A lot of times when people get bored, they tend to ask the hypothetical question “would you do this for a million dollars?” A lot of times, it’s something embarrassing to try and test the other person’s limits, but here’s an easy one. Would you play nose tackle in a 3-4 defense in the NFL for $100 million dollars over 7 years? As simple as an answer as this should be, Albert Haynesworth seems to be leaning towards no. Following 2 all pro seasons with his former team, the Tennessee Titans, Haynesworth signed the first 9 figure contract by any defensive player with the Washington Redskins (which isn’t all that surprising considering it’s Dan Snyder). Everything was fine until this offseason when Mike Shanahan was hired as coach and decided to run a 3-4 defense in which Haynesworth would need to play nose tackle. He pouted all season, not showing up for a good majority of training camp, or claiming he was injured before he finally started practicing. Haynesworth seemed to be getting back on track until Mike Shanahan suspended him on Tuesday for the rest of the season for “conduct detrimental to the team” in which they claimed he wasn’t participating in practices and wasn’t even speaking with the coaches.
He didn’t like the 4-3 defense a year ago. He didn’t like the base defense. He didn’t like the nickel defense. He didn’t want to play nose tackle, didn’t want to play defensive end (in the 3-4 defense). We got him playing the nickel package, first and second and third down. He didn’t like first- and second-down nickel, wanted to play third-down nickel in passing situations. Hey, it was just time. – Mike Shanahan
At this point, I applaud Shanahan for suspending him. It became painfully obvious that he didn’t want to play in Washington anymore with his lackluster attitude, and I’m sure having all the money he’ll need until he dies isn’t motivating him otherwise. With no other options present outside of releasing him, which would include a monster cap hit, Shanahan did the next best thing. It definitely sends a message to the other players on the team that everyone get on the same page or you will be gone. If he has no problem suspending one of the highest paid players in the NFL, what’s stopping him from punishing everyone else? I hope for Washington’s sake they can find some way to rid themselves of the headache better known Haynesworth. He needs to enjoy his money because I doubt any other team will ever be willing to pay him the big dollars ever again.
The Has Beens 