Patriots Say Goodbye To Ty Warren, Alge Crumpler, Nick Kaczur And Others

It is basically impossible to keep up with all the moves the New England Patriots are making this week. I realize that's how it is with all NFL teams right now but it's hard to compare the last 36 hours in Pats history to any other time.

Yesterday, they added Albert Haynesworth and Chad Ochocinco. Today, they cut seven players including Ty Warren, Alge Crumpler and Nick Kazcur. CB Tony Carter, DL Marcus Stroud, undrafted rookie LB Ryan Coulson and LB Tully Banta-Cain (which we already knew) were also given their pink slips.

Warren is the most shocking loss since he missed all of the 2010 season with a hip injury but he was back in camp yesterday ready to go. I guess visions of a 4-3 with him, Vince Wilfork, Haynesworth and Mike Wright will never materialize.

Warren was a first-round pick in 2003 who played a key role on both the 2003 and 2004 Super Bowl teams. He started 92 of 105 games. A consummate pro, he was well respected on and off the field and he should have a few more good seasons left in him.

Kaczur spent six seasons with the Pats after being drafted in the third round of the 2005 draft. After starting 62 of 68 games, he also missed the bulk of last season with injuries. He's most famous for getting busted for drugs a few years ago.

A Pro Bowler from 2003-06 with Atlanta, Crumpler played one season with the Patriots and even served as a captain, making six catches for 52 yards and two touchdowns although he caught a possible touchdown in the playoff loss against the Jets. He was a great veteran leader for rookies Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski to follow last season. My guess is they'll pick up another older tight end since those aren't too hard to come by especially at this time of year.

Stroud was signed in March after playing in Buffalo so never played with the Patriots. He was a Pro Bowler from 2003-05 with the Jaguars.

Carter played in two games last season, while Coulson was an undrafted free agent rookie out of Nevada.

In addition to those subtractions, the Patriots signed rookie quarterback Ryan Mallett (third-round pick) and rookie offensive lineman Marcus Cannon (fifth-round pick). Terms were not disclosed for both who are intriguing prospects long-term. If nothing else, the Pats can build up their value and eventually trade them away to a needy team.

Mallett set a school record with 3,869 passing yards in 2010 for Arkansas. He had 69 TD passes and 24 interception in a college career split between Michigan and Arkansas.

Cannon played left tackle as a senior at TCU after playing on the right side. He didn't allow a sack in his final two seasons in college.

Finally, Kyle Arrington agreed to a 2-year deal worth up to $3.275 million. A minor deal for a guy that's decent depth help for the Patriots secondary.

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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.

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