Richard Seymour: “I think we have an extremely talented football team”
October 22, 2009 – 11:05 am by Zach Krantz
The Oakland Raiders pulled off a big win against the Eagles last weekend, a game where EVERYONE thought Philly would win and win big. Oakland shocked the world. Defense was a big part of the win for the Raiders and newly acquired Richard Seymour was right in the middle of that. He finished with four tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble and his energy sparked the defense. Entering the game, the Raiders had the 30th ranked rush defense and they allowed the Eagles to gain 4.8 yards per carry. However, Philly only called 14 running plays, while throwing the ball 46 times. The Radiers are now 2-4 on the season and might have some breathing room in the AFC West. Some out in Raiderland are also hinting about playoffs. Seymour certainly has the playoff history coming from New England, but he alone can’t bring this team to the promise land.
Richard Seymour joined 790 the Zone in Atlanta to talk about the trade to Oakland, the perception of a bad and losing franchise in Oakland, the big win against Philly and the challenge of turning the franchise around.
Asked when he found out about the trade to the Raiders what he first thought was:
“Keep in mind it all happened so fast, it happened a week before the season started. So at that point it didn’t matter what team I went to, I was just like hold on I am not going anywhere at this point. I got my kids in school there, I mean I am getting ready to play the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football. When I got the call, I was just like ‘whoa, let’s take a time out, take a deep breath and see where we are going from here’. I was in New England; it was my 9th year there and for this to happen it really caught me off guard.”
Asked about the notion the Raiders are such a bad team and how they came out and beat the Eagles:
“I think we have an extremely talented football team, but we are a young team and anytime you deal with a young team and young players, I think preparation is really the key. I think that’s a reason they brought me in here, to try and bring that veteran leadership. I think we have several other guys that they brought in, Greg Ellis from a winning organization in the Cowboys; you know it’s just an attitude about winning. When I was in New England I knew I was going to win.
Asked if he was taking this as a challenge to make the Raiders a winning franchise again:
Anytime you’re a player you have to accept those challenges. When I came to New England we were 5-11, we built New England into a winning organization. It just didn’t happen overnight. Coming into a situation like the Oakland Raiders, I think you need some foundation pieces and I am just happy to be a part of it. What’s not to like in sunny Oakland, California baby!”
Listen to Richard Seymour on 790 the Zone in Atlanta with the 2 Live Stews
Tags: 2 Live Stews, AFC West, Al Davis, Greg Ellis, Monday Night Football, New England Patriots, NFL, Oakland Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, Richard Seymour
