Haynesworth suspended for remainder of season
The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagletarian
Haynesworth suspended for remainder of season
The saga surrounding the Washington Redskins continued today with Albert Haynesworth being suspended without pay for the team’s next four games for conduct detrimental to the club, according to a news release.
The Redskins said Haynesworth was told of the decision this morning by general manager Bruce Allen at Redskin Park.
Washington (5-7) plays Tampa, Dallas, Jacksonville and the Giants to close out the season.
Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan issued the following statement:
“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.”
And since there are two sides to every story, here is the statement from Haynesworth's agent, Chad Speck:
"I have reviewed the Notice of Suspension letter sent to Albert by Bruce Allen as well as the comments made by Coach Shanahan. Albert and I have discussed the claims made in the Notice of Suspension and we disagree with the Redskins' decision.
"He was surprised by the suspension, the maximum permitted under the CBA, and will certainly appeal it. The accusations made by Coach Shanahan and Bruce Allen are vague and without merit. Since training camp began, today's notice was the first that Albert received informing him that his conduct was not consistent with the "terms of his contract" as Coach Shanahan claims. Bruce confirmed to me today, that there have been no other letters or formal notices of any kind sent to Albert during the regular season suggesting that he was engaging in conduct detrimental to the team. We will begin the appeal process immediately and expect the facts to come to light during arbitration. Albert has repeatedly asked for a bigger role in the defense. He simply wants to play and maximize his contribution to the team. It is unfortunate that he has not been utilized more, as the Redskins defense causes more turnovers and gives up fewer total yards, rushing yards, passing yards, first downs, third down conversions and points when Albert plays in the game."
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i am so glad the eagles dont have players with such disregard to rules and coaches... I hope he never plays again.... he has talent but his talent is overwelmingly overshadowed by his attitude....— phlyphan613- Haynesworthless is pathetic. For $20 million a year, I'd play nose guard, offensive tackle, kick pats and fill up the water cups on the sideline. Football is a team sport, if he wants to do his own thing, go play golf.— Bleue
- What a turd. Dude could be the best defensive player in football.— pflynn20
- Overpaid and over hyped, another self important athlete destroys their career. Maybe he can sign with TO and Ocho OH NO and make a fresh start. GO EAGLES!!— unbelieveable!
- take back the money! tie him up with lawyers in court. go get em!— barrywil
Maybe the Giants will take him and let Andrews mentor him.- In a just league, Fat Albert would be relegated to playing on a squad consisting of players like JaMarcus Russel (backed up, of course, by Ryan Leaf), Shawn Andrews, and T.O. However, all is not unjust; Mr. Buttersworth is at least playing for the right owner.— Stephen_Niksa
- barrywil - excellent post. I hope there is a way that the Skins can get back a big chunk of his ridiculous signing bonus ($30M - ?) and then throw him on the trash heap. This guy is the poster child for what is bad in sports these days.— CTL
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I bet Mike Shanahan is starting to be very sorry he signed with Washington. And if we sometimes think it's tough to be Eagles fans, how about being a Redskins fan these days?
I wish they would just cut him. Unlike the other posters I would want the Eagles to sign him. There is not a better DT in the league than him. Plus he would be motivated to prove the Redskins wrong and would immensely help the Eagles pass rush with the front 4. Just ask the Titans how good he is.- Rico, did you totally miss all of the D-linemen they waved goodbye to after last season? That was precisely because those geniuses were second-guessing the coaching staff. Now they are all gone and the defense is way better. They kept all the guys who would play the way they were coached to play. Haynesworth has demonstrated that is exactly what he WON'T do.— dviljoen
- anyone see the news that ellis hobbs is retiring?— chadp1234
Shanahan completely screwed this up. The guy was already being paid, why not make it work? The training camp thing was a joke. And then the McNabb thing....Shanahan is a fraud. He won a SB because they got lucky with a 5th round draft pick that turned into a stud.- Albert Haynesworth.... Underacheiver defined. Bad attitude. Will never earn another dollar in the league.— MJPD345
