(more…)

Albert Haynesworth would be worth a shot in Tampa.

Today the New England Patriots let go of Albert Haynesworth. This can be taken either as a surprise or a shock depending on how jaded you are. Haynesworth at his best is the premiere 4-3 DT in the NFL, at his worst he’s a locker-room cancer.

The Bucs have already re-signed John McCargo today, but I think they need to take a long, serious look at Albert Haynesworth. I don’t want to hear about his baggage or his past issues, Haynesworth is on his last NFL legs, he is out of chances, he comes with virtually no risk, and if Raheem Morris can convince him to return to being the guy he was with the Titans he can completely change the personality of the Buccaneers defense in a meaningful way.

Think about it, what does Tampa have to lose? They have millions tied up in two oft-injured young defensive tackles with no proven track record. Haynesworth is a player that will come on the cheap and has a proven track record. If he can be motivated, he can be utilized to his potential. He can change the course of the Bucs season.

It may sound crazy but a coach like Raheem Morris has had success in appealing to a player on this level before. Kellen Winslow came to Tampa with baggage, he used to be a “mother#$%@ing soldier”, now he’s the consummate professional. Morris has an ability to ingrain an underdog, us-vesus-the-world mentality in anyone, and he’s willing to work with players with checkered pasts. If Aqib Talib and Tanard Jackson have futures in Tampa, why not give Albert Haynesworth a shot?

He’ll come cheap, as soon as he’s an issue you cut him without a cap-hit and if he pans out you’ve engendered good will from one the best defensive tackles in football. The Bucs need to roll the dice here. At 4-4 halfway through the season, why not take a shot?

“It’s a contract that we feel comfortable with as an organization. He’s a 25 that’s a rare commodity to acquire someone that talented via trade. You want to lock him up for a long period of time,” said Buccaneer GM Mark Dominik.

“We feel very comfortable with him in the short amount of time he’s been here. We feel comfortable with him being a leader. He is already getting involved in the community and planning to bring his camp down here and his wife is starting to get involved, too.”

While I think the signing was a little premature, being as though he hasn’t done a lick on the field for the Bucs, I’m sure they wanted a placated Kellen Winslow going into the season.  This is not one of those players that you want disgruntled on your team.  I do have some issue with the fact that we have handed out 32 million in gauranteees to Kellen Winslow and Michael Clayton, who combined for less catches last year than Antonio Bryant.  I see the upside in both guys, believe me, but just seems a bit excessive when we claimed that Albert Haynesworth was out of our price range.  

Regardless of my issues with the timing of the signing, Winslow is a very dangerous weapon for the Bucs and from the words emanating from Jeff Jagodzinski’s mouth, we plan to use him a lot.