Albert Haynesworth Promises Not to be a Distraction at Redskins Training Camp
Ironically, the player who has caused the most distraction for his team this offseason has now promised that he won’t be a distraction when one of the most important times of the year starts: training camp. Defensive tackle (DT) and $100 million dollar man Albert Haynesworth has let his team know that he will be there to work hard and help his team win this season.
If any team around the league has rivaled the New York Jets for the most active offseason full of storylines, it may be the Washington Redskins.
After hiring a new head coach and general manager, the Redskins traded away quarterback (QB) Jason Campbell, and traded for long-time division rival Donovan McNabb just days later. They also brought in two new aging running backs (RBs) in Larry Johnson and Willie Parker, to join Clinton Portis in the backfield.
Coach Mike Shanahan and the defensive coaching staff also elected to switch to a 3-4 defence, something their highest paid player did not like. Haynesworth, despite being paid all the money he’s being paid, resented the idea of shifting to nose tackle and sat out all the team’s offseason organized team activities (OTA’s).
Shanahan claimed he was very disappointed in Haynesworth as he had offered him an opportunity to leave the team or stay and collect a hefty bonus from his contract. Haynesworth elected to stay and told his coach he was here to help the team.
However, that claim certainly changed positions quickly when Haynesworth missed a mandatory minicamp. He was fined $10,000 by the team, which is hardly a dent in his fat contract.
What may have really hurt Haynesworth was the resentment his teammates gained for him because of that. Of course, in sports, especially if you’re being paid that much, you’re supposed to do what the coach tells you to do. If things go wrong, then it’s the coach’s fault. The coach carries the most responsibility and is always trying to do what’s best for the team. If coach Shanahan thinks that switching to a 3-4 will help the team win, then Haynesworth better well do it. Shanahan has won two Super Bowls already in this league so he knows a thing or two about what it takes to win.
At least for now, Haynesworth sounds optimistic about his situation in Washington. He promised he would attend training camp despite missing all offseason workouts.
Despite Haynesworth’s change of heart, the tension between him and the team is not completely over. Haynesworth will not start training camp on the first team defence and will have to pass a conditioning test after not attending the minicamp.
Haynesworth has reportedly lost over 20 pounds and appears to be in good shape, even impressing Shanahan, but the tension may stem from how his teammates feel about him.
What Haynesworth did was still wrong and the team has to punish him for what he did. He lost a lot of respect from his teammates and will have to earn that back in training camp and in the season. The way he will do that is by working his tail off and helping the team win football games. That’s always what it comes down to in the end.
All teams are getting set to open their training camps and need all their players on the same page early. Haynesworth will have to start learning what his new role will be in the Redskins new 3-4 scheme and he’ll have to learn it gracefully and do what’s required of him to help the team win. It's time for Haynesworth to start proving that all that money put on him was worth it.
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