Seau’s Return Sends Mixed Signals

Seau’s Return Sends Mixed Signals

So despite all of the tomfoolery that Bill Belichick was trying to provide in the “there’s nothing to talk about” in regards to Junior Seau, we were finally able to see the 40-year-old linebacker with his new former team yesterday. And what do you know, o’le Bill was willing to talk about it now.

When he was asked for his comment, Belichick said:

“It’s good to have Junior back. He brings a lot of energy, experience and toughness to our team. We’ve been kind of talking about this for a little while, but worked it out here in the last day or two. He’s here today and we’re glad to have him. We’ll just take it day to day. I don’t know exactly how things will work this week, next week or any other week as far as game plans, utilization of our defensive personnel and so forth. I’m sure he’ll contribute for us and it’s good to have him.”

Basically, this is the same old Belichick just saying what he has to say to get the media off his back.

When Tom Brady was asked to comment on having Junior Seau back as part of the team, he gave the reporters a different viewpoint:

“You know, I was in there lifting weights. I walked in at 6:45, and he was already in there in like a full sweat. He hasn’t changed at all. He brings a lot of energy to the team and excitement. Attitude is everything with Junior. He’s a great professional and he shows great leadership. And he’s a playmaker. He’s a guy that, there’s only one of him. There’s only one of him that’s ever played and I’m glad he’s back on the team.”

I’ll say this. Honestly, I am not sure if Patriots fans should be happy or not about signing Seau. On the one hand, it’s great to see we are bringing in a gizzled veteran who can help show the young guys the ropes. Clearly the team is looking for depth at linebacker and we could do a heck of a lot worse than bringing in a guy who knows the ins and outs of the playbook as well as the knowledge to read every single offense he’ll be facing.

On the other hand, this could be a major cause for concern and a giant red flag for the Patriots going forward. What has happened to all of the young guns that were supposed to be taking the reigns. Obviously we just got Jerod Mayo back, but what about Gary Guyton? What about the impact of Derrick Burgess, Pierre Woods, or Tully Banta-Cain? Are we to write these guys off as insignificant? There is no denying that the Patriots defense has taken a step back. That was expected with the losses of Richard Seymour, Rodney Harrison, Tedy Bruschi, and Mike Vrabel. But now to be reaching out and bringing back Seau, the curious Patriots fan has to be concerned.

Are the Patriots trying to move forward, or are we just like every other franchise that is a few years removed from a Super Bowl victory and hanging on to past glory a little too long?

Tags: Bill Belichick, Jerod Mayo, Junior Seau, Tom Brady