After failing again, Haynesworth puts test on hold with sore knee
Many have been wondering if Mike Shanahan and the Redskins are going to keep defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth around for much longer.
Shanahan has insisted that he feels Haynesworth can help the team win and would love to see him on the field soon, but he needs to pass the conditioning test set for him.
After two unsuccessful attempts last week, Haynesworth took a couple of days off from the test this past weekend due to a knee injury.
He tried to take the test again on Monday, but couldn’t finish it as he felt some more soreness in the knee during the 300-yard sprint.
Shanahan has stated that he will not allow Haynesworth to practice with the team until he passes the test, which consists of two-timed 300-yard back-and-forth shuttle runs performed 3 ½ minutes apart. Each back and forth sprint is 50 yards. Haynesworth stopped after half of the first part.
"That's one of the reasons he's not out there practicing with the team," Shanahan said. "You've got to be in certain shape to go through a practice, and that knee after three sprints back and forth couldn't go any further."
Haynesworth failed to complete the test last Thursday, fell short of a sufficient time on Friday then took a couple of days off.
Haynesworth showed up for the team’s practice session, standing on the sidelines with a play sheet and watching his teammates practice. Once the team’s session was done, he stayed behind with the defensive coaches and walked through some of the drills with them.
Shanahan deemed the test mandatory for Haynesworth only as the team’s highest paid-player skipped all offseason workouts with the team, boycotting the team’s change to a 3-4 defensive scheme.
The coach claimed he wants Haynesworth out there, but that can only happen when his knee is better and he’s met the team’s requirements.
"Hopefully with treatment it gets better and he gets in football shape," Shanahan said. "And he's out there ready to play with his teammates."
Shanahan was asked at the team’s training camp how much longer this saga would go on and if he would eventually exempt Haynesworth from the test.
“Possibly,” he said. “You’ll just have to stick around.”
Shanahan still wants Haynesworth in football shape as well he should. At the same time, when will Haynesworth be back and can he be effective for the team if he’s missing all this valuable time in practices.
As much as Haynesworth’s decision to sit out minicamp was unprofessional, he does need that time on the field to really get a feel for the new defensive system and to get to know his role on the team. He has to learn it fast and be in the best shape possible.
Many have wondered whether Shanahan is actually putting Haynesworth through this test to teach him a lesson about skipping minicamp, complaining about the system and taking his $21-million bonus in April before showing a bush-league attitude this off-season.
Haynesworth may be trying to make nice now, but the coaches and his teammates remember the way he acted and were upset with him. The problem won’t solve itself and Haynesworth has to prove his commitment with his work ethic which has been put in question recently.
This is an ongoing distraction in the Redskins training camp and it’s going to have to be settled at one point or another. How much longer will this go on and how will it all end? Will Haynesworth pass the test, will Shanahan let him practice or will he leave the team?
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