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."
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."