J. Kraft: Haynesworth's actions speak volumes

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By Tom E. Curran
CSNNE.com Patriots InsiderFollow @tomecurran
Jonathan Kraft was asked Friday morning if the Patriots "lowered the standard" in bringing Albert Haynesworth aboard this offseason. Speaking on WEEI's "Dennis and Callahan Show", Gerry Callahan described Haynesworth as "a bad guy, a thug, a criminal" when asking if the team decided to "bend the rules" to accomodate the controversial defensive lineman. "Those adjectives were yours, they're not onesI use," Kraft answered. Kraft then said the team's pre-signing conversation with Haynesworth put them at ease with the decision. "Before Albert signed, we sat down and talked with him," said Kraft. "When you sit and talk with Albert, you hear intense frustration when he perceives there to be lack of emphasis on winning . . . The biggest thing Albert said was, 'I love to play football and I want to win.' "Kraft said the fact Haynesworth was willing to restructure his enormous contract for the Patriots but not other teams spoke volumes. "He walked away from guaranteed millions and millions of dollars," said Kraft. "For us, those actions speak greatly for what his intentions are." Kraft said he's not privy to the conversations between head coach Bill Belichick and Haynesworth, but the Patriots president said Haynesworth wasn't told he's "on a short leash" during his meeting with ownership. "He's a grown-up," said Kraft. "I don't think the conversation is, 'You're on a short leash.' "Kraft said that Haynesworth was told that he was representing the "family's last name . . . if you dont feel you can live up to that, honor that and respect that this won't work."Tom E. Curran can be reached at tcurran@comcastsportsnet.com. Follow Tom on Twitter at http:twitter.comtomecurran

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