Haynesworth and the Eagles
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Haynesworth and the Eagles
Jonathan Tamari
A report from Yahoo! sports yesterday said Eagles coaches have interest in Plaxico Burress and Albert Haynesworth. We wrote a brief picking up that piece of news for today's paper and online because we figured it would be of interest, but didn't write much more because any moves for those players, and particularly Haynesworth, is still a long way away and the feeling here is that there are still long odds that either players ends up in green.
The Yahoo! report cited an unnamed Eagles source who described the thinking of Andy Reid and defensive line coach Jim Washburn. I've got no reason to doubt the quotes or that Washburn would love to be reunited with Haynesworth, who he coached to great success in Tennessee.
But there are big questions about the Eagles acquiring either man.
Start with Burress. His situation has been covered by me and many others on this site, so let's go with a quick summary: the Eagles are deep at receiver, scored a ton of points last season, were a touch above average in offensive red zone efficiency, and have no idea yet what Plax can so after two years on the shelf. In other words, they have much more pressing needs and other teams more desperate for receiver help are more are likely to offer the free agent a better deal.
Haynesworth is more intriguing, because the Eagles badly need a disruptive presence on the line and he has history with Washburn. Still, he's under contract for now. For the Eagles to get him via trade they would have to absorb a fat, uh, contract for a guy who turns 30 on Friday and who, while quite talented, showed questionable effort on the field and found trouble off it.
If the ‘Skins decide to deal him, I doubt they'd want to see him reunited with his old position coach on a division rival.
Maybe Washington can't trade Haynesworth and just cuts him. At this point, no one knows if that's where this is actually going. If it did happen, the Eagles would have to compete with contract offers from other teams. He would fit into their 4-3 scheme and it makes sense that he might make Washburn happy. But to the Eagles’ top decision makers – including Joe Banner, Howie Roseman and Andy Reid – effort and hustle are critical qualities. When invest big in a player, “love of the game” is always one of the first phrases out of their mouths. They’ll take draft picks completely off their board based on poor work ethic or attitude problems.
Haynesworth has shown both. Also, it’s worth noting that while Washburn seems to have a desire for the defensive tackle, the trifecta of top decision makers mentioned above has been very quiet about their potential targets. Those are the guys who will have to sign off on any move. Roseman was interviewed in the Yahoo! article and wouldn’t comment on specific players. The same has been true for me every time I’ve spoken with Roseman this offseason.
Obviously, we can’t rule anything out. The Eagles are not afraid to take chances and they always do their due diligence on all the options. I think all the talk from Banner, Roseman, Reid and even owner Jeffrey Lurie about making a big splash in the free agency and trade market is genuine. And yes, Washburn’s tie to Haynesworth is important.
Every position coach would love to have as many weapons as he can handle. But there’s a difference between one coach’s desire and the team's executives taking action.
Sign every con and freak available. Bring back T.O. too! Face it, the game is nothing but entertainment anyway. Since Andy can't win the big one, let's at least be entertained.— Boru- we need nnamdi and a good lb! our dline is good and if fat al was able to be pushed by washburn to be great again i wouldnt mind the addition but just at a reduced rate! we need nnamdi and thats it! hes the only free agent i want! he is the best cb in the league and he is a stand up guy lets get him NOW
— satcho27 - Burress is a avery intriguing option in that he is 6'5" with great hands and we have no receiver over 6'1". We still have issues with red-zone efficiency in the pass game. You can't teach height and he didn't get shorter in prison...— danlands
- Now who would want to come to a team of Egg heads like the Birds. You have to be stupid to sign with a team that never gets to a Super Bowl.— MRD
- Haynesworth didn't want to play a 3-4 defense. Especially if he was at the nose. He wants to play a 4-3, same as the Birds. If Birds can get the Skins to pick up some of the contract, Hayenesworth would like nothing better than T off on Skins. Burress would be an excellent corner-route tall presence for alley-oops and over the shoulder catches. Our weakness in the redzone is no height, Burress solves that problem and the Birds have proven to be willing to take a chance on an ex-con.
The only problem I have is Hanesworth's contract. I'd take Burress, who wants a second chance and to play with Vick, in a heartbeat.— kecward78 - who cares ... do it— shawnmac
- if washburn says haynesworth is a good way to go then the eagles are picking him up.— HeelYes
- why would Hainsworth play he got 40 some million before he ever took a snap in Washington. The Eagles aren right all the time but we could have the Skins.— KATEJOSH1
- only if the locker room is deemed strong enough to put up with his bs...he would appear to be the presence the d line thet is sorely needing— kgd
- I'm not concerned about reputations but have serious doubts about the commitments of these 3. Plax has been a head case from day one and Haynesworth quit in DC. He left the Titans for the money and once he got it, decided he no longer wanted to play. Bush is getting booted out of New Orleans for a reason. He won't workout and is always hurt. There are younger, better options out there. I hope they change their minds about these duds.— dapmman
- the eagles need him and Osi um and one of them top lock down corners as well as Plaxico Hell spend the money im tired of not having a super bowl to our credit!!!!— DJ_Bootleggah
- Have to agree with the mob here. The play with Vick scrambling and Albert flat on his fat belly motionless is something I could NEVER get by. So he was pi**ed at his coaches. No excuse for that disgusting display. We will do fine with out him.— JamesSeitz
- Here is where the Eagles have to realize their "30" rule is a good one. Burress was on the decline even before his incarceration and Haynesworth has so much $$ he would never push himself again, even for Washburn. At the same time they would be blocking someone like Trevor Laws, who is finally injury-free and in the best shape of his life. Washburn's new scheme away from the "two gap" will allow the DT's to generate more pressure. Cooper has the length we need. Everyone remembers "the pass" at the end of last year, but Vick simply did not throw it far enough. MV even said he knew it was a bad pass as soon as he released it.— Eagle_1960
- On the fence about Haynesworth...Could be a beast next to Dixon and Laws...On the other hand he just might be out of shape, lazy and unproductive like last season. If the get sign, he better be affordable.— MrMiles1
- lot o hearsay. anyway actually try asking Haynesworth? didn't think so— raoool
