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Albert Haynesworth has yet to master the nuances of the Redskins' new defense. |
BY RICH CAMPBELL
The Washington Redskins are once again looking to trade defensive lineman Albert Haynesworth, according to an ESPN report yesterday.
The Redskins reportedly gauged the Tennessee Titans' interest in reacquiring the two-time all-pro defensive tackle on the eve of the regular season.
ESPN cited an anonymous Titans source in reporting that the club would welcome Haynesworth back, but Washington's asking price of two draft picks apparently is too high.
The Titans drafted Haynesworth in the first round in 2002, and he played for them through 2008 before signing a $100 million free-agent contract with the Redskins in February 2009.
The Redskins shopped Haynesworth during a tumultuous offseason during which he accepted a $21 million roster bonus in April but skipped new coach Mike Shanahan's workout program and a mandatory minicamp.
Haynesworth balked at the Redskins' switch to a 3-4 defense. Shanahan told Haynesworth he would release him into free agency on the condition that he did not accept the roster bonus. Haynesworth did, though, so the club has since been trying to either trade him or make him a productive team member.
Results of those efforts have been mixed. Players are convinced that Haynesworth would help them if he is healthy, committed to the scheme and giving full effort.
He is lagging behind his teammates, though, after missing so much practice time during the offseason program and during training camp. He completed only five of 18 full practices during camp because of absences stemming from his inability to pass a conditioning test and an illness.
Redskins quarterback Donovan McNabb yesterday addressed the saga during a radio interview with ESPN980 AM.
With Haynesworth still languishing on the Redskins' second-team defense, McNabb's remarks seemed to be more of a pep talk to Haynesworth than a plea to management to keep him around.
"Albert is a guy who understands now, he understands that, hey, I've got to put the time and effort in to get an opportunity to show what I can do," McNabb said. "And he knows what he can do.
"We can't win without him. He plays a major part on our defense, and everyone knows that. It's just unfortunate what's been going on and how everything has transpired, but that's the game of football, and I think he'll handle it the right way."
McNabb's comments were the first he has publicized in two weeks. He has been nursing a sprained ankle, but he said that he will start on Sunday against Dallas despite not being 100 percent.
He also spoke about his contract status. He's entering the last season on his deal.
"I want to be here for years," he said. "I moved my family here. This is obviously one that I feel like we can have a lot of success together for the next couple years.
"Why hasn't it happened? That's not one that I'm paying too much attention to. My focus right now is just getting the guys going and myself and getting out here and winning some ballgames and getting that excitement built back up here in the D.C. area. Will it happen? I hope so. I'm pretty sure it will."
Rich Campbell: 540/735-1974
Email: rcampbell@freelancestar.com
