Haynesworth Vs. Shanahan (Updated)

There’s a showdown brewing at the Redskins Park corral.

Yes, it’s the one you think it is: the long anticipated arrival of hundred-million-dollar man Albert Haynesworth at Mike Shanahan’s first training camp as head coach of the Washington Redskins. After all, who really cares about installing new schemes, setting the course for a new team future, and all that other sappy team-building mumbo-jumbo. These two are clearly the main event this year.

Well, grab your popcorn, kids. It’s been pretty entertaining so far.

Haynesworth’s first day in Ashburn started with a conditioning test: 2 300-yard sprints. And since Haynesworth lost upwards of 30 pounds during his time away from the team, this test should have been no problem.

At first, it wasn’t. Haynesworth “killed” the first sprint, according to sources that watched him take the test. But according to Jason Reid at the Washington Post, the lineman apparently needed a potty break, and was unable to satisfactorily complete the second sprint after he returned.

Rumor has it that Haynesworth protested, saying that he’d never been required to complete that kind of test even in his Pro Bowl years. Shanahan apparently replied, “Well, then I guess you’ve never been in shape.”

In the words of Michael Scott: “Boom. Roasted.”

There are some critics who wonder if Shanahan has divided his locker room because of the way he has treated Haynesworth's arrival at camp. Personally, though, I have no problem with it at all.

For nearly the entire offseason, Haynesworth has expressed displeasure for playing nose tackle in a 3-4 defense. He even opted to train on his own rather than participate in Shanahan’s “voluntary” OTA’s. Well, if Haynesworth thinks he’s above participating with his teammates and learning a new scheme, then there’s no reason why Shanahan can’t hold him to a higher standard than he's used to.

Shanahan’s not here to cater to his players’ desires. He’s here to get them to perform to their talents and win football games. And since he has two Super Bowl rings--while Albert Haynesworth, at last count, has none--I think he might be a little bit more knowledgeable on what it takes to succeed.

Haynesworth didn’t practice with the Redskins this evening, and he is scheduled to retake his conditioning test tomorrow. My bet is that he passes. But I don’t think that this will be the last we hear of tension between Haynesworth and the coach.

(NOTE: It appears Haynesworth didn't pass his test on Friday. He didn't work out with the team, and he'll have another shot at the test tomorrow. I wonder what the over/under in Vegas is on his chances.)