Revisting "Taking a Pass on Haynesworth"

I took a while to think about it. After careful internal debate, I reached the conclusion that I did not want DT Albert Haynesworth on the team:

“…the day Haynesworth is no longer on the Patriots can’t come soon enough for me.”

That was posted on August 2nd, about a week after head coach Bill Belichick acquired Haynesworth from the Washington Redskins for a meager 2013 5th round pick. Four months later, my wish came true as Haynesworth was cut a day after another impact-less game.

Actually, Haynesworth had an impact, a negative one. In the third quarter, Haynesworth offered zero resistance on a RB Brandon Jacobs 10-yard touchdown run. This wasn’t what Belichick brought Haynesworth to New England to do.

Truth be told, the main reason I refused to accept Haynesworth was because of his lengthy rap sheet from numerous run-ins with the law. But Haynesworth the player was a factor as well:

“I wasn’t a fan of the trade when I learned of it last Thursday because he slouched for two years in Washington after banking $41 million from the Redskins. The second year as Haynesworth warred with ‘Skins head coach Mike Shanahan really turned me off.

“A player that became so hated that his teammates wouldn’t support him isn’t a player I want polluting the noble Patriots locker room.”

Viewing the whole picture, I felt acquiring Haynesworth was a bad move.

But Haynesworth made the roster out of training camp. He even opened some eyes during the preseason, teasing Patriots fans with what he could do. Haynesworth was winning over the fans.

Not me. I realized as long as he was on the team, I would support him, but it was tepid, at best. I banked on a sudden exit by Haynesworth after he crossed Belichick:

“If I’m lucky, Haynesworth does something stupid and Belichick drops the ax on Albert.”

Enough was enough on Sunday. Belichick never calls out his players through the press, even when all clues suggest Belichick won’t take anymore from a player. Belichick simply calls it, “Do your job.” If a player isn’t doing his job, Belichick won’t keep him around.

Following the Jacobs touchdown run, Haynesworth returned to the sideline to talk with Belichick. Defensive line coach Pepper Johnson confronted Haynesworth and a shouting match ensued. Haynesworth did not play another snap the rest of the afternoon.

The Haynesworth-Johnson argument isn’t why Belichick dropped Haynesworth. It’s the lack of production all season (three tackles in six games) that prompted Belichick to move on without Haynesworth.

The decision became easy with DTs Brandon Deaderick and Ron Brace coming off the physically unable to perform list. It’s a two-for-one exchange that bolsters the depth of the D-line rotation. Belichick doesn’t need Haynesworth-less anymore.

“…I don’t even have the patience to wait for Haynesworth to slip up to show him the door. Zero tolerance? Hell no! I’m talkin’ minus 17 tolerance. Look at Belichick the wrong way? Cut him. Sigh for being told to take another rep? Cut him. Doesn’t wash his hands after going to the bathroom? Cut him.”

Belichick was way more patient that I was in regards to Haynesworth. It took nine weeks into the season, but Belichick finally did what I wanted. Good riddance, Fat Albert.