NFL News: Redskins Albert Haynesworth Suspended
The hostility between Washington Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan and defensive lineman Albert Haynesworth finally boiled over.
Shanahan has suspended the two-time All-Pro for the rest of the season without pay.
After a long string of acts of insubordination, the Skins suspended Haynesworth because of "conduct detrimental to the club" and also told Haynesworth that he is not at all welcome to play in the team’s last four games of the season, meaning that he is not
likely to play for the franchise again.
Shanahan said in a statement released by the team that "Despite the club's numerous attempts to persuade Albert Haynesworth to abide by the terms of his contract, he has repeatedly refused to cooperate with our coaching staff in a variety of ways over an
extended period of time. Among other things, he has consistently indicated to our defensive coaches that he refuses to play in our base defense or on first-down or second-down nickel situations. He has also refused to follow the instructions of our coaches
both during weekly practices and during actual games as well.”
Shanahan also added that "Yesterday, when Albert was at Redskin Park, he told our general manager Bruce Allen that he [Haynesworth] would no longer speak with me. Although suspending any player is not a decision that a head coach enters into lightly, I believe
the situation has reached the point where the club clearly has no alternative."
Allen told Haynesworth of the suspension, which is the maximum punishment allowed under the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement. Chad Speck, Haynesworth’s agent, said that his client will appeal the Skins’ decision. Speck said that the Redskins did not
give any previous formal notice that Haynesworth’s behavior was a problem.
"The accusations made by coach Shanahan and Bruce Allen are vague and without merit," Speck said in a written statement. "Since training camp began, today's notice was the first that Albert received informing him that his conduct was not consistent with
the 'terms of his contract' as coach Shanahan claims. Bruce confirmed to me today, that there have been no other letters or formal notices of any kind sent to Albert during the regular season suggesting that he was engaging in conduct detrimental to the team."
It’s not like the suspension was a big surprise anyways, with Shanahan and Haynesworth going at it ever since Shanahan was hired by the Skins.
There is no word yet as to when Haynesworth will appeal, but things do not look good for the defensive lineman.
Tags: