1. When the Redskins signed Albert Haynesworth, several people around the league — from GMs to scouts to evaluators — all issued the same, ‘Yes, but …’ line about him. Yes he was disruptive and talented, but why did Tennessee let him walk? There were questions about durability and character. Does this make him wrong about his thoughts on the defensive scheme? No. But it does not make this situation surprising? Not in the least.
2. If Haynesworth really wanted to know if Greg Blache would change for him, all he needed to do was call Jason Taylor. After his season ended, he couldn’t figure out why the Redskins traded for him. In fairness to Blache, he was brought in on the first day of training camp so that would have required a major change after an offseason of focusing another way. However, coaches must adjust to the talent they have. Blache, though, has never been a guy who changed schemes for one player. Ever. How this was lost on Haynesworth and his representatives is beyond me. This is what happens when players sign for the most money (yes, Tampa Bay technically offered him more, but his deal with Washington already was in place). Same thing happened when Jeremiah Trotter came here to play for Marvin Lewis. He was asked to play more in coverage, which is what Lewis had asked his other middle linebackers to do. Yet Trotter complained later about being used differently. Do your homework. I also think it won’t matter for next season. I have a hard time seeing Blache wanting to stick around another year, even if the organization wants him. He has his cabin up in Wisconsin and was ready to retire two years ago.
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3. Whether or not Haynesworth tried to organize a mutiny, I’m not sure yet. Haven’t had a chance to talk to the players about this and all I know is that he denied it to the Washington Post. However, I am not about to dismiss the initial report at all. Haynesworth was more than upset after the Giants’ loss. How close is he to other defensive players? I rarely see him fraternizing with teammates, most notably the defensive linemen. He’s not a guy to joke around or be vocal in the locker room. The other D-linemen are rather close, though their lockers are mostly separate (aside from Phillip Daniels and Andre Carter). Haynesworth mostly keeps to himself. He also has a guaranteed contract so his spot on the roster is secure. Cornelius Griffin and Daniels, even if they wanted to participate, have iffy futures in Washington so it wouldn’t exactly be a good way to please the new bosses.
4. It’s nice to talk about how certain players get away with things and they do. Everyone knows Clinton Portis has had questionable habits for years. That’s as much the reason that he’s fading. To blame it all on age or the amount of carries would be wrong. They’ve played a part, but so have his poor offseason habits when it comes to staying in shape. But don’t forget that back in the day, Joe Gibbs let John Riggins get away with much more. Riggins would routinely doze off in meetings and there’s even one story, retold by the Hogs a few years back, about him relieving himself in the back of a meeting room while a coach was talking. Some coaches from that staff remain upset with him feeling like he took advantage of Gibbs. Yet they won. This is not to excuse players at all, but just to provide some perspective. However, this group is not winning and when you’re not, and you have players behaving a certain way, they need to change.
5. Should Haynesworth be allowed to freelance more? Perhaps. I remember talking to Darrell Green one time about LaVar Arrington. Green’s playing days had ended, but his point was that to have a great defense sometimes you need that one player who freelances a little. They had it for a few years with Wilber Marshall and benefitted. As long as the others around them aren’t doing the same, you can still be good. But it also would help if Haynesworth, you know, stayed healthy (again, durability concerns).
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