career. He won three Super Bowls in New England, so he must figure now that it’s about time he just gets paid and hopes that winning comes along with it.

Seymour played out the final season of his original contract signed with the Patriots, but didn’t hit the free agent market because the Raiders used their franchise tag on him. No one was giving up two first-round picks for him, so he must figure his best and only option is to bleed as much money out of Al Davis as he can rather than play on a year-to-year basis.

Seymour, if he can become a better 4-3 defensive end, could be a huge asset to this Raiders defense. He brings a winning attitude to a team lacking that exact thing, and might be able to show them how to infect all 53 players with that will to win and hatred for losing.

I have a sneaky feeling that trading for Jason Campbell might have been a first huge step for the Raiders as they push to regain the glory they haven’t felt since they let Jon Gruden get away, and resigning veteran guys like Seymour would be a great step two.

Step three? Cut the fat (literally) in JaMarcus Russell and start building a team with nothing but high-character guys who understand how to win.