The Patriots’ offseason pickups that got the most attention haven’t done well.
Albert Haynesworth is now in Tampa. Even when Chad Ochocinco finally made a few plays on Sunday night, he spent the second half of the game on the sideline because he’s not part of the no huddle offense.
The Patriots did pick up a couple very valuable veteran pieces via free agency, though. Andre Carter was easily the team’s best pass rusher even before picking up 4.5 sacks on Sunday. He has nine for the season.
On offense, guard Brian Waters has helped to stabilize an offensive line that is playing without center Dan Koppen. SI’s Peter King put Waters on his All Pro team and some believe he’s outplayed teammate Logan Mankins this year.
“He’s earned every bit of his respect here,” said Bill Belichick Tuesday via CSNNe.com. “He’s tough, he’s a good football player. He’s really made some outstanding plays, individual plays that you don’t see many other players at that position make. He’s a high-quality player and a high-quality individual. He’s very unselfish, team-oriented.”
Waters, a former NFL Man of the Year, faces his old team the Chiefs on Monday night. When Waters struggled to find a job right after the lockout, there was some speculation that his involvement in lockout matters hurt his chances of getting a gig.
There’s no way to know if that’s true, but clearly Waters had a lot of football left.