And what happened after that? They came within 35 seconds of going 19-0.
Fast forward a few years later here. Despite a 14-2 record in 2010, the Patriots were certainly littered with questions heading into the off-season. Who would step up to play wide receiver alongside Welker? Could the Logan Mankins situation at left guard be salvaged? Is there any way they could import a playmaker on the defensive side of the ball, preferably a linebacker?
Okay, so Phat Albert Haynesworth isn't a linebacker. But he most certainly qualifies as a playmaker over there, wouldn't you say? The Patriots have made the loudest splash in the free agency thus far.
When motivated (and I certainly can't stress when motivated enough), Haynesworth is among the best defensive players in the NFL. He was recipient of the Sporting News Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2008, when he registered 8.5 sacks for the Tennessee Titans. Of course, he's combined for 6.5 the past two seasons with Washington (as the highest paid defensive tackle in NFL history, no less).
But haven't we seen this movie before? Corey Dillon only came into Foxboro and rushed for a career high 1,632 yards en route to a Super Bowl victory despite his "malcontent" label. Pretty sure Randy Moss re-wrote the record books with his 23 TD's in 2007 after coming to New England, despite being "washed-up" in Oakland. And you could go on and on with Moss.
The same with Haynesworth, who's got as much baggage as Moss, if not more so. But there's something about playing for Bill Belichick, something about being given your last chance in the NFL with such an established coach, that has let these talented-but-troubled players get the most out of their talents rather than let their troubles undermine them.
Like with Moss, it's a classic low-risk, high reward transaction. They were acquired for a 4th and 5th round pick, respectively. What do the Patriots have to lose here? If Haynesworth shows up to Gillette Stadium still intent on stomping on helmetless players or loafing in the middle of the field, send him right back down I-95. He won't be an easy guy to root for, but that can all be forgiven with 6 or so sacks playing alongside Wilfork, right?
And then we get to the artist soon to be re-known as Chad Johnson. Get this straight. Ochocinco is not Randy Moss or Terrell Owens. And that's multifaceted. From a sheer talent standpoint, you'd prefer either Moss or T.O. But at the same time, Ochocinco is actually a good teammate who's effort has never come into question despite playing in the hell-hole of Cincinnati his whole career. Does he crave attention like the other two? Probably more than them combined. It's a positive energy with Chad though, who's relationship with Bill Belichick is inexplicably charming. On the surface, they couldn't be more different people. But you can't question either one's desire to win. Doesn't hurt to have an elite receiver alongside Welker, either.
What does it all mean? That the Patriots aren't ready to roll over and secede control of the AFC East to Rex Ryan's group. Whether they sign Nnamdi Asomugha or not (unlikely, at this point, per NFL.com), the Jets are by no means ready to leapfrog the Pats in AFC supremacy for good. I like to think January was merely a blip on the radar. If Ochocinco and Phat Albert live up to the billing, we could be partying like it's 2007 again in Foxboro. Hopefully the ending just resembles 2001, -03, or -04.
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