That’s what they said about:
Josh Gordon
Randy Moss
Corey Dillon
Rodney Harrison
Ted Washington
And of that list, how many were frustrated about their roles on crappy teams and just wanted to win? AB was on a playoff team, so mark that issue a no. Dillon was relegated to number two and wanted off a perennial loser in the Bengals after being the good teammate rather than die there without a shot at the playoffs.
How many dragged private team issues public in order to self-promote a personal brand?
Harrison was released by the Chargers when he got older. How was he a team problem? He was a team leader (the public issue was he was alleged to be a dirty player) on the Chargers and Patriots.
Gordon works his butt off and quietly. Smart, good teammate. He has mental health and addiction issues. I am unaware of him sniping teams or teammates prior to the Pats, or fighting with his coaches.
Moss got sick of the circus that was the Raiders and wanted to win. He was a diva and showboat, but he was a competitor who was good with the Vikings and Patriots.
Do you mean Albert Haynesworth or Ted Washington? I don't recall baggage with Washington at all.
Haynesworth didn't pan out. This notion that the Pats can cure all whackos that appear on the roster turns on the competitive spirit of the player and desire to do whatever the management requires of you to win. If you suffer from a God complex, then you won't work out. The Adalius Thomas mutiny in the lousy 2009 season is proof of that. When Moss went public with contract issues and argued with staff, he saw the door.
The Pats have worked successfully with some problem children, but success or failure rests on the nature of the problem. Problems can be created by the team, by the player or both. Almost all of the success stories (Gordon is hopeful, but he sat out the playoffs) had problems created by bad organizations. I hope that is the root of AB's issues, or he will be an ex-Patriot quickly. I will trust BB in adding him, but I wouldn't bet the house on future glory just yet. I would love to be proven wrong and see AB redeem himself this year.