Haynesworth is the New LaVar Arrington

Redskins keep repeating history, just not in a good way. Every time I hear or read something about the Shanahan and Haynesworth debacle I get an image of LaVar Arrington sitting on the water cooler during games in 2005. You guys remember that whole situation right? Coach Gibbs and Defensive Coordinator Greg Williams needed to make a point because Arrington's "freelancing" was supposedly hurting the team. The real issue was they lost confidence in him because of an injury and the team was not getting a big enough return on investment. Well this Haynesworth situation is eerily similar. So he took the money and doesn't want to play nose tackle. He is not the first player to sit back and collect money from the Redskins (PrimeTime anyone). Nor is he the first player that signed under the expectation that the agenda of the team wouldn't change--then it did. Can you blame him for taking the money? I can’t.

Ultimately, Haynesworth showed up when he was suppose to, at the right weight, and now Shanahan is preventing him from practicing because he is a fat guy that cannot post a decent shuffle time. Who cares really? Fans want to see him bring havoc on opposing lineman, which is all we can really expect from converting him to a nose tackle. Let's face it, I don't remember him being a big run stopper. Anyways, I would rather the team come out and say "We want our money back because we made a mistake" or "we don't think he can play" versus "he cannot pass the conditioning test." Just alleviate the drama. I really hope that this situation yields better results than the Arrington one. I really don't want to see Albert sitting on a water cooler during a game. I mean really, he takes enough plays off as it is.

As a 'Skins fan, that is tired of losing, I realize that we need Haynesworth to be productive for us to have a good season. Period. Shanahan must know that too. Yeah yeah I understand that Shanahan needs to make a point to the team but I think we can safely say that his point has been made. 'Skins fans do not want drama at the start of a season that can be a promising one.

Besides, converting to a 3-4 is no easy task, especially when you have two starters at least—Haynesworth and Andre Carter—that have had down seasons with teams that have converted to the 3-4, Tennessee and San Francisco respectively. Having said that, it is obviously in the best interest of the team to get these guys practicing together, sooner rather than later. We didn't pay Haynesworth all of that money to have him practicing with the reserves, or better yet not practicing at all. Dag on shame if you ask me.

The bottom line is this...You already paid him the money, so let him practice and see how much he can help the team. The Redskins are already waist deep into the situation, so let the chips fall where they may. You aren't going to find another DT of Haynesworth's caliber in this stage of the off season. Let him play and save the fans a lot of embarrassment. It is already hard enough supporting the 'Skins year after year after year.



Lola
donita.evans@hotmail.com