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

There was lots of talk about the possibility of Shanahan going to Washington but the big question was could he and busy-body owner Dan Snyder co-exist. I guess we’ll find that out in time. The big thing for Shanahan is that he has complete control over the team, and given that role it would be hard to see Snyder be able to meddle like he has in the past.

The future is looking quite a bit brighter for Skins fans. The team has plenty of talent but the problems lie in the most important areas of the team. The offensive line needs a complete overhaul. They were extremely inconsistent and didn’t allow for much rhythm in either the run or the pass.

And of course there’s the quarterback question. Will Jason Campbell get a chance to be the leader now that things have changed. Campbell has shown some improvement but he still has his problems. The biggest is his penchant to hold onto the ball to long and not make a decision. With the success Shanahan had with drafting Cutler it’s hard not to think he’s going to want to pick his own quarterback of the future.

Lots of questions surrounding the Redskins right now. But at least the fans can be happy that an experienced coach, one whom the game hasn’t passed bye (sorry Joe Gibbs), has complete control of all things football in DC. Let’s just hope Snyder keeps his nose where it belongs or it’s going to be deja vu all over again.

Technorati Tags: Dan Snyder, Jason Campbell, Mike Shanahan, NFL, Washington Redskins

I really can’t picture Shanahan as the head coach of the Bills but he would be a good fit there. Buffalo is a young, talented team that could be a lot more competitive with a new coach.

I liked Jauron, and form what I’ve heard the players really liked him. But it just didn’t seem like he was going to find success in Buffalo.

Mike Shanahan may just be the right fit in Buffalo, his style of football translates well there. The Bills would love to be competitive once again and battle for that top spot in the AFC East, something the Patriots have had a fairly good grip on recently.

Just an interesting side note: Bill Belichick is 3-5 versus Shanahan during his days in Denver. Don’t think the Bills aren’t aware of this.

Technorati Tags: Buffalo Bills, Mike Shanahan, NFL