"Albert Haynesworth and Chad Ochocinco are now Patriots. This is because, we're all told and we all believe, Bill Belichick is a genius, capable of controlling anyone that enters his locker room and turning a malcontent into a productive player.

But Dan Pompei, writing at the National Football Post, says that the Patriots may have other ideas, and that he was told last week that "one or both" of the dynamic duo could be cut before the season begins.

"One NFL executive familiar with the Patriots ways told me he believes one or both of the big name acquisitions will be cut before the season starts," Pompei writes. "The front office man thinks coach Bill Belichick will use the controversial players to help control and send a message to his locker room."

That either could be cut isn't that shocking -- as we've previously noted, both Haynesworth and Ochocinco restructured their deals. Haynesworth is owed almost zero (!) dollars for 2011 if he's cut, and Ocho will make just $2.5 million.

Both players have their deals setup so that the money would spike in 2012 and 2013 ... if they stay around.

So will they? Well, maybe not. After all, the reason both Ocho and Big Al were such "smart additions" is that they're cheap, talented options who can still produce if they manage to fall in line."