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

Perry Riley was the only defensive player taken by Washington. With the defense moving to a 3-4 scheme, the versitile linebacker out of LSU looks to be just what d-coordinator Jim Haslett is looking for. McNabb was given a few targets with the addition of tight end Dennis Morris out of Louisiana Tech, who may see time at full back, and UCLA receiver Terrence Austin. Shanahan wasn’t finished adding depth to the offensive line. Center Erik Cook out of New Mexico bolsters the interior part of the line. A real steal at pick 231, Selvish Capers could compete for a starting spot at right tackle immediately. The Redskins didn’t have much to work with this year but Shanahan used the picks wisely. This will be a different Redskins team this year.

Technorati Tags: 2010 NFL Draft, NFL, Washington Redskins

When I first saw this trade I thought it was a good deal for both sides, and I suppose I still do. But the more I think about it the more I start thinking about how it’s actually quite strange.

I understand the Eagles perspective on trading him. Philly drafted Kolb a few years ago and it was thought at some point he would take over the starting role. McNabb new this was coming and felt he had a few more years left to be productive. Both sides treated the situation with class and McNabb got his wish to be traded. Now the Eagles can start the Kolb era.

I know there are some people who think Vick will get a shot to be a starter, and he will. But he won’t be their starting quarterback. Mike Vick will never be a starting quarterback, he’s just not good enough.

Where things get a little clouded for me is how the Redskins look at this deal. As in like what are they trying to do in Washington. Colt Brennan, Jason Camplbell and now Donovan McNabb. Sure everyone will have a chance to compete for the starting job but it’s just lip service. McNabb will be the starter, they didn’t bring him in to ride the pine.

So does this mean the Redskins actually think they can be competitive in the division, one of the toughest in football? Or does Daniel Snyder think they can be competitive? I know Shanahan was brought in and told he has full control, but this looks to me like Snyder was pushing this one. It’s almost like a desperation move. Mcnabb has a few years left and people thought he could still do it in Philly. But this isn’t Philly, this is a shit house team that has a bunch of talent that doesn’t, and may never, know how to play team football.

Maybe this will work out for the Redskins, but I doubt it. I thought if McNabb wanted a shot at one more Super Bowl that he should have gone to a contender, like the Vikings. Too bad the Redskins are not a contender.

And one more thing to think about: the Eagles talked about how great McNabb was for them but this trade shows you what the Eagles think of his future and the Redskins franchise. If Philly thought they could do it with McNabb they would have kept him. If Philly thought the Redskins were going to be contenders they wouldn’t have traded him. And if Philly thought McNabb was going to put the Redskins in a position to compete for the division they would have never traded him. Just something to think about.

Technorati Tags: Donovan McNabb, NFL, Philadelphia Eagles, 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

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

In his place the Skins have hired Bruce Allen as their new GM. Bruce Allen family is kind of a big deal in Washington. His dad was some guy named George Allen, I don’t know if you’ve ever heard of him?

It comes as no surprise that Cerrato is out as GM. It is a surprise however that he took it upon himself to leave.

This is a great thing for the Redskins and a possible precursor to a big offseason move. The possibility of the Redskins bringing in one of the few big name coaches that are available out there is extremely good. Whether it’s as coach or GM or both remains to be seen.

Right now the Redskins may have someone they want to keep in Bruce. Allen has worked as a senior executive in Oakland and a GM in Tampa Bay, so he has some experience. If his work ethic is anything like his dads the Redskins are in good shape.

Technorati Tags: NFL, Washington Redskins

When I think of the Browns I think of guys like Otto Graham, Jim Brown, Leroy Kelly, Marion Motley and Ozzy Newsome. Then there’s the man that founded the team Paul Brown. His influence on the game can’t be measured. The unfortunate thing is that, with the exception of Jim Brown, none of these guys are around to help the Browns. Cleveland has been so far gone for so long I don’t know what to make of it. The fact that they were out of the league for 4 years doesn’t help them either, because a lot of the younger fans have never seen the Browns carry on any kind of sustained success.

It always seem that the league is more enjoyable when teams like Cleveland, Chicago and Washington are better. I don’t know if that’s just sentimentality on my part or whether other people feel the same way I do. Watching Pittsburgh roll into Cleveland in late December with the division on the line can be a pretty cool thing to see. Guys like Mike Randall are die hard fans and Cleveland has a lot of them. Cities like that create a great atmosphere for teams to thrive in. Cleveland is screwing up their opportunity and it may not be around for ever.

Technorati Tags: Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, Jim Brown, NFL, Pittsburgh Steelers, Washington Redskins

Since Daniel Snyder bought the team in 1997 the Redskins have been a coaching carousel that includes Joe Gibbs, Marty Schottenheimer and Norv Turner. The offensive and defensive coordinator positions have been just as turbulent. When you look at the teams that have been successful over the past 10 year there’s a lot of consistency. New England, Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, Philadelphia, these teams have been consistent and it stems from the top. You look at the ownership and it’s very solid. They bring in guys that ownership is confident will do the job and they have trust in the people they hire.

So what am I trying to say here? I think the problems with the Redskins starts right at the top with Daniel Snyder. It’s a little suprising because Snyder is such a successful business man and there are a lot of common threads between successful businesses and successful football teams. Throwing money around and constantly moving and replacing the pieces that you’ve put in place doesn’t allow for stability. It won’t allow you to set up a proper pay structure for your team and will not allow your team to execute and win on a consistent basis.

Technorati Tags: Daniel Snyder, Jim Zorn, NFL, Washington Redskins

This signing along with the emergence of playmakers like Miles Austin, Tashard Choice and Felix Jones has Dallas positioned well. This is the time of year where teams want to start hitting their stride and Dallas seems like they’re doing just that. If they can get Roy Williams and Marion Barber back and fully healthy they are going to be a tough out late in the season. Miles Austin has been another boost of confidence for the team, and more importantly Tony Romo. This team definitely flies the way Tony does and Austin is giving Romo that home run threat in the passing game. This is something they’ve been missing since they got it at times from Terrell Owens

Although they are 0 and 1 in the division, there is lots of football yet to be played. Washington made Philadelphia look a little better than where their at right now and the Giants are having their struggles. If Dallas can keep up the level of performance it may allow them to pull ahead of the pack a little in the NFC East. And in an ultra competitive division, that could make the difference.

Technorati Tags: Atlanta Falcons, Dallas Cowboys, DeMarcus Ware, Felix Jones, Miles Austin, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Tony Romo, Washington Redskins