Mike Shanahan vs. Albert Haynesworth

Albert Haynesworth has been making big news in the nations capitol this offseason.  First, he comes into training camp late  and out of shape, unable to pass a shuttle run mandatory team physical.  Even before that, after accepting the teams $21 million roster bonus he was reportedly unhappy about playing nose tackle in head coach Mike Shanahan’s 3-4 defense.

So, now in the Redskins second preseason  game against the Baltimore Ravens Haynesworth is again unhappy.  He was relegated to playing with the second team in the second half.  He told the media that he was told by the Redskins to say that he was sitting out because of headaches.  He alluded to the fact that he didn’t have any headaches (at least no more than any other pro football player).  But, Haynesworth is dealing with a muscle condition that may be making it hard for him to perform at his best.

When asked to respond to Haynesworth’s allegations that he was basically told to say that he had a headache, he said he talked to Albert.  He also said he would not comment on what they talked about.  He was also very evasive in saying, “If you guy’s want to talk about football, we’ll talk about football.”  But, they probably didn’t, just leave that to the Truth guys mainstream media outlets.

In a related story after the preseason game against the Ravens, Donavon McNabb has been seen in practice in an air cast.  He mocked Haynesworth in attempt to lighten the mood, saying “I’ve been told to say it is a sprain.”  I love Donavon McNabb and I couldn’t see him throwing his head coach or organiztion under the bus.  If anything, Shanahan is trying to keep Haynesworth from getting injured in the preseason because he is clearly not in mid-season form.