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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