When Tony Dungy was coach of the Colts and Albert Haynesworth played for the Titans, they saw each other twice a year for seven seasons. And Dungy saw enough to know he wouldn’t want to be Haynesworth’s coach.
Dungy said on The Dan Patrick Show that he’d want no part of a player who doesn’t hustle unless he’s playing for a new contract.
“I would not, no,” Dungy said when asked if he’d sign off on his team acquiring Haynesworth. “I’ve seen Albert Haynesworth, and I’ve seen those great years he has when he’s got something to prove and he’s trying to make money. But I’ve also -- we played against Albert Haynesworth in Indianapolis when he really wasn’t playing hard.”
Dungy isn’t prepared to say Haynesworth can’t succeed in New England, mostly because Patriots coach Bill Belichick has a knack for bringing in problem players and getting them to work. But Dungy says he personally wouldn’t want the headache.
“They have a great track record of doing that with Corey Dillon and Randy Moss and getting years out of guys when no one else could,” Dungy said of the Patriots. “So we’ll see. I would bet on Belichick with Haynesworth . . . but I guess I’ve seen enough of Albert where I would not sign off on him.”
Dungy is more favorably inclined toward the Patriots’ other big-name acquisition, Chad Ochocinco, whom Dungy believes can be a good fit in New England.
“I think Chad in the right spot can be very, very productive,” Dungy said. “We had Chad in the Pro Bowl. He practices hard and loves the game. If he will buy into the Patriot way like Randy did, he can go out there and be productive.”