Patriots: Reclamation, rehabilitation and redemption
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Hey, hey, hey. Are you ready for this?
Multiple sources have indicated the Patriots have struck a BIG blow in veteran player movement as the NFL begins moving toward its season at warp speed. Veteran defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, a malcontent (to put it mildly) for the most part with Tennessee and with Washington, may be on his way to New England.
And in a case of "can you top this?" ESPN is reporting the Patriots have struck a deal with Cincinnati to bring in wide receiver Chad Ochocinco as well. The 6-6, 335 pound Haynesworth arrived in Foxboro Thursday night, even though the Patriots do not have an official announcement on the transaction. First reported early Thursday morning by ESPN.com, if traded from Washington, the Redskins would receive a 2013 fifth-round draft pick in return for the one-time Pro Bowl tackle.
“I talked to Mike Shanahan last night, and we’re in the process of acquiring Haynesworth,” Patriots head coach Bill Belichick announced, “but there’s nothing to announce yet. We’re in the process of trying to get things completed. We’re not there yet.”
So while paperwork must be filed, and a physical plus a conditioning run must first be passed, the buzz around Haynesworth’s apparent change of address is apparent. The 30-year old tackle has expressed a desire to leave Washington, and the Redskins were apparently only too willing to accommodate him, having repeatedly clashed with Shanahan and the team. His salary for this season was set at $5 million, after having signed a seven year, $100 million contract two years ago. For a reduced price, the Patriots may have come up with a unique option in solving a perceived need this year – putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
Additionally, with a reputation for being a “house of reclamation,” such as in the instances for former players Corey Dillon and Randy Moss, the Patriots have a track record of success in dealing with talented but troubled players. Known for their off-field antics perhaps more than their on-field prowess coming in, Dillon and Moss to varying degrees had productive, if not wildly successful years with New England, but both also regressed to old habits after having some success – and found themselves out of a job in Foxboro.
Call it “the Patriot Way.” If Bill Belichick and the Patriot lockerroom can do for Haynesworth what they once did for Dillon and Moss, you might chalk up another personnel steal for the Pats.
“I think he’s a great player, a hell of a player,” said Patriots tackle Vince Wilfork, who would undoubtedly benefit from the addition of Haynesworth to the defensive line. “I had a chance to play in the Pro Bowl with him, I think he’s a great athlete.
“Our hands are full right now,” Wilfork added, “and right now we’re in that study room, watching film and getting back and trying to move forward. Whatever that is, if he gets here, that’s what we’re going to do. If it’s with certain people, if it’s not, this ship is moving fast. We’ve had guys come through here with a rap sheet, that 'He can’t be handled,' or 'This guy can't do this.' You know what, it worked out fine for us. So, I don’t think it’ll be a big problem for us. That’s the organization’s call on who they bring in and who they don’t bring in. As a teammate, when we’re on the field, we’re all working together, we want to be the best.”
Haynesworth was perhaps at his best playing in a 4-3 defensive alignment while with the Tennessee Titans. Part of his apparent problem in Washington came from having to adjust to the Redskins playing a 3-4 defense…so it remains to be seen how he (or the Patriots) might actually fit. But speaking in generalities about a defense, Belichick did say that fit can be found. “Defensively, two things you want to do are pressure the quarterback and cover the receivers in the passing game. That’s what pass defense is. You can never have too much pass rush, you’re always trying to improve that.
“Anytime you acquire a player, you want to be comfortable putting that player on your team,” Belichick added.
If the deal becomes official, it will be Belichick’s job, as well as that of the Patriot lockerroom, to make certain they give another star-crossed player a chance at rehabbing a reputation, and possibly redeeming a career.
Training Camp Notes
If adding Haynesworth was surprising, then the late afternoon addition of wide receiver Chad Ochocinco by trade with Cincinnati was its equal. ESPN reported that Ochocinco accepted a restructured three-year deal in order to be traded to New England, where the Patriots will give up - what else? - draft picks, one in 2012 and one in 2013. Ochocinco and Bill Belichick are known to mutually admire each other, and while his receiving numbers were down in 2010, he does have seven career 1000-yard receiving seasons. The Patriots did not have a 1000-yard receiver last season, even with Tom Brady throwing for nearly 4000 yards...while the Haynesworth story dominated the talk among media and fans as training camp opened, the players themselves were happy – if not relieved – to just be on the field again. “It’s been a long time for all of us,” Wilfork said, “and it’s time to get to work. We have a lot in front of us right now, it’s going to take us a great deal of commitment to get to where we want to be.” As for really being happy to be here, a different take from linebacker Jerod Mayo – “You’ve got to ask me that in a couple of days, after the pads go on. Everyone’s excited when you’re just walking around, so ask me that in a couple of days.”
The first training camp roster has 87 players listed, three short of the NFL-mandated maximum of 90 that a team can carry at the start. Players who are currently unsigned are not yet allowed on the field to practice, so seven drafted rookies were not present at the start. Additionally, free agent running back Sammy Morris was not present, and veterans Kyle Arrington, BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Logan Mankins, Nick Kaczur, Alge Crumpler, Myron Pryor and Marcus Stroud were also not spotted at the beginning. Players are not eligible to begin team workouts until they have passed physicals, and completed their conditioning run in a satisfactory time, in addition to having their contracts signed…
The crowd at the start of camp gathered early outside of the practice fields, adjacent to Gillette Stadium, well before the first practice began. By the time the players made their way out to the fields for what essentially were walk-through drills in shirts and shorts, the grandstands were full. Training camp seating capacity is estimated at approximately 6-7,000. “It’s amazing to see all these fans come out here so early,” said second-year Patriots cornerback Devin McCourty.” “It’s great having them all out here, and we’ll take the time to sign autographs, that’s never a problem for us.” Every Patriots player in attendance at practice signed autographs afterward…
Expect the Patriots roster to change often, throughout the next few days and weeks, especially. Maybe even hours. “We’re trying to juggle a lot of balls in the air between player personnel rules, contract rules, practice rules, assembling the team, getting everyone in here, trying to get them out on the field, start getting our training camp going, adjusting some practice – things like that,” Belichick said as he welcomed a large media contingent at the start of the day. “Just trying to get everything underway and get a smooth flow here. We’re just kind of taking it hour by hour, I wouldn’t say day by day yet. One step at a time. As usual, there will be a number of personnel transactions, we’ve talked to a lot of players over the past few days, hundreds.”
Free agent defensive end Marcus Stroud, signed by the Patriots prior to the lockout from Buffalo, has been told he will be released by the team, according to a published story. And third round draft choice Stevan Ridley, a running back from LSU, announced via Twitter that he has agreed to terms on a contract with the Patriots. Ridley becomes the fourth-known draft pick from 2011 to sign, along with 5th rounder Lee Smith, 6th round pick Markell Carter and 7th rounder Malcolm Williams...
Camp Schedule for Friday
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Morning session
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM Patriots Experience open
2:30 PM - 5:00 PM Afternoon Session
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