Albert Haynesworth on Sirius NFL

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by Rajmahal33

This little excerpt is pretty bothersome to me because i think this is why our front office seems incapable of making objective decisions. As heartless as Belicheck is, he runs a tight ship over there and has shown that he can make tough decisions even at the cost of his closest players. I'm not saying we have to do that here but the proof of that approach is in their on-field product. We can give any excuse(s) we want to but the Redskins have simply not gotten it done on the field in the Vinny Cerrato years (and i'm not blaming only him). Maybe a good reason for our failures is this "different" easy going culture we have in Ashburn.

Hate to be pessimistic here but I don't want the skins to be known as having a "great" lockerroom atmosphere if it means putting out a soft team on the field. I think the stigma in some player's minds is that its a free lunch on a redskins roster. You can't tell me that, for example, Jason Taylor really had the fire and passion that he had in Miami when he came here. It just raises some flags for me...

Are you saying the team can't make objective decisions because the atmosphere is too cordial?

[stu_nna]

Originally Posted by Rajmahal33

This little excerpt is pretty bothersome to me because i think this is why our front office seems incapable of making objective decisions. As heartless as Belicheck is, he runs a tight ship over there and has shown that he can make tough decisions even at the cost of his closest players. I'm not saying we have to do that here but the proof of that approach is in their on-field product. We can give any excuse(s) we want to but the Redskins have simply not gotten it done on the field in the Vinny Cerrato years (and i'm not blaming only him). Maybe a good reason for our failures is this "different" easy going culture we have in Ashburn.

Hate to be pessimistic here but I don't want the skins to be known as having a "great" lockerroom atmosphere if it means putting out a soft team on the field. I think the stigma in some player's minds is that its a free lunch on a redskins roster. You can't tell me that, for example, Jason Taylor really had the fire and passion that he had in Miami when he came here. It just raises some flags for me...

Our defense has never been "soft". This is not the NFC West we are playing in. Yes we've had our offensive woes, but that does not translate into a soft team. We are not even close.

[Zerohero]

Originally Posted by stu_nna

Our defense has never been "soft". This is not the NFC West we are playing in. Yes we've had our offensive woes, but that does not translate into a soft team. We are not even close.

I have to agree with this, and go on to say how hard its been to be in the NFC East. Even when the cowgirls, eagles, giants have off years they are still very competitive teams.

[Lotus]

Originally Posted by Rajmahal33

This little excerpt is pretty bothersome to me because i think this is why our front office seems incapable of making objective decisions. As heartless as Belicheck is, he runs a tight ship over there and has shown that he can make tough decisions even at the cost of his closest players. I'm not saying we have to do that here but the proof of that approach is in their on-field product. We can give any excuse(s) we want to but the Redskins have simply not gotten it done on the field in the Vinny Cerrato years (and i'm not blaming only him). Maybe a good reason for our failures is this "different" easy going culture we have in Ashburn.

Hate to be pessimistic here but I don't want the skins to be known as having a "great" lockerroom atmosphere if it means putting out a soft team on the field. I think the stigma in some player's minds is that its a free lunch on a redskins roster. You can't tell me that, for example, Jason Taylor really had the fire and passion that he had in Miami when he came here. It just raises some flags for me...

I'm sorry but I beg to differ with your Belichick example. Yes, Belichick has made "tough decisions even at the cost of his closest players." But that does not mean that Belichick is distant from them. Plenty of former New England players have had nothing but nice things to say about him as a person. They say that in the locker room Belichick is much friendlier than his cold press conference persona might indicate. So, even though he makes "objective" personnel decisions, he is still friendly. Therefore, if New England is the desired standard, having a friendly and open atmosphere is not a problem.

Compare Mangini, who by all accounts is distant and perhaps sometimes rude to his players. Notice that he has a new job because he did not turn the Jets into strong contenders. Mangini would be an example of a "cold" locker room becoming dysfunctional.

As for Jason Taylor, by his own account he was hurt, didn't jell with the defensive scheme, didn't jell with Blache, and missed his family in Miami. These might be factors in what you perceive as his loss of competitiveness.

As for the Redskins making tough personnel decisions, there are many examples, including a recent one: Jon Jansen.

[skins89moss]

Originally Posted by Lotus

I'm sorry but I beg to differ with your Belichick example. Yes, Belichick has made "tough decisions even at the cost of his closest players." But that does not mean that Belichick is distant from them. Plenty of former New England players have had nothing but nice things to say about him as a person. They say that in the locker room Belichick is much friendlier than his cold press conference persona might indicate. So, even though he makes "objective" personnel decisions, he is still friendly. Therefore, if New England is the desired standard, having a friendly and open atmosphere is not a problem.

Compare Mangini, who by all accounts is distant and perhaps sometimes rude to his players. Notice that he has a new job because he did not turn the Jets into strong contenders. Mangini would be an example of a "cold" locker room becoming dysfunctional.

As for Jason Taylor, by his own account he was hurt, didn't jell with the defensive scheme, didn't jell with Blache, and missed his family in Miami. These might be factors in what you perceive as his loss of competitiveness.

As for the Redskins making tough personnel decisions, there are many examples, including a recent one: Jon Jansen.

I couldn't agree more.

[53Fan]

I can't wait to see AH play for us.

[skinsfan69]

Still in the honeymoon phase. But good to hear that the vibe around Redskin Park isn't uptight.

[Chico23231]

I just cant wait to see AH put Romo on his ass. Hopefully put Romo out for the year with his sissy pinky injury. Regardless of the money we pay him, if he can lead the Skins D into reoccurring playoff appearances I will be over the top thrilled. Now if we can just get him to play right tackle too hmmm......

[NYCskinfan82]

He probably could play RT hahaha, enjoying my summer but can't wait for the season to start.

[stu_nna]

Great to hear AH is happy to be in Washington.

[Hamoskinz]

Great interview. Glad to see AH is staying humble and bonding with the team, coaches and FO. Now, thats out of the way, time to show us the pocket-disruptiveness we signed him for.

[MTK]

People really can make something outta nothing.

[53Fan]

All this time I thought we didn't have enough talent or we were changing coaches too often or maybe making some bad personell decisions. It never occured to me we haven't been to the Super Bowl since Snyder took over because the coach, GM, and owner were too approachable to the players. Interesting.

[GMScud]

I hear what Rajmahal is saying. Players being buddy-buddy with the coaches and front office is a double-edged sword, IMO. It can improve the locker room and help with chemistry, and also add a sense of accountability in that the players may feel like mistakes are letting down not only teammates and coaches, but friends as well. On the flip side, there will always be guys who see an inch and take a mile, trying to slack off, screw around, or get away with whatever.

I have no idea if either of the above are happening, but as friendly and approachable as our staff and FO may be, I certainly hope they can stick a foot up someone's ass when necessary.

[53Fan]

As far as Belichick goes, I think his players like him and he has used the "us against the world" stategy very well. In a recent article on Tony Dungy, Tony recalled how Chuck Noll talked to his players about life as much as football. Seemed to work out pretty well for the Steelers. Dan may have made a mistake with his relationship with Arrington and Portis, but hey, he let Williams decide how to use Lavar and I think Zorn will be allowed to use Portis as he sees fit. When it comes down to it, the team means more to the coaches and management than individual players. Anyone who doesn't think so should ask Marcus, Daniels, or any of the guys who were released and only offered vet min. to return, or not offered anything at all.