Patriots beef up roster by acquiring Haynesworth, Ochocinco
FOXBORO — Talk about starting the season with a bang! The Patriots did it with not one, but two mega-moves Thursday.
PAUL KENYON |
Journal Sports Writer
FOXBORO - Talk about starting the season with a bang! ThePatriots did it with not one, but two mega-moves Thursday.
In what immediately became a controversial decision, the teamearly in the day acquired talented but troubled defensive linemanAlbert Haynesworth from Washington for a fifth-round draft choicein 2013.
Then, after the first two practices of the season and much talkabout the wisdom of bringing in Haynesworth, early in the eveningthe Pats acquired zany but productive wide receiver Chad Ochocincofrom Cincinnati for two late-round picks.
No, Al Davis has not come to New England to make the Patriotsthe new home for cast-off NFL players. But the nature of the NewEngland roster has changed dramatically in just one day.
Ochocinco is likely to be welcomed with open arms by just abouteveryone from Tom Brady on down. He might not be quite the deepthreat Randy Moss is, but Ochocinco gives Brady's already goodreceiving corps a huge boost. Ochocinco, 33, has surpassed the1,000-yard mark in seven of his 10 seasons. He has averaged 14.4yards and scored 66 touchdowns. He had 67 catches for 831 yards andfour touchdowns for the Bengals last season.
Bill Belichick coached Ochocinco, then known as Chad Johnson, atthe Pro Bowl several years ago. He got to know him well.
"I like Chad. I like him as a player. I like him as a person. Ilike the enthusiasm and fun he has with football," Belichick saidlast September.
Ochocinco, in turn, told Barstoolsports.com last week, "to beable to play for an organization like [the Patriots], I'd be thehappiest player in the world.''
Ochocinco had been due $6.3 million for this year, but hiscontract was restructured to make it more cap friendly for thePatriots. The only problem might be that the Pats already have anumber 85 on the roster, tight end Aaron Hernandez.
Haynesworth's arrival will be more controversial.
He has had numerous issues, both on the field and legally, overthe years, despite a contract worth over $100 million. Last season,he was benched for the last four games after refusing to followorders from coach Mike Shanahan.
Still, at least one Patriots player, Ty Warren, spoke openlyabout how he would welcome Haynesworth. Warren, who is returningafter missing all of last season with a hip injury, praisedHaynesworth's ability.
"Man, that's a huge acquisition whenever that deal happens,"Warren said. "I didn't get to see him on film last year because Iwasn't in the film room. … But I remember seeing him acouple years ago. That's a freakish talent. He's going to be a bigacquisition."
Warren expects Haynesworth to be assimilated into the NewEngland locker room without incident.
"I think sometimes things like that can be misconstrued," Warrensaid of Haynesworth's past problems. "I think every case isdifferent. Obviously, from the outside looking in, you can see thatAlbert wasn't really happy in his situation.
"At the same time, all you see is what goes on on the outside,"Warren went on. "Sometimes that's only half the truth, to be honestwith you. I don't think that's going to be a problem with thestructure of this locker room, with the guys that are in thislocker room if he's acquired."
Linebacker Jerod Mayo, who like Haynesworth is a Tennessee grad,has met Haynesworth.
"I met him a couple times. He was a good guy," Mayo said. "[But]I really don't know. He's not here right now. … He's a greatplayer. Hopefully he can come in and help us out."
Vince Wilfolk, the Pats' best defensive lineman, did not addressHaynesworth questions directly, but he went out of his way to speakabout how he expects the team to deal with all players.
"It's always the team first. That's the Patriot way," Wilfolksaid. "If you can't put the team first, then you won't be here.That's the motto that we live by. We really don't care too muchabout individual [accomplishments] because we want to win. It's notan individual sport where you go out on a track and run 100 yardsor a 200-yard dash and win a medal.
"To win in this," Wilfolk added, "it takes a team effort. Thequicker we understand that, the quicker we can get thingsrolling."
Haynesworth is to make $5 million this season.
pkenyon@projo.com / 277-7340