There is absolutely nothing that Bill Belichick and the Patriots could do that would surprise me. Nothing.

It wasn't always this way. I remember being shocked when they cut Lawyer Milloy, baffled when they traded Richard Seymour, and bewildered when they went for the infamous 4th & 2 against the Colts. After that, my tolerance for Belichick's power moves grew to the point that last year's Randy Moss trade wasn't all that surprising.

I've learned not to question the man who has clearly established himself as the best football coach of the modern era. He could sign Pacman Jones, convert Tom Brady to middle linebacker and trade Jerod Mayo for Amy Winehouse, and I would trust that it was all in the best interest of the organization.

That's why I didn't even bat an eyelash when I head that New England was on the verge of signing the Albert Haynesworth or when it was reported that Chad Ochocinco would be joining him. This is what they do, they rehabilitate. They take talented players who have worn out their welcomes with a particular organization and they give them a home, albeit at a reduced price with almost zero risk.

Is Albert Haynesworth, by all accounts, a terrible person? Yes. Did he do just about everything in his power to destroy the Washington Reskins from within? Yes. Did I write this about him last year as part of my 10 Suckiest Athletes Alive column?:

Yes. But you know why this isn't a bad signing? Partly because when Prince Albert actually tries he is one of the league's most dominant interior linemen in football. The Tennessee Titans were second in the league in points allowed (14.6 per game) with Haynesworth in 2008. They were 28th in 2009 once he departed to Washington (25.1/game). Mostly this isn't a bad signing because they got him for a fifth-round pick and won't owe him any guaranteed money.

That's what separates Belichick from the Daniel Snyder's of the world: He doesn't give #$%^&s $100 million contracts ... he gives them second chances.

That said, I'm not going to call Ochocinco an #$%^& or put him in the same category as Haynesworth. While he has always been colorful and boisterous, he seems to really want to win. He has a great relationship with Belichick and I'm really looking forward to seeing how he fits in with Brady and Welker in an offense that just became even more fun to play with in Madden.

(By the way, how much is the artist formerly known as Chad Johnson going to have to pay Aaron Hernandez for his No. 85? If I'm Hernandez, I hold out until the price gets up to six figures. Forget the legal fees for changing his name again, the cost of re-branding himself as Chad Ocho-seis has to be enough to justify cutting El Duque a sizable check.)

The point of this blog is that signing these guys doesn't mean that the Patriots are no longer a classy organization. They signed these guys because they are so stable that they can absorb the risk. Call it a rehab center with a one-strike policy. It if works out, then these veterans will know what it's like to be a Super Bowl champion, and if it doesn't and they relapse ... well there's always the Oakland Raiders.

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-- MIKE STIRITI
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The acquisition of Albert Haynesworth will be a boost to the Patriots’ defensive front, a need most believed they should address in this year’s draft. But New England's draft went an entirely different direction and this trade seems to deal with 2010’s defensive woes.

Hayneworth's presence will put another talented, big body on the line. But his attitude will most certainly be concern. The 6-foot-6, 335-pound defensive tackle was often a nuisance to Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan. Haynesworth refused to get in shape and ignored the coach when he ordered several fitness tests.

New England may be a different story. Bill Belichick has a history of doing well with head cases. Most are comparing the trade to New England’s acquisitions of Corey Dillon and Randy Moss.

But Haynesworth could end differently. Considering how highly Belichick values draft picks, it is safe to assume that Hayneworth will not be cut at the end of training camp. With that in mind, and eight other defensive linemen currently on the roster, Haynesworth's presence could mean someone else's departure. It also means the Patriots will be carrying the burden of Haynesworth’s $5 million salary.

Hayneworth certainly deserves a second chance, especially under the tutelage of Belichick and his history of turning head cases into hard workers. But if Haynesworth cannot be reined in, it will cost the Patriots a pretty penny and will likely mean cutting a more focused athlete.

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-- DOUG SAFFIR
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Eleven-year-old Jace Emma of Canton, Mass., got a unique opportunity Saturday when he got to announce the New England Patriots' fifth-round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft.

Starting last year, the NFL has been creatively doing things to make the draft a more exciting and entertaining experience. This year many teams have had fans announce a pick. Emma got this chance when his grandfather Charles Lynch won the honor at Gillette Stadium last season.

Pictured here is Emma with the selection card and showing that "he" picked the Patriots tackle Marcus Cannon from Texas Christian. Emma also was treated to a special breakfast with Commissioner Roger Goodell where he asked a question. Emma said he loved the experience but admitted to being nervous.

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-- MATTHEW WEISS
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Day two of the draft figured to address all of the Patriots' needs. Well, think again. As is often the case with Bill Belichick, fans seem to be looking at an entirely different game plan than the 11-year head coach.

After drafting Nate Solder on day one and trading away the 28th overall pick, the Patriots were projected to address their needs in the front seven on day two. Instead, the Belichick Brain Trust drafted with less significant concerns in mind.

With the first pick in round two, they selected cornerback Ras-I Dowling out of Virginia. The 6-foot-1, 198-pound defender could team up well with Devin McCourty to shut down opponents' pass attack. Dowling carries the weight of injury concerns, including a pulled hamstring during his 40 run at the combine. Despite the injury, he still managed to record a 4.40 second time. That type of athleticism, in addition to his size, could prove valuable in future years as an outside cover corner.

Despite the Patriots' lack of success in drafting running backs, New England used the 56th overall pick to draft Cal running back Shane Vereen. While this still leaves a need open at pass rush, Vereen fits in with New England's offense very well. He is a smart running back with good hands who, thanks to Cal's pro-style offense, has more experience than most backs when it comes to pass blocking. This is not how most people expected day two to start, but Vereen could be a valuable asset in the backfield.

New England traded the 60th overall pick for third and fifth round selections from the Texans, before flipping a different third-rounder and a fourth-rounder for the Raiders' 2012 second-round pick. The initial trade looked to be a poor value before the Oakland deal came through. It seems Belichick, always eager to stockpile picks, is already preparing for 2012.

With their first third-round selection, New England took another running back in LSU's Stevan Ridley. At 5-foot-11 and 225-pound, Ridley is a powerful runner that would complement the likes of a Shane Vereen or a Danny Woodhead.

The pick of the day came at 74th overall, when the Patriots took Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett. His selection is a strange one, as he has faced character questions, and joins a roster where Tom Brady is king and Brian Hoyer is more than capable as a backup. The question of who will be groomed as Brady's replacement has lingered on many minds this offseason, and Mallett just may be what Belichick had in mind.

Those of us who enjoy Humble Pie are chowing down a little less eagerly today. There is almost always faith in Belichick to make the smart selections, but it was clear that the front seven is a need for New England, and so far they have done nothing to address it. Whether Belichick believes there is more depth to choose from or that Myron Pryor and Brandon Deadrick will develop into starters remains to be seen. But one thing is for certain: last year’s defense did not pressure the quarterback enough, and that very serious question requires an answer in 2011.

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-- DOUG SAFFIR
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The Patriots were undoubtedly going to go with a big man in the first round. Most fans and experts predicted that big man would be an athletic pass rusher. Most of them were wrong.

Before trading away the 28th pick overall, New England used the 17th pick to draft Colorado tackle Nate Solder. The 6-foot-8, 319-pound monster is a converted tight end with good athleticism for his size. He will likely need some coaching to reach his full potential since he has only played tackle for three years. But even through inexperience, he made a serious impact at Colorado, allowing just five sacks in 1,400 pass plays. Also notable is his durability, as he missed only two plays in his final three years with the Buffaloes.

Solder's selection begins New England's efforts to solidify its offensive line. Left tackle Matt Light is a free agent, guard Stephen Neal is retired, guard Logan Mankins wants more money and center Dan Koppen is entering the final year of his contract. This group has been exceptional in keeping Tom Brady safe, but the Patriots need to build for the future is imminent.

New England's first-round pick may be seen as a disappointment. Most fans were hoping for a jolt to the defensive pass rush. But Solder fills a position of need and will likely become a key in protecting Brady for the rest of his career. And, really, who can be unhappy about that?

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-- DOUG SAFFIR
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