Tampa Bay Claims Albert Haynesworth
Written by Bob Whalon, Wednesday November 09 2011
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have claimed defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth off of waivers one day after he was released by the New England Patriots.
In six games with the New England Patriots this season, Haynesworth recorded two tackles and no sacks. His play was only one reason he was released. The other reason was rumored to be head coach Bill Belichick's desire to send a message to his team after the loss to the New York Giants on Sunday.
The 30 year old Haynesworth was in his first year with the Patriots after the team acquired him in a trade with the Washington Redskins. The Patriots gave up a fifth round pick in the 2013 draft in return for the former Pro Bowl lineman.
Haynesworth had previously signed a seven-year $100 million contract with the Redskins, but never lived up to his contract. He fell out of favor with new coach Mike Shanahan last season when he registered only two-and-a-half-sacks in eight games. He didn't like the way he was used in Shanahan's 3-4 scheme and ended up in the coach's doghouse.
Haynesworth got that big contract from the Redskins after he recorded 14.5 sacks in 2007 and 2008 when he was playing for the Tennessee Titans.
The Buccaneers were desperate for help at defensive tackle after the season-ending bicep injury suffered by Gerald McCoy. Tampa ranks 29th overall in defense and was gashed by the New Orleans Saints on Sunday after McCoy went down.
It is interesting to note that the Philadelphia Eagles (3-5 record) had waiver priority over the Bucs (4-4), but declined to put in a waiver claim on Haynesworth. Philadelphia's defensive line coach is Jim Washburn, who held the same position with the Titans when Haynesworth had his greatest success. The big tackle prefers playing in a 4-3 defensive front like the one Washburn favors and there was speculation that he could end up in Philadelphia.
The former one hundred million dollar man is now with his third team in a year after the first two didn't want him anymore. This may be his last chance and a former Tampa Bay defensive lineman doesn't think he'll make it.
"I don't remember this guy playing like this, except when it was time to collect a contract," Warren Sapp said last night. "Don't go to his contract year. Go two years before the contract. Go three years before. He was a two-and-a-half sack guy for five years."
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