Patriots’ defensive lineman Richard Seymour touched on a handful of topics after Tuesday’s organized team activity. Here’s a portion of his Q&A with reporters:

Seymour is entering his ninth season with the Patriots. (AP)

On his feelings about returning to the field…
It’s always good to get back out on the field after a good offseason of training. It’s always good to see the guys again … put on the helmet, even though I probably seem to need to do more neck curls — the helmet seems pretty heavy at this point. But it’s fun, just to see the guys back out here, to smell the grass. It’s something that I always envisioned doing as a kid, so to have an opportunity … I’m grateful to come out here. Here it is, I’m going into my ninth season. It definitely feels good to be productive and play at a high level.

On a possible leadership void without Mike Vrabel and Rodney Harrison, and whether or not he could help fill it…
I think the only thing you can do is go out and play the game the way the game is supposed to be played. You know, I think it takes a total team to get the job done. It isn’t just one or two guys. It’s everybody taking their part, taking hold of their responsibility and taking some stock in the team. Obviously, the rookies won’t have as much weight, but the guys who have been in the league for several years — like I said … there are still guys around that definitely can pull the weight.

On learning how to be a leader…
I think … I’m not a big rah, rah speech kind of guy, but I feel like when something needs to be said, it needs to be said, and I don’t mind saying it. I feel like the best type of leader you can ever have is the type of guy who goes out and gets the job done and shows it, on and off the field. In practice, he’s a hard practice player. And in the game, he makes plays. Those are the type of guys you want your team to be modeled after. Obviously, the guys that you mentioned – Rodney and Vrabel – those guys aren’t here, but they definitely will leave a legacy around here for a long time.

On his contract…
I feel good. I’m comfortable with the situation that I’m in. I’m going to control the things that I can control – that’s going out and playing my best football ever, and let the chips fall where they may. So, I’m sure I’ll be ready for the season. It’s a big season coming up for everybody – we didn’t make the playoffs last year, so I think that’ll be our first steppingstone.

On how he feels…
I feel great. I feel great. I felt great last year. Like I said, when I feel good, you can go out and play good. I don’t have a problem doing that. We’ll just let the chips fall where they may.

If you were a betting man, would you say that Vince will be here for minicamp on Wednesday?
You’ve got an opinion — you can write what you want to say. That’s obviously up to him. But I’m not a betting man.