Seymour missing from Patriots minicamp

FOXBORO, Mass. (AP) New England Patriots defensive lineman Richard Seymour was missing Thursday at the start of the Super Bowl champions&#39; mandatory minicamp.<br> <br> Patriots coach Bill Belichick said only that Seymour&#39;s absence was unexcused but he would not comment on whether it is the contract holdout the All-Pro defender had hinted at this offseason. Seymour&#39;s agent, Roosevelt Barnes, did not immediately return a call seeking comment.<br> <br> Seymour. a first-round draft choice from Georgia in 2000, signed a six-year deal as a rookie that was to pay him $14.3 million. It still has two years left.<br> <br> Also missing from practice was linebacker Tedy Bruschi, who had a stroke last winter after New England won its third NFL title in four years. Bruschi did attend meetings, though.<br> <br> Bruschi has not said whether he will try to play this year.<br> <br> (Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)