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March-2nd-2009, 11:14 PM
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2009-03-02-nfl-insider_N.htm
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NFL Insider: Snyder says these aren't the same old Redskins
By Jarrett Bell, USA TODAY
ASHBURN, Va. — A fat cigar dangled from Dan Snyder's left hand as he pondered dinner plans on Friday night, but consistent with his faith in Nicorette gum it was unlit.
This was a symbolic victory cigar for the aggressive Washington Redskins owner, having struck the deal that lured the biggest catch in free agency. Albert Haynesworth, 27, the former Tennessee Titans all-pro defensive tackle, is guaranteed a record $41 million on a seven-year contract that, with incentives, could pay $115 million.
Snyder, whose highest-grossing NFL franchise had laid off dozens of front-office employees this year, was the first NFL owner to bankroll a $100 million payroll in 2000. Now he's at it again, the first to sign a non-quarterback to a contract of at least $100 million.
"First of all, it's seven years," Snyder said, bubbly, in the lobby at team headquarters. "That's a long time frame. He's a young player, growing and getting better. We see him as a centerpiece for our D-line for the next seven years."
The franchise's three gleaming Super Bowl trophies were displayed at the front of the room during the press conference to introduce Haynesworth.That was so last millennium.
Since Snyder purchased the team in 1999, the Redskins have won just two playoff games. The most impressive victories during that span have come in the offseason, fueled by Snyder's checkbook. As hard as he's tried, winning big has been elusive.
In 2000, for instance, he signed aging stars Bruce Smith and Deion Sanders and former No. 1 overall quarterback Jeff ... en route to 8-8. And last summer's big move backfired, evidenced by Monday's release of Jason Taylor, the former all-pro defensive end obtained from the Miami Dolphins.
Snyder insists that Haynesworth's signing — complemented by a $55 million deal to keep cornerback DeAngelo Hall and a $27 million contract to bring back guard Derrick Dockery— reflects a new approach.
"We've learned our lesson," Snyder said. "This is not the old ways at all. This is what I should have done a long time ago. He's a very young man.
"I've learned that you don't do a seven-year contract with a player that's 33. You do it when he's 27. That's the big difference."
Snyder said he's also learned why there's such a premium on certain players.
"If you look at the Reggie Whites and Warren Sapps, the dominating D-tackle is probably a harder find," Snyder says, "than the pass rushers on the edge."
Funny that he should mention Sapp. The former all-pro, now a fledgling NFL Network analyst, was openly critical of Haynesworth last season. Sapp studied the tape from Tennessee's victory at Baltimore in October, and concluded that Haynesworth wasn't worthy of early MVP talk after failing to dominate Ravens second-year guard Ben Grubbs.
"That's his opinion," Haynesworth says. "I love it. It just drove me even more, to prove to the naysayers that I'm a good player."
Haynesworth saw Sapp at the Super Bowl. "He was giving me compliments," Haynesworth said. "And you have to watch the last game (against Baltimore, a playoff loss). Grubbs plays really low, and he kind of holds on to you ... When it came to the playoff game, I got low with him. And I drove him back into the ballcarrier a few times."
Haynesworth realizes he's timed the market perfectly. It is also his good fortune that Snyder was part of the bidding, which can always set the price.
Perhaps the biggest knock on Haynesworth, the Titans' first-round pick from Tennessee in 2002, questions the consistency of his motor. He's had both of his Pro Bowl seasons in contract years. No wonder Redskins coach Jim Zorn blurted, "Amen!" during the press conference as Haynesworth declared that he won't be a bust and that he is motivated to be regarded in the same light as Hall of Famers White and Smith.
"It's a bit scary, because there are a lot of dollars out there, and now that you've made it, you can kind of relax, can't you?" Zorn said after the press conference. "But the way he made it sound, it's not going to be that way. He has another whole motivation."
Someone asked defensive coordinator Greg Blache what he wanted to do next, having added Haynesworth.
"I'm going to Disney World," Blache quipped.
Blache, who might use Haynesworth at left end in some situations, was the Green Bay Packers' defensive line coach when White landed as the 1993 prize of free agency.
"Everybody made the same noise," Blache compared. " 'How much can you pay?' Blah, blah, blah. Reggie White proved the naysayers wrong. Albert — same university, same number, same explosiveness. I think he dominates the game in the same way."
Blache stopped short of saying he'll grade Haynesworth by a Reggie White standard. But the dollars say otherwise.
It was Blache that Snyder asked to move a bit closer to him, during the negotiations with Haynesworth's agent, Chad Speck, in the wee hours on Friday.
Some quick, X's and O's insight?
No, this was about the aroma. Blache had a cigar. And it was burning with hope.
Click link for entire article
NFL Insider: Snyder says these aren't the same old Redskins
By Jarrett Bell, USA TODAY
ASHBURN, Va. — A fat cigar dangled from Dan Snyder's left hand as he pondered dinner plans on Friday night, but consistent with his faith in Nicorette gum it was unlit.
This was a symbolic victory cigar for the aggressive Washington Redskins owner, having struck the deal that lured the biggest catch in free agency. Albert Haynesworth, 27, the former Tennessee Titans all-pro defensive tackle, is guaranteed a record $41 million on a seven-year contract that, with incentives, could pay $115 million.
Snyder, whose highest-grossing NFL franchise had laid off dozens of front-office employees this year, was the first NFL owner to bankroll a $100 million payroll in 2000. Now he's at it again, the first to sign a non-quarterback to a contract of at least $100 million.
"First of all, it's seven years," Snyder said, bubbly, in the lobby at team headquarters. "That's a long time frame. He's a young player, growing and getting better. We see him as a centerpiece for our D-line for the next seven years."
The franchise's three gleaming Super Bowl trophies were displayed at the front of the room during the press conference to introduce Haynesworth.That was so last millennium.
Since Snyder purchased the team in 1999, the Redskins have won just two playoff games. The most impressive victories during that span have come in the offseason, fueled by Snyder's checkbook. As hard as he's tried, winning big has been elusive.
In 2000, for instance, he signed aging stars Bruce Smith and Deion Sanders and former No. 1 overall quarterback Jeff ... en route to 8-8. And last summer's big move backfired, evidenced by Monday's release of Jason Taylor, the former all-pro defensive end obtained from the Miami Dolphins.
Snyder insists that Haynesworth's signing — complemented by a $55 million deal to keep cornerback DeAngelo Hall and a $27 million contract to bring back guard Derrick Dockery— reflects a new approach.
"We've learned our lesson," Snyder said. "This is not the old ways at all. This is what I should have done a long time ago. He's a very young man.
"I've learned that you don't do a seven-year contract with a player that's 33. You do it when he's 27. That's the big difference."
Snyder said he's also learned why there's such a premium on certain players.
"If you look at the Reggie Whites and Warren Sapps, the dominating D-tackle is probably a harder find," Snyder says, "than the pass rushers on the edge."
Funny that he should mention Sapp. The former all-pro, now a fledgling NFL Network analyst, was openly critical of Haynesworth last season. Sapp studied the tape from Tennessee's victory at Baltimore in October, and concluded that Haynesworth wasn't worthy of early MVP talk after failing to dominate Ravens second-year guard Ben Grubbs.
"That's his opinion," Haynesworth says. "I love it. It just drove me even more, to prove to the naysayers that I'm a good player."
Haynesworth saw Sapp at the Super Bowl. "He was giving me compliments," Haynesworth said. "And you have to watch the last game (against Baltimore, a playoff loss). Grubbs plays really low, and he kind of holds on to you ... When it came to the playoff game, I got low with him. And I drove him back into the ballcarrier a few times."
Haynesworth realizes he's timed the market perfectly. It is also his good fortune that Snyder was part of the bidding, which can always set the price.
Perhaps the biggest knock on Haynesworth, the Titans' first-round pick from Tennessee in 2002, questions the consistency of his motor. He's had both of his Pro Bowl seasons in contract years. No wonder Redskins coach Jim Zorn blurted, "Amen!" during the press conference as Haynesworth declared that he won't be a bust and that he is motivated to be regarded in the same light as Hall of Famers White and Smith.
"It's a bit scary, because there are a lot of dollars out there, and now that you've made it, you can kind of relax, can't you?" Zorn said after the press conference. "But the way he made it sound, it's not going to be that way. He has another whole motivation."
Someone asked defensive coordinator Greg Blache what he wanted to do next, having added Haynesworth.
"I'm going to Disney World," Blache quipped.
Blache, who might use Haynesworth at left end in some situations, was the Green Bay Packers' defensive line coach when White landed as the 1993 prize of free agency.
"Everybody made the same noise," Blache compared. " 'How much can you pay?' Blah, blah, blah. Reggie White proved the naysayers wrong. Albert — same university, same number, same explosiveness. I think he dominates the game in the same way."
Blache stopped short of saying he'll grade Haynesworth by a Reggie White standard. But the dollars say otherwise.
It was Blache that Snyder asked to move a bit closer to him, during the negotiations with Haynesworth's agent, Chad Speck, in the wee hours on Friday.
Some quick, X's and O's insight?
No, this was about the aroma. Blache had a cigar. And it was burning with hope.