Junior Seau News: Pro Sports Daily

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November 1

Boston Herald

"It's no wonder Patriots coach Bill Belichick wanted to again lure Junior Seau out of retirement earlier than even the 20th-year veteran may have been anticipating. With his participation in last week's victory over Tampa Bay in London, the nonstop linebacker marked his 24th consecutive regular-season win of a game in which he appeared for the Patriots, tying Maulty Moore, a defensive tackle for the 1972 and '73 Miami Dolphins, for the longest individual winning streak since the merger in 1970."

Andre Tippett admires Junior Seau's devotion

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October 18

Boston Herald

"Hall of Fame linebacker Andre Tippett was 34 when he retired. The thought of watching Junior Seau returning to play the same position at age 40 has left him more than a little bit intrigued. As it turns out, Tippett has lost his mind, too. He also plans on coming out of retirement. "I'll probably see him in next couple days and joke with him, 'If you need me to come out for a couple snaps, I think I'm good for one or two good pass rushes a game. I might come out there with you and put on the No. 56 and play," Tippett joked. "Junior's 40, and I'll be 50. I keep telling people, 'I can still get my hands on somebody. I still got fast hands. I'm good for (running) about 10 yards.' " Beyond ..."

Latest job is tackled

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October 16

Boston Globe

"Proving he's not ready to be put out to pasture, even after 19 NFL seasons, Junior Seau reported to Gillette Stadium yesterday and donned his old No. 55 jersey. "Everyone asks if I'm eager and excited, well, I'm too old to be excited,'' said the 40-year-old linebacker, who played in 31 games (16 starts) with the Patriots from 2006-08, serving as a team captain in 2007. "I know the only way this is going to be exciting - to anyone - is if it works. The challenge is what we do from here on out. It's time to go to work. "Give me a helmet and let's build a player that I can be this year. That's all I ask.''"

Dinosaur Junior Seau finds time for Pats

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October 16

Boston Herald

"So the Pats brought back Junior Seau. Who next? Tom Addison? You'd think Bill Belichick would first try to bring back his offense before adding Seau's experience (otherwise known as age), leadership (otherwise known as age) and age. No truth at all that a truckload of sand was dumped in the Pats locker room, where Seau stuck in his surf board and hit the neo-beach to demonstrate the proper methods to obtaining a perfect tan. And while he's at it, maybe Belichick should bring back a few other oldies-but-Pats-goodies. You know Tedy Bruschi is ready to rip off the TV coat and tie and hit the Gillette Stadium turf. Rodney Harrison, too. He could be ready for the second half, returning to teach ..."

Junior Seau pleased with first practice

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October 16

Boston Herald

"He didn't limp into the locker room like some out-of-shape yuppie who had taken up jogging after a long absence and now was wondering what he'd gotten into. Then again, as Patriots linebacker Junior Seau said yesterday, "We haven't hit yet, either." The 40-year-old Seau was speaking about Wednesday's workout, his first since reupping with the team earlier this week. "I've been through the training camps and the minicamps for 19 years, so I know what to look for," he said. "I'm a little sluggish. There are some things I could do better. But for my first day, I think it went well. "I have to insert myself into being the player that I can be and get into shape, number one, but more ..."

Junior Seau rings in next era

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October 15

Boston Herald

"For all Junior Seau accomplished in his long, distinguished and disjointed career, the Pro Bowl linebacker has a hole in his resume. No championship ring. When he officially was announced yesterday as a member of the Patriots, again, Seau made clear what is important in his third stint with the team. "If I had a ring in place," Seau said, "I would probably think otherwise (about coming back)." The much-rumored, one-year deal for the 12-time Pro Bowler was signed Tuesday, and Seau made his first appearance in the locker room yesterday. As for his first weight-room cameo, that came at 5:30 a.m. Quarterback Tom Brady arrived at 6:45, "and (Seau) was already in there in a full sweat. He hasn't ..."

Veteran LB Junior Seau leads way right away

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October 15

Boston Herald

columnist Karen Guregian

"School began bright and early. Junior Seau was in the weight room at 5:30 yesterday morning getting in his work prior to practice. That's when he'll be there today, and every day going forward. Chances are Jerod Mayo will pumping iron right there next to him. And so will fellow linebacker Gary Guyton. Maybe rookie defensive linemen Myron Pryor and Ron Brace will be there, too, following Seau's lead. "I can help them all one day at a time," the 40-year-old linebacker said yesterday. "For me to talk about what I'm going to do, you'll never get that out of me. Just give me the helmet, and let me work." Give him a helmet and he'll do the rest. Give him a group of young players and he'll lend ..."

Junior Seau back again

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October 14

Boston Herald

"After hosting a reality show, Junior Seau decided he wanted actual reality a little bit more. To the 40-year-old, that still means life as a professional football player. Seau signed a contract with the Patriots yesterday, according to a news release from Versus, the network that is airing the show, "Sports Jobs with Junior Seau." A source said Seau signed his contract for an undisclosed amount before noon. The Patriots have not confirmed the much-rumored deal has been struck, nor have they indicated which player they would release to make room for Seau on the 53-man roster. Asked to discuss Seau's signing, coach Bill Belichick deadpanned, "Did I miss it? Did we announce anything? We don't ..."

Report: Seau returning to Pats

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October 13

Boston Globe

"Junior Seau's favorite sports job? Apparently, playing linebacker in NFL, still. Versus, the 40-year-old, 12-time Pro Bowler's current employer, is reporting that he has rejoined his previous employer, signing a contract today to return to the Patriots. "I'm very fortunate and honored to be involved with two class organizations -- the New England Patriots and Versus," said Seau in a press release. "I want to thank the management of both for making my return to the NFL with the New England Patriots a reality.""

Seau is under consideration

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October 7

Boston Globe

"The Patriots could be close to bringing back Junior Seau for a 20th NFL season. According to league sources, the team reported to the NFL yesterday that it had had the 40-year-old linebacker in for a tryout. During his weekly interview with WEEI Monday, Patriots coach Bill Belichick commented on reports that they were close to signing Seau, who came out of pseudo-retirement last year to play the final four games after being with the team full-time in 2006 and 2007."

Belichick says Seau had physical

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October 6

Boston Globe

"During his weekly interview with WEEI-AM, Patriots coach Bill Belichick was asked about reports that the Patriots were close to signing 40-year-old linebacker Junior Seau. Belichick admitted that Seau had a physical administered by the team. "He did have a physical. We haven't done anything yet. Is it a possibility? Yes," Belichick told WEEI. Belichick was asked about Seau's earlier contention that he only had six games in him this season."

Bringing back Junior Seau makes sense

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October 6

Boston Herald

"It looks like the Patriots [team stats] are going to bring linebacker Junior Seau back for a third go-round. They are going to insert the old buck into their young linebacking corp. Why? Certainly not for his bull-dodging skills. On many levels, a Seau return, which could happen as soon as today, doesn't make much sense. Injured linebacker Jerod Mayo, who made an appearance at practice last week, could be back this week. Gary Guyton, meanwhile, has looked better with each game filling in at middle linebacker. So why the rush for Seau, who preferred coming back closer to the end of the season? Why bring him back now, when he might only have a half-dozen or so games left in him? It's ..."

Seau undergoes physical for Pats

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October 4

ESPN.com

"Junior Seau repeated this week that he would be willing to return to the Patriots as early as November, and the linebacker-thin Patriots are considering the possibility after putting Seau through a physical. The physical came while Seau was in Boston this week to film an episode of his upcoming television show "Sports Jobs with Junior Seau," which was a pre-planned trip. That the Patriots still have Seau on their radar is not surprising, given the mutual admiration between the sides and the team's lack of depth at linebacker. Seau has said that he would only return to the NFL with the Patriots because of his relationship with coach Bill Belichick and the Kraft family. In an interview with ..."

Junior Seau stays open

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August 8

Boston Herald

"Fans might not have seen the last of Junior Seau in a Patriots uniform. At yesterday's weigh-in for UFC 101, Seau indicated he's still open to returning to the Pats in a similar capacity to last season, when he joined the team in December. "We'll look at it in October," Seau said. "You have to ask (Bill) Belichick. I could give you six good games." If Seau doesn't return to football, he has no intention of sitting idly in retirement. He was in Philadelphia filming a reality show he will host for the Versus network that spotlights the behind-the-scenes action in the sports world."

Junior Seau stays ready

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July 7

Boston Herald

"Linebacker Junior Seau told XX Radio in San Diego that if the Patriots need his services during the 2009 season, he would be ready and willing to help out. "I'll definitely look at it at the end of October or November. Let's put it that way," said the 40-year-old inside linebacker, who played for the Pats from 2006-08. Last year, Seau joined the team for the final four games of the season and notched 22 tackles. It wasn't the first time he came out of retirement to reacquaint himself with the gridiron. In 2006, Seau announced his retirement from the NFL, but just one month later signed on with the Patriots. The 19-year veteran is enjoying retired life once again this summer but is making ..."

Patriots fan who tackled Junior Seau pleads not guilty

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December 22

Boston Herald

"The 31-year-old fan who tackled Patriots linebacker Junior Seau on the field at Gillette Stadium yesterday pleaded not guilty in court this morning to the alleged fourth-quarter blindside hit on the beefy backer. Todd Kobus of Attleboro, an Iraq war veteran, was arraigned in Wrentham District Court on charges of assault and battery and trespassing for storming the sideline and crashing into Seau, according to the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office. He was released on his own personal recognizance. Midway through the fourth quarter of yesterday’s 47-7 rout of the Arizona Cardinals, Kobus jumped from the stands and knocked Seau to the ground, police say. “He tackled him,” said Foxboro Police ..."

Junior Seau connects with fan

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December 22

Boston Herald

"Junior Seau returned to the Patriots two weeks ago largely to aid their quest for the postseason. Yesterday, in his first game back at Gillette Stadium, the veteran linebacker got more than he bargained for. Midway through the fourth quarter of a 47-7 laugher over the Cardinals, Seau was involved in a sideline altercation with a fan who jumped from the stands. The two tussled in the snow before security led the unwanted provocateur away. “That’s a death wish, man,” said cornerback Ellis Hobbs. “If Junior didn’t kill him, then security sure would have. One too many, that’s all I can say.” Whatever the circumstances were, it was enough for Seau to call it one of the memorable incidents in ..."

Two old classics hold up

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December 8

Boston Globe

"Accounting for two plays in which offensive holding penalties were called, Patriots defenders were on the field for 57 laborious snaps yesterday. Improbably, linebackers Junior Seau and Rosevelt Colvin were on for 28 of them - seven in the first half, 21 in the second. The stat lines focusing on tackles and sacks won't show it. Neither will the television highlights of Seau faked out of his cleats by receiver Deion Branch on a 64-yard catch-and-run, or beaten by tight end John Carlson for a second-quarter touchdown. But the performances of Seau and Colvin were, in a word, remarkable. They reflected the guts the Patriots displayed in their come-from-behind 24-21 win over the Seahawks. ..."

It’s just like old times for Rosevelt Colvin and Junior Seau

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December 8

Boston Herald

"Junior Seau and Rosevelt Colvin certainly expected to play. What they didn’t expect was to have to morph into their old selves and conjure up enough to play the entire second half with the playoffs weighing in the balance. Yes, the rust was there, and in Seau’s case, some signs of age were visible. Deion Branch twisted him around like a pretzel on a 63-yard catch and run in the third quarter. But the two linebackers, signed this week to provide depth to an already depleted defense, found themselves in the spotlight when Vince Wilfork and Tedy Bruschi went down with injuries. “I did not think (I’d be thrown in so quickly), but it was definitely a good time. It was like old times out there,” ..."

Surf's up - and so is Seau's semiretirement

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December 6

Boston Globe

"The conversation Wednesday afternoon between Bill Belichick and Junior Seau was short. The coach called the linebacker and told him he needed help. Seau made a quick, easy decision. He called back Belichick - the only coach Seau, 39, would play for - and told him he was coming. Seau boarded a plane in California that evening. "It was done," Belichick said. "He went from the surfboard to the football field. He can probably make the transition better than any player that's ever played." A deep, mutual affection brought Seau back to the Patriots yesterday, a move made necessary and possible when they placed Adalius Thomas on injured reserve, meaning his broken right forearm will sideline him ..."

Patriots are set to sign Seau

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December 5

Boston Globe

"Junior Seau just can't say no to a Patriots team in need. The 39-year-old inside linebacker is prepared to once again abandon sunny Southern California and the comfort of semi-retirement to bail out New England coach Bill Belichick and an undermanned Patriots linebacking corps. After getting a call from Belichick and vice president of player personnel Scott Pioli Wednesday night, Seau was here yesterday meeting with the team and on the verge of returning for a third season with the Patriots and a 19th in the NFL. Seau's agent, Marvin Demoff, said early last night that Seau, whose flight landed at 3:45 p.m., could be signed by today, barring complications. The Patriots would have to clear a ..."

Junior Seau flies to rescue of banged-up Patriots

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December 5

Boston Herald

"The search for reinforcements at linebacker has apparently found another familiar face. The Patriots hosted the ageless Junior Seau yesterday and all signs last night pointed to the 39-year-old returning for a 19th season. Seau’s agent, Marvin Demoff, said Patriots head coach Bill Belichick called Seau Wednesday and the two sides liked what was said enough for Seau to fly into town a little before 4 p.m. yesterday. “I haven’t really talked to Junior since he got off the plane, but I expect if nothing changes from the conversation they had last night that he will end up signing a contract,” Demoff said. Coming on the heels of the acquisition of fellow veteran Rosevelt Colvin on Wednesday, ..."

Junior's varsity: Retiree still follows the team

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October 13

Boston Globe

"He attacks the waves on his surfboard now, not opposing ball carriers. If Junior Seau had his preference the waves could wait. No surprise there. Seau went after it hard for 18 NFL seasons, often the first player to arrive in the locker room before the sun came up every morning, whether it was in San Diego, Miami, or New England. So he knew this wouldn't be easy. "It's the first year I haven't been part of an organization, a locker room, the first time I haven't been able to speak in a huddle," Seau said yesterday before the Chargers thumped the Patriots, 30-10. "There are a lot of times in the course of the year, during the journey, that are ups and downs. I miss that. I miss that ..."

Junior Seau just a phone call away - only for Pats

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October 13

Boston Herald

"If the call never comes, Junior Seau can live with it. Sure, he misses playing, being a part of a team and speaking up in the huddle. He never got that elusive championship ring, but Seau, who was presented his 2007 AFC Championship ring by Patriots owner Robert Kraft yesterday, is at peace with how it all ended last season, falling one win short of a perfect season. His memories of New England won’t be bittersweet. “The only memories I have is being able to be a part of something special. And it was a special journey for all of us,” Seau said from his restaurant, where the ring ceremony took place. “There wasn’t one game that’s going to take it away. I’m going to hold onto it forever. ..."

Return engagement for Seau?

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August 11

Boston Globe

"Former Patriots linebacker Junior Seau said the possibility remains he could return to New England, but nothing is imminent. In an interview with XX Sports Radio in San Diego, Seau, who had offseason surgery to repair his rotator cuff, said he remains in contact with coach Bill Belichick. "Obviously, I have to be healthy enough to get in there and perform at a high level and right now I'm not ready," Seau said on the "Scott and BR Show." Seau also ruled out the possibility of returning with any other team. "If there is a situation that comes up, I will definitely look at it, but it has to be something with the Pats," he said. "There is no sense in me going to another locker room when I ..."

Still hard to say whether Junior Seau will return

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August 5

Boston Herald

"Two years ago, Junior Seau didn’t join the Patriots until Aug. 18. Last year, he signed in May. This year? The lines of communication at least remain open. Patriots coach Bill Belichick yesterday said he and Seau have spoken. Whether that means the future Hall of Famer plans to return for a 19th season remains to be seen, but it’s safe to say Seau wouldn’t need much camp to get ready for the season. The Patriots are at the roster limit of 80 players and would need to cut someone to make room for Seau, who underwent offseason shoulder surgery. “We are at 80 and if we make any roster moves we’ll let you know as soon as we can,” Belichick said. “We are where we are right now. If anything ..."

Seau decision will wait

May 31

Boston Globe

"If linebacker Junior Seau returns to the Patriots for his 19th NFL season, the decision will be made closer to the start of training camp in late July, coach Bill Belichick said yesterday. "We are just not there yet, but we are closer to being there," Belichick said after yesterday's passing camp practice. The 39-year-old Seau, whose fiery pregame speeches contributed to his status as a team leader in 2007, is recovering from offseason surgery on his left rotator cuff. He recently underwent a physical for the Patriots, and the sides have maintained an open dialogue about his possible return. The No. 55 Seau donned has not been issued to another player."