Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

The Albert Haynesworth situation in Washington is quickly spinning out of control. The rift between Haynesworth and the Redskins began back in early February when it was announced that Washington would be switching from a 4-3 base defense to a 3-4 base defense. Many fantasy football IDP writers had been anticipating this transfer since the hiring of Jim Haslett in January. I personally disagree with the decision and feel as though the Redskins do not have the proper personnel to run this type of scheme effectively.

Haynesworth’s strength has always been as a 4-3 under tackle who shoots gaps, and he’s always been hesitant at being forced to play within the restrictions of a scheme, which he’d have to do as a gap-controlling 3-4 nose tackle in Washington. Andre Carter proved during his time with the San Francisco 49ers that he wasn’t a good fit for a 3-4 scheme and MLB London Fletcher-Baker may have trouble shedding lineman due to his limited size (5’10”). In actuality, only one player, Brian Orakpo, is truly a good fit for this type of system.

Apparently, Haynesworth agrees with me concerning this defensive scheme change. He is upset and frustrated that the Redskins coaching staff wants him to become a stop-gap nose tackle (e.g. Gilbert Brown) and feels like he will be underutilized in this role. “When I signed here after meeting all day with the staff and top executives, and talked about the defense that we would run and what my role would be, I was assured I would have the freedom to play to my strengths and I was excited about the future,” Haynesworth’s statement said. Haynesworth probably has a reason to be a little disgruntled about this situation and I emphasis, a little when I make that statement.

Haynesworth is scheduled to make a whopping $100 million dollars over seven years (with a $21 million signing bonus). This, by any standards, is a ridiculous amount of money especially considering he is a defensive lineman. With this being said, Haynesworth should accept any role given to him by the team and work at doing the best possible job at that position even though he may disagree with the team’s decision. Nose tackle isn’t a glorified position; however, it is a very important one, especially in a 3-4 system. When a player is making such an exorbitant amount of money like Haynesworth, they have little room for complaint about anything.

Haynesworth is now refusing to show up for training camp and is demanding a trade out of Washington. “The Redskins are trying to establish a new regime with new schemes at Redskins Park, and it is not an organization that Haynesworth would have ever been attracted to just a short year ago—regardless of the money,” Haynesworth’s agent, Chad Speck, told The Washington Post. “He has made it clear to me that he does not want to play for the Washington Redskins.

It is suspected that Haynesworth will be fined $10,000 for missing the two-day training camp. More importantly, The Associated Press confirms an ESPN report that the Redskins fully plan to try to recoup all, or part, of the $21 million signing bonus paid to Albert Haynesworth in March. The NFL players’ union will probably challenge the Redskins’ attempt, which would send the matter to arbitration. The Redskins could leverage Haynesworth’s freedom for a portion of the signing bonus. However, considering Haynesworth’s noted monetary motivation, he still may not be willing to cooperate.

If traded or released, the most likely landing spot for Haynesworth is his former team the Tennessee Titans. For fantasy football purposes, a move to Tennessee would improve Haynesworth’s value as he would be playing in his natural spot of undertackle in a 4-3 defensive system.

In my 2010 IDP Redraft Rankings, I currently have Haynesworth ranked No. 48. If he ends up with the Titans, I will more than likely move him up at least five or six spots. His arrival would also have a positive effect on defensive ends William Hayes and rookie Derrick Morgan. So, all in all, Haynesworth going to Tennessee would benefit the IDP world more than hurt it. With this being said, I hope he gets traded or signs with the Titans. The number of fantasy-worthy defensive lineman is quickly diminishing with an increasing amount of teams switching to a 3-4 base defense, so increasing the value of a few defensive linemen (at really no expense of other linemen) is always welcome in my book. Granted, I’m not expecting 2008 numbers (51 total tackles, 8.5 sacks) from Haynesworth if he ends up with the Titans, but he should have no problem increasing both his tackle numbers and sacks totals from last season.

So if your one of those proactive IDP owners, now is the time to possibly go out and buy low on Haynesworth and maybe even Derrick Morgan or William Hayes. 

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