Shanahan Is Making an Example of Haynesworth Because He Has To
By Chris Mottram | July 30, 2010
Albert Haynesworth made the decision not to show up to the Redskins mandatory minicamp last month, therefore he has to pass a conditioning test at training camp before he gets to practice with the team. These are the rules. Every player lives by them. Whether you make $40 million or the league minimum.
Thus, Mike Shanahan is left with two options:
1) Let Haynesworth practice with the rest of the team without passing the test.
2) Make Haynesworth take the test every day until he passes it.
As we all know, Shanahan has picked option 2:
“It may take a week,” Shanahan said. “We don’t know. …The only thing I can tell you is that when he does pass the test, I’ll feel very good that he can go out there and compete at that position.”
Mike Shanahan is going to make Haynesworth take that fucking test every day until he passes it. He has failed twice. He’ll try again Saturday morning. If he fails, he’ll try again the next practice. And again the one after that. And this is how it has to be.
Sure, Shanahan is doing more than simply following the rules — he is making an example out of Haynesworth. But it’s an example that must be made. Remember: Albert brought this on himself by not showing up for mini-camp. His trade demands, and gripes about the new system certainly didn’t help matters. So now, Shanahan has to show Albert, and the team, who is in charge. I realize that’s some cliched bullshit, but in this case, it’s true. This is Shanahan’s first camp with the Redskins, he has to establish authority and discipline. He has to draw the line. He cannot be a pushover simply because Haynesworth makes a lot of money and is a vital part of the team’s defense.
Naturally, Haynesworth doesn’t like this:
“I’m tired of this [expletive],” Haynesworth told NBC4 Thursday evening. “I just want to get out on field and play football.”
And we all want Haynesworth out on the field. Word is that he’s actually in good shape, thinner, and ready to play. There’s no doubt he’s the key piece to the new 3-4 defense. But if he wanted to be on the field so badly, he should have either considering that when he decided not to come to mini-camp, or practiced the conditioning test in advance in order to be prepared for it.
He left Mike Shanahan with no choice, really.
UPDATE: Great stuff from Mike Prada at SB Nation D.C. on the specifics of the test, as told to him by the Skins Strength and Conditioning Coach. Including:
Topics: Albert Haynesworth, Mike Shanahan, Redskins | 4 Comments »
DMV: He’s the Opposite of Too Big to Fail
By Jamie Mottram | July 30, 2010
Haynesworth failed the conditioning test Shanahan gave him on Day 1 of camp:
“Haynesworth performed well on the first of two 300-yard shuttle runs, but stopped during the second run for a lavatory break. After returning, Haynesworth was instructed to start over and he could not complete the process.”
“A lavatory break.” Hmmm. Potty or vomit? I’m going with the latter. [Redskins Insider]
Of course the conditioning test wasn’t really a test. [SB Nation D.C.]
Haynesworth will take another conditioning test this morning. [Skins Insider]
Update: Haynesworth failed his Friday morning test too. [@RickMaese]
Photos of a “significantly slimmer” Haynesworth. [D.C. Sports Bog]
The Skins sign No. 4 overall pick Trent Williams. [Skins Insider]
A pretty good Sean Salisbury-Haynesworth story. [D.C. Sports Bog]
Seen: A Jeff George jersey at Redskins practice. [@redskinsblog]
Nats trade Matt Capps to Twins for Wilson Ramos. [Goessling Game]
Analyzing the Capps-Ramos deal from all angles. [Nats Journal]
Capps brought value to the Nats, will be remembered fondly. [Nats Insider]
Nats bloggers are thrilled with the deal. [Capitol Punishment, Nats Baseball]
Topics: Albert Haynesworth, DMV, Infinite Sadness, Redskins | 1 Comment »
Seen: A Stephen Strasburg Expos Jersey
By Jamie Mottram | July 29, 2010
I’m not sure if this is a jersey foul or not. On the one hand, the Nats should acknowledge their Montreal roots. On the other, they shouldn’t. Either way, you really can’t bust the Expos colorway.
Oh, and Strasburg’s going on the 15-day DL. Phenomenal.
Topics: High Fashion, Nationals, Stephen Strasburg | 5 Comments »
Nats Tix Up 27% for the Phillies Takeover
By Jamie Mottram | July 29, 2010
You may recall Opening Day, when the Phillies played a home game at Nats Park. Well, Philly’s back in town tomorrow, and TiqIQ’s Greg Cohen created this graphic illustrating the effect that’s having on ticket prices.
Remember, you can buy tix to the entire series via Mr. Irrelevant Tickets.
Topics: Nationals, Philly Sucks, Tickets | 2 Comments »
DMV: Miguel Batista Hearts Miss Iowa
By Jamie Mottram | July 29, 2010
Miguel Batista’s quote of the year candidate — “Imagine if you go to see Miss Universe, then you end up having Miss Iowa, you might get those kind of boos” — got him in a little bit of hot water, but he masterfully clarified his remarks and even sent flowers to Miss Iowa USA 2010 Katherine Connors.
[Nats Journal]
Senator Jim Bunning mocks Strasburg, is an idiot.
[D.C. Sports Bog]
Nats dominated by Tim Hudson, again; O’s get shutout. [WaPo, The Sun]
The O’s are now 0-12 against the Blue Jays. [Baltimore Sports Report]
Caps deal for big D.J. King, sworn protector of Ovechkin. [Caps Insider]
Acquiring “Tier I tough guy” King is cause for celebration. [On Frozen Blog]
Video of D.J. King in action, handing out punishment. [DC Landing Strip]
Pittsburgh’s Max Talbot calls Ovechkin “a real douche.” [D.C. Sports Bog]
The five most ridiculous things about Talbot’s DoucheGate. [Puck Daddy]
Video: Caps and Pens shoot field goals with hockey pucks. [Puck Daddy]
The Wiz bring Josh Howard back on a one-year deal. [Wizards Insider]
JaVale McGee cut from Team USA. [Wizards Insider, Truth About It]
A slimmer Haynesworth arrives in Ashburn, meets with Shanahan. [WaPo]
Malcolm Kelly tweaks hammy during McNabb’s “Hell Week.” [Skins Insider]
Joe Theismann teaches a blogger how to sign autographs. [Redskins Blog]
MD’s Torrey Smith, Alex Wujciak are preseason all-ACC. [Testudo Times]
JMU picked to finish fourth in the preseason CAA poll. [JMU Sports Blog]
Topics: DMV, Nationals, Opposite Sex | 1 Comment »
Is This the Most 1977 Redskins Photo?
By Jamie Mottram | July 28, 2010
I’m thieving Jon Bois’ shtick with that headline, but I had to share this SI Vault photo of George Allen addressing the Redskins locker room in 1977. Washington just missed the playoffs that year, losing to eventual Super Bowl champion Dallas twice.
Topics: Redskins | 9 Comments »
The Ballgame We Should Have Gone To
By Jamie Mottram | July 28, 2010
Instead of falling victim to last night’s Strasmas scratch, we should’ve headed just west of D.C. to the Frederick Keys game. That’s where the Keys were giving away Bryan Voltaggio bobbleheads and the Top Chef runner-up was serving “ballpark food”.
Among the dishes sampled by FanGraph’s David Appelman:
– Gazpacho “Dipping Dots” Rock Shrimp Ceviche
– Coriander Crusted Yellow Fin Tuna
– Soft Shell Crab Sandwich with Pickled Fennel-Cucumber Slaw
– Chocolate Covered Banana
– Summer Truffle Pop Corn
– Lamb Hot Dogs
Meanwhile, at Nats Park, I had a couple bites of a warmed-over foot long. Pretty sure it wasn’t lamb.
Topics: Food Is Good | 1 Comment »
We Were There for the Strasmas Scratch
By Jamie Mottram | July 28, 2010
There’s no DMV today as I’m still reeling from seeing Miguel Batista take the hill. Imagine that …
You’re a Nats fan. No, you’re such a Nats superfan you actually blog about the team all the time and make Nats-themed t-shirts (see above) and so on. And you happen to live six hours from D.C. but are in town for this one Strasburg start and this one Strasburg start only.
You’ve gathered a couple of good friends for the occasion, and your dad is even able to make it out to the park. You arrive without tickets but snag standing-room-only passes just in time. The four of you make it up to Red Loft as Andray Blatche (“Bulletproof!”) throws out the first pitch, and you grab four cold, $8 beers. You lean in, on your toes to see over the folks on the rail.
Way down there, down in the twilight, the Nats emerge. You squint to see which one’s Strasburg, the one everyone in the packed house came to see. But what’s that? Who’s that on the mound, all the way down?
Miguel fucking Batista.
So, yeah. Batista did a fine job, and the Nats won. But we only saw the half of it before heading to Justin’s Cafe for a nightcap of microbrews and pizza. Justin’s is a good place. I recommend it.
But still. The DMV will return as scheduled tomorrow, and the next day.
Topics: Field Trips, Infinite Sadness, Nationals, Stephen Strasburg | 6 Comments »