Every team has their own philosophies that can encompass many different styles. Bill Belichick is no stranger to coming out and saying, ‘He didn’t fit the system.’ Though this is an easy way to dismiss a player, there is much validity to what Belicheck is trying to convey.

Free agency and trades have been a part of football for the better part 50 years. Players must fit into the respected system in order to make a positive contribution. The Patriots run a tight ship that doesn’t allow for individualistic intentions.

For instance, Albert Haynesworth has always been a 4-3 lineman who takes on opposing lineman straight on, whether being double teamed or not. In the Patriots 3-4 system, they rely heavily on gap penetration. Not as many one on one moves are required to gain entry into the backfield. That is exactly what Haynesworth relies on. Though Haynesworth seemed to have his act together this time around, his abilities didn’t fit the schemes.

11 catches, 201 yards receiving, 0 TD’s in 9 games played. Those are numbers of the once prolific Chad Ochocinco. The offseason acquisition may be the next player who gets chopped due to an inability to adapt to the system. The blame can be pointed in different directions. Is the chemistry just not there between Chad and Brady or did the shortened offseason not allow Chad enough time to get used to playbook. Regardless, there is an issue at hand. No way should a potential Hall of  Famer with the resume he posses, be held to just over 1 catch per game and 0 TD’s.

The system is simple, pay attention in film session and work hard in practice. Some players fall out of favor with an organization due to the fact that they don’t buy into the system. These are usually selfish athletes but when it comes to their craft, extremely talented. No matter the talent level, no player is bigger than the team, no player is bigger than the schemes they use and no player is bigger than what the system is put there to do, win.

Jason Sarro is an NFL team writer for The Penalty Flag and can be contacted at JSarro@ThePenaltyFlagBlog.com

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