Haynesworth to Patriots, Bush to Dolphins

By Larry Fine

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The wheeling and dealing picked up speed in the National Football League's (NFL) abbreviated offseason Thursday with disgruntled defensive lineman Albert Haynesworth and running back Reggie Bush both changing teams.

The New England Patriots agreed a trade with the Washington Redskins for Haynesworth, while the versatile Bush was being shipped from the New Orleans Saints to the Miami Dolphins, according to the NFL Network.

Haynesworth, who failed to meet all the hype and expectations associated with his seven-year, $100 million contract with the Redskins in 2009, was obtained for a fifth-round draft pick in 2013.

The 30-year-old Haynesworth was unhappy over the way he was used in the Redskins' system, failed to pass Washington's conditioning test and became a thorn in the side of their new coach, Mike Shanahan.

The deal was contingent on Haynesworth passing his physical.

Washington moved on by signing free agent lineman Barry Cofield, formerly of the New York Giants, to a six-year, $36 million contract with $12.5 million guaranteed.

The busy Redskins also re-signed their receiver Santana Moss and dealt quarterback Donovan McNabb to the Minnesota Vikings Wednesday.

Bush saw the writing on the wall that it was time to move on after the Saints used their first-round draft pick the year to claim former Heisman Trophy winning running back Mark Ingram.

Bush, who is also an adept pass catcher and kick return man, was due $11.8 million in the final year of his contract, which he signed after being the number two overall choice by New Orleans in the 2006 NFL draft.

Bush agreed to a new two-year contract with Miami, the network reported.

The oft-injured running back appeared in only eight games for the Saints last season, rushing for 150 yards and catching 34 passes for 208 yards and a touchdown.

(Editing by Julian Linden)