Philadelphia Eagles Fans: What Are Your Feelings About Albert Haynesworth?

After a very disappointing season, the Washington Redskins' Albert Haynesworth is all but out as the premiere defensive player the Redskins brass was hoping he would be after giving the defensive tackle a $100 million dollar contract.

Haynesworth was at odds with new head coach Mike Shanahan from day one. The two coexisted as well as well as two Chinese fighting fish in the same bowl, something interesting for people on the outside to watch, but nothing nice for those involved. 

Basically quitting on his team starting with training camp, Haynesworth may have been the worst teammate for one season in recent NFL history. Cameras often showed Albert on the sideline during games isolated from the rest of his teammates with a scowl on his face. When coach Shanahan allowed Haynesworth to play, he looked lost and uninspired. 

With the Philadelphia Eagles hiring Jim Washburn to coach their defensive line yesterday, the question had to be asked. 

"How would you feel as Eagles fans if the Birds took a chance on Albert Hayneworth next season, similar to the way the Eagles organization took a chance with Michael Vick two seasons prior?"

Before you question my credibility as a sports journalist and avid Philadelphia Eagles fan, it's a question worth looking into. With Jim Washburn as his coach Albert Haynesworth was arguably the best defensive tackle in the NFL during the 2007-2008 seasons, posting career highs in sacks and tackles for loss. Opposing teams had to exclusively game plan for Hayneswoth because he commands a double team nearly every play. His talent was so convincing that Washington Redskins' Dan Snyder made Mr. Haynesworth the highest paid defensive tackle in the NFL history, putting a deal together that could of reached a max value of $115 million over 7 years.

Why did Albert never play up to his super human capabilities in Washington?

We will never know for certain, but reports are that it boiled down to one thing. Hayneswoth was promised (according to him) by the Redskins management that his talents would be utilized in a 4-3 scheme. That never materialized and neither did any production from the former All-Pro. Shanahan implemented a 3-4 scheme from day one and was not going to let the 6'6" 335 pound Haynesworth change his plans, no matter how much he complained.

Haynesworth would be happy for another chance to play for newly anointed Eagles Defensive Line Coach Jim Washburn.

Note what he had to say about his coach:

"I owe Coach Wash pretty much everything. If my deal was $100 million or whatever, then Washburn deserves $90 million,'' Titans+lose+fiery+line+coach+to+Eagles">Haynesworth told the Tennessean.

"I have the talent, but he taught me how to let it loose. As a player, once you can get through the (colorful language), get down to the core of what he is saying, the information is more valuable than gold. He's a great coach, a great teacher. The Titans should have paid a lot of money to keep him from leaving.''

The Philadelphia Eagles have been known to take chances other teams would have scoffed at, this fact is well known (see. Michael Vick & Terrell Owens ). Putting a newly inspired Albert Haynesworth on the same "D" line as Trent Cole, would be a defensive nightmare for opposing offensive lines and quarterbacks. It would undoubtedly help cure some of the many ailments the Eagles have on defense. A good pass rush is the best way to mask an average secondary. Andy Reid and company seem to do well with misfits, possibly because he deals with his two juvenile delinquent sons at home on a daily basis.

As a fan not a writer, I'm willing to put my team's chemistry possibly at risk for the chance to hoist the Lombardi trophy for the first time in my life time. I feel that adding Albert Haynesworth coupled with a good 2011 draft and signing of Nnamdi Asomugha WILL get the Philadelphia Eagles to the promise land in 2011.

Your thoughts? Willing to take the risk?

Mark Queen