Linebacker done with all ‘Albert nonsense’
ASHBURN – Linebacker Brian Orakpo made it clear what he wanted, and didn’t want, regarding Albert Haynesworth this season.
And it expresses the sentiment of his teammates.
“This year we’re not going through all that Albert nonsense,” Orakpo said. “If he’s here, if he’s not, I don’t even want to discuss it. Love Albert to death, wish him the best. If he’s here there’s a role, if not we have to move on without him and forget about all this saga. We just need to start winning games and forget about all the drama we go through each and every year.”
Orakpo said he would love to play with Haynesworth again. Two years ago, Haynesworth’s presence helped open rush lanes for Orakpo. And the two worked well at times on stunts.
But Orakpo would not want to see Haynesworth kept around so the franchise could make a point to their former prized free agent. The Redskins are trying to trade him.
“Obviously it wears you down,” Orakpo said. “I thought last year and in years previous we talked too much about individuals that have problems with the organization instead of trying to go out and perform well.
“We need to forget about all the nonsense and negativity and focus as a team.”
Haynesworth is expected to report to camp Thursday. Teammates, including two players who were closer to him in Phillip Daniels and Vonnie Holliday, aren’t sure what to expect from him.
“We went through a lot with him last year,” Daniels said. “I wish things could work out. He’s a physical guy who can beat people up.”
Holliday said one key is how Haynesworth handles the criticism from the organization.
“Will it be motivation for him to prove that he is still that guy and that he loves the game? I’m not sure how he handles it,” he said. “I know this, if Albert decides to come in and play in this system, then we’re gaining an impact player.”
