How Albert Haynesworth May Devalue Himself by Skipping Redskins OTAs

Matt Bowen, former Washington Redskins safety and current National Football Post reporter, writes that DT Albert Haynesworth missing OTAs normally may not have been a big deal, but with a new system, it is.

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I have written about OTAs before, and I am not a big fan of calling out players for missing sessions. But when a new system and playbook is installed in the spring, act like a pro and do your job. Why? Because coaches don’t want to waste valuable meeting time during training camp. NFL coaches are always looking forward, so having to go back and sit down — with a veteran of all people — and teach him the playbook in August?

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We have written about this before and have discussed this very issue in our Forums.  There are several problem that revolve around Haynesworth’s absence.  First, Haynesworth is missing out on getting to know a ton of new teammates, given the massive changes in the roster on the defensive front.  

He is behind the eight ball now when it comes to "knowing" his teammates.  He has not played with Vonnie Holiday.  He has not played with Maake Kemoeatu.  He has not played with Anthony Bryant.  He has not played with Adam Carriker.  And on and on and on.  It’s important. Especially when it comes to team chemistry and position chemistry.

Additionally, and we have been critical of Albert here at DCPSR on this count, is Albert’s leadership. Haynesworth was very critical after the Redskins 4-12 season, not just at the coaches who have been ousted, particularly DC Greg Blache, but the lack of leadership in the Redskins locker room.  How can he possibly utter the words leadership?

Read more here.