"New England Patriots defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth III — given community service in lieu of jail time yesterday — could still be sidelined by the National Football League for assaulting a coed cocktail waitress.

A league spokesman said Haynesworth's case is "under review," and that he could be looking at suspension for one or more games if it's found he violated the league's personal conduct policy.

But Haynesworth's attorney A. Scott Bolden assured the Herald last night, "The best of Albert Haynesworth is yet to come."

With a rallying cry to the press of "Go Patriots," Haynesworth, 30, who was scheduled to go on trial for misdemeanor sex abuse today, showed up at District of Columbia Superior Court hand in hand with his girlfriend yesterday and pleaded no contest to simple assault.

Haynesworth, who had been facing up to six months in jail for fondling the server's breast during a Feb. 13 private party at the posh W Hotel when he slipped his debit card into her bra, was instead ordered by Providence-born Senior Judge Geoffrey M. Alprin to perform 160 hours of charity work.

Alprin said Haynesworth must also be assessed for psycho-social issues and alcohol abuse as part of his surprise plea. "We don't believe he has any of those issues," Bolden said."