Ocho Cinco, Haynesworth Create Buzz

Similar to draft day deals for former maligned stars Corey Dillon and Randy Moss, the New England Patriots on Thursday gave an already deep roster even more depth to play with. In two separate blockbuster deals, the Patriots acquired Albert Haynesworth from the Washington Redskins and Chad Ocho Cinco from the Cincinnati Bengals, two stars with limitless ability on the field, as well as a whole excess of baggage to derail a team. For any other team, deals for Haynesworth and Ocho Cinco would present a calculated risk. For the Patriots, however, the deals for the two castoffs is simply business as usual.


The motto, "buy low, sell high", has done wonders for the New England Patriots. Players have seen their careers revived and rewritten, from Bryan Cox, Rodney Harrison, and Mike Vrabel, to the aforementioned Dillon and Moss. Wes Welker was tossed aside by the Miami Dolphins, and even Tom Brady was picked at the bottom of the pile as a skinny sixth round pick from Michigan.

Bringing in Haynesworth and Ocho Cinco obviously has the chance to turn sour. After receiving the then largest contract ever, Haynesworth struggled in his first season in Washington. After tough skinned head coach Mike Shanahan took over in 2010, his decision to move Haynesworth to nose tackle didn't sit well with the former Tennessee Vol. Haynesworth's legal troubles also piled up, and by the end of last season, it was clear he was going to be moved.

In what was supposed to take the NFL by storm last season, Ocho Cinco and Terrell Owens' partnership never materialized to any sort of success. Along with the fact that Carson Palmer lost a considerable amount of skill, and the defense lacked any sort of pass rush, the Bengals struggled to the tune of 4-12. It wasn't Ocho Cinco's finest season to say the least. His numbers have declined slowly the past three seasons, and he has consistently been outlandish in a league full of outlandish players.

Both players were traded for late round picks, so the upside is enormous. It also helps to have the league's most heralded head coach in Bill Belichick, someone who turned out record producing years for Dillon and Moss, and even turned Troy Brown into a successful defensive back after injuries in the secondary mounted up. He also cut ties with Moss after four sub par games and a host of diva-ish behavior. Ocho Cinco has certainly had his fair share of whacky behavior since his introduction to the league a decade ago, but it's no secret that him and Belichick share a mutual respect. Belichick and Ocho Cinco bonded at the Pro Bowl a few seasons ago, and Belichick has always admired his passion for the game. In return, Ocho Cinco has always looked up to Belichick as if he were his own head coach.

Now, both players have a chance to revive their careers in the best possible situation. Haynesworth has the opportunity to play defensive end in a 3-4 alignment next to all-pro Vince Wilfork, and perhaps assume the role that Richard Seymour left in 2009. Ocho Cinco is given new life with all-time great Tom Brady as his quarterback. The Patriots lacked a vertical threat by season's end, given the departure of Moss earlier in the season, and Ocho Cinco still has the skills to excel down the field, as well as over the middle.

We shall see what happens this season in Foxborough. Whether you like them or hate them, you have to admit the Patriots sure know how to make a trade.