Raiders acquire lineman Seymour

The Oakland Raiders took a big step toward improving their struggling run defense by acquiring five-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Richard Seymour from the New England Patriots on Sunday.

The move does not come without its risks, as the Raiders gave up a first-round pick in 2011, which could be in the top 10 based on Oakland’s recent history, to acquire a lineman who turns 30 next month and is in the final year of a contract paying him $3.7 million this season.

Raiders owner Al Davis wanted immediate help for a defense that has struggled to stop the run in recent seasons. Since going to the Super Bowl following the 2002 season, Oakland has had the worst run defense in the NFL, giving up 141.7 yards per game on the ground and 122 touchdowns rushing. The Raiders have allowed a 100-yard rusher in more than half of their games the last three years.

“It shows the commitment of this organization,” defensive end Greg Ellis said. “You can’t guarantee we’re going to have a great, great season this year. But the commitment is definitely there, so players don’t have to question that when you’re making those kinds of moves to make something happen and hopefully win right now.”

Seymour has been a stalwart in New England since being drafted sixth overall in 2001. He played on three Super Bowl winners with the Patriots, recording 39 sacks and being selected to the Pro Bowl for five straight seasons beginning in 2002.

Seahawks sign Milloy for a year

The Seattle Seahawks signed safety Lawyer Milloy to a one-year contract, bringing the veteran back to the area where he grew up.

The team made an official announcement one day after cutting Brian Russell, who started at safety for two seasons.

Milloy grew up in Tacoma, Wash., and played for the University of Washington before entering the NFL in 1996 with the New England Patriots. He played seven seasons there and three more with Buffalo, before spending the last three years in Atlanta.

The 13-year veteran has started 196 of 202 games in his career. He will team with veteran Deon Grant and new cornerback Ken Lucas in Seattle’s revamped secondary.

Holliday had surgery on knee

Defensive end Vonnie Holliday, who joined the Denver Broncos for his first workout with his new team, says an injured knee is what prevented him from signing a contract this spring.

Holliday, who signed with the Broncos on Saturday after Le Kevin Smith sat out Denver’s final two exhibitions because of a knee injury, told the Associated Press after practice that his right knee was repaired by Dr. James Andrews in late January.

Etc.

The Philadelphia Eagles have released veteran quarterback A.J. Feeley. The move leaves Michael Vick as the team’s third quarterback behind Donovan McNabb and Kevin Kolb. Vick isn’t eligible to play until Week 3. . . . Star cornerback Dunta Robinson ended his holdout with the Houston Texans and signed the one-year deal the team had been offering all along. . . . The New York Jets acquired quarterback Kevin O’Connell from the Detroit Lions for an undisclosed draft pick.