Fredricksburg.com: Albert Haynesworth speaks about the 3-4, offseason workouts

[#98QBKiller]

http://blogs.fredericksburg.com/redskinsjournal/2010/03/22/albert-haynesworth-speaks-about-the-3-4-offseason-workouts/

Albert Haynesworth confirmed earlier today that he’s not keen on playing nose tackle in the Redskins’ new 3-4 alignment. In his first public interview of the offseason, which aired on Sirius NFL Radio, he said he’d rather play defensive end.

Alas, these tough economic times preclude me from a satellite radio subscription, but thankfully the good folks at the station have provided a transcript.

Haynesworth’s comments certainly are thought-provoking, and I’ll try to post my reaction later. For now, digest for yourself Haynesworth’s take on the 3-4 switch and not participating with his teammates in offseason workouts…

On the switch from the 4-3 defense to the 3-4:

Host/Adam Schein: “Are the Redskins moving to a 3-4 and is that something that disappoints you?”

Haynesworth: “Well, it’s something I’ve never played before so it’s kinda, or it’s really different.”

Schein: “Is that something where you’ve expressed to the coaches that you’re completely miscast? When I look at Albert Haynesworth when you compete year-in and year-out for Defensive Player of the Year it’s because of what you do at tackle in the 4-3. Have you talked to Mike Shanahan or Jim Haslett about how you’ve never played in the 3-4?”

Haynesworth: “I think they know that. I really haven’t had a whole lot of conversations about it or whatever [with] them. You know, just, I don’t know, I guess whatever. I don’t know what you want me to do or say. I’m under contract there so nothing I can really say about it.”

Host/Rich Gannon: “Do you think, if they make the switch, you’re a guy who as you’ve said never played the 3-4. I don’t know that you’d want to play the nose or that would really take advantage of your strengths and your abilities. I don’t see them really moving you outside to play the end position on normal down and distances. Do you think that there would come a situation where maybe you wouldn’t be a good fit for the Redskins?”

Haynesworth: “Well, I don’t want to really say that. I mean, we’ve got a good coach and all that stuff. I’m just going to be, whatever they ask me to do, that’s what I’m going to do. I’m not going to be a distraction or anything so I’m just going to do what they ask me to do.”

Schein: “Where would you see it, end or tackle in a 3-4 defense?”

Haynesworth: “Well, when I used to talk to my coach with the Titans, Jim Washburn, he used make jokes saying I was a big man, if we reference basketball, he was like, I’m a center but he said I always want to be out there on the perimeter shooting threes. … So if it was me, in this situation I would say definitely end, you know, definitely end.”

Schein: “You don’t want to be that guy in the middle of a 3-4 defense acting as a clogger, you want to go make some plays?”

Haynesworth: “Right, exactly, and plus, 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, and then most of those guys are short, stubbier, pretty much like stump type guys. So I don’t think I’m built to be a nose tackle to be honest.”

********

On his off-season conditioning:

Gannon: “What is your plan for this offseason and are you at all surprised that there’s already been some criticism about you having not been part of the workouts?”

Haynesworth: “My goal is, my plan is I’m going to work out with my trainer that I’ve had the last few years. The years I’ve trained with him I’ve had my best years in football, NFL football. So what I plan on this year, because last year I worked out with the Redskins and the year that we had and all that stuff wasn’t great by any means. Very disappointed with my play and stuff like that so I’m getting back to basics, what got me to be one of the top defensive guys in the NFL, and that’s what I plan on doing.”

Schein: “Mike Shanahan, Bruce Allen, Coach [Jim] Haslett, are they on board? What was their reaction when you told them this plan?”

Haynesworth: “Well, I told Mike this and he was like, ‘Well, I wanted you to train with our guys’ and all that stuff and I said, ‘I totally respect that and all that but to get me back to where I want to be I need the serious training. I need the stuff that got me where I’m at.’ We do a lot of specialized stuff for me, a lot of training. My trainer, he comes up with some great stuff that’s just for me, basically, not just maybe a defensive lineman, but just for me. Stuff that can improve on to help me get stronger and things that’ll help me focus better. So nothing against them or whatever but if I want to get back to being the best defensive tackle in the NFL then I need to do this.”

Gannon: “Are you at all concerned about maybe getting off on the wrong foot with the Redskins?”

Haynesworth: “My thing is they pay me to play football. As long as I’m dominating and being that great player then that’s all that matters. I mean, no matter how I get there, as long as they want me doing that then that’s what matters.”

Schein: “What was Mike [shanahan]’s reaction when you told him the plan? What was his reaction when you left after that first day?”

Haynesworth: “Nothing really. We talked. The thing I really like about him, man, he’s an awesome coach and even better person. Like, you can just go and talk to him and be honest with him and open up to him. He’ll talk to you and tell you everything. It’s unbelievable. It’s almost a different feel, it’s a completely different feel from last year with the coaches and stuff. So just talking to him, it was great. I mean, he said, ‘Well I don’t really agree with it but I respect you for telling me.’ So that’s kind of what it was.”

********

On new head coach Mike Shanahan and the way the organization is headed:

Haynesworth: “I think with [shanahan] being at the helm it’s going to be awesome. I don’t think you’ll hear anything from Dan Snyder as far as commenting on the team other than maybe some little stuff like regular owners. I think it’s all going to be in Mike’s hands and Bruce Allen’s hands.”

[authentic]

Edit: I think this is an old interview...why the repost?

[TK]

Edit: I think this is an old interview...why the repost?

It sure reads like the old interview.

[Santana_Fan]

It said June 6, 2010 at the top of the article

Ok I see why now

[NewCliche21]

Regardless of how old or new this article is, and now I do remember reading it, it's pretty clear that he's unhappy with the idea of playing nose tackle.

Which, you know, flies in the face of everything that a lot of Haynesworth defenders have been saying.

[MonkFan8]

It said June 6, 2010 at the top of the article

Ok I see why now

lol....

[TK]

From March 22nd:

http://blogs.fredericksburg.com/redskinsjournal/2010/03/22/albert-haynesworth-speaks-about-the-3-4-offseason-workouts/

Same interview.

[HighOnHendrix]

There was way too much "I’m just going to do what they ask me to do" and "they pay me to play football" in there for my taste.

[flexxskins]

So basically if he played on offense he'd more than likely want to play...RB?

[authentic]

This gives a new meaning to "The dog days of the NFL offseason" :doh:

[MustangSteve]

This is the same interview a few months ago, nothings different.

[Conn]

Can this be merged with the other thread from when this interview actually came out, so that people don't start citing this as current info and getting all worked up?

[jkypoo]

I'm glad to hear this is an old interview, because he kept mentioning his "plan" and "goals" in the future tense, and I kept wondering why he wasn't working out yet. I mean, I hope he is currently working to meet his "goals." It's just too bad that "plan" doesn't include, you know, learning the actual defense.

[#98QBKiller]

My bad, I was fooled by the date. :doh: I hadn't seen the old one. Please lock mods.

BTW, I have no problem with Haynesworth and his workouts away from the facilities. I actually have more respect for him after reading that he sat down with Shanahan and was open with him about his intentions.

[redskindan07]

Nothing new to see, same old story

[TheMalcolmConnection]

I thought it was old the second I saw "Fredericksburg Blog" I knew this had to be old. NO WAY they would out-scoop the main media outlets...

[bulldog]

as long as we are leaving the post up, my comment is that Haynesworth is kidding himself if he thinks merely being in shape is going to mean he dominates.

he doesn't know the defense and is going to be as lost as a rookie when he finally gets in here.

that means delays - we won't see the 'best' of him until Week 8 or 9.

and all that is due to his own lack of foresight.

[SkinsGuy]

Regardless of how old or new this article is, and now I do remember reading it, it's pretty clear that he's unhappy with the idea of playing nose tackle.

Which, you know, flies in the face of everything that a lot of Haynesworth defenders have been saying.

No it doesn't.

AH has routinely said he'd play where he is asked and do what is asked of him during the season.

Nobody said he would be happy about it.

[SkinsGuy]

as long as we are leaving the post up, my comment is that Haynesworth is kidding himself if he thinks merely being in shape is going to mean he dominates.

he doesn't know the defense and is going to be as lost as a rookie when he finally gets in here.

that means delays - we won't see the 'best' of him until Week 8 or 9.

and all that is due to his own lack of foresight.

Doubtful.

AH is too much of a veteran too be lost like a rookie.

How much does he have to know to clog lanes and disrupt the backfield?

[@DCGoldPants]

Haynesworth: “I think they know that. I really haven’t had a whole lot of conversations about it or whatever [with] them. You know, just, I don’t know, I guess whatever. I don’t know what you want me to do or say. I’m under contract there so nothing I can really say about it.”

I don't care when the interview happened. This quote by itself is just pathetic.

[SMOSS89]

TRUE or FALSE: Haynesworth is acting like a little *****.

Not thread worthy, just comment worthy. What a dick.

[NewCliche21]

No it doesn't.

AH has routinely said he'd play where he is asked and do what is asked of him during the season.

Nobody said he would be happy about it.

Yes, it does. He says, in the article, in the OP, that he doesn't want to play that position. It's amazing how people cannot read between the lines.

[NewCliche21]

Doubtful.

AH is too much of a veteran too be lost like a rookie.

How much does he have to know to clog lanes and disrupt the backfield?

Really? I mean, I'll give you a while to retract that post after realizing that it doesn't hold water.

[SkinsGuy]

Yes, it does. He says, in the article, in the OP, that he doesn't want to play that position. It's amazing how people cannot read between the lines.

He says he doesn't want to. AH didn't say he wouldn't.

You waste your time being the tweener line reader. I'll wait for the season to start.

[SkinsGuy]

Really? I mean, I'll give you a while to retract that post after realizing that it doesn't hold water.

Go ahead and discredit it now if you are so much more in the know.