The Patriots [team stats] are close to acquiring talented and troubled defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, a former Pro Bowler who could go a long way to solving their pass rushing problems.
ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter reported that the 6-foot-6, 335-pounder will come to Foxboro for a fifth-round pick in 2013.
When asked about Haynesworth at a press conference this morning, Patriots coach Bill Belichick said, “As usual, there have been a number of personnel transactions in the middle of free agency, and we’ve been in involved in some of those, as well. I talked to (Redskins coach) Mike Shanahan and we’re in the acquiring process of Haynesworth, but that’s not complete yet. So, I can’t really comment on that until it’s completed, if it does get completed. We’ll see how all that works.”
Belichick declined to answer subsequent questions about Haynesworth, although he did say that you can never have too much help rushing the passer and never too much in pass coverage. “Get those two things working together,” he said.
Haynesworth, who had 51 tackles and 8.5 sacks in 2008 will likely fit in as a third-down inside rusher when he arrives, with the possibility that his role expands.
He joins a 3-4 defense like the kind he bristled playing with when a member of the Redskins. He balked at playing nose guard in Washington, but this is a far different situation, as the Patriots have Vince Wilfork [stats] to play the nose. Also, the Pats often play different variations up front and Haynesworth should have the chance to do what he does best — rush the passer.
One of the game’s most disruptive forces, he can be a game-changer when he wants to be. The key is when he wants him to be.
Jim Haslett, his former defensive coordinator in Washington, told a DC radio show, “He can do almost anything he wants. He doesn’t want to do anything. To me that’s the issue. He’s one of those guys you walk in a meeting and you tell him, ‘Put down the phone.’ The next day you have to tell him to put down the phone. The next day, you tell him to put down the phone.
“You tell him, ‘Don’t read the newspaper in meetings.’ The next day you have to tell him the same thing. It doesn’t stick; it’s an everyday thing.”
Belichick has had experience dealing with so-called troubled players. He acquired both Corey Dillon [stats] and Randy Moss and was able to get very good seasons out of both. When someone asked about the locker room withstanding a player with Haynesworth’s character, he skirted the issue.
“I have no idea,” Belichick said. “We haven’t even stepped on the field yet. It’s a new team, a new year, a totally blank slate.”
Haynesworth had just 16 tackles in eight games last year, and was forced to sit out the end of the season because of a long-standing dispute with coach Mike Shanahan.
Haynesworth is scheduled to make $5.4 million this season and $7.2 million next year — if he doesn’t restructure.
ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter reported that the 6-foot-6, 335-pounder will come to Foxboro for a fifth-round pick in 2013.
When asked about Haynesworth at a press conference this morning, Patriots coach Bill Belichick said, “As usual, there have been a number of personnel transactions in the middle of free agency, and we’ve been in involved in some of those, as well. I talked to (Redskins coach) Mike Shanahan and we’re in the acquiring process of Haynesworth, but that’s not complete yet. So, I can’t really comment on that until it’s completed, if it does get completed. We’ll see how all that works.”
Belichick declined to answer subsequent questions about Haynesworth, although he did say that you can never have too much help rushing the passer and never too much in pass coverage. “Get those two things working together,” he said.
Haynesworth, who had 51 tackles and 8.5 sacks in 2008 will likely fit in as a third-down inside rusher when he arrives, with the possibility that his role expands.
He joins a 3-4 defense like the kind he bristled playing with when a member of the Redskins. He balked at playing nose guard in Washington, but this is a far different situation, as the Patriots have Vince Wilfork [stats] to play the nose. Also, the Pats often play different variations up front and Haynesworth should have the chance to do what he does best — rush the passer.
One of the game’s most disruptive forces, he can be a game-changer when he wants to be. The key is when he wants him to be.
“You tell him, ‘Don’t read the newspaper in meetings.’ The next day you have to tell him the same thing. It doesn’t stick; it’s an everyday thing.”
Belichick has had experience dealing with so-called troubled players. He acquired both Corey Dillon [stats] and Randy Moss and was able to get very good seasons out of both. When someone asked about the locker room withstanding a player with Haynesworth’s character, he skirted the issue.
“I have no idea,” Belichick said. “We haven’t even stepped on the field yet. It’s a new team, a new year, a totally blank slate.”
Haynesworth had just 16 tackles in eight games last year, and was forced to sit out the end of the season because of a long-standing dispute with coach Mike Shanahan.
Haynesworth is scheduled to make $5.4 million this season and $7.2 million next year — if he doesn’t restructure.
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