Fredericksburg.com: Trainer says tackle is in shape, Haynesworth sheds weight

SNF

The Starter
Joined
Jul 15, 2009
Messages
1,061
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
Reston, VA; Sect 141
http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2010/072010/07142010/561567
BY RICH CAMPBELL

Defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth skipped all but the first day of the Washington Redskins' offseason program, but that doesn't mean he's been idle for the past few months.

Tripp Smith, Haynesworth's personal trainer, said in a phone interview yesterday that Haynesworth has lost 32 pounds since they began their workout regimen on April 5. He said that Haynesworth is committed to getting in top physical shape--albeit away from Redskins Park--for the start of training camp on July 29.

"I think he's going to open some eyes when he gets to camp," Smith said.

His absence from last month's mandatory two-day minicamp drew the ire of Shanahan and several veteran teammates.

Part of Haynesworth's decision to train away from team headquarters was based on his displeasure with the notion of playing in a 3-4. Another part of it, however, was his familiarity with Smith, who has worked one-on-one with Haynesworth for three straight offseasons.

Smith wouldn't comment on Haynesworth's decision to skip the mandatory minicamp, but he believes that Haynesworth is determined to excel on the football field this season.

"Albert, he's the type of person that doesn't want to disappoint anybody, but he's very business-minded. I think it has motivated him quite a bit, just seeing what his teammates are saying about him and seeing what everybody in the press is saying about him."

Haynesworth declined to comment for this story, sticking to his ongoing decision not to give interviews. A Redskins team spokesman also declined to comment.

Smith detailed the training program that he has put Haynesworth through for the last 14 weeks and plans to continue through July 27.

Smith, the 28-year-old son of Competitive Edge Sports founder Chip Smith, has lived upstairs in Haynesworth's home in Tennessee since the start of April. For more than the last three months, they have trained together four days a week for several hours a day.

When Haynesworth has visited other cities, such as Miami, Smith has accompanied him. Haynesworth and Smith have been apart for only 2 weeks since April, but Haynesworth maintained his routine even then, Smith said.

"He told me, 'I want to go from April all the way through to July, nonstop, and be ready,'" Smith said. "He kind of set the tone for himself to begin with because I think he knew he had a lot of expectations, not only from teammates but from media and the [new] coaches. I don't think he wanted to disappoint anybody as far as his [physical] preparation is concerned."

Haynesworth's training program is similar to the one he used the past two years, with two notable exceptions.

He wants to weigh less than in past years, Smith said, so there has been more cardiovascular work in addition to the position-specific, explosive weight-lifting exercises to which he's accustomed. Haynesworth weighed 362 pounds on April 5 and checked in yesterday afternoon at 330, Smith said. Haynesworth was listed at 350 in the Redskins' 2009 media guide.

Smith also added boxing training to Haynesworth's routine for the first time. Two days a week for 45 minutes, Haynesworth hits a heavy bag or focus mitts.

"If he can have quicker and more powerful hands than the offensive lineman, then he's going to stand a much better chance of shedding blocks, throwing guys off and getting a quicker punch to them," Smith said. "We've been doing a lot of boxing, and I think he really likes it."

Smith believes that Haynesworth's workouts with him are more fruitful than ever because the eight-year veteran has a more refined idea of what exercises can help him.

Their long relationship has helped Smith tailor a program specifically for Haynesworth, Smith said. He believes that the NFL, if not specifically the Redskins, will see positive results.

"I told him, 'If you show up and are playing like an animal, they're going to forget about the fact that you didn't go to a two-day minicamp or whatever happened aside from football,'" Smith said. "We need to make sure we do what we need to do to basically blow people's heads off with what we've accomplished this summer. I think we're well on our way to it."
 
It all sounds good, except this part

Another part of it, however, was his familiarity with Smith, who has worked one-on-one with Haynesworth for three straight offseasons.

I didn't see where this guy did Butterworth much good last year
 
"I think he's going to open some eyes when he gets to camp," Smith said.

As in 'Holy **** - is that Big Al? What the hell is HE doing here?'
 
So, since this guy says Fat...er...um slimmer Al has worked hard, the team mates are supposed to forget his selfishness if he comes into camp ready to play?

Should we?

I mean, if he comes to camp and Shanahan is able to communicate to Al that this scheme is going to make him a Pro Bowler and Al buys in, do we forgive him?

Ugh! The season can't get here fast enough!!!
 
To borrow from Toby Keith, I'm gonna need to see a little less talk, and a lot more action.

Haynesworthless has his work cut out for him if he expect to earn the respect of his teammates, and less importantly, us. And about the first time I see him on the ground struggling to breathe, or lipping off about where he wants to play or doesn't, I'm closing that door completely.

I hope to be able to cheer for him the way I do the other 52 guys. But time will tell, and it's entirely up to him.
 
So, since this guy says Fat...er...um slimmer Al has worked hard, the team mates are supposed to forget his selfishness if he comes into camp ready to play?

Should we?

I mean, if he comes to camp and Shanahan is able to communicate to Al that this scheme is going to make him a Pro Bowler and Al buys in, do we forgive him?

Ugh! The season can't get here fast enough!!!


I think we all know we will, or at least most of us will. I would like to say I would stand my ground and be principled, but the first time he levels through the o line and crushes Romo, or takes up two blockers allowing Rack to get free, I'm going to forget some of this. And then forget a little more the second time.

By the tenth time, i will have forgotten all together! :)
Posted via BGO Mobile Device
 
Sure he lost 32 pounds, but the real question is, how much weight did he GAIN after the season ended?
 
Sure he lost 32 pounds, but the real question is, how much weight did he GAIN after the season ended?

Didn't the report say he was down to about 330? If so, he is down from his playing weight last year of 350-355 by 20-25 pounds. I am not sure how significant that is at his size, but I went from 245 in January to about 220 now. That's a big difference at my size.
 
Elephant said:
Didn't the report say he was down to about 330? If so, he is down from his playing weight last year of 350-355 by 20-25 pounds.

Ha, it was just a joke. A poor one, apparently. :)

the only thing that will do is help take pressure off his knees and ankles which was his main problem last year anyways. he will still be a big dude but he wont have all the pressure coming down as hard on those joints.

Should increase his quickness also.
 
He's going to have to repair bridges he's burned with his coaches, teammates and the fans. It will take time, commitment that is real and full, and, of course, results on the field.
 
At first, I thought: "Oh, I guess Albert really is working out seriously, so that seems like good news, even though the story was obviously put out to make him look better after getting trashed by media, fans, and teammates."

Then I thought: "Oh, by losing 30 pounds, isn't he intentionally making himself less suited to play NT?" His trainer says that "[h]e wants to weigh less than in past years," not that he wants to be in better shape than last year, with the weight loss as a by-product.
 
Weight loss and getting in shape do kind of go hand-in-hand.
 
Not really. If you lose weight improperly, you can lose a ton of muscle mass. They are right ways and wrong ways to lose weight, and it's a separate issue from being in football shape.
 
I meant generally - assuming he is actually working out, and not losing weight via Mr. Finger.

Generally, a fat person who gets in shape will lose weight. Its just how the process works. :)
 

Users Who Are Viewing This Thread (Total: 1, Members: 0, Guests: 1)

Help Users

You haven't joined any rooms.

    You haven't joined any rooms.
    Top