OK, the Pats aren't in rebuild mode, but they just traded Richard Seymour to the Raiders for a first round pick.  Here's hoping the Raiders make the playoffs.

In all honesty, that pick could be a pretty high pick, and with the sick amount of DL in the draft next year, this could be a Bill Russel level trade if the Pats draft a great Lineman.  (Bill Russel's draft pick was acquired by the Celtics for arguably the best center in the game at the time)

(EDIT: the pick is not next year, it is 2011, sorry about that.)

On the other hand, why are the Pats looking to the future when they are a favored team to win it all this year?  Three Possibilities.

1. Seymour has somehow lost a lot this offseason and the Pats are trading him before anyone finds out.  (highly unlikely)

2. A backup to Seymour is ready to start so they traded him and got that big pick without losing much.  (Haven't watched anything on the Pats, don't know.)

3. Belichick is drinking his own Kool-aid and doesn't think he needs good players to win it all, so he isn't signing Seymour to an extension, so trade while you can get something.  (likely)

This seriously looks like a baseball trade, not a football trade.  Here's hoping the Raiders win a ton of games and the Pats defense collapses with a few injuries on the DL.  I'd love to see that first round pick turn into the 18th pick or lower, and Seymour tear up for the Raiders.