Quote:
Originally Posted by Mattyk
At this point any defense of AH rings hollow to me. I just can't get behind that line of thinking.
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I'm with you there. Mike Wilbon echoed Thomas' argument defending Haynesworth on PTI a few weeks ago. The thing that drives me crazy about that argument is that there is no language in player's contracts garaunteeing them that the system will not change for the duration of the contract. None whatsoever. However, there is wording in the contract that obligates him to, among other things, show up for mandatory activities.
Sure, Haynesworth might have been enticed to the Redskins because they ran a 4-3. He might have even been told that he'd be used a certain way. If so, I'm sure no one was out to decieve him. As others have said, hings change. It's a reality of the NFL. Sure, Haynesworth might be disappointed or disgruntled that things didnt work out as he envisioned, but lets get real for a second...
Before Haynesworth CHOSE to become a Washington Redskin, he knew that Jim Zorn, widely reguarded as a complete joke of a head coach, was in the hot seat. He knew, or should have known as it was widely rumored, that Cerrato if things didnt turn around after year two, he was out as well. Further, Blache had been flirting with retirement for several years, so Haynesworth should have taken his possible departure into account as well.
So lets, recap, shall wel? Haynesworth new, coming in, that it was possible, if not likely, that the "GM," Head Coach, and possibly the Defensive Coordinator would be canned after his first year with the team, yet he chose to sign with us anyway, amidst all that uncertainty. If you remember, there were 4 teams reported to be actively interested in Haynesworth - the Titans, Giants, Bucs, and Redskins. Those first two teams have far more stable coaching staffs. If it was so important to him that he stick with a 4-3 defense, why not go to either of them? Oh, I forgot, because neither of them came close to meeting his financial demands. So he chose the Redskins. Because, as much uncertainty surrounded the team, they were willing to pay the most.
So what does Haynesworth do when he finds out the teams switching to a 3-4? He talks to Shanahan and Shanahan tells him they'll RELEASE him so he can go wherever he wants to, as long as he doesnt take a 21 million dollar check from the team. Instead of taking them up on the offer, he takes the money, and THEN demands to be traded or released. Haynesworth is nothing but a greedy scumbag. The only people who take his side in this matter are also greedy scumbags. Haynesworth can think what he wants, but no one is ever, EVER going to give him a big payday again. He's dug his own grave. If he leaves here, the most he'll ever see from another team is short-term, performance-based contracts. Good luck with that.