Free Agency continued to boom today as many transactions went this way and that. Two moves in particular that caught the attention of the whole NFL were by the New England Patriots. The only two moves the Patriots have made are BIG moves.

 

Albert Haynesworth

This morning I woke to the sounds of John Dennis and Gerry Callahan on Boston Sports Radio WEEI reporting that the Patriots were in the process of acquiring Albert Haynesworth. I had more things moving through my mind at six this morning than I think my brain is meant to handle.

We all know during Haynesworth's tenure with the Redskins, he was absent. He was out of shape and doing the physical fitness test with sweat pouring down his head and a cute little hat on that kept falling off. I was disgusted with his behavior, considering the money he was being dealt.

Haynesworth was acquired by the Patriots for a 2013 fifth-round pick as well as some cash. Despite his behavior in the capitol, I love this deal.

If Haynesworth doesn't work out, what do the Patriots lose? A fifth-round pick. Not a huge setback, it's worth the risk. If he isn't a stellar player, he's still going to take up a lot of space as well as a lineman or two and give linebackers more space than they had before.

I know that Haynesworth is not a fan of the 3-4 defense, which is what the Patriots run. But if the Patriots throw him in at D-end with Vince Wilfork (the best nose tackle in the NFL) in the middle, then Ty Warren on the other end, you got some big bodies on that line.

If Haynesworth does get motivated and wants to play, then he will be a real force up front. This will cause some big problems for offensive lines around the league. Haynesworth does have the potential to be great.

The question is: will he commit to it?

 

Chad Ochocinco

Tonight as I was sitting down to dinner, I got a text message saying the Patriots traded with Cincinnati for Chad Ochocinco. Ochocinco will be on a three-year deal and was dealt in exchange for a couple low draft picks, reports say.

Bill Belichick has a lot of respect for Chad Ochocinco, as does Ocho for Belichick.

This is the way it is: Chad Johnson and Chad Ochocinco are two different people. Ochocinco is a celebrity who loves to tweet. Johnson is great football player. Right now he is still Ochocinco, but will soon be Chad Johnson once again.

He still has talent. What he must understand is that this is his time to shine. This is what he has been waiting for for 11 seasons. He has an opportunity to win a Super Bowl.

He will be catching footballs delivered by arguably the best player of all time, Tom Brady. He will be coached by one of the greatest coaches of all time, Bill Belichick.

This is Chad Johnson's time to put away the twitter and VH1 spots and focus on football.

Chad tweeted today that "God is so good." He is ready to win.

 

Roundup

These are two guys who I never really liked...unless they were to play for the Patriots and contribute.

I am the kind of fan that no matter who you are, if you do good for the team, then I am a fan of you. (I am a Michael Vick fan. Despite his bad dog history, he was my highest point scorer in fantasy, so I like him a lot.)

Haynesworth and Chad [Ochocinco] are both "troubled boys" who have talent. This is where Bill Belichick thrives.

Corey Dillon? Super Bowl XXXIX victory with the Patriots.

Randy Moss? Seven NFL records set in 2007 with the Patriots.

Haynesworth is going to be the most difficult of the bad boys to discipline. Chad won't be difficult at all, considering the respect he already has for Belichick. You just know that this is going to work out.

And it is not just the coach that is going to get these guys in line. You have fantastic team leaders on both sides of the ball: Tom Brady and Vince Wilfork.

Brady and Chad should connect quickly. The difficult part, as said before, will be Haynesworth.

Vince Wilfork will need to take this guy and tell him straight the way it is going to be. Maybe throw him in a headlock if he needs it.

Everyone on this team who was there last year knows what the program is and, as a team, should help guide these two athletes to the "Patriot way." Wes Welker knows the program; Jerod Mayo knows the program and so on.  

Albert Haynesworth and Chad Ochocinco: Welcome to New England. In New England, there is no screwing around. Even the slightest slip up will be a one way ticket for your ass to the bench (see Wes Welker with foot comment last season).

If you want to win, you have to play like you want it and that is your only focus. That is just the way it is on a Belichick football team. Here with the Patriots, you are now in the business of winning. Celebrity and selfishness are not acceptable.

If Haynesworth doesn't come ready to play, he will be cut. Plain and simple. He needs to know this.

These are two guys who have been on bad teams (Cincinnati Bengals and Washington Redskins) where their priorities went away from winning and into their own personal lives away from football. Now they are with a team where winning is not asked for; it is expected.

If they are motivated, they can make a huge impact on this team. They will be motivated and will win.