"If it weren't for the things that make Tampa Bay distinctive — the sparkling water and the glorious sunshine — Albert Haynesworth says he might have joined the Bucs two years ago.

But, the defensive tackle said Thursday, the area's lure and his passion for boating would have detracted from his focus on football, so the prize of the 2009 free-agent class signed with the Redskins instead.

"It was too pretty, too much water, too much sun," said Haynesworth, owner of an 80-foot pleasure craft and a 50-foot race boat. "I had just bought a nice, big boat, a fast boat, and I really thought if I came here, I'd mix my time in with football and boating.

"When I was in Tennessee (with the Titans), I had football season, and then in the offseason I'd do the boating and (play with) all my toys."

Haynesworth finally is here, plucked off waivers from the Patriots this week.

It will be some time before the Bucs can say whether their Haynesworth experiment succeeds. For now, the embattled former NFL defensive player of the year — who was suspended by the Redskins late last season for conduct issues and traded to the Patriots in July — is saying all the right things.

"I felt like I could still play," he said of his time in New England. "I just want to prove myself."

On his return to his preferred penetrating "3 technique" defensive tackle role, Haynesworth was giddy.

"It feels great," he said. "It's unbelievable just to get off the ball and wreak havoc. That's awesome."