Patriots' Trade for Albert Haynesworth is Your Classic Belichick Move

by Greg Knopping on Jul 28, 2011 9:22 AM EDT in Opinion/Analysis

You know you've heard this story before.

Disgruntled NFL superstar and locker room "problem" who has been under-performing comes to the Patriots and turns his career back around with a new chip on their shoulder while surrounded by a solid locker room, with a demanding head coach. Yes, those were the tales of Randy Moss and Corey Dillon with the Patriots.

And while the Patriots' early-morning trade for disgruntled defensive lineman Albert Haynesworth certainly doesn't guarantee Haynesworth will get his act together like Dillon and Moss did - I can tell you one thing: this is Haynesworth's last chance. Haynesworth is a player that has generally succeeded in contract years, when things actually mattered for his career. However, if Haynesworth doesn't give it his all in a Patriots uniform, he will likely never get another contract again. If he doesn't play like he has a chip on his shoulder now, then he never will.

That's exactly what has me excited about this deal and why I think it was yet another shrewd move by Patriots head coach Bill Belichick. The compensation, a 2013 fifth round pick, is virtually nothing.

And Haynesworth's contract, at this point, is very manageable. According to the sports contract website Spotrac.com, Haynesworth is due base salaries of $5.4 million in 2011 and $6.7 million in 2012. In 2013, Haynesworth is due a $20.5 million bonus, so you can be 100% sure the Patriots won't retain him past 2012. So essentially, the Patriots have Haynesworth on a two year, $12 million deal.

In summary, if he gets his act together, the Patriots have one of the very best defensive players in the NFL blowing up plays along the defensive line. If he doesn't, and he plays like this, then the Patriots simply move on without much damage done.

More on Haynesworth and what role he could play after the jump!

So what are the Patriots getting with a potentially motivated Haynesworth? Well, at 6'6" and 335 lbs, he is a potential wrecking ball on the defensive line who can blow up any play in the backfield.

For the Patriots, I could see him playing in a couple of different roles. For one, I see him starting out as a defensive tackle in four man fronts for the team. Don't forget that the Patriots play in sub-packages more than half the time, so I think Haynesworth would be happy in this role. If things go well, I could also see him evolving into a right defensive end. When he's actually trying, Haynesworth has better than advertised athleticism, and he can make a huge impact in closing the pocket and improving the pass rush.

And imagine this: In goal line situations, the Patriots could feature a front of Vince Wilfork, Ty Warren, Ron Brace, and Albert Haynesworth. The Patriots could also work in some 4-3 packages with a potential front seven of Jermaine Cunningham, Haynesworth, Wilfork, Eric Moore on the defensive line, with a linebacking corps of Jerod Mayo, Brandon Spikes, and Gary Guyton.

The point is, if Haynesworth gets his act together, the Patriots will be getting a dynamic player who could bring a lot of versatility to the Patriots defense.

But with Haynesworth, there's an awful lot of "ifs." While Randy Moss and Corey Dillon had resurgent careers with the team, Haynesworth is certainly not a guarantee. For now, we can only hope that Haynesworth has that all-important chip on his shoulder, and that he actually shows up to play.

Tweet Comment 44 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

coach bb is on ESPN right now

by Oenomaus on Jul 28, 2011 9:41 AM EDT reply actions

Agree 100%; Last chance for him

IF he doesn’t get it together here then he clearly cannot be controlled by a coach, and he clearly has no desire to win football games. He’s finally on a superbowl calibre team, and since the effort he puts in could be the final piece, that’s surely the best motivation that a team can provide for him.

Just trying to keep up.

by Mellon on Jul 28, 2011 9:49 AM EDT reply actions

OMG What will we do in RD 5 of 2013

Even if he doesn’t return to star status and solve the pass rush, he can relieve Wilfolk and protect Brandon Spikes. Maybe Jared Mayo will be free to rush. Hope he is in shape; very interesting move.

by WRMaurer on Jul 28, 2011 9:54 AM EDT reply actions

I was shocked that BB made this move (Wasn't Shroud picked up to be the secondary DT?)

But at the low price that he was obtained for, I think he might be worth a gamble. I would love to see him at DE in the 3-4…that’d be one hell of a heavy line with Wilfork and Warren thrown into the mix.

How hard is it to transition from DT to DE? It seems to me that it’d be an easier position to play, but I’m no expert on that kind of stuff.

Shawn Camp earned my dog several beatings back in 2007

by wtbudlight on Aug 30, 2010 5:54 PM PDT

by IntrepidX on Jul 28, 2011 10:44 AM EDT reply actions

Not easier,

Especially DE in this defense. But some things translate over. He should be able to do it, whether he wants to is a different matter.

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

by ISN on Jul 28, 2011 10:46 AM EDT up reply actions

daddy likey

by POV on Jul 28, 2011 10:47 AM EDT reply actions

This is exciting

Like you wrote, this is the classic Bill Belichick move. As long as Haynesworth’s attitude is (put) in the right frame, the Patriots should make out in this deal.

And if he doesn’t? He cost the Pats a fifth round draft pick. That’s nothing. If he acts up tomorrow, he’ll get cut tomorrow. No problems.

I’m excited to see him, Vince Wilfork and Ty Warren together on the defensive line. That’s exciting. Wilfork is arguably the best run-stopper in football. Haynesworth, at his best, could be No. 2. And they’ll play together.

With Tully Banta-Cain out, I’d still like to see the Patriots improve the pass rush. I’m not sure if that will take an outside linebacker or a defensive end — and if the Haynesworth deal will block that — but I think it’s an important area to fix.

SB Nation's Boston Red Sox community:
OverTheMonster.com
Follow this guy on Twitter: @RCBooth

by Randy Booth on Jul 28, 2011 10:56 AM EDT reply actions

As a Redskins fan...

All I can say is… good luck taming Fat Albert. If it works, Belichick will go down as one of the great genius coaches and people managers.

If it doesn’t work, it’s not that much of a black mark on the Pats, because Fat Albert is already poison lard.

Would you guys consider taking Dan Snyder, too? We’ll throw in all of our draft picks for the next 5 years.

by Kframe on Jul 28, 2011 11:04 AM EDT reply actions

LOL

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 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions

As a DC resident Patriots fan

we’ll take your draft picks – as long as we can waive Snyder once we acquire him. Maybe shipping him to Philly for MORE draft picks!

by CelticPride on Jul 28, 2011 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions

No, to Oakland

They’d give up a first-round pick, and then Al Davis and Dan Snyder will figure out brilliant ways for that pick to be #1 overall. Woo!

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

by Comedic.Sans on Jul 29, 2011 3:10 AM EDT up reply actions

Ok, I just walked in on this and my first reactions beyond, "WTF!", was it had to be some kind of joke.

Thinking about it, it could make some sense. Fat Albert isn’t being asked to be a 3-4 NT, which he doesn’t want to do. We’ve got that covered by one of the best in the business. In fact, he may never be asked to play 2 gap at all. We’ve got those guys in spades.

The one thing that Albert likes to do is rush the passer from the inside: pick a gap and go. He was very good at it.

A couple things we can do here. We can switch to 4-3 on passing downs with probably Mike Wright (he’s a decent interior rusher) and Albert as the tackles. We’ve any number of guys that can man DE spots and have in college.

We can stick with 3-4 and let Albert free-lance from his spot on the line (moving him around like they did Vince). Knowing we have Spikes and Mayo to back up any gaps he’s leaving.

We can stick to 3-4 and let Albert play linebacker and blitz (gives him a second to pick a gap on the way in). If that happens to be a hole that a running back was coming through, Lord help the running back.

As a situational guy, I can see how this might make sense.

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 11:19 AM EDT reply actions

wait wait... Albert a LB?

i was thinking albert would be fine at RE…

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 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions

He just walks around pre snap.

Maybe there’s no-one with a hand in the dirt, maybe he’s the only DL out there and the rest are LBs… Harkens back to the days of yore.

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

by ISN on Jul 28, 2011 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions

oh i know what you mean... i think that would be fine in sub packages

but if in the 3-4 formation, i think teams would stack up receivers to the side where albert is. lol

by Jack'sAxe on Jul 28, 2011 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions

He wouldn't play LB in the 3-4.

At all.

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

by ISN on Jul 28, 2011 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions

mhm

by Jack'sAxe on Jul 28, 2011 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions

This could be awesome

This is like Moss all over again. Low investment for great ‘uncoachable’ talent.

When Albert tries he’s a juggernaut.

He was truly a douche in DC, but so was Randy in Oakland. Perhaps the closer scent of a super bowl ring will be the difference.

"These players, a lot of other people didn't believe in them, but they believe in themselves. And that is all that matters."- Bill Belichick

by Mainiac on Jul 28, 2011 11:24 AM EDT reply actions

We need to stop saying 4-3

That implies there’s 3 linebackers on the field, something we almost never do with 4 down linemen.

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

by ISN on Jul 28, 2011 11:38 AM EDT reply actions

True

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 1:37 PM EDT up reply actions

It’s theNickel or Dime Sub package I believe where they go with the 4 linemen.

by cmdpsu15 on Jul 28, 2011 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions

40 front is the technical term.

At least put “front” in there, peoples!

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

by ISN on Jul 28, 2011 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions

40 front, 4 man front, 4 man line.

I think even with 4-3, even when technically incorrect, everyone will know what you’re referring to.

But it is totally correct that normally when we have 4 defensive lineman on the field we don’t have 3 linebackers. We’re probably in a subpackage with 1 or 2 extra defensive backs.

by UtopianAverage on Jul 28, 2011 6:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Yep.

Well, sort of. It’s genenrally the OLBs playing on the end of the line, so there’s really only two DL out there.

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

by ISN on Jul 29, 2011 3:25 AM EDT up reply actions

Haynesworthy …. Wilfork …. Ty Warren

That is one heck of a “D” line. This is exactly what BB likes to do. He brings the rush from the defensive line – meaning that these three require the full attention of five OL. This diverted attention makes guys like Cunningham and Moore that much more successful.

I am willing to bet that Cunningham, Moore, Nink, and Fletcher combine for 15+ sacks with this type of front three applying massive pressure up the middle.

by OneOpinion on Jul 28, 2011 12:00 PM EDT reply actions

I'm surprised they're not raving about this move more

If Haynesworth stays straight, this could be one of the best 3-4 DLs we’ve seen in years. being that the Pats play a lot of 4 man fronts, he and Wilfork can create a heck of an inside pass rush. I’m sure Brady remembers from the Giants game just how hard it is overcome a rush coming from the inside. The Pats would still need some pass rush threat from the OLBs, but this is a heck of a move for NE because of the cheap price.

- Attempting to debate with a person who has abandoned reason is like giving medicine to the dead.
- Defeat isn't bitter if you don't swallow it.

by Finhead83 on Jul 28, 2011 12:06 PM EDT reply actions

It's a sizeable IF.

I can’t remember who I heard this from, but one of the reputable people reporting on this actually praised (relatively) his character and stated that the issue is that his happiness comes first over the team.

Just trying to keep up.

by Mellon on Jul 28, 2011 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions

It is a a big IF

But is an extremely well played move. The Pats assume little risk with this and if Hayneworth is happy with the situation, thus attempts to actually play, the reward is huge for the Patriots.

- Attempting to debate with a person who has abandoned reason is like giving medicine to the dead.
- Defeat isn't bitter if you don't swallow it.

by Finhead83 on Jul 28, 2011 1:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh, absolutely

I think it’s a brilliant move, very exciting. I’m just intrigued as to whether it works. If it doesn’t, his career is dead probably. So hopefully that motivates him :-S

Just trying to keep up.

by Mellon on Jul 28, 2011 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm hoping he remains unmotivated. :)

- Attempting to debate with a person who has abandoned reason is like giving medicine to the dead.
- Defeat isn't bitter if you don't swallow it.

by Finhead83 on Jul 28, 2011 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Cap Room...

Doesnt this move take up a ton of cap room over a pretty big risk? is it even worth it?

by Manchize on Jul 28, 2011 12:35 PM EDT reply actions

Not really...

$5.5M this year and $6.2M next year for a potentially game-changing DT. The Pats just jettisoned Stroud to make cap space. The worst that could happen is that he ends up laying down on the job like he did in DC, and he’ll be put on a bus to Philly while the team is only out a 2013 5th-rounder.

This move is even less risky than the one that brought Moss to Foxboro, and that turned out pretty well while it lasted, wouldn’t you agree?

"You wanna know which ring is my favorite? The next one." --Tom Brady

by Treima on Jul 28, 2011 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions

I think there may have been something about him not showing up for camp last year that

effected his salary this year. Although, I’m probably mistaken.

Twitter: @BoldandBrash

by BoldandBrash on Jul 28, 2011 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions

No

It was that the bulk of his salary and bonus money was paid last year. The next few years for him are extremely affordable, but it wasn’t because of training camp last year.

- Attempting to debate with a person who has abandoned reason is like giving medicine to the dead.
- Defeat isn't bitter if you don't swallow it.

by Finhead83 on Jul 28, 2011 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions

He does have a big option bonus due in 2013

But that’s far enough in the future that I would say “let’s not worry about that just yet.”

by ctpatsfan77 on Jul 28, 2011 2:28 PM EDT up reply actions

The $20 mil bonus almost guarantees he’ll be gone by then, but like it’s been said – $12 mil for two years of a potentially dominant DL is great.

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

by PeterMacKellar on Jul 28, 2011 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Unless he restructures.

BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

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

by ISN on Jul 28, 2011 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions

His salary is now non-guaranteed.

by cmdpsu15 on Jul 28, 2011 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions

What are the odds this guy passes his physical?

Of the Dillon/moss crowd this guy is the worst by a factor of ten. Moss and Dillon showed up for work in shape…..this guy doesn’t. If he gets it together? 14-2 again..

by tstorey1 on Jul 28, 2011 1:23 PM EDT reply actions

10% chance

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 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions

90% chance we win the other 2 games vs the Jets as well?

I’ll take it.

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

by ISN on Jul 28, 2011 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Fat Albert is going to be picking the peanuts out of Mark Sanchez’s ass this year, to steal from Any Given Sunday

by quadruple option on Jul 28, 2011 1:52 PM EDT reply actions

all upside

I am a Jets fan living in DC, so I have a both a personal interest in this and some perspective on Haynesworth. I think it’s a great deal for the Pats and will help them specifically against the Jets (among other teams). You can (and should) blame Haynesworth for being incredibly unprofessional, but he’s a beast in the 4-3 — the Redskins just never played that, for the most part, last season.

The interesting question will be whether he’ll get his act together contribute on base 3-4 downs. Even at DE last year, he seemed to hurt the Skins as much as help them, because all he wants to do is push the pocket and get to the passer, with no care about positional responsibility or gap management.

Even if he’s unreliable in the 3-4, though, he can be such a huge impact player on 4-3 downs that I think this is a great pick-up — and of course, he may mend his ways more generally given that he probably needs to stick and play well to get one more contract.