Haynesworth Out Of A Job

Haynesworth struggled in New England's first
home loss since 2008 Sunday.

After just eight games into the 2011-12 NFL season, the New England Patriots have waived embattled defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth.

Teams now have 24 hours to claim Haynesworth off waivers and inherit the reminder of his current contract with the Patriots before New England releases him, giving the 10-year veteran the opportunity to hand pick his next destination, that is anyone that will have him.

Haynesworth played in only six games thus far and on the field for 133 plays of the 561 defensive snaps this season, that includes penalties. The 350-pound lineman only recorded 3 tackles for New England and no sacks.

Ineffective each of the last two and half seasons, Haynesworth was coming off a career year in 2008 when he set career-highs in sacks (8.5), forced fumbles (3) and solo tackles (41). A season that prompted the Washington Redskins to ink the former Tennessee standout to a seven-year $100 million contract. A deal that could have reached as much as $115 million based on performance and gave Haynesworth an NFL-record $41 million.

It was an investment Washington wishes they could have back.

Haynesworth played in 20 games for the Redskins, never forcing a fumble and gathering 6.5 sacks before being traded this summer to Foxborough for a 2013 fifth-round draft pick. Haynesworth was originally scheduled to make $5.4 million this season, but had his base salary reduced to $1.5 million for the chance to play for Bill Belchick and Co.

Belchick also took a gamble on another embattled superstar this summer, when he traded for the outspoken Chad Ochocinco. The former Cincinnati Bengals wideout has caught only 9 passes this season, accumulating to 136 yards and no touchdowns.

This isn't anything new as Ochocinco's numbers have been dropping off for some time, making him go from an elite receiver to subpar at best. Ochocinco averaged almost 80 receptions his first seven years in the NFL, but has yet to catch 80 or more passes since 2007.

In fact, the Los Angeles native has averaged only 50 receptions over the last four years.

While Ochocinco is still a member of the Patriot family, Haynesworth is not, but won't be out of a job for very long. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are in the market for a defensive tackle after placing former first-round pick Gerald McCoy on injured reserve Monday after tearing his right biceps in the team's 27-16 loss to the division-leading New Orleans Saints Sunday.