New England Patriots obtain Chad Ochocinco
Chad Ochocinco may be past his prime. I like this move because he has the talent to be an effective receiver if he keeps his priorities in check. Chad Ochocinco is a deep threat target with good size.
Chad Ochocinco may be a shadow of his former self, but the Patriots gave up late round picks to take a flyer on him and obtain him. If Ochocinco pans out New England continues to contend. If Ochocinco fails he gets shipped out of Patriots training camp with one negative comment directed towards Tom Brady or Bill Belicheck.
New England is basically giving up next to nothing for Chad Ochocinco. I would have preferred a better receiving target, but was a limited supply of deep threat wide receiver options available.
Albert Haynesworth traded to New England
Albert Haynesworth weighed 350 pounds heading into the offseason. He’s dropped to 320 pounds. You already got Vince Wilfork and Ron Brace at nose tackle? Now where does Albert Haynesworth fit in?
I’m guessing he will be used as a 3-4 right end. Haynseworth was supposed to be a 3-4 nose tackle in Washington, but ended up being used as a 3-4 right end. If he can drop some weight and weigh around 300 pounds he will be a 3-4 right end that scares opposing defenses.
Lets not forget that Haynesworth was a force to be reckoned with earlier in his career. When Albert Haynesworth was with the Tennessee Titans he was a force to be reckoned with.
I would have preferred going after the signing of Cullen Jenkins, but Albert Haynesworth is your plan B if you cannot get Cullen Jenkins.
The fact that Haynesworth dropped 30 pounds this offseason is significant progress. Haynesworth may need to drop from 320 pounds to 300 pounds, but I have faith that Belicheck will condition him into shape. The fact that he is going to the New England Patriots for a 2013 5th round pick is just even scarier.
Bill Belicheck had nothing to lose and everything to gain by making this trade. Floyd Reese drafted Haynesworth when he was the Titans GM and maybe that enticed Bill Belicheck to take a flyer on Haynseworth.
Haynesworth played the 3 technique in the Tennessee Titans 4-3 defensive scheme when he was a member of the Titans. Washington tried to bulk Haynseworth up to an A gap nose tackle in Washington and the experiment failed. Haynseworth should be able to play the 5 technique in New England seeing that Haynesworth is best suited as a pass rusher in the 3 technique or the 5 technique when he is conditioned properly.
Patriots defensive line coach Pepper Johnson has to condition Albert Haynesworth properly once the New England Patriots training camp opens. Conditioning Haynseworth properly could be the difference between making the playoffs and making the Super Bowl.
At the end of the day Haynseworth has to put the work in. Haynesworth won’t succeed if he does not put the work in.
Were going to see what happens in New England. Despite the fact that I’m shocked by this move, I have to hand credit to Belicheck when credit is due. New England’s 3-4 defense looks very promising thanks to the acquisition of Albert Haynesworth.
Patriots Sign 2 2011 Draft Picks
Yesterday the New England Patriots managed to sign Lee Smith the tight end that they drafted out of Marshall and Markell Carter the pass rusher out of Central Arkansas. Both rookies will be ready for training camp.
Since New England released Tully Banta Cain got released Markell Carter has a real chance to be a starter as a rookie if he stands out in training camp.
New England Patriots Tender Logan Mankins
The New England Patriots tendered Logan Mankins for a one year deal worth 10.1 million dollars. Mankins will continue to be one of the leaders on the Patriots offensive line.
Mankins is the top left guard in the NFL because he can pass block, run block, and zone block at such an effective level. Resigning Logan Mankins makes Nate Soldier’s job at left tackle easier with a premium left guard playing next to him.
Projecting which Patriots walk on players make the Patriots roster
I will project which undrafted players that the New England Patriots signed will end up on the Patriots roster.
Corey Woods LT Akron Does not make the roster Akron Corey Woods is a walk on who could challenge Mark Levoir for a roster spot at left tackle. I like Levoir, but he hasn’t done much. I think Levoir keeps his job at the same time I am not dismissing the possibility of Corey Woods taking his roster spot if he stands out in training camp.
Kyle Hix RT Texas Makes the roster Hix is a right tackle who should be on the Patriots roster as a backup to Sebastian Vulmer at right tackle.
Mike Berry RG Auburn Makes the roster Mike Berry provides some insurance at right guard in case Marcus Cannon cannot recover in time for training camp and in case the Patriots want to part ways with Nick Kaczur.
Clay Nurse 3-4 ROLB Illinois Makes the roster Nurse should play the 3-4 right outside linebacker role. He had 8 hurries and 4 sacks as a 4-3 defensive end at Illinois.
Alex Silvestro 3-4 LOLB Rutgers Makes the roster Since New England released Tully Banta Cain its not out of the question to believe that Silvestro ends up with a roster spot. Belicheck does an amazing job finding undrafted gems year after year.
Ryan Coulson 3-4 LOLB Nevada Does not make the roster New Coulson played across Dontay Moch. I don’t see Coulson making the squad considering the fact he did not record a sack until his junior year at Nevada.
Anthony Leonard 3-4 MLB West Virginia Makes the roster Leonard will be the #4 middle linebacker on New England’s depth chart for their 3-4 defense.
Jeff Tarpinian 3-4 MLB Iowa Makes the roster Tarpinian can be a special teams linebacker for the Patriots. I say he makes the roster.
Will Yeatman TE Maryland Does not make the roster There is simply too much depth at tight end for Yeatman to crack a roster spot. He has to beat out Lee Smith and Algae Crumpler just to earn a #3 tight end spot on the Patriots roster.
