BREAKING: Pats Trade for Haynesworth
Thursday, July 28, 2011
That is what the Patriots reportedly traded for. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, New England sent a 5th round draft choice to the Washington Redskins for defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth.
If Haynesworth is a Patriot soon (he will have to pass a physical), then he would represent the third big-name player Bill Belichick has traded for at a time when many perceived those players to be damaged goods.
In 2004, New England acquired the disgruntled RB Corey Dillon from Cincinnati. All Dillon did was rush for 1635 yards that season helping the team to its third Super Bowl title in four years.
In 2007, the Pats acquired WR Randy Moss from Oakland. One record-breaking 23-touchdown season later, Moss and the Patriots were a perfect 16-0 and eventually made it to Super Bowl 42 before losing to the Giants.
Can Albert Haynesworth be that next reclamation project that pays huge dividends for New England? You would like to think so given that he should be motivated to recapture the greatness he was once known for. He also joins a coach who will do his best to put him into position to succeed.
That is when Haynesworth signed a mega free agent deal with the Washington Redskins where he was a major disappointment for the past two seasons.
Haynesworth struggled with Washington’s “3-4” base defense and, at times, seemed unwilling to try to adapt to their system. He and Redskins coach Mike Shanahan butted heads on a few occasions leading to a very frosty relationship between the two.
For those reasons, Washington was prepared to dump Haynesworth prior to the start of this season figuring that it would be addition by subtraction so-to-speak. Instead, they received a 5th round draft choice in 2013 from New England.
Like the Dillon and Moss acquisitions, this represents a low-risk/high-reward type of proposition for Belichick and the Patriots. Haynesworth is scheduled to make just $5 million in salary this year and that is provided that he makes the team.
While New England runs the “3-4” as their base defense, they also run many sub packages including 4-man fronts where the 6’-6”, 335-pound Haynesworth would likely be used to provide pressure up the middle.
If Belichick were to use him in his base defense, it is possible that he could line-up next to NT Vince Wilfork at right defensive end with Ty Warren expected back at left defensive end after missing most of 2010 due to injury.
It is also worth noting that Bill Belichick and Mike Shanahan have a good relationship so the Patriots coach likely talked to the Redskins boss before making the move.
The Patriots also have Marcus Stroud, Mike Wright, Ron Brace, Myron Pryor, Brandon Deaderick and Kyle Love up front on the defensive side of the football.
Follow us on Pinterest Google + Facebook Twitter See It Read It