The sales job occurred in text messages from Redskins teammates. They want to let defensive lineman Albert Haynesworth know what they think is happening at Redskins Park. And that they think he’ll like it, too.
But there’s a limit as to how much teammates will try to convince Haynesworth that his disgruntlement is displaced.
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“Anybody who’s been on this field knows we’re building something special,” Redskins corner DeAngelo Hall said. “At the same time you either get on the bandwagon or you ain’t going to be here. There’s not a whole lot I’ll do to try and sell him. Am I going to try? Yeah. But it ain’t going to be wining and dining and all this other kissing his [butt]. He’ll see what’s going on, and we’ll tell him what we’re trying to do. Hopefully that’s enough. … I don’t see too many of us bending over backwards.”
Don’t read too much into Hall’s last comment. He’s among those who have texted and spoken with Haynesworth. He’s looking forward to Haynesworth coming to the mandatory minicamp, which starts Wednesday. And he knows how dominant Haynesworth could be in any defense.
But he also knows, as does everyone else at Redskins Park, that Haynesworth dislikes the 3-4 now used by Washington. There’s still the possibility of a trade at some point. If not, he’ll be stuck. Making a lot of money, of course.
“Hopefully he comes in in great shape,” Redskins end Phillip Daniels said. “Knowing Albert, he’ll come in the right frame of mind. Even though he doesn’t want to play in a 3-4, I’m pretty sure when he gets here he’ll be ready to go. We’re willing to help him out and get him going. He’s missed a lot, and it will take him a while.”
Will he be able to see what his teammates see? Or will he see one thing: how it pertains to him?
“We can get him here and tell him everything under the sun,” Hall said. “And you still might not like it.”
And there’s one thing we know about new coach Mike Shanahan: If a player isn’t buying in, he’ll eventually be gone. The only question for Haynesworth would be when.
