Defensive tackle and former Pro-Bowler, Albert Haynesworth, has been traded to Bill Belichick's Patriots from the Washington Redskins. This is the first big move the Patriots have made in this year's chaotic free agency period, and it's a decision that will garner heated debate about just how skilled Belichick is at turning troubled players around.
Haynesworth is very high on the long list of misbehaving NFL egos. He has been a hinderance in Washington during his recent time with the Redskins, skipping workouts and generally disobeying head coach Mike Shanahan. Haynesworth's problems go back further than his time with the Skins. In 2006, while a member of the Tennessee Titans, Haynesworth was suspended five games for stomping on Andre Gurode's head with his cleats. Gurode needed thirty stitches to repair the damage, but the damage to Haynesworth's career was even more life-threatening.
Since that incident, Haynesworth has had a permanent label as a bad guy in the NFL. But he's remarkably talented. At 6-foot-6, 320-pounds, Haynesworth is a force on the defensive line. The Patriots were looking to add pass rush to their soft defensive pressure and this will surely help. The duo of Wilfork and Haynesworth on the DL will put opponent QBs into a frantic state as they approach the line.
I think the Patriots have made a good move here. Belichick brought a lot of talent to the team by making this trade, just like he did when he traded for Randy Moss. Moss' maturity issues worked out (well, for a while anyways) and I think Belichick can work the same magic for Haynesworth. Players like Haynesworth like to play on good teams. They like to win. Well, Big Al, you've found the right team. Welcome to New England.
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