Boston-Homer

The Evil Beard.


Is it a coincidence that the Patriots made two blockbuster trades, acquiring Albert Haynesworth and Chad Ochocinco, on the exact same day Tiger Woods announced his return to professional golf? I think not!

When talking to people about Tiger Woods I have said that he should just embrace his new persona. The first step was growing his evil goatee. Now, he has gone all out and grown his evil beard (the glasses are a nice addition too...maybe some Nike sunglass contacts?). Usually, Tiger shaves himself clean before returning to the course, he probably uses a Shick razor now (would that make him a Shick-head?). I think he should stick with the beard though.

Why is Tiger's beard so important, and how does it connect with the Patriots deals yesterday? Simple, the Patriots have finally embraced their evil persona. Haynesworth and Ocho are proof the Patriots' grew their very own Evil Beard. They grew it in one day.

For the past three years the Pats have been hated, especially after their winning ways (read: dominance) were brought into question. Now, the Pats have taken on two huge personalities, guys who are not liked by the team they are leaving.



Which Belichick will we see at the end of the season?


Haynesworth is a complete jerk, signing a massive contract then whining about the Redskins defensive schemes ( Laying down and stomping are two of his specialties). However, Haynesworth is also a super talented defensive lineman. He had a huge year in 2008, recording 8.5 sacks and 41 tackles. That outstanding season earned him the Redskins contract.

It is scary for offensive lines who have to deal with the size of Vince Wilfork, Albert Haynesworth, and Ty Warren (who missed all of last season with an injury). Those three guys are huge and will take up a lot of time and energy, hopefully allowing Jarrod Mayo and Jermaine Cunningham to run free and make plays.

Ochocinco is more harmless than Haynesworth. Ocho's personality is huge, he is the quintessential diva wide receiver. He is marrying Evelyn Lozada, formerly Antoine Walker's wife. She bailed on him when the money ran out. Evelyn is a character on Basketball Wives. She spends her days being watched while eating meals and stirring up drama. Ocho's best years are behind him, the expectations for him need to be very carefully placed on him. Will he have 1,000 yards? Probably not. Will he have 70+ catches? Probably not? Will he catch 5+ of TDs? Maybe.


I hope so Ocho... I really hope so...

Ocho's strength was as a deep threat. His age has slowed him down, which makes me wonder what the impetus for signing him was. My main theory is that the Pats are worried about the Jets signing Nnamdi Asomugha, giving them possibly the two best corners in the game on the same team. The Jets dominated the Pats passing game in the playoffs last year. No one could get open. Ocho might be a piece of the puzzle that the Pats think might challenge Rex Ryan's Jets. Deion Branch, Wes Welker, and the young tight ends were not enough last year. Can the addition of Ocho help the Pats? I hope so.

The Pats have grown their evil beard. They have added two pieces to their puzzle that could either help them immensely or they could implode the team at the first sign of adversity (just like Adalius Thomas).

Bill Belichick has a huge year in front of him. The Jets are challenging them for supremacy in the AFC East, the Dolphins seem to be slowly improving, and the Bills are still a football team... these signings could rewrite his legacy in many different ways. It could be a second wave of success (playoff success) or it could be seen as his last stand, pistol in hand firing his last rounds.