Patriots news & rumors: Seymour a HOFer; Calvin Ridley trade buzz

Talk about dominance.  Former New England Patriots defensive end Richard Seymour defined dominance during his eight NFL seasons with the team and that dominance was finally recognized and rewarded.

On Thursday, Seymour was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his fourth year as a finalist.

Though Seymour played 12 seasons in the NFL, the last four with the Oakland Raiders, much of his impressive resume was established with the Patriots.  In those prime years with the team, he played in four AFC Championship Games and four Super Bowls, winning three.  A 3-time first team All-Pro selection and 7-time Pro Bowler, Seymour was without a doubt one of Bill Belichick’s greatest draft selections.

New England Patriots show appreciation for Hall of Famer Richard Seymour

Speaking for the team, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft expressed how thrilled he is for his former player.

"“I am thrilled that Richard Seymour will forever be recognized as one of the greatest players in the 102-year history of the NFL,” Kraft said, as transcribed by WEEI.  “He laid the foundation for a defense that helped propel the Patriots to three Super Bowl championships in his four seasons in the NFL.  Richard was the consummate professional and leader, always accepting the roles he was assigned, putting team goals ahead of personal one, and in turn, raising the game of everyone around him.”"

He certainly helped transform the Patriots’ defense in the early part of the dynasty.  As part of the Class of 2022, Seymour was obviously overjoyed with the honor.  Check out his message below:

NFL rumors: Could Calvin Ridley’s “fresh start” come with Patriots?

Although there will be quite a few big play wide receivers available in free agency, the New England Patriots may want to keep their eye on Calvin Ridley.

The current Atlanta Falcons wide receiver sat out most of 2021 due to focus on his mental health.  The talented playmaker has been speculated in trade rumors since he stepped away, but the Falcons currently have no plans to trade Ridley unless he really desires a fresh start.  That is where the Patriots could pounce in.

Falcons owner Arthur Blank expressed his love for Ridley in a recent interview with AtlantaFalcons.com in which he doesn’t rule out a deal if it helps support the young wide receiver.

"“We love the young man,” Blank said.  “He has had a great history in Atlanta.  We’d love him to stay in Atlanta.  Whether or not he wants to do that – he may decide that he wants a fresh start someplace else.  We don’t know that.  I don’t know that.  I don’t have information to indicate that, but we’ll see how that plays out.”"

With Mac Jones and the Patriots’ offense in need of an explosive playmaker on the outside, the fresh start Ridley may be looking for could come under Bill Belichick and a team who could truly use his services.

Though the Falcons would love to have Ridley featured in an offense with tight end Kyle Pitts, it sounds like their focus is supporting the young star and his wellbeing.