Alameda, CA (My Sportsbook) - Defensive lineman Richard Seymour finally joined the Oakland Raiders, ending his five days of sitting out after being traded from New England.

With team owner Al Davis and head coach Tom Cable on hand for a press conference Saturday afternoon, Seymour explained why he didn't immediately report to the team. Seymour also ended speculation he didn't want to come to the Raiders.

Last Sunday, the Patriots traded Seymour to Oakland in exchange for the Raiders' 2011 first-round pick.

"This was a shock to him, this was something new, something unexpected for he and his family," said Cable. "We chose to take the path of let this thing work itself out if it's going to. It did. There was never a question that we wanted him."

A five-time Pro Bowl selection, Seymour said he had a lot on his mind when he was traded. He was getting ready to play Buffalo Monday night. He'll still be ready to play Monday night, but for the Raiders when they host San Diego.

"Since Sunday when I got the call that I was being traded, my life has really been a whirlwind," said Seymour. "I was blindsided by the events that took place. I didn't expect it, I didn't understand what was going on. When something happens when you're blindsided, you have to step back and realize what situation you're in.

"My thought point then was 'Hold on, I can't go anywhere at this point. I have four kids, and I have guardianship over my young cousin. I just had a lot going on with kids in school. I have a two-year-old, a four-year-old, a six- year-old, a seven-year-old and I had one just start football this year in the ninth grade. I really had a lot going on from that standpoint and it's a week before the season.

"I talked with coach Cable and I talked with Mr. Davis as soon as this happened, and I assured them I wanted to be an Oakland Raider. They saw something special inside of me and I just hope that I can bring what they saw."

Seymour was an influential member of a Patriots defense that won three Super Bowls in a four-year span. Last season, the 29-year-old recorded eight sacks and 52 tackles in 15 games.

The sixth overall pick in 2001 out of Georgia, Seymour has 39 sacks and 357 tackles in 111 career games with New England.

"When I grew up I was always a Raider fan. There was something about that silver and black," said Seymour. "I can assure Raider Nation, I was 93 (uniform number), I'm 92 now, and 92 is ready to play football. I'm ready to kick things off Monday night."