Despite the small price paid for each player, wide receiver Chad Ochocinco and defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth were high profile acquisitions this offseason, and both are finding it hard to keep a low profile in New England.
Beyond his decreased activity on Twitter, Ochocinco has also been incredibly quiet with the media, and hasn’t spoken to them as a group since the end of training camp. His decreased production the field could have something to do with that, as Ochocinco has hauled in just nine receptions for 136 yards and has yet to reach the end zone this season.
To his credit, Ochocinco appeared to be getting open on Sunday against the Giants, but Patriots quarterback Tom Brady continually looked elsewhere. Not that anyone could blame him, after a litany of penalties, miscommunications and bad route running have stained Ochocinco’s start in New England.
Although we don’t know the origin of the argument, cameras caught some in-fighting between Haynesworth and defensive line coach Pepper Johnson on the sideline on Sunday against the Giants. He has made his presence felt on occasion, pushing the pocket up the middle as he was brought in to do, but has been grossly absent on the stat sheet with just two tackles this season — one of which was an assist.
It’s tough not to be upset with the performance (or lack thereof) from both parties, but it’s important to remember that the Patriots only gave up a fifth-round pick in 2013 for Haynesworth while forfeiting a fourth-round pick in 2012 for Ochocinco.
Both investments were expected to have paid at least some dividends at this point, but that hasn’t been the case yet. Whether that will happen down the road remains to be seen, but for now the Patriots may want to prepare as though they’ll continue to get the same level of production out of both.
