Patriot foes to say “ow” again in 2007?

By Os Davis  |   Wednesday, December 13, 2006  |  Comments( 0 )

New England Patriots
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Amid the retirement-announcement period of the NFL off-season, Junior Seau started 2006 by stating he'd "graduated" from the game and that he felt OK about the decision to hang it up. Then, in setting what must be some kind of record, Junior seemingly literally turned around and signed with the New England Patriots in about the time it takes to fly from coast-to-coast.

At first, Seau's addition seemed like a token signing, a way for the notorious penny-pinching Patriots brass to put another warm body on the roster in lieu of actually catching a proper free-agent acquisition. Some figured it was a mere precaution for a rickety roster perpetually vulnerable to injury.

Those viewing Seau-as-Patriot in a negative light may have been right, of course, but Junior turned out to be so much more. Already taken for granted as a Hall of Famer, Seau thrived in Bill Belichick's defensive schemes, a natural fit that hit like Rosevelt Colvin and reacted to the ball like Mike Vrabel. Going into the Chicago game on Nov. 26, Seau incredibly led the team in tackles, despite often being pulled on third-down cover plays.

Then the Patriots took another serious injury when Seau suffered a nasty broken arm that cameras unhappily displayed in full view. A picture's worth 1,000 words? One sufficed here: "Broken." This was chased soon thereafter with "injured reserve." Yet, despite his former conviction that 2005 was his last season, Seau last week stated with just as much surety that "I'm going to be back."

And the smart money says the soon-to-be 38-year-old will re-up with the Patriots. After the Miami Dolphins made it clear they wouldn't be extending Seau's contract, the linebacker fished nary a nibble from 31 other teams. Common wisdom would probably not shed one whit of concern about Seau's durability, as 2006 marks the third consecutive year Seau couldn't last a season.

If the 12-time Pro Bowler somehow manages to come back from the major break (a metal plate has been inserted into the man's arm), not only will it add another chapter to the future Canton occupant's legend, but would represent an essential part of what Seau ostensibly returned to the Patriots for in 2006 - a Super Bowl run.

Follow Junior Seau and his possible comeback with the New England Patriots at RealFootball365.com.
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About Os Davis

Os Davis has taken a twisted route to get to RealFootball365.com in his nearly 17 years in professional writing, working in any number of capacities in the sportswriting, news reporting and film criticism worlds. In print media, Os has served as editor at a few publications, including Albuquerque's...
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