By: Jessica Lander, YawkeyTalkies editor
 
Since being the sixth overall pick in the 2001 draft to the Patriots, Richard Seymour has been one of our best on the defensive line. In eight seasons with the Patriots, Seymour started 105 of 111 games, was an integral part of the defense that led New England to 3 Super Bowl Championships, and reached a career high of eight sacks and 57 tackles. He received honors by being elected to the Pro Bowl five consecutive seasons (2002-2006), and being selected to the All-Pro first team 3 consecutive seasons from 2003-2005, and the All-Pro second team in 2006.
However, with his contract coming to an end in his 2009 season the Patriots made the decision to trade Seymour to the Oakland Raiders for a first-round draft pick in 2011.
Some might say that in his more recent seasons, Seymour’s performance has gone down hill, as his age goes up. Although, in his defense (no pun intended), in the 2008 season he tied his career high in sacks. Still, he was not named to the Pro Bowl or All-Pro selection teams in 2007 or 2008.
 Seymour has also battled through various injuries almost every season since being drafted: 2003 leg [...]