DT Albert Haynesworth released by Tampa Bay Buccaneers - NFL News
Tampa Bay Buccaneers are trimming their roster and on Wednesday announced in a statement that they have released defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth.
The ten-year National Football League (NFL) veteran was signed as a free agent in November as Buccaneers needed a stop-gap replacement for Gerald McCoy who suffered an injury that kept him out of the game for the entirety of the 2011-12 regular season.
Haynesworth initially performed well for Tampa Bay but his form slid considerably during the Buccaneers ten game losing streak and it was known that he will not be given an extension on the contract.
The 30-year-old made 23 tackles this season and no sacks as Tampa Bay ended the regular season with a poor 4-12 record.
With the defensive tackle off the roster Tampa Bay will now have an additional $ 7.2 million in their salary cap and the franchise has now achieved a total of approximately $ 67 million to spend in free agency which starts in March.
General Manager, Mark Dominik, gave a small statement about the release and praised the veteran for his professionalism during his time with Tampa Bay.
"I appreciate Albert playing for us after some key injuries this past season. He was very professional and we now wish him all the best as he moves forward."
However, Haynesworth is not expected to have many takers this year as his form has dipped considerably from the highs of 2009 when he signed a big $ 100 million contract to join the Washington Redskins.
The tackle has played for four franchises during his career spending six seasons with the Tennessee Titans from 2002-08 before moving on to join the Redskins for two years.
He was released by Washington after his poor displays and was picked up by New England Patriots in 2011.
The Patriots put him on waiver in the new season and the Buccaneers claimed him.
Haynesworth has 347 tackles in his entire career and 30.5 sacks from his 123 NFL games.
The Buccaneers on Tuesday had announced that they will be making waves in free agency this year and will be heavily active as they look to return back among the NFL’s elite franchises under new head coach Greg Schiano.
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