Washington Redskins defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth has officially been suspended by head coach Mike Shannahan without pay for the final four games of the season.
Haynesworth, who signed a 7-year contract worth $100 million last offseason, has been involved in a major conflict with the Redskins management ever since he joined the team primarily due to his disinterest in playing nose tackle in their newly implemented 3-4 defensive scheme.
Since then, he's not only disappointed the franchise but fans all around the league as well. All in all, it seems as if enough is enough.
" Despite the club's numerous attempts to persuade Albert Haynesworth to abide by the terms of his contract, he has repeatedly refused to cooperate with our coaching staff in a variety of ways over an extended period of time," Shanahan said in statement released by the team. "Among other things, he has consistently indicated to our defensive coaches that he refuses to play in our base defense or on first-down or second-down nickel situations. He has also refused to follow the instructions of our coaches both during weekly practices and during actual games as well.
"Although suspending any player is not a decision that a head coach enters into lightly, I believe the situation has reached the point where the club clearly has no alternative."
That said, it seems extremely unlikely that we will ever see Haynesworth in a Redskins uniform again. While I'm sure there are certainly a few teams who'd be interested in his services, here's my evaluation of the top ten teams who will stay away from the $100 million bust.
Note: All these teams run the 3-4 which would make it virtually impossible to trade for Haynesworth.
10. New York Jets
Al Bello/Getty Images
The New York Jets defense thrives on interesting blitz packages and employing different looks throughout the game. In other words, Haynesworth would be lining up in different areas on the field based on the situational down and distance.
If he wasn't comfortable playing the 3-4 in Washington, I'm certain he would be opposed to the Jets defense.
9. Baltimore Ravens
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The Baltimore Ravens hold one of the most stifling defenses in the NFL, primarily due to the dominant play from nose tackle Haloti Ngata.
With him already demanding multiple blockers, there's honestly no need for an addition.
8. Miami Dolphins
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If you thought Mike Shanahan was tough on Albert Haynesworth, just imagine what the highly disciplined Tony Sporano, Bill Parcells, and the remainder of the Dolphins management would treat him like. Any signs of disrespect would simply be unacceptable.
For that reason alone, I don't see anyway that they make a jump on him.
7. Green Bay Packers
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The Green Bay Packers boast the top-ranked scoring defense in the league and already have a solid nose tackle in former 1st round draft choice B.J. Raji
Therefore, there's not much need for Haynesworth's skill set.
6. Kansas City Chiefs
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Sure, the Kansas Chiefs could use an upgrade at nose tackle.
However, they've surprisingly played cohesively as one unit, and are headed in the right direction.
I don't think they'll want to do anything to ruin that synergy.
5. New England Patriots
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One of the Haynesworth's biggest issues was the lack of production that a nose tackle provides in terms of pure statistics. On the New England Patriots, no individual is allowed to worry about miniscule problems like that.
All in all, I feel that these two teams would simply be a bad fit.
4. Dallas Cowboys
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The Dallas Cowboys have invested time into cleaning up their locker room chemistry issues regardless of the loss in talent.
Adding an arrogant personality like Haynesworth would ultimately negate all their efforts.
Moreover, they already have Pro Bowl nose tackle Jay Ratliff on the roster.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers
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Albert Haynesworth has endured nearly every single possible problem, and after the Ben Roetlisberger and Santonio Holmes fiascos, I'm sure that the Steelers won't make a risky move like that one.
Plus, Casey Hampton seems to still have a couple strong seasons left in the tank.
2. San Diego Chargers
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It's already been well documented that general manager A.J. Smith has been stingy and hesitant to offer big sums of money.
Therefore, what makes you think that he would go ahead and bring on Haynesworth's massive contract?
I think he's had enough money issues to make this deal.
1. Washington Redskins
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Albert Haynesworth is done with the Washington Redskins. It's as simple as that.
The saga has gone on for way too long now, and the team's management had the final word with the suspension.
After all that's gone on, there's absolutely no way that they coexist in 2011.
By Mihir Bhagat
