Talk about regret; The Bucs were going to give Albert Hanesworth 100 million dollars during the 2009 free agency period. Instead he went to Washington which killed his career. New England did little to revive it, why? Becuase both teams run the wrong system, make that ‘systems’, two different types.
Washington ran a 3-4 defense after Hanesworth’s 1st year, and it didnt matter if you used him as a DE or Nose Tackle, thats not what he is. Then he goes to New England, another 3-4 team, but occasionally uses the 4-3. But they run a 4-3 with a two gap system, something Bates did when he was Defensive Coordinator with Tampa Bay at the time A.H. was a free agent with the Titans. Albert Hanesworth is NOT a 2-gap DT, he is a ONE GAP DT just like McCoy and Price and Warren Sapp was. The difference is huge, most players are either one or the other, seldom both.
With Hanesworth being used incorrectly, its no wonder his attitude took a dive. Not saying that everything Albert did was right, thats for sure. He was his own worse enemy. But Hanesworth was a stud at Tennessee, the last place he was used properly until he steps onto the Bucs practice field this afternoon. He is a major run stopper, and he could be really fired up to make a new life for himself.
The advantage is simple, as a waiver pick up, he is making far far less money for a veteran of his tenure as opposed to signing him as a free agent or trading for him. If he doesn’t work out, its nothing lost. But the plus side is so very, very huge. The bottom line is Hanesworth is a better option than McCargo. Even Okam. Assuming he is in football shape which I would expect anyone on a Bill Belichick team to be, we should know SUNDAY if this is going to have promise or not. IF Houston rushes for less than 125 total yards Sunday, lookout.
Here are his stats from NFL.com. Mark Dominik on WDAE 620 said Hanesworth was very excited in his voice. That sounds like a major change for the Bucs defense in 2011 and beyond.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
