The-Hogs.net - Washington Football Discussion, Redskins to Commanders Era

chiefhog44 wrote:

VetSkinsFan wrote:

1niksder wrote:

fleetus wrote:
In my mind, the only way he repairs the damage from this off-season is to play harder than he ever has in his career, make the Pro Bowl and not continue his pattern of negative comments and off field disruptions. I give it a 100-1 shot.

What damage has he caused this off season that needs repairing?
He chose not to show up for voluntary workouts, that gave others a chance to get snaps and hands on work that they would have not have gotten if AH had been there.

Why does he have to make the pro bowl (it's just a popularity contest)?
Wouldn't it be better if he continued to simply make the players around him better.

What pattern of negative comments has he made this off season?
What the media speculates and what he actually said are miles apart, but because the media is the only ones commenting on how he feels they must be correct. The only quote I've seen that wasn't rehashed from last year was this:

"I haven't really had a whole lot of conversations about it to them," he said of his new coaches, whom he praised several times. "I don't know, I guess whatever. I don't know what I'm supposed to do or to say. I'm under contract there, so there's nothing I can really say about it....You look at all the nose tackles in the NFL, they're all the same type guys. Like me, I'm 6-6, 330, 340 pounds, whatever. Most of those guys are short, stubbier, pretty much stump-type guys. I don't think I'm built to be a nose tackle, to be honest."

If you are looking for the source the media used for this "off-season long" non story it has to be when Al said "I don't think I'm built to be a nose tackle, to be honest". That's not him saying he wouldn't play NT or that he wanted to be traded, but that's where the media took it.

It didn't matter that in the same interview he said:

"Hopefully they put me at end and that's where I play at. End in 3-4 is the same thing as a defensive tackle in the 4-3, I believe."

He said that after saying:

"We've got a good coach and all that stuff. Whatever they ask me to do, that's what I'm gonna do. I'm not gonna be a distraction or anything. I'm just gonna do what they ask me to do."

Off field disruptions?
What has been disrupted by AH? OTAs went on as scheduled, mini camps weren't disrupted, no one is in jail or facing any charges based on anything Al has done since coming a Redskins.

One of three things can happen this week.

1. He shows up in shape, he's plugged in with the first unit and they move on quickly.

2. He shows up out of shape and the media has more fuel for their rumors of a trade.

3. He shows up in shape, Shanny and Haslett work him with a lower unit, saying he's behind in learning the new system, and it's time for him to put in extra work to catch up.


I think it will No. 3 but hope it's No. 1. He's never played in the 3-4 and Haslett has said he'll play him across the defensive front so there will be some catching up to do.

I'll say it again the only damage that has been done by Haynesworth refusing to participate in voluntary offseason workouts has been done to Haynesworth. Most of which will all be forgotten by the start of the season if he shows up in shape two days from now. The only permanent damage will be his role as a team leader, Shanny pretty much said his team leaders would be there for all the off season work.

I don't think there's anything else to say...

Not sure but do you guys have a new tune today, or are you waiting until you actually see him not show up. Talk about an ugly situation getting uglier...
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/redski ... insinsider

chiefhog44 wrote:Not sure but do you guys have a new tune today, or are you waiting until you actually see him not show up.

Chris Luva Luva wrote:Guys, even though I too posted in this thread, I think it'd be best if we keep the Haynesworth talk concentrated in ONE thread.

http://www.thehogs.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=34978

Thanks a lot. Just trying to make it easier on everyone.

cornerback DeAngelo Hall echoed everyone's sentiments when he walked off the field after a practice last week and said, "I can't wait. I can't wait."

"Anybody who's been on this field knows we're building something special," said Hall, who has been exchanging text messages with Haynesworth. "You're either going to get on the bandwagon, or you won't be here. ... He'll see what's going on, and we'll tell him what we're trying to do. Hopefully that's enough."

"You know, we would love to have him here," Fletcher added. "We have something special going on with this football team. And once he gets here and sees that, he will definitely feel good about everything going on."

Coach Mike Shanahan revealed that the Redskins gave Haynesworth the chance to find another team until April 1, when the player was due a $21 million bonus. Shanahan said that once Haynesworth took the check, the team expected him to play.

Haynesworth's absence isn't popular among teammates. Both London Fletcher and Casey Rabach called Haynesworth "selfish." Said Rabach: "It doesn't sit well with the players."

VetSkinsFan wrote:

chiefhog44 wrote:

VetSkinsFan wrote:

1niksder wrote:

fleetus wrote:
In my mind, the only way he repairs the damage from this off-season is to play harder than he ever has in his career, make the Pro Bowl and not continue his pattern of negative comments and off field disruptions. I give it a 100-1 shot.

What damage has he caused this off season that needs repairing?
He chose not to show up for voluntary workouts, that gave others a chance to get snaps and hands on work that they would have not have gotten if AH had been there.

Why does he have to make the pro bowl (it's just a popularity contest)?
Wouldn't it be better if he continued to simply make the players around him better.

What pattern of negative comments has he made this off season?
What the media speculates and what he actually said are miles apart, but because the media is the only ones commenting on how he feels they must be correct. The only quote I've seen that wasn't rehashed from last year was this:

"I haven't really had a whole lot of conversations about it to them," he said of his new coaches, whom he praised several times. "I don't know, I guess whatever. I don't know what I'm supposed to do or to say. I'm under contract there, so there's nothing I can really say about it....You look at all the nose tackles in the NFL, they're all the same type guys. Like me, I'm 6-6, 330, 340 pounds, whatever. Most of those guys are short, stubbier, pretty much stump-type guys. I don't think I'm built to be a nose tackle, to be honest."

If you are looking for the source the media used for this "off-season long" non story it has to be when Al said "I don't think I'm built to be a nose tackle, to be honest". That's not him saying he wouldn't play NT or that he wanted to be traded, but that's where the media took it.

It didn't matter that in the same interview he said:

"Hopefully they put me at end and that's where I play at. End in 3-4 is the same thing as a defensive tackle in the 4-3, I believe."

He said that after saying:

"We've got a good coach and all that stuff. Whatever they ask me to do, that's what I'm gonna do. I'm not gonna be a distraction or anything. I'm just gonna do what they ask me to do."

Off field disruptions?
What has been disrupted by AH? OTAs went on as scheduled, mini camps weren't disrupted, no one is in jail or facing any charges based on anything Al has done since coming a Redskins.

One of three things can happen this week.

1. He shows up in shape, he's plugged in with the first unit and they move on quickly.

2. He shows up out of shape and the media has more fuel for their rumors of a trade.

3. He shows up in shape, Shanny and Haslett work him with a lower unit, saying he's behind in learning the new system, and it's time for him to put in extra work to catch up.


I think it will No. 3 but hope it's No. 1. He's never played in the 3-4 and Haslett has said he'll play him across the defensive front so there will be some catching up to do.

I'll say it again the only damage that has been done by Haynesworth refusing to participate in voluntary offseason workouts has been done to Haynesworth. Most of which will all be forgotten by the start of the season if he shows up in shape two days from now. The only permanent damage will be his role as a team leader, Shanny pretty much said his team leaders would be there for all the off season work.

I don't think there's anything else to say...

Not sure but do you guys have a new tune today, or are you waiting until you actually see him not show up. Talk about an ugly situation getting uglier...
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/redski ... insinsider

What the hell does that mean? Nothing besides assumptions and gossip supported him being anything disruptive before yesterday when this was announced. So now I'm not allowed to change a PoV when NEW FACTS (not gossip or assumptions) are introduced? Get over yourself.

chiefhog44 wrote:

VetSkinsFan wrote:

chiefhog44 wrote:

VetSkinsFan wrote:

1niksder wrote:

fleetus wrote:
In my mind, the only way he repairs the damage from this off-season is to play harder than he ever has in his career, make the Pro Bowl and not continue his pattern of negative comments and off field disruptions. I give it a 100-1 shot.

What damage has he caused this off season that needs repairing?
He chose not to show up for voluntary workouts, that gave others a chance to get snaps and hands on work that they would have not have gotten if AH had been there.

Why does he have to make the pro bowl (it's just a popularity contest)?
Wouldn't it be better if he continued to simply make the players around him better.

What pattern of negative comments has he made this off season?
What the media speculates and what he actually said are miles apart, but because the media is the only ones commenting on how he feels they must be correct. The only quote I've seen that wasn't rehashed from last year was this:

"I haven't really had a whole lot of conversations about it to them," he said of his new coaches, whom he praised several times. "I don't know, I guess whatever. I don't know what I'm supposed to do or to say. I'm under contract there, so there's nothing I can really say about it....You look at all the nose tackles in the NFL, they're all the same type guys. Like me, I'm 6-6, 330, 340 pounds, whatever. Most of those guys are short, stubbier, pretty much stump-type guys. I don't think I'm built to be a nose tackle, to be honest."

If you are looking for the source the media used for this "off-season long" non story it has to be when Al said "I don't think I'm built to be a nose tackle, to be honest". That's not him saying he wouldn't play NT or that he wanted to be traded, but that's where the media took it.

It didn't matter that in the same interview he said:

"Hopefully they put me at end and that's where I play at. End in 3-4 is the same thing as a defensive tackle in the 4-3, I believe."

He said that after saying:

"We've got a good coach and all that stuff. Whatever they ask me to do, that's what I'm gonna do. I'm not gonna be a distraction or anything. I'm just gonna do what they ask me to do."

Off field disruptions?
What has been disrupted by AH? OTAs went on as scheduled, mini camps weren't disrupted, no one is in jail or facing any charges based on anything Al has done since coming a Redskins.

One of three things can happen this week.

1. He shows up in shape, he's plugged in with the first unit and they move on quickly.

2. He shows up out of shape and the media has more fuel for their rumors of a trade.

3. He shows up in shape, Shanny and Haslett work him with a lower unit, saying he's behind in learning the new system, and it's time for him to put in extra work to catch up.


I think it will No. 3 but hope it's No. 1. He's never played in the 3-4 and Haslett has said he'll play him across the defensive front so there will be some catching up to do.

I'll say it again the only damage that has been done by Haynesworth refusing to participate in voluntary offseason workouts has been done to Haynesworth. Most of which will all be forgotten by the start of the season if he shows up in shape two days from now. The only permanent damage will be his role as a team leader, Shanny pretty much said his team leaders would be there for all the off season work.

I don't think there's anything else to say...

Not sure but do you guys have a new tune today, or are you waiting until you actually see him not show up. Talk about an ugly situation getting uglier...
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/redski ... insinsider

What the hell does that mean? Nothing besides assumptions and gossip supported him being anything disruptive before yesterday when this was announced. So now I'm not allowed to change a PoV when NEW FACTS (not gossip or assumptions) are introduced? Get over yourself.

Are you this much of an idiot all the time or just on here? I wasn't even antagonizing you but now that you're at it... It doesn't take much to know that Haynesworth is disruptive. The fight at practice last year with Zorn is not based on assumptions and gossip, it's fact, it happened. Same with the fight with Blache. This year, there was speculation (fairly grounded it seemed), and now it has shown itself to be true...and now it's gotten worse.

All I asked is if you had changed your tune dude. Lay the F)(* off

VetSkinsFan wrote:

chiefhog44 wrote:

VetSkinsFan wrote:

chiefhog44 wrote:

VetSkinsFan wrote:

1niksder wrote:

fleetus wrote:
In my mind, the only way he repairs the damage from this off-season is to play harder than he ever has in his career, make the Pro Bowl and not continue his pattern of negative comments and off field disruptions. I give it a 100-1 shot.

What damage has he caused this off season that needs repairing?
He chose not to show up for voluntary workouts, that gave others a chance to get snaps and hands on work that they would have not have gotten if AH had been there.

Why does he have to make the pro bowl (it's just a popularity contest)?
Wouldn't it be better if he continued to simply make the players around him better.

What pattern of negative comments has he made this off season?
What the media speculates and what he actually said are miles apart, but because the media is the only ones commenting on how he feels they must be correct. The only quote I've seen that wasn't rehashed from last year was this:

"I haven't really had a whole lot of conversations about it to them," he said of his new coaches, whom he praised several times. "I don't know, I guess whatever. I don't know what I'm supposed to do or to say. I'm under contract there, so there's nothing I can really say about it....You look at all the nose tackles in the NFL, they're all the same type guys. Like me, I'm 6-6, 330, 340 pounds, whatever. Most of those guys are short, stubbier, pretty much stump-type guys. I don't think I'm built to be a nose tackle, to be honest."

If you are looking for the source the media used for this "off-season long" non story it has to be when Al said "I don't think I'm built to be a nose tackle, to be honest". That's not him saying he wouldn't play NT or that he wanted to be traded, but that's where the media took it.

It didn't matter that in the same interview he said:

"Hopefully they put me at end and that's where I play at. End in 3-4 is the same thing as a defensive tackle in the 4-3, I believe."

He said that after saying:

"We've got a good coach and all that stuff. Whatever they ask me to do, that's what I'm gonna do. I'm not gonna be a distraction or anything. I'm just gonna do what they ask me to do."

Off field disruptions?
What has been disrupted by AH? OTAs went on as scheduled, mini camps weren't disrupted, no one is in jail or facing any charges based on anything Al has done since coming a Redskins.

One of three things can happen this week.

1. He shows up in shape, he's plugged in with the first unit and they move on quickly.

2. He shows up out of shape and the media has more fuel for their rumors of a trade.

3. He shows up in shape, Shanny and Haslett work him with a lower unit, saying he's behind in learning the new system, and it's time for him to put in extra work to catch up.


I think it will No. 3 but hope it's No. 1. He's never played in the 3-4 and Haslett has said he'll play him across the defensive front so there will be some catching up to do.

I'll say it again the only damage that has been done by Haynesworth refusing to participate in voluntary offseason workouts has been done to Haynesworth. Most of which will all be forgotten by the start of the season if he shows up in shape two days from now. The only permanent damage will be his role as a team leader, Shanny pretty much said his team leaders would be there for all the off season work.

I don't think there's anything else to say...

Not sure but do you guys have a new tune today, or are you waiting until you actually see him not show up. Talk about an ugly situation getting uglier...
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/redski ... insinsider

What the hell does that mean? Nothing besides assumptions and gossip supported him being anything disruptive before yesterday when this was announced. So now I'm not allowed to change a PoV when NEW FACTS (not gossip or assumptions) are introduced? Get over yourself.

Are you this much of an idiot all the time or just on here? I wasn't even antagonizing you but now that you're at it... It doesn't take much to know that Haynesworth is disruptive. The fight at practice last year with Zorn is not based on assumptions and gossip, it's fact, it happened. Same with the fight with Blache. This year, there was speculation (fairly grounded it seemed), and now it has shown itself to be true...and now it's gotten worse.

All I asked is if you had changed your tune dude. Lay the F)(* off

Suuuurrree, that wasn't an antagonistic comment at all And if you want to resort to personal attacks, I don't think this is the forum to handle that.

And damn near everything that happened last year with Jim "keep it medium" Zorn is null and void to me. He wasn't a good leader and he couldn't handle his team. We all know that Blache didn't handle Haynesworth well, so I really take that with a grain of salt as well.

chiefhog44 wrote:So you're taking fact and disregarding it just to try and make a point? You don't even make sense.

1niksder wrote:

chiefhog44 wrote:So you're taking fact and disregarding it just to try and make a point? You don't even make sense.

Fact is AH not showing up for Mandatory workouts has the same impact as not showing for the OTAs NONE it's not disruptive now and it wasn't when he wasn't there.

Players and fans took him at his word and now we know what his word is worth. There has been no issues at Redskins Park that Albert Haynesworth has had any effect on other than his ability to re-enter the place.

The subject has been more disruptive in this and other threads than it has been in the locker room.

Countertrey wrote:I think he's just reflecting on the clear evidence that the players are unified. Even DeAngelo Hall, Albert's most loyal ally, has not been sympathetic with him. There is no division. In order for the Haynesworth affair to be considered disruptive, there would need to be some evidence that it is having a negative impact on the team's progress...

That does not seem to be the case, Ergo, not a disruption... at least, not yet.

chiefhog44 wrote:

Countertrey wrote:I think he's just reflecting on the clear evidence that the players are unified. Even DeAngelo Hall, Albert's most loyal ally, has not been sympathetic with him. There is no division. In order for the Haynesworth affair to be considered disruptive, there would need to be some evidence that it is having a negative impact on the team's progress...

That does not seem to be the case, Ergo, not a disruption... at least, not yet.

Interesting take. I guess it comes down to what you consider being disruptive, and if media is swarming the place asking for all those interviews about it, that, to me, is disruptive. May not be having a negative impact on the team's progress, but certainly disruptive.

PulpExposure wrote:

chiefhog44 wrote:

Countertrey wrote:I think he's just reflecting on the clear evidence that the players are unified. Even DeAngelo Hall, Albert's most loyal ally, has not been sympathetic with him. There is no division. In order for the Haynesworth affair to be considered disruptive, there would need to be some evidence that it is having a negative impact on the team's progress...

That does not seem to be the case, Ergo, not a disruption... at least, not yet.

Interesting take. I guess it comes down to what you consider being disruptive, and if media is swarming the place asking for all those interviews about it, that, to me, is disruptive. May not be having a negative impact on the team's progress, but certainly disruptive.

I think the team would consider it disruptive if they got used to AH playing a vital role in their defense.

As he has played zero role in the 3-4 to date, I'm not sure him being absent is disruptive to them. They're already used to him not being there...

1niksder wrote:Players and fans took him at his word and now we know what his word is worth.

The Hogster wrote:Albert is a moron. His defenders are delusional right now. Albert knows that he could have become an unrestricted free agent all year if he were to 1) forgo his 21M bonus so that 2) the Skins could release him and say keep the change. Since he's such a "force" several teams would have lined up to sign him to another mega deal, right???? Wrong. He realized that when his agent was looking for trade partners.

BUT NO. Albert didn't do that. He certainly now realizes that the Skins check was the biggest payday he will ever see. No teams are going to negotiate an extension with him this year with the labor situation.

So, in the spirit of pure greed and ignorance, he's trying to force a trade so that he keeps all of his money and the current contract in place.

All in all, this moron should have known that he was paid like a franchise QB with the support of one of the largest fanbases in the NFL. He had everything there for the taking if he wasn't a pure jacka$$.

Now he's probably gonna wind up on this team as a pariah, or in court with the Skins lawyers. Brilliant dumba$$. Just genius.

UPDATE: While the battle for Albert Haynesworth's bonus rages, it's become increasingly clear that the DT is unlikely to return to Washington. That means the 'Skins will either release him or trade him. ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli offered up two suggestions for teams that could be interested: the Seattle Seahawks and Oakland Raiders.

We've heard the Raiders bandied about before, but the Seahawks suggestion is a new, captivating option. Although Haynesworth won't provide the edge-rushing pressure the team needs, he can wreak havoc up the middle and might be able to free up some of the players on the outside to make plays. However, Shaun Dolence of 12th Man Rising still doesn't think it's worth it for the Seahawks, considering the negative externalities involved with having Haynesworth on the team.

The Hogster wrote:Now he's probably gonna wind up on this team as a pariah, or in court with the Skins lawyers. Brilliant dumba$$. Just genius.

PulpExposure wrote:

The Hogster wrote:Now he's probably gonna wind up on this team as a pariah, or in court with the Skins lawyers. Brilliant dumba$$. Just genius.

What's great is that the Skins/Darth Snyder have a heck of a lot more money to spend on protracted litigation than even Haynesworth does, and Snyder is a pretty vindictive little man. I'm sure he'd even take an eventual court loss just to ensure that Haynesworth ends up spending a bunch on lawyers...

CanesSkins26 wrote:

PulpExposure wrote:

The Hogster wrote:Now he's probably gonna wind up on this team as a pariah, or in court with the Skins lawyers. Brilliant dumba$$. Just genius.

What's great is that the Skins/Darth Snyder have a heck of a lot more money to spend on protracted litigation than even Haynesworth does, and Snyder is a pretty vindictive little man. I'm sure he'd even take an eventual court loss just to ensure that Haynesworth ends up spending a bunch on lawyers...

I'm almost certain that players can have counsel from the NFLPA for these types of things, so Big Al wouldn't actually be paying lawyers' fees unless he wanted outside counsel.

Haynesworth's former teammate, considers him a good friend, and has talked to him this offseason. He also leans toward thinking Haynesworth is in the wrong, and has said so publicly.

"I don't think he's handling it the right way, that's just my personal opinion," Bullock recently told Adam Schein and Rich Gannon on Sirius NFL Radio. "I think a situation like this probably could be resolved going about it a different way. But at the same time, the Washington Redskins knew who they were getting when they decided to pay him all that money, you know what I mean? The Washington Redskins also, I'm sure, when they paid him that money, they expected him to take that step to become a leader....

"I think I'm kind of in-between, because I think that Albert definitely knows better, and I think he might just be at a point now that he already got this far and is just like whatever, he's standing his ground....Albert and I are friends. It goes off the football field. It's hard, because he is that guy, he's gonna do what he wants, you see what I'm saying? It's hard to dissect when it comes to Albert. I respect him as a person and as a football player, but like I said, I don't agree with how he's going about this situation. I feel that he knows better and he could handle it better, for the sake of his teammates and for the respect of everybody."

"I'm a football player," Dockett said. "Let's let that be told. You can put me in any scheme, I'm gonna find me a way to make a play, because that's what i know how to do. You can put me in a 4-8, 3-4, 5-6, 2-11. Whatever you put me in, I'm gonna make a play, because that's just how I am. I'm not gonna complain about it. and I love the way London Fletcher said football's gonna be played with him or without him. It's not about you, it's about trying to win championships....

"For the highest-paid player on the team to have that type of attitude, man, that's cancer through a team. I just feel like they're doing the right thing, keep on moving, but even if he do come back, he's gonna have to earn respect from the guys in the locker room, and that's gonna be tough....You got the highest-paid person on the team that don't want to show up to a mandatory camp and he just got paid $21 million three months ago. Me personally, I could never stand next to a guy like that, because I don't know where his mind's at, and he looks to me like he's selfish."

"I mean, I don't have to create a response," Lewis replied. "The response is, whatever you want me to do coach, let's get it done. If you want to switch the defense because you think it'll work better in a 3-4 -- I played in a 4-3 my whole life, but we switched up to a 3-4.

"Ok, Ray, you're gonna have to take on more guards, you're gonna have to do this and that.

"Ok, coach, I'll adjust. Do I like it? Hmm, nah. But I'll adjust, so let's do it, you know what I'm saying? And through that process, I won the defensive player of the year in the 4-3 in 2000, and in 2003 I came back and won the defensive player of the year in the 3-4. So it don't matter. Bottom line. Bottom line. Football is football, man,...

"No matter what the scheme is, y'all work together as businessmen to get it done. Because that's ultimately what it is, it's a business, so let's come to work and let's work together to figure this out. Ok, what best fits you? Ok, well, let's go to this sometimes, and then sometimes you don't like it, then we'll switch back to a 4-3, so play with that. But all of this? No, too much. Too much."

"I'm here every day. I'm working every day. You want me to chase him around Miami?"

"You don't know if you fit the scheme because you haven't been here," said London Fletcher, who was even more blunt in saying, "Albert made a very selfish decision."

"What he's decided to do is make a decision based all about him," Fletcher said. "It's no different than his attitude and his approach to last year's defense, about wanting everything to revolve around him and him making plays. And if it didn't benefit him, he wasn't really willing to do it.

"I want teammates who I can depend on," Fletcher added, "who I can count on."

"We supported him all summer, all offseason," Daniels told reporters. "It's now come to the point where he's got to earn our respect again because he turned his back on us. That's how it is. I'm speaking for every guy in the locker room right now."

While the Albert Haynesworth saga continues, one of his former teammates is speaking out.

Kyle Vanden Bosch played alongside Haynesworth in Tennessee. "As a player, you want to go to the system that fits and go to where you can excel. At the same time, you have a commitment to the team and you should do whatever you can to make the team better,"

Chris Luva Luva wrote:Guys, even though I too posted in this thread, I think it'd be best if we keep the Haynesworth talk concentrated in ONE thread.

http://www.thehogs.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=34978

Thanks a lot. Just trying to make it easier on everyone.

fleetus wrote:Here's a list of comments from people around the league who have stated publicly what they think of the Haynesworth situation:

Keith Bulluck:

Haynesworth's former teammate, considers him a good friend, and has talked to him this offseason. He also leans toward thinking Haynesworth is in the wrong, and has said so publicly.

"I don't think he's handling it the right way, that's just my personal opinion," Bullock recently told Adam Schein and Rich Gannon on Sirius NFL Radio. "I think a situation like this probably could be resolved going about it a different way. But at the same time, the Washington Redskins knew who they were getting when they decided to pay him all that money, you know what I mean? The Washington Redskins also, I'm sure, when they paid him that money, they expected him to take that step to become a leader....

"I think I'm kind of in-between, because I think that Albert definitely knows better, and I think he might just be at a point now that he already got this far and is just like whatever, he's standing his ground....Albert and I are friends. It goes off the football field. It's hard, because he is that guy, he's gonna do what he wants, you see what I'm saying? It's hard to dissect when it comes to Albert. I respect him as a person and as a football player, but like I said, I don't agree with how he's going about this situation. I feel that he knows better and he could handle it better, for the sake of his teammates and for the respect of everybody."

Darnell Dockett:

"I'm a football player," Dockett said. "Let's let that be told. You can put me in any scheme, I'm gonna find me a way to make a play, because that's what i know how to do. You can put me in a 4-8, 3-4, 5-6, 2-11. Whatever you put me in, I'm gonna make a play, because that's just how I am. I'm not gonna complain about it. and I love the way London Fletcher said football's gonna be played with him or without him. It's not about you, it's about trying to win championships....

"For the highest-paid player on the team to have that type of attitude, man, that's cancer through a team. I just feel like they're doing the right thing, keep on moving, but even if he do come back, he's gonna have to earn respect from the guys in the locker room, and that's gonna be tough....You got the highest-paid person on the team that don't want to show up to a mandatory camp and he just got paid $21 million three months ago. Me personally, I could never stand next to a guy like that, because I don't know where his mind's at, and he looks to me like he's selfish."

Ray Lewis:

"I mean, I don't have to create a response," Lewis replied. "The response is, whatever you want me to do coach, let's get it done. If you want to switch the defense because you think it'll work better in a 3-4 -- I played in a 4-3 my whole life, but we switched up to a 3-4.

"Ok, Ray, you're gonna have to take on more guards, you're gonna have to do this and that.

"Ok, coach, I'll adjust. Do I like it? Hmm, nah. But I'll adjust, so let's do it, you know what I'm saying? And through that process, I won the defensive player of the year in the 4-3 in 2000, and in 2003 I came back and won the defensive player of the year in the 3-4. So it don't matter. Bottom line. Bottom line. Football is football, man,...

"No matter what the scheme is, y'all work together as businessmen to get it done. Because that's ultimately what it is, it's a business, so let's come to work and let's work together to figure this out. Ok, what best fits you? Ok, well, let's go to this sometimes, and then sometimes you don't like it, then we'll switch back to a 4-3, so play with that. But all of this? No, too much. Too much."

Shanahan (when asked if he's contacted Haynesworth):

"I'm here every day. I'm working every day. You want me to chase him around Miami?"

London Fletcher:

"You don't know if you fit the scheme because you haven't been here," said London Fletcher, who was even more blunt in saying, "Albert made a very selfish decision."

"What he's decided to do is make a decision based all about him," Fletcher said. "It's no different than his attitude and his approach to last year's defense, about wanting everything to revolve around him and him making plays. And if it didn't benefit him, he wasn't really willing to do it.

"I want teammates who I can depend on," Fletcher added, "who I can count on."

Ouch!

Phillip Daniels:

"We supported him all summer, all offseason," Daniels told reporters. "It's now come to the point where he's got to earn our respect again because he turned his back on us. That's how it is. I'm speaking for every guy in the locker room right now."

Vanden Bosch:

While the Albert Haynesworth saga continues, one of his former teammates is speaking out.

Kyle Vanden Bosch played alongside Haynesworth in Tennessee. "As a player, you want to go to the system that fits and go to where you can excel. At the same time, you have a commitment to the team and you should do whatever you can to make the team better,"

"I mean, if you don't want to be there don't take the $21 million contract. How things turned out it's no surprise to guys that have played with him in Tennessee. You know, what do you say?" Mawae said, right after saying all that he needed to say. "I mean, you're getting paid a ton of money to play less and you're complaining about it. At the end of the day it's one thing to be a football player and get paid lots of money but there's a whole lot more to be said about being a man. . . . [H]e can be one of the best in the league and I've said that to him in his face before. But to this point he doesn't want to do it on a consistent basis."