Josh Freeman Looks Up to Albert Haynesworth as a Mentor. Uh-oh.

For some reason, the Tampa Bay Bucs thought it was a good idea to claim Albert Haynesworth off waivers. Bill Belichick could not get Haynesworth in shape or force him to try, but the Bucs figured they’d take a chance on him anyway. No other team in the NFL wanted Fat Albert, as evidenced by the fact that only one claimed him. Of all the things the Bucs may have had in mind when they signed Haynesworth, we can safely assume mentoring younger players is not one of them, right? Not according to Josh Freeman.

“I had a conversation on Monday about it, and I think it’s great,” Freeman told WDAE 620 on Wednesday. “You’ve got a veteran guy who’s been around the league and played with different teams, and he’s seen it done every which way. For him to see that and relay the message that it’s a long game, and there’s so much that goes on — you can’t let one small thing affect you, whether it’s a play or a penalty.

“Talking to him, he enjoys the locker room and the camaraderie we have from teammate to teammate. He feels like he’s in a good place.”

As Haynesworth already told everyone, he feels as though he belongs in Tampa.  He belonged in New England a couple weeks ago, but now Tampa is the true place where he should be.  The fact that there are young players in the league who look up to him is a frightening thought.  Hopefully, Freeman is just being nice.

Helmet bash to Shutdown Corner for the story.