Chad Ochocinco, Albert Haynesworth May Be Cut by Patriots Before Season: Report

Chad Ochocino isn't going to be the next Randy Moss in New England. In fact, he may not even get a shot.

The Patriots acquired the controversial wide receiver from the Cincinnati Bengals at little risk, and there is nothing guaranteeing him a lengthy stay in Foxborough.

Albert Haynesworth was also acquired via trade, also at little risky, and his place in New England isn't guaranteed either.

The terms of both players' contracts were relayed in detail by ESPN and look like this:

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In addition to his (Ochocinco) $1 million salary for 2011, he also earned a $4.5 million signing bonus, meaning his total pay this year is approximately $5.5 million.

Haynesworth is scheduled to earn $1.5 million in 2011 (not including incentives), and the team is not on the hook for any bonus payments this year, according to the restructured contract filed with the league.

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The financial situation isn't the only thing linking both players to an early exit from New England though, and a new report has surfaced sighting new reasons for their possible release.

according to National Football Post's Dan Pompei:

"Chad Ochocinco and Albert Haynesworth might not be long for New England," Dan Pompei of the National Football Post writes. "One day before this story came out by my guy Mike Reiss, one NFL executive familiar with the Patriots ways told me he believes one or both of the big name acquisitions will be cut before the season starts."

Pompei said, "The front office man thinks coach Bill Belichick will use the controversial players to help control and send a message to his locker room."

First and foremost we have to understand that both players have given enough cause to allow these rumors to breathe.

Second, of the two players Haynesworth is the more likely candidate to be cut from the team. The 30-year-old defensive lineman has plenty of baggage, he's reported to camp out of shape before and he's shown a dislike for the 3-4 defense in years past.

We've heard talk of the Patriots considering a four-man defensive front this season with Haynesworth in the mix, but that is just talk.

As for Ochocinco, he'd be a more costly cut but that has never stopped Bill Belichick before. The wide receiver certainly isn't the player he once was, but the 33-year-old still has the talent to get up and make plays in the NFL.

He's apparently checked his attitude at the door since arriving in New England, but the remaining preseason games and practices could bring out the other side of Ochocinco that we've seen before.

I can't speak to Haynesworth because he's one of those players that needs to be seen in practice before giving him a chance, but Ochocinco is a game-time player that could explode at any given time.

There is no telling how good the flamboyant wide receiver could be with Tom Brady controlling his offense, but New England owes it to themselves to find out.

Last year's playoff loss to the Jets highlighted their biggest need, a field-stretching wide receiver, and Ochocinco can be just that.

Haynesworth is a luxury at this point, and if Belichick decides he's worth the risk then it won't cost this team much. But if Belichick decides Haynesworth isn't worth the risk, it won't cost this team much either.

The New England Patriots are one of the few teams that can handle these types of situations, and whatever decision they make will be for the better of the team.

- Wes O'Donnell