NFL Players Weigh In On Haynesworth Situation

[The Goat]

Originally Posted by BigHairedAristocrat

I'm with you there. Mike Wilbon echoed Thomas' argument defending Haynesworth on PTI a few weeks ago. The thing that drives me crazy about that argument is that there is no language in player's contracts garaunteeing them that the system will not change for the duration of the contract. None whatsoever. However, there is wording in the contract that obligates him to, among other things, show up for mandatory activities.

Sure, Haynesworth might have been enticed to the Redskins because they ran a 4-3. He might have even been told that he'd be used a certain way. If so, I'm sure no one was out to decieve him. As others have said, hings change. It's a reality of the NFL. Sure, Haynesworth might be disappointed or disgruntled that things didnt work out as he envisioned, but lets get real for a second...

Before Haynesworth CHOSE to become a Washington Redskin, he knew that Jim Zorn, widely reguarded as a complete joke of a head coach, was in the hot seat. He knew, or should have known as it was widely rumored, that Cerrato if things didnt turn around after year two, he was out as well. Further, Blache had been flirting with retirement for several years, so Haynesworth should have taken his possible departure into account as well.

So lets, recap, shall wel? Haynesworth new, coming in, that it was possible, if not likely, that the "GM," Head Coach, and possibly the Defensive Coordinator would be canned after his first year with the team, yet he chose to sign with us anyway, amidst all that uncertainty. If you remember, there were 4 teams reported to be actively interested in Haynesworth - the Titans, Giants, Bucs, and Redskins. Those first two teams have far more stable coaching staffs. If it was so important to him that he stick with a 4-3 defense, why not go to either of them? Oh, I forgot, because neither of them came close to meeting his financial demands. So he chose the Redskins. Because, as much uncertainty surrounded the team, they were willing to pay the most.

So what does Haynesworth do when he finds out the teams switching to a 3-4? He talks to Shanahan and Shanahan tells him they'll RELEASE him so he can go wherever he wants to, as long as he doesnt take a 21 million dollar check from the team. Instead of taking them up on the offer, he takes the money, and THEN demands to be traded or released. Haynesworth is nothing but a greedy scumbag. The only people who take his side in this matter are also greedy scumbags. Haynesworth can think what he wants, but no one is ever, EVER going to give him a big payday again. He's dug his own grave. If he leaves here, the most he'll ever see from another team is short-term, performance-based contracts. Good luck with that.

This is an excellent and insightful post. I think we could take it all a step further tho (after agreeing AH was, is and always will be about the money) and put the real blame directly on the previous regime. Vinny (and Danny Boy) hired a mercenary who has no allegiance to anyone or anything but himself. But it didn't stop there. Because of the absurdly overvalued contract the mercenary felt even more emboldened. It just so happens the new regime wants to go a different direction w/ the defense and it doesn't compromise/negotiate w/ the players. The AH situation probably cannot be mended.

I'm no NFL guru however my intuition is you're wrong on the last point (to some degree). No AH will never get a contract like he did here. But he'll be paid handsomely again. He'll sit across from mgmt w/ some franchise desperately needing a monster on defense. He'll convince them he truly wants to be the greatest. He'll convince them he can be that guy in the right defensive scheme. And...he'll basically deliver. If AH is lucky enough to sign w/ a contender, especially if the DC is bright enough to build the defensive front around his talents, he'll likely be the best DT in football.

The irony here is AH probably "wins" this war. Our defensive front is pretty effing sad. Our HC and DC have underwhelming defensive records at best. Things will be very, very interesting 6 months from now if AH is w/ Minn and the Redskins are dropping games because the defense gives up 30 points every week.

To those who suggest Shanny should keep AH and bench him for the season I don't doubt this could happen. Just be prepared for the onslaught of criticism and frustration if our defense gets shredded early in the season. Shanny is one of the more unyielding personalities in the game and I'm very curious how he'll react to the D.C. media if our defense takes a big step back this season.