Redskins’ Training Camp 2010 Begins Minus Haynesworth

Despite several rain storms, “Washington Redskins Training Camp 2010 – the Shanahan Era” began today for the team.  The long awaited arrival of Albert Haynesworth was, unfortunately, anti-climactic.  ‘Why’, you ask?  Because the defensive tackle could not practice with the team.

Because he did not attend off-season conditioning activities, the defensive tackle was required to take a strength and conditioning test this morning.  Early in the day, reports were rampant that he had looked good during the test, though no one had confirmed results available.  However, according to head coach Mike Shanahan, Haynesworth failed that test.  The coach had told reporters the day before, that should Haynesworth fail it, he would be unable to practice with the team.  Well, the defensive tackle did not run the third of three sprints fast enough and was therefore not out on the field this afternoon.

While talking with reporters today, Shanahan said that Haynesworth will take another test Friday morning.  One member of the media asked what Haynesworth had said when told that he had failed.  The coach would not go into the conversation, which was no surprise as he will frequently not talk about certain subjects. But, there had been reports of a heated exchange and he was asked about it.

“Obviously when I say I’m not going to share the conversation I had, that means I’m not going to share the conversation I had,” the coach reiterated. “But there were no words. Albert was first class all the way. He understood where I was coming from and understands that he’s got to be at a certain level to go out on the field and practice with the rest of that football team. If he gets there then he’ll be with us and if he doesn’t, he won’t.”

Players who had attended all of the Redskins’ off-season programs were not required to take any sort of test, Shanahan confirmed.

“That’s exactly right, and that’s part of being in the offseason program. You don’t have to take the test. There are a certain percentage of workouts that you’ve got to be here, and if you’re in that percentage, you don’t have to go through the conditioning test because we knew you’re in good shape. You had done this test in a lot of different running drills along the way.”

One team source described how well Haynesworth did on the first part of the test by saying that he “killed it,” according to the Washington Post. And then, the former Titan apparently required a trip to the ‘boys’ room’ midway through the second part.  Upon returning and starting over, he was not able to complete the test.

Whether or not this starting over had something to do with his failure, will never be known.  At this point, it is irrelevant.  He has to take the test again tomorrow and even again after that until he passes it if he wants to practice with his teammates.

No one has ever accused Mike Shanahan of being easy to please.  In fact, many players I’ve spoken with have indicated that his demanding nature is what will make this team so good this year.  The coach insists Albert Haynesworth have a specific level of conditioning if he wants to be a starter.

“Obviously, you’d like him to be in the type of shape that most of our players are in,” Shanahan told reporters. “The bottom line is that we’re going to get him in shape. If he’s going to be on our football team and he’s going to play at the level we’d like him to play, then he’s got to be in great football shape. Hopefully he’ll get it done tomorrow, but it may take two or three days, it may take a week. I really don’t know. His weight is fine. We’ve just got to get that cardio at a certain level to make sure he doesn’t injure himself.”

Haynesworth was not out on the field with the players during the regular practice time but he was out there later with a couple of assistant coaches and some large trash bins – they represent offensive linemen on the practice field – for about 20 minutes, reports ESPN.  He did not speak with reporters.

Shanahan had a few words to close out the subject this afternoon.

“I think we’ve covered Albert enough. I think he understands where I’m coming from. I don’t know if it’s going to happen tomorrow. I hope so. Could it take a week? It could. I really can’t tell you. But when he does come back, he’s going to be in shape and hopefully he’s ready to go. One time a day he’s going to have that opportunity [to pass the test], and if not, we’ll put him through the type of workout he had both in the morning and the afternoon.”

We’re finally into training camp 2010 and Albert Haynesworth is in town.  Let’s all breath a collective sigh of relief.

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