Wisely, the New England Patriots are taking the “nothing to see here” approach regarding defensive lineman Richard Seymour. In their view, Seymour is now a Raider and the Raiders’ first-round pick in 2011 has been tucked away into the cavernous vault beneath Gillette Stadium.
But despite reports suggesting that Seymour is now the Raiders’ problem, a league source tells us that the Raiders will want to retrieve their draft pick, if Seymour doesn’t show.
The trade hinges on Seymour reporting for work and passing a physical. If he doesn’t show up and then pass a physical, he doesn’t become the property of the Raiders.
The Patriots likely would take a different view of the situation, claiming that once the trade is accomplished getting Seymour to show up becomes the Raiders’ problem.
Still, we think the Raiders are right on this one. How can they be expected to pay for something that they never get?
Meanwhile, we’re told that the Raiders still don’t know whether or not Seymour will show up, more than three days after the trade was announced.