The Albert Haynesworth Era Comes To A Predictable End In New England

I won't lie to myself or you the reader and say that I thought Albert Haynesworth was suddenly a changed person when he put on a Patriots uniform in August.

What mattered most to all of us was the assumption that he could regain some of his dominant form from years gone by. After a puzzling preseason and lackluster eight games, it was time for the Pats to say goodbye to a guy who clearly doesn't give a shit about anything. Today, they released him.

New England was basically Haynesworth's last chance to show the NFL that he had something to offer and he wasn't done. I'd be shocked if another team picks him up at this point. He had a measly three tackles (2 solos, 1 assist) in six games, no sacks, no pressures and no other discernible stat. He might have occupied multiple blockers but who could tell?

Too many times, like on Sunday vs the Giants, he was sitting his fat ass on the bench while the Pats defense continued to live up to its billing as the worst in the NFL. New England head coach Bill Belichick was desperate for playmakers on defense when he surprised everybody by signing Haynesworth over the summer.

For short money, he wasn't much of a risk since if he screwed up or became a problem in the locker room, see you later. Well here we are. As far as I know, he wasn't a cancer (like in earlier times in his career in Tennessee and Washington); he just can't offer anything even to a team as lacking in depth as this one.

The only difference between Haynesworth and Chad Johnson (I'm not calling him Ochocinco until he does something), is that the Pats gave Albert the most basic contract whereas with Johnson, they committed $6 million. For that reason alone, Johnson likely won't find himself unemployed this season even though his play on the field completely warrants it. He's Belichick's boy, that he coveted for years, and Bill is left to hope that Johnson gets it at some point before this season runs out.

In other Pats related news from today (who knew a Tuesday could be so busy?), Dan Gronkowski was released while wide receiver Tiquan Underwood was signed. Underwood, a Rutgers grad, was on the Pats for a few days in the preseason. Who could forget his legendary flat top?

In addition, offensive lineman Thomas Welch was released from the practice squad which means that Ray Ventrone will probably return for the ten millionth time this fall.

Lastly, the Patriots-Colts game in Week 13 (Sunday, Dec. 4 at Gillette) has been flexed out by NBC. It was scheduled to be their Sunday Night Football contest but it has rightly been placed at 1 p.m. This is a no brainer since Indy has already been in a couple primetime games this season. I think America is still recovering from all the vomiting due to those one-sided affairs. For New England, it will serve as their first 1 p.m. start since Week 3 (at Buffalo), believe it or not. Likewise, with the way the Patriots have been playing lately, they're similarly not as deserving of the spotlight.

Follow @RichSlate


Tweet

Welch Promoted From Practice Squad, Ventrone Released; 3 More Declared Out

As I said last week, you never know what you're going to get in terms of the bottom of the New England Patriots' roster once gameday rolls around.

Today, the Pats announced that offensive lineman Thomas Welch was promoted from the practice squad while safety Ross Ventrone was released (expect him to go back to the practice squad, where he spent the first two weeks of the 2011 season) after getting activated for one week of glory against the Bills.

Welch was a 2010 seventh-round draft pick of New England, who was active in Week 1 against Miami before being released and re-signed to the practice squad (get the picture?).

With Sebastian Vollmer out tomorrow against the Oakland Raiders, rookie Nate Solder is expected to start at right tackle and Welch will add some depth to the offensive linemen.

Ventrone's release likely signals that safety Patrick Chung is healthy enough to play after missing last weekend's game in Buffalo with a hand injury. This is a good thing, the Patriots desperately need his playmaking ability and hard hits. Hell if he can tackle, he'll be a huge improvement over Josh Barrett and Sergio Brown.

The other roster news that broke today is that cornerbacks Leigh Bodden (groin) and Ras-I Dowling (hip) have been declared out for tomorrow. Albert Haynesworth is also out, meaning that New England will need to designate one more inactive before kickoff against Oakland.

Devin McCourty will start opposite either Kyle Arrington (it's gotta be him) or Antwaun Molden. Phillip Adams will be coming off the bench as a substitute for the cornerbacks.

Follow @RichSlate


Tweet

Albert Haynesworth, What The Fuck?!

Albert Haynesworth missed practice again yesterday, making it four days in a row that the malcontent defensive lineman has not participated. Naturally, this is a little concerning.

Last season, Haynesworth famously took ten days to pass the Redskins' conditioning test, which made some Patriots' writers and fans nervous about his motivation. Clearly those concerns were justified as Haynesworth has not given any reason to believe that he is a changed man.

So what gives? Belichick said that Haynesworth passed the initial conditioning test here in Foxboro but that may just be a little bit of gamesmanship on his part. Even if Haynesworth didn't pass the test, I find it hard to believe that Belichick would throw him under the bus the way that Mike Shanahan did last season.

There has been no reports if Haynesworth has suffered any significant injury thus far in training camp, only that he is "day to day" according to Belichick and the Patriots' secretive medical staff. Early word out of camp was that he was disruptive on the field, dominating lineman and breaking up plays, according to Ian Rapoport of the Boston Herald.

Haynesworth does look extremely out of shape but if Belichick says he passed the test, than that shouldn't be the issue. Is it a locker room problem? Unlikely. Maybe he is actually injured, one of the many casualties of a shortened training camp.

Whatever the case may be, this is shaping up to be a problem for the Patriots. If Haynesworth makes the Patriots' opening day roster, he is guaranteed a $5-million dollar salary, even if he doesn't play a down. The Pats currently have something like 36284 defensive linemen on the roster, so losing Haynesworth wouldn't be the end of the world, just a major disappointment.

No matter how the rest of the preseason goes, the number one story has to be Haynesworth, which is not neccessarily a good thing for the team.

Follow @RyanBurns88


Tweet

Delusional Writer Says Winning Is More Important Than Character....Ummm Yeah

From Boston.Com

It didn't take long for the New England Patriots to walk away from Myra Kraft’s legacy.

The wife of New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft -who died of cancer on July 20 -embraced a quaint idea. She believed that character, integrity, and respect for women are more important than yards gained on a football field.

Back in 1996, Myra Kraft’s values led her husband to reverse a decision to draft a University of Nebraska lineman who had been convicted of sexual assault. At the time, the Patriots’ change of heart regarding Christian Peter sent a strong message about what mattered to the organization.

Fast forward to 2011. In the same month that Myra Kraft was lovingly memorialized by family, friends, and assorted Patriots, Coach Bill Belichick began the process of acquiring Albert Haynesworth, a player with an upcoming trial date for a misdemeanor sexual assault charge. That allegation is just the tip of a very large and ugly iceberg.

Haynesworth’s shot with the Patriots shows how out of control Super Bowl fever can get, without someone like Myra Kraft to keep life and football in perspective.

So let me get this straight. Winning championships is more important than being a good person? No shit. Here we have an op-ed piece from today's Globe by noted football mind Joan Vennochi that says that the Patriots are essentially ignoring Myra Kraft's legacy by bringing in Albert Haynesworth.

She defends her point by bringing up Christian Peters, who was convicted of sexual assault in 1996. Myra Kraft's input reversed the decision to draft Peters, setting the precedent for the future.

Vennochi then runs down a laundry list of Haynesworth's on and off the field problems, including his launching of "vicious hits on opponents". Really Joan? That would be the least of my worries especially considering the Patriots drafted a guy in Branden Meriweather who attacked opponents, launched vicious hits and gets involved in shootings. Didn't see such character questions then.

I understand and appreciate all that Mrs. Kraft has done for the region and the team, but to say that the Patriots are "missing Myra Kraft's moral compass" because they signed a player with a checkered past is asinine. Anyone remember Corey Dillon, Randy Moss, Bryan Cox or Rodney Harrison? All of those players had character issues heading into their careers with the Patriots, but that didn't stop the Patriots from acquiring them and winning at the highest level.

I mean, look at the other reclamation projects going on in the NFL right now. Michael Vick. Plaxico Burress. Ben Roethlisberger. Shit, even guys like Santonio Holmes and Antonio Cromartie have personal issues but the Jets looked past that and were better off for it. Jesus Christ, even Brett Favre sent out pictures of his cock!

Now if Haynesworth is somehow convicted or shows character problems in camp or during the season, the Patriots will undoubtedly release him. However, if he plays hard and stays out of trouble, is it really all that bad? Regardless of how big of a dick Haynesworth is, everyone deserves a chance (or three) to rehabilitate his career and his life. Attacking a professional football organization for trying to win at all cost reeks of grandstanding. Stop trying so hard Joan.

Follow @RyanBurns88


Tweet

Patriots Rehab Program Continues, Albert Haynesworth Checks In

In a move that seems more Rex-like than Belichickian, ESPN is reporting that the Patriots have sent a 2013 fifth-round draft pick to the Washington Redskins for malcontent defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth.

Haynesworth played for Washington the last two seasons but was a distraction on and off of the field for the bulk of his time there. He signed a 7-year, 100-million dollar contract with the Skins two years ago and since then has had conditioning issues as well as very public media battles with former head coach Mike Shanahan. A lot of his frustration stemmed from the fact that they played in a 3-4 scheme, which he didn't fully buy into. Uh oh.

Guess what team also plays the 3-4? That's right, your New England Patriots. Anchored by Big Vince Wilfork in the middle, the Patriots 3-4 is effective because it draws double teams towards Number 75, giving other linemen or linebackers the opportunity to create mismatches in the trenches.

Patriots insiders (give me a couple more seasons) have said that Belichick intends on using the 6'6", 330 pound Haynesworth as a "nickel rusher" meaning that he wouldn't start but would instead provide a pass rush from the interior, as well as be a run stopper alongside Wilfork.

Will he be happy here though?

I don't think he has a choice, for several reasons. First, the Patriots gave up next to nothing to acquire Haynesworth from the Redskins. At the first sign of insubordination, Belichick wouldn't hesitate to put him back on the street. Also, this could be Haynesworth's last chance to make good money in the NFL and if he got cut, it would be hard to imagine any other team bringing him in, even in a low risk situation.

If there is anyone who can straighten Haynesworth's head out, it is Belichick and defensive line coach Pepper Johnson, two of the most respected coaches in the game. I have a feeling that Belichick commands much more respect than Shanahan and Haynesworth knows that he has to shape up.

He is certainly not without baggage; he has made his grievances very public, given up on plays and is facing trial for sexual assault. Depending on the results of that trial, Albert will come in and instantly contribute.

The Patriots have succeeded with Corey Dillon and Randy Moss for a few seasons each, so there is reason to believe that they can do the same with Haynesworth and assemble what could be one of the most dominant defensive lines in the NFL in the process.

Ian Rapoport of the Boston Herald just reported that the Patriots have released Marcus Stroud, apparently his shoulder hasn't recovered enough yet from off-season surgery. So even though Haynesworth's deal isn't set in stone yet, now it makes even more sense on the depth chart.

Follow @RyanBurns88


Tweet