Washburn pushing for Haynesworth?
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Washburn pushing for Haynesworth?
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
The Jim Washburn-Albert Haynesworth connection was first mentioned shortly after the Eagles announced that Washburn would be their new defensive line coach.
Haynesworth had his most productive years as a pro playing for Washburn in Tennessee, and it earned him a monster contract with the Redskins.
But we all know how things have turned out in D.C.
While Haynesworth's future with the Redskins appears shaky (to put it mildly), the question has come up once again: Would a reunion with Washburn make sense?
That's where today's column from Michael Silver of Yahoo Sports comes in.
"[Washburn] is convinced he can get the most out of Haynesworth," an Eagles source told Silver. “He wants him badly."
Back in January, I offered my take on Haynesworth, and it really hasn't changed too much since then. As recently as last season, he showed that when he wants to be, he can still be a dominant, disruptive defensive tackle. A true difference-maker. We saw him throw around multiple Eagles offensive linemen in the teams' first meeting (not the Monday night blowout).
Of course, Haynesworth also has shown that he can be a headache - both on and off the field. There have been several red flags with him over the years.
Here are the key questions on Haynesworth:
1. What will it take to get him? Remember, he is not a free agent. Right now, Haynesworth is still under contract with the Redskins. It's difficult to predict what the Redskins would want in return, but given the risk involved, I can't imagine the Eagles would be willing to offer much. Keep in mind, Haynesworth is reportedly due a guaranteed $5.4M in 2011.
2. How big of an impact can Washburn have on him? If Haynesworth ends up getting released, that's when he becomes a more intriguing option because the Eagles could likely protect themselves with a new contract. If the Birds' brass believe Washburn can get the most out of him, and that Haynesworth can be a difference-making defensive lineman, maybe they'd look into it.
Silver's column offers up some other nuggets, with the primary theme being one we've heard often this offseason: The Eagles have an aggressive plan in place or free agency.
"This is the year," the Eagles source told Silver. "We think we have a great shot to win it, and we’re loading up and going for it."
Silver mentions a couple other names in addition to Haynesworth: Plaxico Burress (who I wrote about yesterday) and Reggie Bush.
Considering LeSean McCoy's ability as a receiver and the team's decision to draft Dion Lewis, I'm not sure Bush makes much sense here.
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Might as well give the POS a shot....— IvanDejesus
Comment removed.- Yeh, I still say no harm with "bad guys" as long as you have the right contract in place. He would have to be released first. I do believe a situaetion or a coach can have a huge impact on a player, but even given that, you have to worry that, whatever the reason, he came to accept not giving 100%. That's a big worry, that stuff don't fly in Philly, though I do think Washburn would never allow it.— EagleEye61
- If the Eagles go for Haynesworth than it is indeed true that Reid must be going for broke in what may be close to his final season in philly. What would he have to lose? He obviously views this as his final shot to go for it before his contract runs out.— Sewellmatt
- You go get haynesworth and namdi and a lot of the Eagles problems on Defense go away. It's that easy. You get two very good corners to disrupt the pass game and sacks come easier, the other team have to keep more people in to protect the QB., rely more on the running game and become predictable. Game over, Super Bowl win Philadelphia as long as we can score 17-23 points a game.— mundiff
- I'll say it too, when we are this close to winning it you have to go and get it. Plaxico, Haynesworth, Bush, the corner who left Oakland (don't know his name), get anyone we can to put this team over the top. Imagine an offense with McCoy or Bush in the backfield with Vick and at wide receiver Jackson, Maclin and Plaxico. How are you going to stop that? Hopefully this is the year but I'm not holding my breath.— LMUNIZ
- Haynesworth, when he wants to, can completely change a game on his own. If this Coach can manage Albert, and I'm sure he can, then make the trade and get this dude in here. Say what you will but Albert is a monster when he wants to be and adding Asomugha and/or Plaxico; start shining up the Lombardi trophy for it's one year stay in Philly.— rbecker1963
- Hey guys, look..... The Eagles are not the only team in the NFL. They are not the only team looking for these players that are FA. People sometimes make it sound soooooo easy. Other teams and fans in other cities are also REALLY wanting these players. To the front office: Do the best you can to bring some of this talent here, and lets get this done. Go Eagles!!!!!!— hawaiiphillyfan
- Normally I'd agree with you, but Haynesworth has already publicly stated that he'd love to play for Washburn again. So really, it's up to Haynesworth if he wants to get paid by the highest bidder (assuming he gets released), or whether he wants to play for a potential SB contender with his favorite coach. In that respect, the Eagles have an advantage.
— phillychaos - The Redskins will "give away" Haynesworth to any team that will also take McNabb off their hands.— SteveS11
- We have the coach, give him his toys. Surprised at the number of fans who insist on having choir boys in the line up. This team needs some attitude and Reid, Washburn and Mudd are the guys that can keep them in tow.— tpizza
- Let Haynesworth be released. Then offer him $500,000 on a one-year contract and see if he really likes football. Any team that spends big money on this guy is weak in the head.— armchairGM
- there's no way anyone's trading for him at over $5 mil a year. Only Washburn has the chance to motivate him.— thefadd
- wow, nobody gets it, the guy simply mailed it in. He got his money and decided to not care one bit and I dont care what system he was in. Wasnt it the largest contract for that position? And he mails it in? and you think he will somehow care to give effort because hes an Eagle. What a joke this guy is, if they have any brains they dont even consider it. So his old coach will get him motivated but that gigantic contract couldnt? ya ok. Guy is a complete loser at this point. "Albert Haynesworth allegedly slid his credit card into the bra of a waitress and then touched her breast, according to court papers filed Wednesday offering Haynesworth a plea deal in the sexual abuse case." HAHA and you losers want this guy on our team— peteike
- Unless the Redskins are willing to eat the vast majority of his contract, I wouldn't go anywhere near Haynesworth.— p-diddy
- Going for Haynesworth has all the risks we took with T.O. He could be very disruptive to the team. There remains the fact that our current D-line is toooooo small.— 4thand10
- "Haynesworth, when he wants to, can completely change a game on his own. If this Coach can manage Albert, and I'm sure he can, then make the trade and get this dude in here."
sounds like 2004 when the eagles were thinking of going after owens.— sdffa13 - There are athletes that "live to play" and those who "play to live" meaning they play to establish a lifestyle. What Washburn doesn't realize,but what we living in the D.C. area do, is that Haynsworth has all the money from Dan Snyder that he could possibly want and no incentive to continue to perform. It's not like Carolina for Haynsworth and it never will be again. Knute Rockne, Vince Lombardi nor John Walsh could get Haynsworth to regain his old level of performance because Haynsworth has cashed his chips and he's all about the money. It would be a big mistake to go after Haynsworth and believe me the Eagles are better off without Haynsworth and Washburn then they would be having both.— Claudio Vernight
- At $500,000 a year, a released Haynesworth is worth the risk, provided Washburn really wants him. They'll know real quick if he's going to play football, and if he doesn't, drop him without hesitation somewhere in September. It's worth a little money to find out what he'll do, and if he'll sign for low wages (by NFL standards) that suggests right away his attitude is changing.
Any team that throws any substantial money at him is just begging for a Redskins repeat all over.— armchairGM - Comment removed.
- probably a 2nd or 3rd round pick will get haynesworth..that bigoted coach shanahan will keep him and won't play him if necessary.— only 9
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