New England Patriots Strike Again Add Chad Johnson and Albert Haynesworth

After watching colorful coach Rex Ryan and his confident New York Jets beat them last season, the New England Patriots are ready to reclaim the division this season. Chad Johnson and Albert Haynesworth have joined New England to help the Patriots in their quest. While it's not official, it's rumored New England sent a 2012 fifth-rounder and 2013 sixth-rounder to Cincinnati for Johnson. The disgruntled Haynesworth was acquired from the Redskins for a 2013 fifth-round draft pick.

The two newest Patriots players will give New England a Jets like swagger while improving the team's performance on the field. With Randy Moss gone, New England needed another outside target for Tom Brady. Chad Johnson is a typical modern day wide receiver, a loud media hungry player interested in winning but also in looking good doing it. Like Moss before him, New England will reform Johnson and he'll become the model team player and favorite target of Brady. If not, like Moss he'll be gone.

Teaming with Deion Branch, Wes Welker, Aaron Hernandez and Bruce Grankowski the Patriots passing game will test any defense including the Jets. With Johnson outside and the others underneath, Tom Brady will have plenty of options. Trading Carson Palmer for Tom Brady should improve Johnson's stats. Playing with Brady, the veteran receiver will look to add to his impressive career receiving totals of, 751 receptions for 10,783 yards and 66 touchdowns.

Ochocinco will lighten up the Patriots team, but there's a fine line between acceptable fun and idiotic antics. If Johnson can't figure out the difference his stay in New England will be short. Johnson is still a capable receiver. He's kept in shape this off-season playing soccer, riding bulls and keeping up with his basketball wife. While Johnson gives the offense a boost, Haynesworth will give much needed help to the defense.

While his time in Washington was a failure, Haynesworth is still a very good football player. They failed to find a way to motivate him in Washington a problem they won't have in New England. The ten-year veteran has 30.5 career sacks and will look to rebound on a 2010 sack total of 2.5. Teaming with Patriot great, Vince Wilfork, Haynesworth will improve New England's defensive line. With improvements on both sides of the ball, New England will once again battle the Jets for the AFC East title and if the past is an indicator, Johnson and Haynesworth will have great seasons with their new team.

Sources:

http://espn.go.com/boston/nfl

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/albert-haynesworth

http://www.patriots.com/news/article

http://www.nfl.com/player/alberthaynesworth