NFL: Why Albert Haynesworth Will Be the Defensive Randy Moss for the Patriots

When Randy Moss was dealt to New England for a 4th round Pick back in 2007, it seemed like the Patriots were acquiring a worthless, non-competitive receiver. 

Moss only caught 11 touchdowns in 29 games, and he consistently feuded with Oakland management. He quit on routes and teammates in the same sense, and it looked as if his career was on the brink of extinction. 

With the rest of league unwilling to take a chance on Moss, Bill Belichick wound up striking more gold then the 49ers in the California Gold Rush. 

Moss went on to set the NFL single-season record 23 touchdown receptions for the 18-1 New England Patriots, and had three consecutive 1,000 yard seasons. 

Now that we have a Randy Moss background, lets bring in "Fat Albert."

Haynesworth was one of the most sought after free agents in recent memory after he recorded his second all-pro season in a row. Haynesworth commanded a massive seven-year, $100 million deal...and then sat out team workouts the following season after he acknowledged he would not play in Washington's 3-4 front. 

On Wednesday, the Patriots traded a 2013 5th round pick for the former all-pro, making it look like Randy Moss all over again. 

The only catch is that New England runs a 3-4 scheme, so it will be interesting to see how Bill Belichick incorporates him. The thought of of having Haynesworth and Vince Wilfork clogging up the middle is scary for any running game—and that's exactly what Belichick has in mind. 

Redskins defensive coordinator Jim Haslett described Haynesworth as such in a recent radio interview with ESPN 101 in St. Louis:

“He can do almost anything he wants,” Haslett said. “He doesn’t want to do anything. To me that’s the issue. He’s one of those guys you walk into 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…it’s an everyday thing.”

This is an issue I don't see brewing with the Patriots. If it should happen, expect to see Albert out of New England quickly. 

Although his time in Washington will go down as an all-time free-agent disaster, in New England Haynesworth will immediately know he is getting a clean slate. He will have the respect of all his coaches and teammates until he proves otherwise. 

Look for Albert to contribute at a high level for the Patriots in 2011.