Ocho To The Pats

Tim Couch Pulls Out

Looks like the Pats have replaced Moss, an aging WR with disciplinary problems with Ochocinco, and aging WR with disciplinary problems.

EDIT: Here's the link.

nickers

Looks like the bungles are trying hard for the Andrew Luck sweepstakes!

Tim Couch Pulls Out

The AFC East is stacking up. You have Reggie Bush going to Miami, and then you've got Albert Haynesworth going to the Pats. Plus, Brad Smith and Thigpen signing with the Bills (don't think Thigpen won't be the opening day starter).

It's good to see some teams actively signing FA's, because we're obviously not. Which I'm fine with, by the way.

Browns

Bunch of divas on the Patriots

jnuh

@tim-couch-pulls-out said:

The AFC East is stacking up. You have Reggie Bush going to Miami, and then you've got Albert Haynesworth going to the Pats. Plus, Brad Smith and Thigpen signing with the Bills (don't think Thigpen won't be the opening day starter).

It's good to see some teams actively signing FA's, because we're obviously not. Which I'm fine with, by the way.

Not to get off topic here ... but Thigpen should not be the Bills opening day starter unless Ryan Fitzpatrick is no longer on the Bills. Fitz played well last year, and is a very smart QB. I do not think Fitz is all that but definitly better then Thigpen

slowburn

Seems to be a paradigm shift going in in Pats land. Players who before wouldn't pass Belichick's good citizen exam are now being welcome with open arms. Ocho really has never

had any off the field issues (i think) but his public flamboyancy doesn't jive with Coach B's stoicism. Go figure. Albert Haynesworth?

The Gipper

If the Pats are to be signing both Haynesworth and Ochocinco, what this simply demonstrates is that that organization, and Belichick have reached the height of arrogance, believing that they are almighty and can get any malcontent to tow their company line and bring out the best in these prima donnas.

Now, OK, it has happened in the past with Corey Dillon and Randy Moss.

But, there is such a thing as going to the well one time too often.

jnuh

@slowburn said:

Seems to be a paradigm shift going in in Pats land. Players who before wouldn't pass Belichick's good citizen exam are now being welcome with open arms. Ocho really has never

had any off the field issues (i think) but his public flamboyancy doesn't jive with Coach B's stoicism. Go figure. Albert Haynesworth?

I would have taken Haynesworth on the Browns for a 5th rounder ... Why not roll the dice on that kind of talent. Worse case scenario we get him and he is a cancer and we cut/trade him. It isn't like the Browns have a great track record with guys we drafted in the fifth round becoming studs with the upside Haynesworth has.

Tim Couch Pulls Out

@jnuh said:

Not to get off topic here ... but Thigpen should not be the Bills opening day starter unless Ryan Fitzpatrick is no longer on the Bills. Fitz played well last year, and is a very smart QB. I do not think Fitz is all that but definitly better then Thigpen

How can you say he's better than Thigpen? Thigpen got one year to prove himself in his entire career. In that year, Thigpen threw for 2,602 yards and 18 TDs in only 11 starts, while also rushing for 386 yards and 3 scores. He proved himself to his entire team that season, and Tony Gonzalez said himself it would be a disgrace if the Chiefs didn't keep Thigpen as a starter, and then Tony was traded shortly thereafter. Thigpen would still be playing for the Chiefs today if Pioli come to town and bring his golden-boy Cassel in with him.

I'm not being a homer on Thigpen, but give the guy a fair chance to earn the job. Outside of last season, Fitzpatrick hasn't done anything. Neither of them will be mistaken for a Favre or a Manning, let's be honest.

I just believe Thigpen will ultimately get the nod because Gailey was his coordinator in KC, and was the one who made the push for him to come to Buffalo, and although the terms of his contract haven't been released, Thigpen's agent made it clear that the contract clearly wasn't for a bench warmer/clipboard holder.

Browns57

@the-gipper said:

If the Pats are to be signing both Haynesworth and Ochocinco, what this simply demonstrates is that that organization, and Belichick have reached the height of arrogance, believing that they are almighty and can get any malcontent to tow their company line and bring out the best in these prima donnas.

Now, OK, it has happened in the past with Corey Dillon and Randy Moss.

But, there is such a thing as going to the well one time too often.

When I saw these reports The first things I thought were:

The Patriots are getting older at QB and they are looking to get another ring sooner rather then later.

and

Maybe just maybe Belichek is feeling like after Brady is done that he may take a break too, giving him all the more reason to go all in now.

Just guessing....I could be way off and they could turn around and trade a few vets during the season for high round picks and then have a blast on draft day yet again!

Wish the Browns would do something worth talking about! The two best receivers available are now gone and we didn't seem to make a play for either. I hope our ROOKIE can play!

slowburn

@jnuh said:

I would have taken Haynesworth on the Browns for a 5th rounder ... Why not roll the dice on that kind of talent. Worse case scenario we get him and he is a cancer and we cut/trade him. It isn't like the Browns have a great track record with guys we drafted in the fifth round becoming studs with the upside Haynesworth has.

Coach Shanahan is the toast of the town in DC. Dumping his biggest ,disrutive head case for a 5th rounder is pure brillance.

Riffer X

The Pats I believe were one of the youngest teams in the league last year, at least defensively. They continue to stockpile picks every year and keep their payroll at a manageable level. When you do that, you can bring these guys in under good, incentive driven circumstances where they either perform, or get the fawk out.

This is how you use FA when you have built that solid foundation over years, you can occasionally splurge to put you over the top.

BendMeOver

The Pats ability to stockpile draft picks and bring in FA talent never ceases to amaze me. The Ochocinco and Haynesworth moves are outstanding.

Haynesworth has already been paid most of his garuanteed money by the Redskins. He can be a dominating player if he wants to, but has become lazy after his big payday. He's now on a definate Super Bowl contending team, with a coach noted for getting malcontents to play up to their potential. Even if he is a total bust, the Patriots risk little money and gave up next to nothing in the draft (a 5th round pick). If Haynesworth plays up to his potential he was easily worth a first or second round pick. I'm just amazed by this pick-up, I'm sure there are many other teams that would've offered something similar/better for Haynesworth.

Ochocinco is another brillant move, though I have yet to hear what Cincy got in return for him. (I heard it was some late round draft picks in both 2012 and 2013. Once again, I can't believe the Patriots got him for next to nothing, when surely someone else out there could've/should've offered more. Yeah, his on the downhill side of his career, but he's still better than 75-80% of the recievers out there, and other than Santonio Holmes possibly the best reciever up for grabs this off-season. With Brady as his QB, I'd expect him to put up some ungodly numbers.

I also don't understand the Ochocinco thing with Belichek, he typically wants the spotlight with his dour personality and doesn't normally go for the media-hound showboat types. Even with the potential for Ocho's big play ability, this can't be a good match for the Patriots unless Ochocinco suddenly becomes the model of player obedience.