Albert Haynesworth on Sirius NFL

[Hamoskinz]

How about this one from ESPN's AFC South Blog. This guy Kuharsky sounds bitter as if he was the Titans GM.

Interpreting Haynesworth talk on Titans

June 25, 2009 3:39 PM

Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky

Albert Haynesworth is a great interview because he's fearless. He doesn't worry what bosses or fans or friends or old friends will think. He gives an honest unfiltered answer.

But as with virtually anyone, his perspective is affected by who his friends are, where he is and who's showering him with money and affection.

In a Wednesday interview on "The Sirius Blitz" on SIRIUS NFL Radio Haynesworth talked about his former team.

Here is some of it from a transcript provided by Sirius, with my interpretations from more of a Titans perspective weaved in.

Host, Adam Schein: "Was it a situation where everything just ran its course for you in Tennessee? Was it time for you to leave Tennessee?"

Haynesworth: "Yeah, it was. It was. I'm kind of glad [we] didn't work out something there because it was really time for me to go and try to start this deal elsewhere and go out there and show how good I can play this game."

Kuharsky's interpretation: When you get the money and affection he got, of course you're happy and saying good things about the new team and not so good things about the old team.

Host, Jim Miller: "Can [the Titans] move on? Can you weigh in on whether Kyle Vanden Bosch can be a Pro Bowler again without your presence?"

Haynesworth: "Honestly, I don't know. I don't know how it's going to affect them or whatever. I took a lot of his double teams and things like that, allowed him to get single blocked so it's going to be different watching them and how they adapt to that."

Kuharsky's interpretation: He'd like to be missed and for the Titans to regret not trying harder to retain him, of course. If he plays well in Washington and they miss him in Tennessee, he smells like roses.

Miller: "Can Vince Young resurrect his career? What was your perception as his teammate?"

Haynesworth: "Vince is a really good friend of mine and everything, but I just don't see it happening in Tennessee. I think he has to go elsewhere and start elsewhere because I've been in that organization long enough and I know how kind of when you fall out of the good graces with certain people that you're not going to get back in it. I don't think they'll trade him because his cap number is too high, but he'll probably have to do his legacy elsewhere, which I definitely think he can because I think he's an awesome quarterback. He has amazing talent.

"He's a very passionate guy. He just loves to win and play the game. When things ain't going his way he's sitting on the sidelines trying to figure out himself. Now, all reports saying he refused to go back in the game and then he goes and gets hurt. I mean, that's not the case. They kind of blew it out [of proportion]...They can make or there or they can break you there. That's why I think it's time for him to go and start his career elsewhere and become that Hall of Fame quarterback that I know he can be."

Kuharsky's interpretation: Players often seem to think that falling out of good graces is something personal. No one wanted/wants Young to pan out more than the Titans -- who invested a high pick and millions in him and look bad because he's on their bench. But it's his approach, growth pace and ineffectiveness that put him in whatever bad position he is with Tennessee brass.

Young undeniably asked out of the season opener in 2008 before he was injured. It's a fact. We mean media can make you and can break you, and we helped make Haynesworth the richest defender in football, but he forgot about that while answering this question.

Regarding his relationship with Titans head coach Jeff Fisher:

Haynesworth: "I think it was OK. It was all right. You can say some good things; you can say some bad things. But I think it was OK. I don't hate the man."

Kuharsky's interpretation: He's a bit bitter because Fisher and the Titans ultimately didn't want him at market value. He shouldn't hate the man, who showed great patience when he was slow to understand what it meant to be in shape in the NFL, who kicked a teammate in practice and who stomped Andre Gurode in the face. In each instance Fisher allowed Haynesworth to earn his way back into good graces. Also, Fisher is the guy who hired Titans defensive line coach Jim Washburn, and Washburn played a bigger role in Haynesworth becoming a dominant force than anyone.

On his relationship with Redskins head coach Jim Zorn:

Haynesworth: "Coach Zorn is a very cool individual. You can go up and talk to him anytime, at any point. You can call him. I've probably talked to Coach Zorn on the cell phone more than I talked to Coach Fisher in seven years. And same thing with Mr. [Daniel] Snyder too. I know I've never talked to Mr. [Bud] Adams on the phone and I've talked to Mr. Snyder several times on the phone and he's called me and things like that. I mean, it's just a totally different situation there in Washington. It's not really like a division between the players and the front office. Here in Washington it's more that everybody gets along, everybody hangs out. You have Vinny [Cerrato] that comes down and works out around the same time we do and always coming through the training room and stuff. It's just really different. I've never been to any other team and I thought every team was pretty much like [the Titans]."

Kuharsky's interpretation: Fisher maintains a cool distance, but is hardly inaccessible. Position coaches are closest to players, and you'll notice Haynesworth didn't compare his new line coach to Washburn. Careful what you wish for in terms of a phone chat with Adams, who can meander around in such a conversation.

Mike Reinfeldt and Cerrato are probably polar opposites in personality. Fair to say Reinfeldt's not the kind of guy looking to workout beside players. I'd tend to be far more wary of an executive who's in the weight room than one who's not, but maybe that's just me. Snyder was courting Haynesworth and likes to be a player's pal as much as he likes to be an owner.

That Titans' distance sure doesn't translate in the win column like Washington's closeness does: The Titans are 35-29 in the last four years, the Redskins 32-32.

Revisiting my Haynesworth stance: If the Titans were $1 million away from re-signing him a year ago as he's said, they really blew it. I think his name means a lot to him after the Gurode stuff, and that he won't turn into a dog with the big contract because he doesn't want to see that name soiled again. Even if he's not as good in Washington, that doesn't mean he wouldn't have been good in Nashville.

[tryfuhl]

Wow, that guy seems a bit butthurt, really reaching for some of that stuff.

[Lotus]

Originally Posted by tryfuhl

Wow, that guy seems a bit butthurt, really reaching for some of that stuff.

Yeah, no kidding. It all went downhill from Kuharsky's beginning comment, which was,

"When you get the money and affection he got, of course you're happy and saying good things about the new team and not so good things about the old team."

Here Kuharsky completely ignores the possibility that AH could have said nice things about both teams. And AH didn't really diss Tennessee, AH just said that he felt it was time for new pastures. Phat Al went to college in Tennessee, too, and might understandably yearn for a change of scenery without resentment for the old scenery.

Personally I don't think I'll be reading many of his columns in the future.

[brent]

While no one can dispute New England's success, you have to do things your own way. You can't just "copy" a franchise's approach to player/personnel decisions.

If you are paying a dude $100 million or whatever, it makes sense to get him involved in the process of making sure you get the most out of him. Doesn't every successful team design their offense around what their QB does best? Gibbs was famous for that.

I think that's a real positive, and something the Skins have failed to do in recent past.

[SBXVII]

Not to change the topic, but I'm loving the love fest from all the media and magazine types. The only good thing they can say about the Skins is that they had the 4th ranked defense last yr and now having aquired AH and signing Hall we may improve.

NFL.COM, NFL network, Lindy's magazine, Pro Football Weekly magazine, Beckett's magazine, and Athlon Sports magazine. All point out that we were 8-8 last yr and made no improvements on the offensive side of the ball. They point out that we have no faith in JC and looked to pick up another QB. Obviously he sucks. We have no WR threat save for Moss and ARE. Oh and we need help at the SLB. They all list us last in the division for 09.

Our biggest issue last yr was we had a new HC with a new offensive scheme. That alone would keep a team below 500. We broke even. Most teams in their second yr in the same offense do better. I have to imagine we will do better. Perhaps it's my positive thinking but I truly doubt it's cool aid. So I believe atleast 9-7 or better.

I know we have had issues at WR but it seems we have a plethora these days. Now some might say they are unproven. True, but again I have to believe Kelly will do better then last yr which was doing nothing at all. I have to believe Thomas will be a lot better having better knowledge of the plays, audibles, speed, and routes. I don't know if they will both turn out to be 1st rate caliber WR's but even if they are half that they help the team. If they can produce 2 TD's they have helped more then Thrash did last yr...on offense.

I have to imagine our TE Davis was imbarrassed with his lack of production last yr. As well as Cooley. I can see both having an awsome season.

I have to believe with a better knowledge of the offense our passing attack will be better openning holes for CP or Betts or whoever they put back there. Teams will not be able to stack the box.

All these things are almost givens. I have not mentioned anything that would be far fetched. Unless the team implodes these things I have mentioned can almost be expected. The problem is everyone is from the show me state. Show me what you can do consistantly or get off the field. Which is why no one picked the Cards to go to the SB. I don't know. I'm sorry for venting, but I'm just tired of all the "Love fest for the Eagles going to the SB in 09. I have not seen enough changes on their part either to indicate they are worthy of taking the #1 spot in the NFC East. Last yr McNabb was healthy and they went no where. Second to last. I keep reading how this yr McNabb will be healthy and he will have weapons. What weapons? Yes, their last yrs rookie will be better this yr no different then Thomas and Kelly. Lets see...they have one new weapon now and we have two. They picked up another WR, TE, and RB. Nice. It will be difficult for the WR and TE because they will have to learn the offense, speed of the NFL, routes, play calls, and audibles. I don't see them having much of a change untill next yr. The RB might find some success only cause he simply has to learn the blocking then just run for the whole. The Eagles O-line and D-line are their best parts. Their defensive secondary is beatable. No improvement. I see the same mediocre team from last yr.

Dallas might be able to right the ship better then the Eagles but I think they are suspect in the secondary as well, they have lost their best offensive weapon that teams had to account for, their QB is second rate like ours but can get the job done. Then there's the HC. He sucks.

I see the only real threat coming from the Giants. Untill they get bumped off their pedistal they are the top dog, but their pedistal is starting to crumble. They lost two great WR's and have not replaced them. I think honestly their time has come and gone. They are on the downward slide. This yr will show for it.

Agian I'm sorry for venting and sorry this was soo long.

[MTK]

If the OL holds strong and we get something, anything from Thomas, Kelly and Davis, I can easily see 10-6 or better.

[SBXVII]

I can only hope Zorn is cutting all the "Summaries" out from all these magazines and posting them around Redskins Park. I know I'm a homer and I like to drink from the cool aid but I don't think I way out of line thinking we could be the team in the NFC East. If nothing else second place. If nothing else it screams volumes that the Eagles would let a team with a new HC trying to learn a new offense beat them twice. Apparently they are not that great.

I believe our division will probably beat up on each other. I'm being respectable to the other teams when saying that. Outside of that I see our only threats being New Orleans, Atlanta, and San Diego. We have:
St. Louis-winnable
Detroit-winnable
Tampa-winnable(New HC, possibly change to scheme)
Carolina-winnable
KC-winnable(again new HC,new scheme)
Denver-winnable(new HC, new scheme)
Oakland-winnable(need I say more, AL Davis)

Drinking from the cool aid is to say we will win them all. Although I like the sound of that. If we split the division we would be 3-3. Then there's all the ones I listed above. I presume a couple will catch us off guard like Carolina, and Tampa if they have not changed their offense. That's 3-5.
St. Louis
Detroit
KC
Denver
Oakland
are wins in my book, we would be 8-5. Then you have the 3; Atlanta, San Diego, and New Orleans. This is what will make us or break us. Will we be 8-8 again? I doubt it. I see us beating two of these three teams. 10-6. Now if we can beat any of our division rivals twice would even be better and I can actually see it possibly happening. Especially the Eagles. Perhaps Dallas this yr also.

[SBXVII]

Also....(this is my complaint day.LOL) why have we seen so many Dallas "Replay" games on the NFL network? It seems like ever time I turn on the NFL network and it's "Replay" it's some team against Dallas. Today was Baltimore. They've shown the Dalls vs. Eagles, Dallas vs. Seattle, Dallas vs. Baltimore, Dallas vs. Giants, and I think Dallas vs. Green Bay.

A close second has to be the Giants all over the network. Giants vs. Eagles, Giants vs Patriots, Giants vs. Dallas, .....

I hope there will be a Redskins week. lol.

[Lotus]

Originally Posted by SBXVII

Also....(this is my complaint day.LOL) why have we seen so many Dallas "Replay" games on the NFL network? It seems like ever time I turn on the NFL network and it's "Replay" it's some team against Dallas. Today was Baltimore. They've shown the Dalls vs. Eagles, Dallas vs. Seattle, Dallas vs. Baltimore, Dallas vs. Giants, and I think Dallas vs. Green Bay.

A close second has to be the Giants all over the network. Giants vs. Eagles, Giants vs Patriots, Giants vs. Dallas, .....

I hope there will be a Redskins week. lol.

Yes, it is quite annoying that they rarely show the 'Skins. Even when they have historical games, they never seem to pick 'Skins games.

[ethat001]

I'm a little worried about the AH injury bug. He's getting older and we've got keep him healthy for years. Given his history, I hope he can last us the full season. Either way, I guess we have capable backups that would bend-not-break for us if needed.