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Two days after Haynesworth sat out most of the second half against the New York Giants, the Patriots released the former All-Pro defensive lineman whom they obtained after his rocky two-year stay with the Washington Redskins.
In six games with the Patriots, Haynesworth had just six tackles and no sacks. His last play came in Sunday’s 24-20 loss to the Giants when left guard David Diehl blocked him to clear the way for Brandon Jacobs’ 10-yard touchdown run with 9:10 left in the third quarter.
On the Giants’ first series of the second half, the 350-pound Haynesworth made some good plays early but got dominated on others. Then, on the sideline after Jacobs’ touchdown run, Haynesworth and defensive line coach Pepper Johnson had an animated discussion.
“Whatever we talk about as a team during the game or in meetings and all that, it’s between the players and the coaches,” Patriots coach Bill Belichick said Monday.
Haynesworth was named first-team All-Pro in 2007 and 2008, his final two seasons with the Tennessee Titans, who drafted him with a first-round pick in 2002.
After signing a seven-year, $100 million free-agent contract with the Redskins before the 2009 season, Haynesworth feuded with new coach Mike Shanahan in 2010 and skipped the team’s offseason workouts.
Then it took him 10 days to pass his conditioning test. He lost his starting job and played in just eight games before Shanahan suspended him for the final four because of conduct detrimental to the club.
The Patriots obtained Haynesworth on July 28 for a fifth-round draft choice in 2013.
COLTS-PATS LOSES LUSTER
That Colts-Patriots matchup that looked so attractive in the preseason is losing its prime time slot.
With Indianapolis winless and Peyton Manning-less, the NFL has already decided to move the Dec. 4 game off “Sunday Night Football” under its flexible scheduling policy. The league will decide on a replacement by Nov. 22.
The NFL can use flexible scheduling starting in Week 10 to ensure meaningful matchups in high-profile time slots.
REDSKINS SIGN EX-SEAHAWK
Defensive lineman Kentwan Balmer, who started 11 games for the Seahawks last season, was one of three players signed by the Redskins.
Balmer was a first-round draft pick by the 49ers in 2008 and spent 2010 with the Seahawks, starting three games at defensive tackle and eight at defensive end. He finished with 43 tackles and no sacks. He was waived by the Seahawks in August, claimed by the Panthers, then cut Sept. 1.
The Redskins also signed receiver David Anderson and defensive back Domonique Johnson. They waived receiver Donte’ Stallworth, tight end Dominique Byrd, defensive end Darrion Scott and cornerback Brandyn Thompson.
EXTRA POINTS
Veteran center Roberto Garza and the Bears agreed on a two-year contract extension through 2013. … The Lions re-signed running back Kevin Smith and signed veteran guard Leonard Davis, a three-time Pro Bowl player with the Cowboys. Smith rushed for 976 yards as a rookie in 2008 but was released this past offseason. … The Giants waived veteran offensive lineman Adam Koets from the reserve-physically unable to perform list. … The Buccaneers signed defensive tackle John McCargo, filling a roster spot that opened when starter Gerald McCoy was lost for the season with a torn right biceps. … The Bills placed defensive tackle Kyle Williams on injured reserve because of a left foot injury and signed journeyman kicker Dave Rayner to fill in for injured veteran Rian Lindell. … The Jaguars placed tight end Martin Rucker on injured reserve with a back injury. … Panthers practice squad linebacker Lawrence Wilson was cut after being cited for speeding and marijuana possession.
