When it comes to thinking of the biggest free agent busts in NFL history, Albert Haynesworth‘s tenure with the Redskins is usually one of the first things that come to mind.
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Controversial defensive lineman Albert Haynesworth, who played half a season in New England in 2011, is not happy with the Redskins, for whom he played two seasons. (AP)
Haynesworth signed a seven-year, $100 million contract ($41 million guaranteed) with Washington on Feb. 27, 2009. While the two-time Pro Bowler was expected to be a dominating force on the Washington defensive line, he was anything but, as Haynesworth only accumulated 42 tackles and 8.5 sacks in 20 games before being traded to the Patriots on July 28, 2011, for a fifth-round pick in the 2013 draft.
Haynesworth’s career ended soon after his move to New England, as he was claimed off waivers by the Buccaneers just eight weeks into the season. Haynesworth finished the season in Tampa Bay, but has not played in the NFL since then.
While he’s been out of Washington for three seasons, Haynesworth’s negative presence has once again reared its ugly head, as the 2008 Sporting News Defensive Player of the Year attacked Redskins coach Mike Shanahan in an interview with Tennessee Sports Radio.
Haynesworth expressed his displeasure at Shanahan and the Redskins organization for refusing to set up a defensive scheme that he though he would be effective in.
“They just basically lied to me, tell me to come there just to get me there and be one of their little showcases or whatever, like trophies on their wall or something. Then, after that year of playing and not doing anything like we did in Tennessee … then we get Shanahan in there, aka ‘Red Lobster,’ as Fred Smoot says. He comes in and completely changes the defense to a 3-4, where I’m reading.”
Haynesworth also doubted the potential for his former team and coach to contend for a Super Bowl, stating that Shanahan has a history of overworking his star players until they cannot produce on the field anymore.
“I mean, it’s like, you can’t win with that team. And you think it was just me? I mean, look how he did Donovan [McNabb],” Haynesworth said. “See what’s going on with [Robert Griffin III]. I met RGIII. He seemed like an extremely nice guy that’s willing to work. Now he’s going to learn – I mean, I hate to say he’s going to learn — about Shanahan, how he’s conniving and everything like that, where he’s not going to help him out, it’s all about him.
“They’re going to run RGIII into the ground. They almost really hampered his career last year with the knee injury, putting him back in there. I mean, I think they ought to cut ties, let it go. I think some of the best coaches that I had great success with – Jeff Fisher, Jim Schwartz, we all know Bill Belichick is an unbelievable coach. If they had seven Bill Belichicks at the Patriots, they would be unbeatable, every year.”
Haynesworth took one final shot at the Redskins organization, stating that he ultimately regrets leaving the Titans, the team he played for from 2002 to 2008, and taking the big payday to go over to Washington.
“I don’t want the Redskins fans to be mad, but that organization is completely different than the Titans, Haynesworth said. “I’m not going to say it’s [Redskins owner] Daniel Snyder’s fault … but it ain’t really about football, it’s about self-promotion. When I was in Tennessee, when I was with the Titans, it was about football. Guys weren’t trying to sell some socks or sell whatever they’re doing or giving themselves Tweeter shout-outs or come follow me here.
“It was ridiculous. I’ve never seen that, and I wasn’t used to that. The whole recruiting thing from the beginning – when I signed that deal – which to me was the worst mistake in my life. You could say yeah I got paid a lot of money — I don’t really care about the money. If I knew it was going to be like that, I never would have went. I never would have went. I guarantee.”