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Dear Albert,
You are the biggest cry baby in the NFL, please don’t come to Detroit.
In March 2009 you signed the first $100M contract ever given to a defensive player, in NFL history.
Three months ago you received a check from the Redskins for $21M. You have received around $26M in bonus money total thus far, yet you demand a trade and refuse to show up to any team activities.
And not just the voluntary activities, but now you are choosing to sit at home, which the Redskins paid for by the way, and not report to mandatory mini camp. Wow.
Your issue is, what you expect us to all feel sorry for you about, is that Washington hired former Denver head coach Mike Shanahan. With Shanahan came a defensive scheme, the 3-4 defense, and you don’t want anything to do with it.
Keep in mind your teammates, some of whom are proven veterans, are also being affected by this change, not just you. Linebacker London Fletcher is having to learn a new linebacker position, but unlike you, is doing so with an upbeat attitude and team-first mentality.
Albert, at 6′ 6″ and 350 pounds, you are the biggest and most selfish person in the NFL, by far! I understand you are unhappy because you feel that the 3-4 defense isn’t what you agreed to play in when you signed with the Redskins, but what if that philosophy worked both ways?
Shanahan told the media that the Redskins gave you the option of being released, but they wouldn’t give you the $21M bonus. That was three months ago, and you chose the money.
Here is what Shanahan has to say now:
“Obviously, he took the check,” Shanahan said, “so I was surprised he wasn’t here today. … Don’t take our check and then say that, hey, you don’t want to be part of our organization.”
Imagine after the season last year, the Redskins decided you weren’t worth the $100M they signed you for. You finished the 2009 season with 37 tackles and four sacks, far from what Washington expected. It wasn’t that you weren’t good, the truth is you quit on your teammates a long time ago and that is why your numbers were down.
Imagine if Washington had said to you, “Albert since you didn’t live up to what we feel we signed you for, we’re not going to pay you anymore. However, we still expect you to show up and play.”
That is exactly what you are saying to the Redskins, Albert. You’re staying home and spending their money, and not even willing to go out and earn it!
Look, I knew you were childish when you stomped on Andre Gurode’s helmet, knocking his helmet off, and then proceeded to stomp on his bare head. Who does that? That was an act that deserves jail time, not just a suspension.
You were lucky enough to get a second chance, and earned yourself a record breaking contract. This is how you react to not getting your way, really?
What about the fans Albert? You know, the ones who pay for your ridiculous contract; what about them? The fans that pay for your contract can’t just sit at home all day because they don’t like their jobs, they have to go to work, just like everyone else.
Even your teammates are blasting you to the media. Here’s some snippets of what they have to say about you.
“I think I speak for every guy on this team: We all feel like he turned his back on us.” —Phillip Daniels
“It’s getting to be selfish. He’s hurting the team. It doesn’t sit well with the players. … You can’t really count on him right now.” —Casey Rabach
“We know Albert’s going to do what he wants to do,” Hall said, “whether it’s going to benefit him, benefit the team, or if it’s a stupid idea or a good idea, he’s going to do what he’s going to do. It’s kind of hard to change his mind.” —Deangelo Hall
But the guy who had the most to say about you is veteran linebacker London Fletcher.
“Albert made a very selfish decision,” veteran linebacker London Fletcher said. “When you decide to play a team sport, you have to look at it and think about everybody involved in the situation. This is not golf, tennis, things like that, where it’s an all-about-you sport. What he’s decided to do is make a decision based on all-about-him.
“It’s no different than his attitude and approach to last year’s defense, about wanting everything to revolve around him and him making plays. And if it didn’t benefit him, he wasn’t really willing to do it.”
But that wasn’t it, Fletcher then went on to say this:
“There’s ways he cannot be a Redskin: Give the money back. We’ll move on without him. I want teammates who I can depend on, who I can count on, who in the fourth quarter I know is going to be there to make a play or do his job that the defense calls [for]. We need people that we can depend on. And at the end of the day, right now, he’s showing that he can’t be depended upon…. Last year we had a lot of selfishness that took place, and we got 4-12 out of that. This year, we can’t have that .”
If someone offered me $100M to cover the NFL, and then decided they needed me to write about fashion, I’d do it with a smile on my face! Not because I’d want to, but because they gave me a lot of money and an option to keep making that money rather than being fired because my exact expertise was no longer needed.
There is a lot of talk that you may be traded, and Detroit has been rumored as one of the potential teams interested.
That is the only reason I am writing this article, because unfortunately the Lions could be involved . After covering the Lions for a while now I have to be honest, I have never been more passionate about anything that could potentially involve the Lions than this.
I am going on the record saying that Haynesworth to Detroit would be a terrible move by the Lions front office.
Good Lord I hope the Lions don’t even consider trading for him. The absolute worst thing Detroit could do is put a guy like you around a first round draft pick Ndamukong Suh. Suh actually has character, sportsmanship, and a strong work ethic. We’d like to keep it that way. We don’t need a cancer like you rubbing off on him or anyone else for that matter.
We already have Corey Williams, Samie Hill, and Suh. We have a lot of money invested in the defensive line, and there are still some big holes to fill in the secondary.
I wish I’d wake up to find that you have been traded by the Redskins to a team in UFL, just to screw you over and teach you a lesson. I bet fans and your teammates would chip in to see that happen. You don’t deserve to be in the NFL, and your a waste of great God given ability.
I think it’s time to quit calling you “Fat Albert”, and make you the real “Big Baby” of the NFL.
You’ve never been a team player, never been a leader, and as a result for that you will never be a great player.
Sincerely,
Ryan Steck
Ryan Steck is a Detroit Lions Featured Columnist with Bleacher Report. He is also the host and producer of the weekly radio show, “Detroit Lions Talk with Ryan Steck .” Along with writing for several websites, Ryan is the featured NFL Analyst in the segment “Man vs Math” in which he goes head-to-head choosing NFL games against Harvard Statistical Analyst Dr. Adam Ramey
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Albert Haynesworth recently requested that the Washington Redskins trade him immediately.
This comes months after the Redskins announced they would move to a 3-4 defensive alignment next season.
Albert prefers to play as a 4-3 defensive tackle instead of the 3-4 nose tackle.
Rumors have surfaced indicating the Raiders might be interested in Albert. Oakland has been pegged as one of the likely landing spots for the disgruntled tackle.
While I would like to see Haynesworth on the roster (especially since it would likely be for only a 4th round selection), I just don’t see the Raider pursuing him.
Here’s why.
The Raiders will play a hybrid defense
The Raiders will execute a 4-3 defense this year, but there will be a lot of 3-4 looks.
Albert despises playing in the 3-4, which is why he wants out of Washington.
While the Raiders will be in a 4-3 setting most of the time, that doesn’t mean “Fat Albert” will be satisfied. It’s obvious he wants to play strictly in a 4-3 setting.
The Raiders know this.
Oakland has its new “No Attitude” philosophy
Haynesworth has been described as a selfish player. And that’s being nice.
The Raiders have gotten rid of headaches in the past and avoided signing or trading for players that think it’s all about them. I just don’t see Oakland bringing in Albert if he’s not going to be a team player.
Haynesworth’s teammates have made a slew of comments about his attitude.
Defensive end Phillip Daniels: “I think I speak for every guy on this team. We all feel like he turned his back on us.”
Center Casey Rabach: “It’s getting to be selfish. He’s hurting the team. It doesn’t sit well with the players… You can’t really count on him right now.”
Team Captain London Fletcher: “It’s no different than his attitude and approach to last year’s defense, about wanting everything to revolve around him and him making plays. And if it didn’t benefit him, he wasn’t really willing to do it.”
Ironically, the only player who defended Albert is Deangelo Hall. The Raiders won’t be so quick to inquire about Haynesworth, due to his selfishness.
The Raiders have plenty of big men on its roster
Oakland has seven defensive tackles on the roster, and that’s not including Richard Seymour and Lamarr Houston. Of those seven defensive tackles, five are over 300 pounds.
The team recently signed 335 pro bowler John Henderson. That pretty much confirmed Oakland would not make a trade for Haynesworth any time soon.
They’ve filled a need at defensive tackle over the past month.
Conclusion
Don’t get me wrong people. I like Haynesworth as a player and would be stoked if the Raiders got him at the right price.
However, I don’t see Oakland making a move strictly because of the reasons listed above.
I hope you enjoyed the article.
Comment below and tell me why we should or shouldn’t pursue Albert.
Thanks!
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Now don’t get all crazy on me, but what if the 2010 Redskins’ offensive line this season turns out to be, you know…good?
Most Redskins observers—bloggers, media, Cliff Clavins at the bar—have preached for what seems a very a long time that the offensive line has been and remains a glaring team weakness. And given how ugly it has gotten on the field at times, there is still plenty of evidence to support the notion.
The new regime at Redskins Park this offseason certainly seemed to “get it,” saying early on that the lines were going to be a priority. It seemed logical enough to conclude that they would hit the ground running in free agency and the draft to restock the offensive line.
Well, a funny thing happened on the way to their first training camp. They really didn’t…
Yes, they did start the free agency period by bringing in two relatively obscure offensive linemen, veteran journeyman Artis Hicks and third-year man Kory Lichtensteiger .
And they did later spend the fourth overall pick in the NFL Draft on the highest-rated left tackle on their board, LT Trent Williams , and I don’t undersell that move—it could pay dividends for years to come.
But that has pretty much been it.
They may still pick up another body or two in late free agency or from training camp cut-downs later this summer, but with each passing day the likelihood of finding a plug-and-play starter via that route gets slimmer.
All of which makes reading reports like this one on the current state/attitude of the five gentlemen currently projected to start the season against Dallas on September 12 that much more…relevant.
Seriously, if you had predicted back in March that come June the regime would be projecting a starting lineup of a rookie left tackle, Derrick Dockery, Casey Rabach, Big Mike Williams and Artis Hicks, I’d have told you you were nuts.
Current OL per redskins.com (projected starters in bold):
C Casey Rabach
C/G Erik Cook
C/G Will Montgomery
C/G Edwin Williams
G Derrick Dockery
G Paul Fanaika
G Kory Lichtensteiger
G/T Artis Hicks
G/T Chad Rinehart
G/T Mike Williams
OT Trent Williams
OT Selvish Capers
OT Stephon Heyer
OT Clint Oldenburg
OT William Robinson
Come on. No way a brain trust like Mike Shanahan and Bruce Allen would go with that.
Would they?
Well, just for the sake of argument…what if over the past five months they have looked at what they have on hand and are not just satisfied, but happy?
Shanahan has been consistent and vocal about fostering “competition” all across the board, and management has lived up to that promise, bringing in tons of defensive linemen, receivers, running backs, quarterbacks…but not offensive linemen.
Why?
Have Shanahan and Allen spent too much time in the sun?
Do they not see what seems so abundantly clear to everyone this side of departed personnel head Vinny Cerrato?
Did they look out across the big man landscape and not see anything else early in free agency or the draft that they liked, and resign themselves to watching helplessly as yet another Redskins quarterback gets abused by swarming defensive linemen?
Or could it be that maybe, just maybe, they know something the rest of us don’t?
Is it conceivable that the red-headed stepchild of the burgundy and gold roster—an offensive line so long maligned it has become almost cliche—might actually be able to play?
Maybe we should at least allow for the possibility, if for no other reason than doing otherwise would flatly imply that Shanahan and Allen are ignorant of the proverbial woolly mammoth in the room.
Which brings us to the fun part…
What if the offensive line actually does turn out to be good?
What if whatever combination emerges from the running back competition among returning (and presumably healthy) Clinton Portis, newcomers Larry Johnson and Willie Parker, and whoever else ends up on the final roster has holes to run through?
What if newly acquired six-time Pro Bowl QB Donovan McNabb has a little time to throw?
What if the revamped receiving corps he has time to throw to has enough professional-grade depth to dictate single coverage from time to time?
What if opposing defensive coordinators discover they cannot simply send the house after the Redskins quarterback on every passing down with little fear of being burned down the field?
What if new Redskins offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan finds he can draw up an actual NFL-level offensive gameplan, comfortable enough that he can occasionally expect his six-time Pro Bowl passer to get enough time to take a seven-step drop, look off the safety and come back across the field?
What if he gets to pick and choose from his gameday playsheet and establish an offensive rhythm (don’t worry younger Redskins fans, you’ll know one when you see it), because his line is holding its own, and his playmakers are getting opportunities to use their skills?
What if new defensive coordinator Jim Haslett can game-plan and call his defense with a reasonable expectation of his offense that his offense will sustain drives as often as not, providing him field position, a fresh pass rush, and (gasp) perhaps a more-than-one-score fourth-quarter lead once in a while?
Oh, I know. Silliness. Burgundy-and-gold-colored glasses. The Redskins offensive line is a stone-cold-lock weakness. It is old, thin, generally blows chunks, and everyone knows it.
Still, as the days and weeks slip by and all remains quiet on the Redskins OL front, I can’t help but wonder …
What if everyone is wrong?
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After finishing a dismal 4-12 in the 2009-2010 season, one would not take too much heat in saying the Washington Redskins will not be in Super Bowl XLV, much less make the playoffs.
I would probably agree, unless Redskins general manager Bruce Allen and head coach Mike Shanahan take a few more important steps this offseason.
Let us get something straight: The Redskins have a defense. It finished 10th in yards per game in 2009, and for several weeks their pass defense ranked first in the NFL.
Questions on defense were almost exclusively in the secondary. Safety LaRon Landry, despite playing out of his mind in his rookie season (even at free safety when he replaced the late Sean Taylor), struggled in 2009.
I suggest the Redskins forget about defining strong safety vs. free safety (like the Pittsburgh Steelers). Just let the safeties play based on the down and the offense’s formation.
Veteran Reed Doughty is solid, and soon-to-be third-year player Chris Horton (who was placed on IR early last season) is a potential star in my opinion after showing great ball-hawking skills during his rookie campaign, despite almost being Mr. Irrelevant in the 2008 draft. The Redskins have good safeties; they just have to be utilized correctly.
As for the cornerbacks, there is talent, but it is underachieving.
DeAngelo Hall went to two Pro Bowls as a Falcon, but he has not played up to that level since.
Carlos Rogers is better in coverage than people give him credit for (He has defended a whopping 36 passes over the last two years.), but he cannot catch a ball for his life, and he is guilty of blowing it on the big play too often.
Recently, veteran Phillip Buchanon was signed to compete with third-year player Justin Tryon and second-year player Kevin Barnes for the nickel and dime spots.
So, all in all, the secondary is decent, but not much more than that. However, if the following offensive changes take place in the coming weeks, decent will be good enough for the secondary.
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1. Sign free agent left tackle Flozell Adams.
It is a mystery to many why the Dallas Cowboys released him even at age 34. He is still quite talented, and the Cowboys don’t have a viable replacement.
Right now, the Redskins have two-thirds of an offensive line. Center Casey Rabach is coming back for another year. He’s getting up there in years, but he is still very solid. Left guard Derrick Dockery is 29 and still playing well. Recently signed guard/tackle Artis Hicks will likely start at right guard. People forget he started in the Super Bowl for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2005.
That leaves right and left tackle to be addressed. Adams can fill either position for one or two years, and fill it well.
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2. Draft Oklahoma State offensive lineman Russell Okung or Oklahoma offensive lineman Trent Williams depending on whom the Detroit Lions take second overall.
There ya go. The Redskins now have a fully operating offensive line for one or two years. Shanahan can declare an open competition for the left tackle spot, so either Adams or Okung/Williams takes that spot. The other takes right tackle.
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3. Trade with the Denver Broncos for wide receiver Brandon Marshall.
I’m usually never a fan of giving up first round picks, but Marshall really is that talented. He broke Terrell Owens’ record for most receptions in a single game with 21. He has caught at least 100 balls for three straight years, and he just turned 26 at the end of March.
One might say the Redskins are full at wide receiver regardless of talent. The roster currently includes Santana Moss, Devin Thomas, Malcolm Kelly, and Marko Mitchell.
Moss is still very good, but he needs help. Thomas had his first 100-yard game at the end of last season while showing fantastic ability to get yards after the catch. Kelly has great size (6’4″) and elite hands. Mitchell was a rookie last year and is a project.
Here is my trade scenario: Malcolm Kelly and a 2011 first round pick for Brandon Marshall.
Marshall knows Shanahan, and he knows the system. He will fit right in, and quarterback Donovan McNabb will have a Terrell Owens-type receiver that he had in 2004 when he went to the Super Bowl with the Eagles.
I personally think the Broncos would bite on this trade. Kelly is almost identical physically to Marshall, and I think he is talented enough to at least contribute in 2010.
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Now let’s look at tight ends. Chris Cooley injured his ankle early last season and was placed on IR. What happened? Second-year player Fred Davis stepped in and played like a Pro Bowler. He was a monster for me in fantasy football, reeling in six touchdowns and 509 yards in 10 games.
Cooley is a two-time Pro Bowler, and Davis, entering his third year, is already showing signs of serious talent.
After these moves, the Redskins now have a receiving corps consisting of:
Brandon Marshall, Santana Moss, Devin Thomas, Chris Cooley, and Fred Davis.
Imagine Moss running free while Marshall takes on the best corners and double teams. Imagine two starting-caliber tight ends (I would argue better than starting-caliber) running routes at the same time.
Then throw in the running game. Sure, it’s full of old veterans, but hear me out.
Clinton Portis has had no work ethic since coming to Washington. He has frequently sidestepped the coaching staff and failed to enter training camp in shape. That will certainly change under Shanahan, and it already has. I think he has one decent year left in him.
Larry Johnson showed much improvement after signing with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2009, yielding his first 100-yard game since the prior season. His carries will come on the goal line and in short yardage situations. McNabb has never had a running back like this, and he will benefit from it.
Willie Parker has faced injuries the last two years. Thing is, he has only had three 1,000-yard seasons in his career. He hasn’t taken near the beating that a Portis or LaDainian Tomlinson has. If he stays free of injuries, he may have somewhat of a comeback for the Redskins.
Every position on the offense is now solidified. Receiving corps is elite, quarterback well above average, running backs solid, and offensive line above average.
Throw in some luck that any good team needs to make the Super Bowl (Did anyone else see the Saints vs. Redskins game last year?), and Washington is a legitimate contender.
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With the recent acquisition of Donovan McNabb from the Eagles, the Redskins have solidified the quarterback position and increased their flexibility in the upcoming NFL rookie draft. And with that extra flexibility, it appears the team is now putting up various smokescreens in order to maximize their return from the draft picks they currently have.
Due to previous personnel moves, the Redskins currently have only four picks in the draft and there is plenty of speculation the team will attempt to make trades at or before the draft to increase their overall number of picks.
Their second-round pick was moved to the Eagles as part of the McNabb trade, their sixth-round pick was part of the Jason Taylor trade, and the team used their 2010 third-round pick to take defensive end Jeremy Jarmon in the third round of the 2009 supplemental draft.
The easiest avenue for the Redskins to pick up extra draft picks would be to trade Albert Haynesworth , who reportedly does not want to move to nose tackle in the team’s new 3-4 defensive alignment. However, few teams are likely to want to take on his massive contract.
Redskins’ head coach Mike Shanahan indicated the team was still considering taking a quarterback with the fourth overall selection in the draft, reasoning that some of the best quarterbacks in the league benefitted from being a backup during their first few years in the league.
Then came reports that the team was interested in acquiring former Cowboys left tackle Flozell Adams to shore up that position on the offensive line. Even for a Redskins team famed for its reputation for acquiring aging veterans, this potential free agent signing seems to be a stretch.
More likely, these moves are an attempt to create a smokescreen in an attempt to influence teams lower in the draft to increase their offers for the Redskins’ first-round selection.
Numerous teams have needs at tackle and may be willing to move up to acquire the consensus top offensive tackle in the draft, Oklahoma State’s Russell Okung.
However, the real target of this smokescreen is likely the Buffalo Bills. The Bills have a need at quarterback and at left tackle and may be willing to move up to acquire Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen.
If the Bills are convinced the Redskins are ready to sign Adams to play left tackle and take Clausen fourth overall, they would need to entice the Redskins to move the pick in order to get one of the top two quarterbacks in the draft.
Alternatively, if the Bills were convinced Clausen was going to the Redskins, they might be willing to increase a potential offer for Jason Campbell .
Either way, the Redskins would increase the number of picks they have in the draft as well as receive extra value in any potential Bills trade. Whether or not the Bills and rookie general manager Buddy Nix bite is anyone’s guess.
Here’s a look at the Redskins’ roster needs as the draft approaches.
Quarterback
With the McNabb trade, the free agent signing of Rex Grossman , and second-year player Colt Brennan on the roster, the team seems set at quarterback. Look for Campbell to be moved at the draft.
Running Back
Shanahan has a history of using lower-round picks on the running back position, but that may have to wait until the 2011 draft given the team’s overall needs. With aging veterans Clinton Portis , Larry Johnson , and Willie Parker occupying the depth chart, this position needs an upgrade, but that may not happen unless they can move the fourth-overall selection.
Receivers
Santana Moss returns as the team’s top wide receiver but he leaves something to be desired as a true No. 1 receiver. With Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly entering their third years, the team is hopeful that one or both of them will finally start producing consistently. The team also has hopes for 2009 seventh-round pick Marko Mitchell who has good size and speed. There isn’t a need at tight end with the duo of Chris Cooley and Fred Davis .
Offensive Line
With Chris Samuels ’ retirement, the Redskins have a gaping hole at left tackle and figure to address that at some point in the first round of the draft assuming the Adams interest is a smokescreen.
Right tackle Stephon Heyor hasn’t impressed and could be challenged by Artis Hicks. Derrick Dockery returns at left guard, but Randy Thomas was released, creating a vacancy at right guard. Casey Rabach is solid at center but is entering his 10th year in the league.
The Redskins need to address two starting positions as well as the overall depth along the offensive line.
Defensive Line
The Redskins are moving to a 3-4 defense but don’t figure to have the difficulties in doing so that many teams have faced. The team has significant depth along the defensive line, so it will be a surprise if any selections in the draft address this position.
Linebackers
With Andre Carter moving to outside linebacker to start alongside London Fletcher , Rocky McIntosh (who is expected to move inside), and emerging star Brian Orakpo , the Redskins figure to have a solid starting unit. There is little depth behind the starters other than H.B. Blades and converted defensive end Chris Wilson .
Defensive Backs
The Redskins are set at cornerback with DeAngelo Hall , Carlos Rogers , Philip Buchanon, Justin Tryon , Byron Westbrook , and Kevin Barnes . However, the situation at safety is a little unsettled due to the struggles last season of LaRon Landry , Chris Horton ,and Reed Doughty . Kareem Moore could push for playing time there, but the team would likely address the safety position in the draft.
Dave Stringer is the head fantasy football contributor at DraftBuddy.com , home of the popular Cheatsheet Compiler & Draft Buddy custom cheatsheet and draft tracking tool.
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