Shanahan labelled the test as “very minimal” and that most of his players could do it “in their sleep”. Haynesworth is proving to be the exception. However Shanahan is confident that Albert will pass it sooner or later.

“I don’t want to put a guy out there before he’s ready, before I know he’s in shape,” Shanahan said. “I know it’s the best thing for him. He may not know that at this time, but I can guarantee you, the big linemen that I’ve been with, the guys that are in the trenches, they still need to be in shape.”

This isn’t the kind of shape you’d expect a guy who is in the second year of his $100 million contract to be in. If you’re the Redskins and you pay a guy that kind of money you expect him to do everything in his power to be able to contribute to the team to the best of his ability. The last thing you want is an out of shape player who just signed a $21 million roster bonus to be dragging his ass through cone drills.

Whether or not Haynesworth is a Redskin in the future is anyones guess. His trade value is as low as it could be and the Redskins would have to bite it if they shipped him to another team. But it’s definitely not out of the question.

Technorati Tags: Albert Haynesworth, Mike Shanahan, NFL, Washington Redskins

His biggest problem seems to be the fact that he feels the Redskins aren’t using him properly. And I suppose if I was in his position, I’d be worried too. I mean, if you know your limits and someone is asking you to do something outside of them that you know you can’t do effectively, there’s cause for concern. I’m sure Albert doesn’t want to be exposed, even though he’s slowly doing it himself.

The Redskins are making a push to a 3-4 defense this year, and Albert knows he doesn’t fit that scheme. He’s a 4-3 defensive tackle. He can’t play the nose in a 3-4 and he can’t play end in a 3-4. So he feels the most professional solution to this problem is not to be professional about it.

Here is a guy whom Mike Shanahan gave the opportunity earlier this year to either A) sign for his release or B) sign to take his $21 million roster bonus. He chose the roster bonus. Now he’s putting the Redskins through the ringer. I think that’s all that needs to be said about what kind of person Albert is.

But he’s put his current employer in a really bad situation. The Redskins have a few options. They could bite the $21 million and kick his ass to the curb, but I don’t think Dan Snyder is ready to do that. They could try and reason with him and work out some sort of amicable solution, but Albert doesn’t seem to be the type to do anything that doesn’t result in him getting 100% benefit from it. Or they could try and trade him. But with so many teams moving to the 3-4, and the fact that he’s grossly overpaid, he’s becoming less and less of a commodity. The players that are attractive are the ones that have some versatility, something Haynesworth doesn’t have.

So while it’s easy to say the Redskins were fools to sign him to such a large contract, which they were, you have to feel for them a little on this one. They’re essentially being held hostage. And for a team trying to erase a culture that creates greedy monsters like Haynesworth, that’s not a good position to be in.

This situation is going to get worse before it gets better. The Skins may just be better off eating the $21 million and dropping this guy like a bad habit because the other two scenarios I mentioned don’t seem like they’d work. One thing is for sure, Albert Haynesworth is nothing more than a greedy, self centered, me first person who doesn’t deserve the luxuries a TEAM sport has provided him.

Technorati Tags: Albert Haynesworth, Dan Snyder, Mike Shanahan, NFL, Washington Redskins

Haynesworth has recently told people he has no interest in being a leader on the team. His most recent attempt to lead was foiled when he was sent home from practice early. Albert thought practice on Christmas day started too early so he tried to get everyone to show up late to practice. He got sent home.

Here’s a little quote from the $100 million dollar role player “A contract don’t make you, as far as leadership. I’ve never been a guy that wants to talk or get in front of the team and say whatever. That’s not me. I just like to play the game and do that. I’m not the kind of guy who wants to hype up people and all that stuff. I’m not sure. I don’t even want to be a captain and go out there in the middle for the coin toss because the other team is the enemy.”

I really have a hard time trying to figure out why a franchise like the Titans didn’t want this guy , but a franchise like the Redskins did?

Alberts comments are too stupid to insult. The bottom line is that the more you get paid, the more your teammates will notice your actions. It’s fine if Haynesworth doesn’t want to be a rah rah guy, that’s not in everyones personality. But he has to realize he’s a leader by default, by his actions because of his paychecks.

There’s more than just the responsibility of showing up on game day. You owe it to your fans, teammates and coaches to work and work hard all year. As long as Dan Snyder keeps paying guys like this the Redskins will continue to disappoint. At the beginning of the season I kind of made fun of Jim Zorn a little. Now I’m starting to really feel for the guy. If only Haynesworth had Zorns character.

Technorati Tags: Albert Haynesworth, NFL, Washington Redskins