Patriots trade 2013 5th round pick to get Albert Haynesworth

by Comedic.Sans on Jul 28, 2011 7:40 AM EDT in New England Patriots News

Belichick surprised many this year by not addressing the D-line in the draft, and he's got a left-field fix - according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, he's traded a 2013 5th round draft pick for the talented but troubled D-lineman. Mike Shanahan is probably rubbing his hands in glee, but whatevs, he's still coach of the Redskins.

The trade is conditional upon Haynesworth passing his physical, and that's not a given if we remember his troubles last season.

However, in compensation for that 2013 5th round draft pick (which is practically a freebie, given Belichick has two entire draft pools' worth of picks in order to get that pick back), and the Patriots will be responsible for the (surprisingly?) reasonable $5m for the multiple Pro-Bowl D-lineman.

A few quick thoughts, given I haven't digested this yet.

Of course, there's a risk inherent in picking up the troubled big fella, but he's only worth his salary (and a measly 5th round future pick) to the Pats, so if he acts up, he can (and will) be cut. And if he doesn't, well... if a little of Wilfork's mindset and Warren's professionalism rubs off on Haynesworth, the Pats D-line just got a lot scarier.

Further, the apparent dearth of talent at OLB looks a lot less dire, because Warren, Wilfork and Haynesworth will soak up an entire O-line's worth of blockers and then some, and suddenly even so-so talented OLBs are running free in space.

Also, the Pats fill out their quote of one potentially self-destructive team-exploder per season (cough, Corey Dillon, cough, Randy Moss). Guess that dampens the Chad Ochocinco bandwagon.

Thoughts? Have at it. This discussion's going to be a doozy.

(Props to Section328 for finding this first, too)

Poll

Haynesworth to the Pats. Good, bad, indifferent?

Brilliant! There's that 3-4 DE, or something!

117 votes

Shrewd move - low risk, high potential payoff

268 votes

Eh. Give it a try, most likely cut losses later

46 votes

Wot

10 votes

Can we trade him to Denver in exchange for some pretzels?

21 votes

462 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 48 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

wow

by Oughat on Jul 28, 2011 7:45 AM EDT reply actions

I have to say I'm surprised given he didn't show up too well in the 3-4 in the 'Skins

But then again, everyone on that team was phoning it in last season. Maybe he wasn’t as bad as previously thought.

Also, this makes me wonder whether the Pats will be playing a lot more 4-3 than prior expectations would have suggested. They have a guy who can play 4-3 NT (Wilfork, Brace), a 4-3 DT (Haynesworth, Stroud), and a few of those handy 4-3 DEs/ 3-4 OLBs (Cunningham, the swag of rookie college 4-3 DEs, Rob Ninkovich, Eric Moore).

Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
Contributing Writer at PatsPulpit

by Comedic.Sans on Jul 28, 2011 7:49 AM EDT reply actions

Jesus

Haynesworth, Wilfork, Warren, Brace, Stroud…that’s a lot of beef.

Every Month March.

by hoyaeagle on Jul 28, 2011 7:50 AM EDT up reply actions

Problem is...

Haynesworth phoned it in all OTAs and offseason. Showed up to camp out of shape and Shanahan was not going to reward that laziness. Haslett couldn’t get his ass in shape…maybe Pepper Johnson will.

"The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing. If you can fake that, you've got it made." -Groucho Marx

Hogs Haven. On Twitter..

by Kevin Ewoldt on Jul 28, 2011 7:51 AM EDT up reply actions

Belichick's a hell of a lot scarier than Shanahan is, discipline-wise

Shanahan tried to go hard-line on Haynesworth last season, and it failed miserably. And the rest of the team quit on him, too.

Belichick, Brady, the Pats player leadership group, and Pats staff roped in Dillon and won a Super Bowl. They roped in Randy and Adalius Thomas and went 18-0 to get to another one. They have a good track record of inspiring the problem children (although you might argue the longterm prospects aren’t great). But the longterm prospects were never great, because that’s when Haynesworth’s contract starts getting silly anyway.

Ride him out, cut or trade him when necessary (whether that’s soon because he acts out, or later because he gets expensive).

Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
Contributing Writer at PatsPulpit

by Comedic.Sans on Jul 28, 2011 7:55 AM EDT up reply actions

People are still pissed at Shanny

You play players for their strengths. Either way….it was known Haynesworth day-dreamed in team meetings and was always on his cell phone. The Redskins are a mess besides him, but he gave 2 shits here…it’ll be interesting to watch.

"The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing. If you can fake that, you've got it made." -Groucho Marx

Hogs Haven. On Twitter..

by Kevin Ewoldt on Jul 28, 2011 8:13 AM EDT up reply actions

Um Comedic.Sans I like in the D.C. area. And the team may not have played well. But the whole team didn’t “mail it in” last season. Shanahan had something to do with why they lost some games like they did. But his presence in the middle on passing downs may free up all kinds of hell!!

by Patriots12 on Jul 28, 2011 7:55 AM EDT up reply actions

That's what I was implying, really. Shanahan didn't inspire them, and they didn't play like they actually, well, cared.

Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
Contributing Writer at PatsPulpit

by Comedic.Sans on Jul 28, 2011 7:57 AM EDT up reply actions

Both Shanahan's sucked

by Oughat on Jul 28, 2011 7:58 AM EDT up reply actions

There is some concern that Kyle and Rex are too close. But the Redskins had to part with Haynesworth.

by Patriots12 on Jul 28, 2011 8:00 AM EDT up reply actions

Okay.

by Patriots12 on Jul 28, 2011 7:58 AM EDT up reply actions

I felt sorry for McNabb that whole season. He was throwing to zombies...

Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
Contributing Writer at PatsPulpit

by Comedic.Sans on Jul 28, 2011 7:59 AM EDT up reply actions

Even Cooley was dropping passes left and right

It was really pathetic. Every week, someone was either bitching about Shanahan, McNabb or Haynesworth. It was unbearable.

by Oughat on Jul 28, 2011 8:01 AM EDT up reply actions

Pretty much. Because of the lack of stability. And I’m not certain that Mike is the right coach for the Redskins. This season will define him.

by Patriots12 on Jul 28, 2011 8:04 AM EDT up reply actions

I just commented on the other post but I will repeat it here.

As a DC resident I am all too familiar with the problems of the ‘Skins. Haynesworth’s main beef with the team is they switched to the 3-4 and expected him to man the NT. He didn’t want to do that and refused to get on the field in that position. He insisted on only being a part time interior pass rusher. This is why its going to work in NE.

by Oughat on Jul 28, 2011 7:56 AM EDT up reply actions

Dolphins fan here

great pickup by your team.

If the Phins get Orton and Bush, this should be a fun year to watch the AFC East.

"The more people I meet the more I like my dog."
Winner of The Davone Bess Little Guy Award, 2010

Co-Captain of Team Lindley

by Kdog92 on Jul 28, 2011 7:51 AM EDT reply actions

AFC East just got very, very interesting

Throw in the whole Asomugha-to-Jets thing, and talent-wise the AFC East might be the top division.

Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
Contributing Writer at PatsPulpit

by Comedic.Sans on Jul 28, 2011 7:56 AM EDT up reply actions

exactly

"The more people I meet the more I like my dog."
Winner of The Davone Bess Little Guy Award, 2010

Co-Captain of Team Lindley

by Kdog92 on Jul 28, 2011 8:00 AM EDT up reply actions

From your lips

To Gods ears!!!! :) Hope you guys up here in the Pulpit had a good offseason.

by OldJetsFanatic on Jul 28, 2011 10:05 AM EDT up reply actions

plus – my Bills just signed Tyler Thigpen – SUPER BOWL!!! :(

When you innovate, you've got to be prepared for everyone telling you you're nuts.

by J2 on Jul 28, 2011 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions

Well, you've got that....

The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
Some people can learn from the mistakes of others, while some people need to pee on the electric fence themselves.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Jul 28, 2011 4:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Salary

I think its key to get that cap number down. I wonder if they will be restructuring. 5 mil hit is not risk free. Any word on whether he might restructure? He doesn’t seem like the type that would.

by dienasty on Jul 28, 2011 7:55 AM EDT reply actions

Pats are under the cap, and there's the $3m buffer this season

The other thing to remember is with Haynesworth on board, Stroud and Gerard Warren potentially become completely expendable. That’ll save cash.

Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
Contributing Writer at PatsPulpit

by Comedic.Sans on Jul 28, 2011 7:58 AM EDT up reply actions

I don't think they are that worried about that cap number.

They have some room.

by Oughat on Jul 28, 2011 7:59 AM EDT up reply actions

Depending on how this goes, there is actually very little risk for the Patriots in one sense. But IF, IF they can get Albert to play RDE and survive his stupid suspension the line maybe really a problem for anyone they face.

by Patriots12 on Jul 28, 2011 7:59 AM EDT reply actions

Or they'll go the 2000-2001 Pats route and play a lot of 4-3

Cunningham and Ninkovich as DEs, Haynesworth DT, Wilfork NT. Considering the Pats play nickel 50% of the time as it is, that’s practically a starting lineup straight off the bat.

Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
Contributing Writer at PatsPulpit

by Comedic.Sans on Jul 28, 2011 8:01 AM EDT up reply actions

if we are doing 4-3

we might as well overkill it and get Ray Edwards. :3

I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP

by Jack'sAxe on Jul 28, 2011 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions

Bill likes to mix and match. Depending on the game plan and the team for that week. I was thinking yesterday that when they play the Jets, if they had a 4 man line Nick Mangold can’t concern himself with just Vince. Because Nick is the only player in the NFL who plays man on man with Vince. Mostly he draws two or three blockers. And you really can’t have your nose blocked by one man.

by Patriots12 on Jul 28, 2011 8:03 AM EDT up reply actions

He doesn't quite go head to head.

He generally gets a chip from a guard before the guard has to deal with his assignment.

"Perhaps it was the Noid who should have avoided me." Mayor Adam West

by ISN on Jul 28, 2011 8:11 AM EDT up reply actions

Okay. There were times during the games last season that Nick had no help and did well against Vince.

by Patriots12 on Jul 28, 2011 8:13 AM EDT up reply actions

Everyone can, at times.

And Mangold is the best center in the league. But you’d be stupid to not give him help at times when you can get away with it.

"Perhaps it was the Noid who should have avoided me." Mayor Adam West

by ISN on Jul 28, 2011 8:15 AM EDT up reply actions

Physical

Didn’t Haynesworth pass his first physical with Shanahan but he made him retake it anyway? Or am I mis-remembering that?

by Section328 on Jul 28, 2011 8:09 AM EDT reply actions

Maybe... but it was always reported as him failing it three or four times.

You’d think if he passed the first one on the first day, he’d have been able to pass the next two or three. He might’ve fudged the first one or something.

Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
Contributing Writer at PatsPulpit

by Comedic.Sans on Jul 28, 2011 8:10 AM EDT up reply actions

He skipped all off-season workouts...

Then showed up to camp. Shanny has a rule…if you’re at Redskins Park off-season working out, then you don’t need to take the conditioning test. Haynesworth failed 5+ times including taking a piss break b/w the 2 sets. (whole test is 3 minutes). Then he sat out practice b/c his knee hurt and he couldn’t take the test to make it to the practice field. Circus 101.

"The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing. If you can fake that, you've got it made." -Groucho Marx

Hogs Haven. On Twitter..

by Kevin Ewoldt on Jul 28, 2011 8:15 AM EDT up reply actions

Two stubborn jackasses...

"Perhaps it was the Noid who should have avoided me." Mayor Adam West

by ISN on Jul 28, 2011 8:16 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah. The Redskins long needed to part with him. I had NO dream it would be to New England.

by Patriots12 on Jul 28, 2011 8:16 AM EDT up reply actions

Physical isn't conditioning test

The physical tells if medically, you’re healthy enough to play football. The conditioning test tells if you’re ready in the eyes of the coach. Ron Brace failed his conditioning test last year if I’m not mistaken. But I think the trade will be consummated, he just won’t be able to play right away if he’s out of shape. I imagine his conditioning test will be done as soon as he’s a Patriot, all the returning players did physicals AND conditioning tests on Wednesday.

by 108 on Jul 28, 2011 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions

How does this signing impact Wright, Ty Warren, Pryor, Brace, and Deaderick?

I would think playing time will be reduced for some of these guys. Are any of these guys valued enough to be traded for a draft pick?

by OneOpinion on Jul 28, 2011 8:25 AM EDT reply actions

Ty Warren may be worth something.

But everyone stays. No guarantee Haynesworth is here in a week, let alone a month. We may need everyone else.

"Perhaps it was the Noid who should have avoided me." Mayor Adam West

by ISN on Jul 28, 2011 8:31 AM EDT up reply actions

I don’t think the Patriots trade any of those guys. You are right in it will decrease playing time for someone else. But it may not either with Haynesworth’s legal troubles and history.

by Patriots12 on Jul 28, 2011 8:32 AM EDT up reply actions

We have a moster for 5 years

This is great. For a fifth round pick makes it even better. They will be amazing on the D-line

by shaq36 on Jul 28, 2011 8:50 AM EDT reply actions

Not sure if it’s going to be all 5 years. I’ve seen reports of a $20 mil bonus due after the 2012-13 season, which would most likely mean it’s a two year kind of play.

Johnny Boychuk - The infamous bottle of $100,000 champagne, I thought it was meh.

by PeterMacKellar on Jul 28, 2011 10:13 AM EDT up reply actions

I think he'll be pretty expensive, yes

I know that 1/3rd of his 7 year deal was paid in the first 12 months of the deal, remember all that noise about him taking that huge bonus after the Shanahan hire while refusing to play the scheme? That leaves around 60M for 5 years, so yeah it’ll pick up at some point, but we’ll have a couple reasonable years from him. We don’t have the inside ear to the organization, I’m sure Bill has talked to him plenty already. We don’t know if we’re getting a 3-4 end, a nickel DT (ala Mike Wright) or what. Also, based on his effectiveness short term, the deal can be revisited right before it escalates, and renegotiated to a fair price for however he’s played to date, or cut.

by 108 on Jul 28, 2011 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions

I think the Haynesworth from the Titans is long gone but at least we didn't give up too much for him...

by bbismyhero on Jul 28, 2011 9:24 AM EDT reply actions

Hogs Haven has a poll up

The question “Do you like this trade?”….only one option.

http://www.hogshaven.com/2011/7/28/2299904/albert-haynesworth-traded-to-patriots-for-2013-5th-round-pick

by Oughat on Jul 28, 2011 9:46 AM EDT reply actions

Jets fan here

I voted low risk, high reward. Personally I don’t think he is the player he was but it all depends on how BB uses him. I highly doubt BB will keep him beyond 2012 considering the salary implications of that. I will admit him and Wilfork lining up together is a beefy line.

by OldJetsFanatic on Jul 28, 2011 10:04 AM EDT reply actions

Jeez....

Think of a DL of Wilfork, Ty Warren, and Haynesworth

by Badcompany9 on Jul 28, 2011 11:19 AM EDT reply actions

Lot of similarites with Moss

Guy is a superstar, finds his way to a bad situation, shuts it down, Pats swoop in with a late round pick as a salvage project. I’m not saying we’ll get 23 TDs (or 23 sacks) but there’s potential for huge payoff here.

by 108 on Jul 28, 2011 1:46 PM EDT reply actions