The magic in New England has more to do with Tom Brady than it does with brilliant personnel decisions

Chad Johnson didn't work out. Neither did Albert Haynesworth and Brandon Lloyd. So now New England takes on Tim Tebow, and, presto, just like that, he's supposed to become an impact player just because Bill Belichick endorses his addition?

Well, maybe it happens. But maybe it doesn't, too, because Belichick's recent history of roster moves is ... well, let's just say it's checkered, and that's being kind.

Yeah, he found something in cornerback Aqib Talib, but he didn't in Johnson, Haynesworth and Lloyd -- all of whom were added in the last two years, and none of whom stuck around.

There's supposed to be magic in playing for New England just as there's supposed to be magic in pulling on a New York Yankees uniform, but the magic in New England has more to do with Tom Brady than it does with brilliant personnel decisions. And even with Brady the Patriots couldn't find a place for Johnson, whom they acquired from Cincinnati.

So maybe this is genius, and maybe it's not. All I know is that it didn't cost the Patriots much of anything, and Tebow isn't a threat to the starting quarterback. I also know New England just got itself a young man who will work hard to fit in.

But I also know Belichick is close to Tebow's collegiate coach, Urban Meyer, and that his offensive coordinator, Josh McDaniels, spent a first-round pick (the 25th overall) on Tebow when nobody else would. It was one of several moves that helped get McDaniels fired after only a year and a half on the job.

Most of all, I know Belichick isn't the personnel guru he's supposed to be. The man can coach. There's no question about that. The Patriots regularly win the AFC East, go deep into the playoffs and have been to five Super Bowls in his tenure.

But their recent drafts have been iffy, and some of their high-profile moves have backfired -- with Haynesworth, Johnson and Lloyd not lasting more than a season each. Hey, one of their biggest free-agent additions -- linebacker Adalius Thomas -- was a bust, failing to make an impact in three seasons.

So now the Patriots try to find a role for Tebow when nobody else dares to volunteer, and let's just say they no longer get the benefit of the doubt.

Bill Belichick is one hell of a football coach. That is proven. But it's also been proven that he's no Ozzie Newsome when it comes to recognizing talent. Nevertheless, the guy usually gets a pass when New England takes a flyer on someone no one else will touch, but the recent record of failures speaks for itself.

And what it says is: Buyer, beware.

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