Q: Veteran training camp, are you running things? Are they following you?
Seymour: Well you know, every year is different, but it definitely is good to be back out on the field, see your teammates, so we are definitely excited to get it started.
Q: Some of the guys, Tyvon [Branch] and Darren [McFadden] mentioned it, it is a pretty tight ship, checking in for meals, signing in and signing out. I think the feeling is that tightened discipline everywhere tightens discipline on the field, do you buy that? Do you think all that can filter out?
Seymour: Well, we all are grown men, we should all know how to follow the rules. I don't think that it should be a big adjustment period, that's who you are, that's who you should be anyway. That's how you always try to model yourself.
Q: Do you think things needed to be tightened up from last year, how were things last year? Were things out of control a little?
Seymour: Well, obviously if you don't get to your ultimate goal, we're in the business of change also, every year is different, it is always new coaches, new teammates, it is a lot of turnover from year to year, and you just learn to adjust with it.
Q: Are you optimistic about the direction that you have seen so far?
Seymour: Absolutely, we are definitely headed in the right direction, I think you have probably been hearing that for a while, but I am definitely optimistic about our team, and the guys we have on here. I think the new regime in terms of management and coaching staff, definitely on the same page and preaching the same message to the players. I think when everyone is on the same page you can get a lot accomplished. We are here at training camp laying the foundation for what we want to be. There is still a lot of work to be done, it is early. We haven't even put on the pads yet. But like I said, I think we are all optimistic, it's a good time to be a Raider.
Q: The last couple of years, you guys have been near the top in the NFL in quarterback sacks, but you haven't been healthy every year. How good can you be up front?
Seymour: I think we have all the ingredients to be really good up front. I think obviously, first and foremost, you want to come in and set the foundation in terms of the running game. Definitely not allowing teams to run the football on you and obviously running the football on offense well, so if we can handle those two parts, pass rush is definitely the fun time for us, so we definitely love to pin our ears back and get after the quarterback.
Q: Teams that rush the passer as well as you are usually good against the run. Usually those things go hand in hand. How is it that you guys have been able to rush the passer as well as you have, when the run defense has been so spotty?
Seymour: Well, you just have to be disciplined. Everyone loves to get after the quarterback, and like I said, we have the athletes to get it done. But in the running game we have to be disciplined, and be where you are supposed to be when you are supposed to be there and if you are not then things happen. But like I said, we are definitely laying the foundation, every year is different, so hopefully we are different and we are a top five defense this year, that is our goal.
Q: What have you seen so far in coach Allen's management style, that leads to believe that the penalty problem that you guys have had for so many years, that it is going to be different this year?
Seymour: Well I think he is a hands on guy, obviously being a defensive guy, he is definitely been an influence all across the board. He has had his handprint definitely in meeting rooms and like I said from a coaching staff from the top, everybody is preaching the same message, but we are on the field, and we have to get it done. And if someone is not doing their job, they are going to put someone else in there. It is about competing, it is about the competition, and that is what training camp has always been about.
Q: What are your thoughts on new defensive coordinator Jason Tarver?
Seymour: Well, he is definitely a knowledgeable guy. He's smart. He always talks about being in the right place at the right time, taking care and doing your job, and I think it is your responsibility, take care of your responsibility and to do your job and it is still early for everybody, but we are still feeling each other out, but that is what training camp is all about.
Q: How big of a change is it, the defense going from pretty much a straight forward philosophy, 4-man fronts, no blitzing, man-to-man coverage, to a little more varied form of defensive attack now?
Seymour: Well, like I said, every year is different. Each coaching style is different, so we will adjust and do what is asked of us. Like I said, we definitely here have the athletes that can play any scheme, any defense, and that's one thing I think we pride ourselves on. If you want to be one of the best or one of the elite in the league, you have to be able to do multiple things and be versatile, play in this front, play in that front, rush the passer, stop the run, just being an every down player, and that is how you make yourself valuable. It is hard work, but that's why it is the big boy league.
Q: Were you dying to get here? I know Tyvon was sitting on the couch getting sick of seeing all the people he was around.
Seymour: Nah, that wasn't my case, I like my family.
Q: You got hurt in the middle of last year, were you hurt worse than you let on? And did it hamper your ability to play at the level that you are accustomed to?
Seymour: Yeah, I mean, injuries are a part of the game. You never want to talk about injuries. That is one thing you never want to get into is how bad you are hurt or how bad the injuries may be. But I came out of the gate well, knee injury and then it kind of slowed down from there, but I thought towards the end of the year I started to regain my form a little bit, but I am optimistic and feeling good right now, feeling good, and am excited about the season. I will be ready to go.
Q: How big of a loss was Kamerion Wimbley, how concerned are you in replacing his push?
Seymour: Kamerion was a very athletic guy, he was versatile, he could do a lot of different things. He definitely would get after the quarterback, he was better when he was rushing. That is what he enjoyed doing. He was one of the guys that helped us out tremendously up front, and he will be missed.
