OT-Possibilty: Haynesworth to Lions
Link: http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=clayton_john&id=5…
It looks as if Albert Haynesworth is unhappy with the Skins switching to a 3-4 and wants out of DC. Obviously with Jim Schwartz being his former coordinator in Tennessee, it makes sense that the Lions would have some interest in Haynesworth.
Not sure if the Lions would like the $100 million dollar contract (although they have no problem giving Corey Redding $75 mil), but Haynesworth is familiar with the defensive scheme and was a monster for the Titans.
It also open up some interesting possibilities as far as the draft is concerned because, according to the report, the Lions would not have to give up the number 2 pick.
This would allow the Lions the possibility of drafting Russell Okung of Oklahoma State for the LT position, moving Backus to either the LG guard or the RT spot.
This would go a long way in solidifying the offensive line and protecting last years $70 million investment in Matthew Stafford.
Suh is an exciting prospect and Haynesworth has had attitude problems in the past. The Lions recently had the whole Shaun Rogers fiasco, so I would imagine they might be a little gun shy in trading for a DT who has been perceived as a problem in the past.
Still, an interesting possibility.
I would prefer Suh, 23 years old compared to 30 years old.
1st: Haynesworth is 28.
2nd: Why the fuck can't we have both? I'm literally salivating at the thought. What a monster D-Line that would be...I mean, go ahead, try to block everyone. You'll have to double-team Haynesworth and Suh, which leaves a DE open unless you use a TE or RB to block him, but that limits the offensive options and doesn't even include blitzing(!!).
2nd: Why the fuck can't we have both? I'm literally salivating at the thought. What a monster D-Line that would be...I mean, go ahead, try to block everyone. You'll have to double-team Haynesworth and Suh, which leaves a DE open unless you use a TE or RB to block him, but that limits the offensive options and doesn't even include blitzing(!!).
I am riding that train all the way to "Suhset". I'll pass.
I kind of like this idea, Stafford obviously needs to be protected and Okung could develop into a good left tackle. Then again whose to say that Suh doesn't develop into an Albert Haynesworth type of player. I have big hopes for Jim Schwartz after last years draft, so whatever they do hopefully will work out.
I think that the best argument for the trade and/or against drafting Suh, is that Suh is more of a 3-tech DT while McCoy is much more of a space eater/run stuffer (1-tech).
Schwartz's defensive schemes rely heavily on having one space eating monster at the NT position. They just traded for Corey Williams who was a very good 3-Tech DT for the Packers, so they have a quality penetrating DT on the roster, but they really don't have a good space eater who can manipulate blockers and control the line of scrimmage (unless you have faith that SLH can be that guy). Haynesworth and McCoy are better fits for that position than Suh.
Also, just the fact that Haynesworth is a known commodity as perhaps the most dominant DT in football, which is why he gets paid as much as he does. Suh is an unknown commodity and i the Lions draft him he is going to command some serious guaranteed money, in the range of $10-12 mil, and considering the extremely high bust rate for defensive linemen, that's a LOT of guaranteed money to throw at a rookie (by comparison Haynesworth got $22.5 mil guaranteed minus 3.6 he got last year so the Lions would be on the hook for $18.9).
I would prefer Suh, but I'm just playing devil's advocate.
My knowledge of NFL contract structure is dicey, however the Skins (my team, and covered heavily in the WaPo) just cut him a roster bonus check of like 21 million dollars. He is only guaranteed 9 million more from what I understand.
Speaking generally, I would love it if the Lions took Fat Al off the Redskins hands. Since there isn't any salary cap impact the only real winners and losers here are the bank accounts of Haynesworth and Snyder, respectively. I am perfectly ok with shrugging my shoulders at both of those. I like what Shanahan is apparently trying to do around here (about which I am hedging my judgment until after the draft and I know for sure we don't draft a QB with the 4th pick.
I was unaware of this fact, that definitely changes things. Although I'm not sold on this deal by any means, that makes things much more financially viable.
Here are the exact numbers, via Redskins Insider at the WaPo:
$3.6M guaranteed base salary for 2010
$5.4M guaranteed base salary for 2011
$6.7M non guaranteed for 2012
Thanks for the quality info.
I got the math wrong in the above post.
That doesn't seem too bad. It's a lot for a DT, but if the Lions were able to get the bone crushing big Al, then it would definitely be worth it for both sides. Redskins dump his contract and an unhappy camper, and the Lions get a good player in a position of extreme need.
I'd love to see Haynesworth playing for the Lions, but his contract is just not worth it.
Mayhew has made some great moves this off-season and this seems like a step backwards. Way to much money to spend on a DT.
Haynesworth just costs too much money. Although Suh will command some serious dollars, he is the safer choice. If we were on the verge of making the playoffs and Haynesworth was the missing piece, I'd be all for it. Since we are still in the re-building phase, we need to take Suh (or McCoy).
...unhappy with the Redskins shifting to a 3-4 and wants out of DC. That is freaking hilarious. Try Shanahan wants nothing to do with Fat Albert and his unwillingness to play NT and attend the team's voluntary offseason conditioning program at Redskins Park.
See this:
And this.Despite recently cutting one of the largest checks in NFL history to pay defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth's bonus, the Redskins are actively attempting to trade him before the April 22 draft, people familiar with the situation said Tuesday.voices.washingtonpost.com, Redskins Insider, Apr 2010
I think that Shannahan would love to keep Haynesworth if big Al wanted to be there, but he's not a 3-4 guy. He didn't sign with the Redskins to play in that defensive scheme, because it doesn't fit him as a football player.
When Al is happy he's the most dominant DT in football, when he's not happy he is one of the most dominant players in football and a pain in the ass to deal with.
The trick is to keep him happy, and of course the Redskins, being one of the dumbest organizations of the past 5-7 years, would fail at keeping their $100 million dollar investment happy(as a Lions fan I know one when I see one).
Yes, it would be easy to say, "But the Lions are dumb too," but they have Jim Schwartz. Schwartz knows Haynesworth, and clearly knows how to handle Haynesworth from their days together with the Titans. Couple this with the fact that Al has been pining about playing in the Titans defensive system again, and you could see a rejuvenated Al in Detroit.
Not sure it's a good idea, but I don't think it should be dismissed so easily.
a blog post about the Lions' O-line that says they should be an above average group with the trade for Sims and Peterman getting healthy. Who knew?
http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2010/4/5/1406171/roster-evaluation-2009-l…
Take him, please
and not a good move for a team in rebuilding mode (Or is it building mode since they weren't good before?). I realize that cap wise this move has basically no effect this year, but for 2011 and beyond your effectively tying up over $10 mill a year in cap space for a guy that will only have a few years left once the Lions are actually a threat in the division. Plus, with the depth in this years draft you will have a very good player available at the 34th pick, which I'm assuming would be the asking price. Yes, Haynesworth can be unstoppable at times, but for what he's being paid he needs to be more consistent and have a better attitude. The Lions should steer clear.
They Redskins already gave him 32 of the 41 million dollars he is guaranteed. So if the Lions pick him up they would only owe him 9 million in guaranteed money. That's a hell of a steal in my opinion.
They Redskins already gave him 32 of the 41 million dollars he is guaranteed. So if the Lions pick him up they would only owe him 9 million in guaranteed money. That's a hell of a steal in my opinion.
Wow, I was unaware of that. I thought that he had $22.5 mil left as of last year due to the fact that contracts are typically back loaded, and another 3.6 came off this year, but if there is only $9 mil left, that would be a steal.
I dont think most of you even read the article. The Skins already gave him most of his guaranteed money and he'd actually be a bargain, except for that $20mil bonus in 2012. I'd def give up a 3rd rd pick for him. Then you could draft Okung or draft Suh, have the interior sealed up and maybe move the others you have.
... if you're gonna scrape ESPN for OT stuff, ya might check it again:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=5062920
The Lions may be gun shy, but Shaun Rogers certainly is not.
I am going to reveal my lack of football defense knowledge with this question, but Haynesworth is a mammoth, space-eating defensive tackle. My limited knowledge of 3-4 defenses and also of Haynesworth's specific skill set tells me that he would be best suited as a nose tackle in a 3-4 defense, which typically employs abnormally large players because they are only one of three lineman on the field and need to take up lots of space. Obviously, Albert and just about everyone in this thread disagrees. Why is that?
Albert Haynesworth Interested in Detroit, Lions May be Interested Too
by Michael Schottey
Written on April 06, 2010
Greg Fiume/Getty Images
Vote Now! - Author Poll
Which is a better combo?
Suh/2nd round pick Haynesworth/1st round pick vote to see results
Albert Haynesworth is available once again.
Last time, Haynesworth was interested in heading to the Detroit Lions.
This time, Detroit may be just as interested.
After the trade between Philadelphia and Washington for Donovan McNabb, it was reported that Washington had tried to include Haynesworth in the deal and Philadelphia would not take on the disgruntled defensive tackle.
Then, Jason La Canfora of NFL Network reported that the Redskins would like to move Haynesworth before the draft , only a year after making him one of the highest paid players in professional football.
Why?
Haynesworth is a perfect fit in the 4-3 as a 1-technique or "nose tackle." It goes to reason, with his size and skill set, that he would be a fine 3-4 nose tackle as well.
Haynesworth isn't buying it.
He doesn't like the 3-4, he doesn't respect the 3-4, he doesn't want to test out a new position that he isn't sure he'll excel at.
Most of all, a player of Haynesworth's caliber is always unlikely to be interested in a thankless position. A nose tackle in the 3-4, is charged with occupying blockers and letting his linebackers grab much of the glory.
Kelly Gregg, in Baltimore, is a great example of a very good player than no one appreciates.
Haynesworth does not want to travel down that road.
Head coach Mike Shanahan does not want to argue.
With Haynesworth set to leave Washington, immediately, St. Louis and Tennessee became likely landing spots. The Jaguars and Buccaneers have also been reported as possibilities.
Detroit may be the front runner no one is talking about.
Talking to a source close with an AFC team, I learned that Haynesworth is rumored to have remained upset with himself for moving to the east coast and wants to move back to the midwest/south area.
It also became clear that Haynesworth and new-Lion Kyle Vanden Bosch have remained in contact over the past year and reuniting is something that is on Albert Haynesworth's mind.
Finally, a source close to the Lions' organization reported that Vanden Bosch has stumped for Haynesworth since arriving in Allen Park, both on his arrival and as Haynesworth became available.
But would the Lions pay him all that money?
In a word, no.
Haynesworth's massive contract was structured in a series of bonuses. Technically, Haynesworth is only owed a guaranteed $5 to $7 million a year over the next three years.
After that, there is a large bonus heading into Haynesworth's 32-year-old season, a bonus which is almost certainly not going to be paid.
However, the Redskins just paid a $21 million bonus, some of which, the Redskins would want back.
What Haynesworth would cost the Lions is another matter, but as of right now, it is unknown if the Redskins are anywhere near the other two parties in terms of interest to getting this deal done.
But Albert Haynesworth, who credits Schwartz and Vanden Bosch with the best year of his career, wants to play in Detroit.
And Detroit could certainly use him.