ALAMEDA, Calif. — Richard Seymour ended his five-day sitout Saturday and will play for the Oakland Raiders on Monday night, saying he was “blindsided” by the trade from the New England Patriots.
“Since I got the call that I was being traded, my life’s really been a whirlwind,” Seymour said at a news conference at Raiders headquarters. “I’ve really been blindsided by the events that took place. I didn’t expect it. I didn’t understand what was going on. So it’s like when something happens, when you’re blind- sided, you have to step back and realize what situation you’re in.”
Seymour was acquired last Sunday for a 2011 first- round pick but did not report to the Raiders, raising speculation he did not want to join the team.
In his first public comments since the deal, Seymour told the Boston Herald on Saturday that he was taken aback when coach Bill Belichick told him of the trade, which is sending him from one of the NFL’s model franchises to the one with the worst record over the last six years.
“I had a lot to think about with my wife, my family, my friends that are close to me, just a lot to think about as far as how do we make this work,” Seymour said.
“It is a morale boost,” Pro Bowl cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha said.
• The Raiders sold out their season opener in time for the game to be broadcast on local television.
Favre named a captain
MINNEAPOLIS — When Brett Favre signed with the Minnesota Vikings less than a month ago, he openly wondered if he could make all the plays he used to make and last all the way through a 19th season in the NFL.
One thing he didn’t doubt was his ability to lead.
That confidence was verified when the Vikings elected the 39-year-old quarterback one of their five team captains for the 2009 season.
Guard Steve Hutchinson, defensive tackle Kevin Williams, linebacker E.J. Henderson and kicker Ryan Longwell are the other permanent captains this season. The Vikings will pick a sixth captain on a game- by-game basis.
Bush ready to go
NEW ORLEANS — Reggie Bush is ready, or so he says.
Ready to return to New Orleans’ backfield after sitting out the Saints’ last three preseason games. Ready to test his durability after surgery last December to repair cartilage in his left knee.
“I hear what people are saying and I understand where it comes from,” Bush said. “I’m not completely blind to the fact that I haven’t made some of the best decisions running the ball.
“I think my worst enemy, my kryptonite, is my ability, because I have so much ability and I have to harness that.”
After missing 10 games with various injuries to his left knee during the past two seasons, Bush is aware he is developing a reputation for being brittle.
“I feel like this year’s going to be a test for me,” Bush said.
Footnote.
Browns rookie running back James Davis suffered an unspecified head injury in a minor one-car accident and was briefly hospitalized Saturday.
Davis is questionable for today’s season opener against the Vikings. Davis averaged 7.8 yards in four preseason games.
The Associated Press
