By John Pappas
The Redskins announced today they have suspended Albert Haynesworth for the remainder of the season for “conduct detrimental to the club.” In announcing ths suspension, the team released the following from head coach Mike Shanahan:
“Despite the club’s numerous attempts to persuade Albert Haynesworth to abide by the terms of his contract, he has repeatedly refused to cooperate with our coaching staff in a variety of ways over an extended period of time. Among other things, he has consistently indicated to our defensive coaches that he refuses to play in our base defense or on first-down or second-down nickel situations. He has also refused to follow the instructions of our coaches both during weekly practices and during actual games as well.
“Yesterday, when Albert was at Redskin Park, he told our General Manager Bruce Allen that he [Haynesworth] would no longer speak with me. Although suspending any player is not a decision that a head coach enters into lightly, I believe the situation has reached the point where the club clearly has no alternative.”
While this topic will dominate the news cycle today, and be front and center for tonight’s recording of the next podcast, it begs the question of how the Redskins got here, and who is to blame. At the risk of pre-empting my own show, I’ll go ahead and answer the question.
The blame lies at the feet of Mike Shanahan.
It is Shanahan’s fault the team paid Haynesworth the $21 million and took his word he would be a good citizen despite a wealth of evidence to the contrary, and Haynesworth’s own admission he had no interest in playing in a 3-4 front. This is the same 3-4 front by the way, that Shanahan insisted Washington adopt, despite an accute lack of 3-4 talent on the team.
It is likewise Shanahan’s arrogance to think he could change Haynesworth by sheer will. Haynesworth is a 9th-year player who got his money. He is also a guy who is quite good at being a tackle in a 4-3 front. What in the hell does he care what Shanahan wants, or what the team expects?
