WP: Sally Jenkins; Coach Mike Shanahan is testing Haynesworth's loyalty more than his fitness.

[WhoRUSupposed2Be]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...080306512.html

Let's play the fill-in-the-blank game. Albert Haynesworth will pass his conditioning test before [blank]? Fill in with the absurdity of your choosing. Before . . . Brett Favre announces his next comeback? The midterm elections? The Iraqi drawdown is completed? Malia Obama plays in the WNBA?
Haynesworth continues to be the man of the hour at Redskins Park, or rather, the man of every minute of every hour, his condition so compulsively updated, tweeted and blogged that we know the exact length of his bathroom break. His fitness test has become such a serialized comedy-drama that if you want to find out what happens next, as Coach Mike Shanahan says, "You'll just have to stick around." On Day 6 of the Conditioning Watch, Haynesworth idled through yet another training camp session, nursing his knee instead of running his sprints. He watched from the sideline with a helmet on his head, set apart like a kid sent to the Manners Chair. After the session ended, he was escorted away by Redskins media executive Zack Bolno, who warded off all questions, presumably part of the isolation punishment.
"How's the knee?" someone asked as Haynesworth trudged past.
"Ask Zack," Haynesworth replied.
Let's be clear: Haynesworth's knee is an issue, but it's not the real issue. Is it hurt to the point that it requires an MRI exam? "No," Shanahan said, "It's not." Could Shanahan let Haynesworth practice without passing the test? Sure. Will he? Certainly not. What's really going on here, the real show, is an attempt by Shanahan to subdue a 300-pound prima donna, and reduce him to wordless obedience.

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[tshile]

Sally is right.

Which is painful to say, i normally don't agree with her stance on anything.

This is more about showing the other players what happens when you don't get in line, then it is about Haynesworth. It's the last test in the culture change at redskins park. The biggest test... Are you going to let the best DT in the league make his own rules?

So far the answer is no.

To be fair I strongly questioned Shanahan's decision on this the first day in the first thread where we talked about this... but since then Haynesworth has been allowed on the field, and in the meetings. I'm ok with it now, although I still think there may be a better way to do it, but who am I to argue with a guy with 2 rings?

[WhoRUSupposed2Be]

This is just a well-rounded approach by Mrs. Jenkins (wow, I actually gave her a meaningful suffix).

[Hitman21ST]

So what will determine when Shanahan has "broken" Haynesworth?

[brianm23]

This quote says it all:

He kind of put himself behind the eight ball by not being here at least 50 percent of the time," Phillip Daniels said. "It's just something you've got to do. He's got to pass that test and get out here. It's fair. The test is fair. He's gotta pass it, and once he does that, he'll be out here with us."

[BKSkinsFan]

I'm also surprised Jenkins wrote an article I agree with, she's usually so off putting in her pieces.

Al needs to suck it up and get this over with so they can all move on, soon. Shanny has no choice but to stand firm, relenting will only cause the same issues we've dealt with in the past regime.

[sideshow24]

What a CF this piece of writing is. I found it painful to read. Just write a novel and get it out of your system I say.

[MustangSteve]

What if Al never does pass the test, does he never practice or play for the team the entire year? Do we really sit 100 million dollars on the bench? None of this would have ever happened if Al would have showed up to OTA's and practiced with the team like everyone else did.

I was a huge fan of Haynesworth when he came here, but now have 0 respect for the man. It's obvious we humped ourself over this deal, so all I hope is we can at least get a great season out of Haynesworth this year.

[Hitman21ST]

What if Al never does pass the test, does he never practice or play for the team the entire year? Do we really sit 100 million dollars on the bench?

That's where I'm worried this standoff is going...but FWIW, I don't see Shanahan dropping his stance just because the season starts. We seem to have a D Line that is formidable in it's own right without Big Al, it can just turn dominant with him. For the sake of the team, I think Shanny sticks to his guns and we have a $100 mil bench warmer

[Travdaskin]

That's where I'm worried this standoff is going...but FWIW, I don't see Shanahan dropping his stance just because the season starts. We seem to have a D Line that is formidable in it's own right without Big Al, it can just turn dominant with him. For the sake of the team, I think Shanny sticks to his guns and we have a $100 mil bench warmer

If that happens the Redskins are the losers, and Haynesworth is the winner. Get paid 100 mill and just chill? Sounds great to me...

[Hitman21ST]

If that happens the Redskins are the losers, and Haynesworth is the winner. Get paid 100 mill and just chill? Sounds great to me...

Not necessarily...the guy believes he's the best in the league. If he's sitting on the bench he's eating a whole lot of humble pie and has to watch other players getting "his" tackles/sacks. His pride might make him pass the test...

[vigilante]

Haynesworth will definitely play this season, but during training camp, Shanahan will make his life a living hell.

[honejc]

all i have to say to sally jenkins...

NO **** SHERLOCK!

a blind retard could have figured it out by now.

[tomwvr]

Here is my thoughts -- you may not like it but I would never let him play again. He would ride the bench. He is so worried about his numbers and how many stats he gets but is not worried about the team.

Pay him and never play him.

Tom

[illone]

Al will pass the test.

He has to.

If Golic can do it.......