Haynesworth Fails Conditioning Test

[stevenaa]

Hope this isn't just Shanaham primpin' for the media.

He can't run the test? I don't know.

But I doubt we have two O-linemen that could block him.

Doesn't matter. He's set a tone that everyone is at the same level and has the same requirements. If anyone can't meet them, they don't practice. So refreshing after years of "stars" getting special treatment. He has to stick to his guns or he loses all credibility with the players.

 

[Alaskan]

600 yards of running? Oh the horror

Does anyone know how long he had to run that marathon?

 

[Ax]

He's set a tone that everyone is at the same level and has the same requirements. If anyone can't meet them, they don't practice.

Would be easier to believe if EVERYBODY had to do the test, TOGETHER, before they could practice at training camp.

Someone could have been just sitting at home eating Little Debbie's for the last month.

This is not equal treatment. It may be warranted, but it's not equal.

"Luke, what's your dirt doin' in Boss Mike's hole?"

 

[Sarge]

PUP list anyone?

Sit his ass for the year

 

[Billfishead]

Doesn't matter. He's set a tone that everyone is at the same level and has the same requirements. If anyone can't meet them, they don't practice. So refreshing after years of "stars" getting special treatment. He has to stick to his guns or he loses all credibility with the players.

That would be great if everyone had to run that test, not just Albert. On the other hand if your not going to play by the rules and be an integral part of the team, then there must be disciplinary action to correct the behavior. Coach has the responsibility now of making sure the discipline is appropriate and just not spiteful. Otherwise, Shanahan is just playing the same kind of childish game that Albert did.

 

[Lanky Livingston]

I honestly can't believe people taking Haynesworth's side over Shanahan. Really people? Would you prefer Zorn back at head coach?

Haynesworth flipped the entire organization the bird, and THEN took $21M of its money. He deserves to be punished and even humiliated. How can anyone take his side??

 

[Neophyte]

Lanky, it has nothing to do with taking Haynesworth's side over Shanahan and everything to do with my belief that real leaders of men are above the petty BS. They have to be. Discipline is necessary, embarrassment is not.

No issues with making Al take a test that no one who showed up for the off season program had to take. No issue with failing him if he fails. No issue with demoting him to second string till he understands what everyone else understands about the defense.

But if the reports are true, Mike changed the rules of the test just to fail him. That is petty and serves no one. It does not breed respect in a multi-millionaire. It breeds contempt.

I would point out that the only time Al actually violated his contract in any fashion was when he skipped the June mini-camp. He has been fined for that under the terms of his contract. Like the hand ball on the goalline that Suarez had vs Ghana where he was ejected and had to sit out the next game, Al has been punished for all he can legally be punished for. That may leave a bad taste in our mouths (I know that hand ball on the goal did with me) but the rules are the rules.

 

[Goaldeje]

No issues with making Al take a test that no one who showed up for the off season program had to take. No issue with failing him if he fails. No issue with demoting him to second string till he understands what everyone else understands about the defense.

But if the reports are true, Mike changed the rules of the test just to fail him. That is petty and serves no one. It does not breed respect in a multi-millionaire. It breeds contempt.

Man, it's a fine line though, isn't it? I think I agree with you, but I vacillate hour to hour it seems. If this message is for the rest of the team, OK, I can get that. Still not sure I agree, but I get it. But if this is petty and spiteful **** just meant to put Fat Al in his place, or worse, if he is playing this for the media and fans, then Shanny is making a huge mistake, imo.

There is good that can come out of this, but I am not sure this is how to motivate Fat Al.

Then again, what do I know?

 

[fansince62]

Are you kidding? It is a 300-yard shuttle. 6 50-yard (25-yards up and back) sprints. Yes, that's a lot of running, but something every NFL player should be able to complete several times over. The whole point of a conditioning test is finishing a certain amount of exercise in a certain amount of time. See: every military service we have.

oh nonsense. neither of us have the data...but do you really think any randomly selected 2-3 fat boys who plug the middle at NT are gonna pass this test in 95-100 degree+ heat? I think not.

it's a contrived test. ok. way to go Mike. Let's see what the follow-on strategy really is. This is just one silly "my xxnis is bigger" tossing of the gauntlet.

 

[fansince62]

Lanky, it has nothing to do with taking Haynesworth's side over Shanahan and everything to do with my belief that real leaders of men are above the petty BS. They have to be. Discipline is necessary, embarrassment is not.

No issues with making Al take a test that no one who showed up for the off season program had to take. No issue with failing him if he fails. No issue with demoting him to second string till he understands what everyone else understands about the defense.

But if the reports are true, Mike changed the rules of the test just to fail him. That is petty and serves no one. It does not breed respect in a multi-millionaire. It breeds contempt.

I would point out that the only time Al actually violated his contract in any fashion was when he skipped the June mini-camp. He has been fined for that under the terms of his contract. Like the hand ball on the goalline that Suarez had vs Ghana where he was ejected and had to sit out the next game, Al has been punished for all he can legally be punished for. That may leave a bad taste in our mouths (I know that hand ball on the goal did with me) but the rules are the rules.

yup. it's cut & tried: haynesworth wants/needs his money...Shanahan brooks no breach from his approach. the challenge is for Shanahan/Haslett to move Haynesworth over to the "positive" side of the force...without sacrificing their
own integrity/control over the locker room. leaders...good leaders...can do this.

 

[Goaldeje]

yup. it's cut & tried: haynesworth wants/needs his money...Shanahan brooks no breach from his approach. the challenge is for Shanahan/Haslett to move Haynesworth over to the "positive" side of the force...without sacrificing their
own integrity/control over the locker room. leaders...good leaders...can do this.

There are times to make an example of someone however, to remind your minions who is in charge. Having said that, you do that carefully, thoughtfully, occasionally to make a point.

And then once you make it, you move on.

I think Shanny made his point yesterday. Today seems a little... trifling.

 

[Hog Fever]

Shanahan was going to have his pound of flesh from Albert. Like a lot of you guys I played football, not at the pro level of course but the comparisons here still hold.

- When you challenge the authority of the coach in any fashion you will pay the price.

If you dog it through position drills, prepare to pay the price by running sprints at the end of practice. If you leave the team bus full of trash after the game Friday night, get ready for a full pad practice on Monday with an Oklahoma Drill mixed in.

Is that petty? Perhaps, but that’s just the way it is. Certainly things are different at the pro level but not THAT much. A coach is still a coach and they crave control through whatever means are available. In this case you can’t cut or trade him so this was the only avenue available. The challenge Albert made to the organization could not just be forgotten or swept aside. To do so would be to invite more challenges.

Albert may or may not get with the program this season but every other player on this team is learning something about their new coach from this incident if they didn’t know it already. How many players will decide to sit out OTAs next season? How many will try to dictate how they are used or what defensive system the team uses? Probably at least one less.

If the team wins then Shanahan is hailed for running a tight ship. If he fails then he's a power hungry control freak. Again, that just goes with the territory. Succeed or fail Mike has to be allowed to do things his way. Honestly, I think this will be resolved in the next day or two and you’ll see Albert at practice and playing with the first team come the start of the season.

 

[fansince62]

Shanahan was going to have his pound of flesh from Albert. Like a lot of you guys I played football, not at the pro level of course but the comparisons here still hold.

- When you challenge the authority of the coach in any fashion you will pay the price.

If you dog it through position drills, prepare to pay the price by running sprints at the end of practice. If you leave the team bus full of trash after the game Friday night, get ready for a full pad practice on Monday with an Oklahoma Drill mixed in.

Is that petty? Perhaps, but that’s just the way it is. Certainly things are different at the pro level but not THAT much. A coach is still a coach and they crave control through whatever means are available. In this case you can’t cut or trade him so this was the only avenue available. The challenge Albert made to the organization could not just be forgotten or swept aside. To do so would be to invite more challenges.

Albert may or may not get with the program this season but every other player on this team is learning something about their new coach from this incident if they didn’t know it already. How many players will decide to sit out OTAs next season? How many will try to dictate how they are used or what defensive system the team uses? Probably at least one less.

If the team wins then Shanahan is hailed for running a tight ship. If he fails then he's a power hungry control freak. Again, that just goes with the territory. Succeed or fail Mike has to be allowed to do things his way. Honestly, I think this will be resolved in the next day or two and you’ll see Albert at practice and playing with the first team come the start of the season.

oh come on now. I also played HS football. You now as well as I do certain...errr......relaxations were allowed for the star athletes. not saying this is right...only that it happened - all the time. don't pass off all of this "it's a level playing field nonsense" as reality. it isn't.

 

[Hog Fever]

oh come on now. I also played HS football. You now as well as I do certain...errr......relaxations were allowed for the star athletes. not saying this is right...only that it happened - all the time. don't pass off all of this "it's a level playing field nonsense" as reality. it isn't.

Not on our teams it wasn't. It didn't happen at the college level either. Both coaching staffs acted as judge jury and executioner in all matters. Your experience may be different and I know your point has some validity, just not in this situation. Problem here is Albert has no track record with Mike and no good will in the bank. It's not like the team is coming off a deep playoff run either. We can lose just as easily without him as we did with him.

What message do you send to all of the guys (some pro-bowlers) who showed up for all of the off-season stuff and who were clearly willing to pay the price? No, I maintain this had to be done.

I just can't get on board with Albert being the victim here. Mike is just being consistent with every good coach I’ve ever been around. All the players understand what's going on and most would expect nothing less. Would you rather him be like Wade Phillips? Not me. This will all be over and forgotten in a couple of days.

 

[Lanky Livingston]

Lanky, it has nothing to do with taking Haynesworth's side over Shanahan and everything to do with my belief that real leaders of men are above the petty BS. They have to be. Discipline is necessary, embarrassment is not.

No issues with making Al take a test that no one who showed up for the off season program had to take. No issue with failing him if he fails. No issue with demoting him to second string till he understands what everyone else understands about the defense.

But if the reports are true, Mike changed the rules of the test just to fail him. That is petty and serves no one. It does not breed respect in a multi-millionaire. It breeds contempt.

I dunno, Neo. I think in certain cases, humiliation is a fine motivator. And sometimes people just need to be punished. In this case, a slap on the wrist would not have been sufficient. Haynesworth has spent all offseason testing Shanahan's will, and basically sticking his nose up to him. Shanahan is calling his bluff - he's going to run him into the ground until he either complies, or quits and gives back the $21M he accepted.

I really see nothing wrong with this course of action. I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree on it.

 

[Lanky Livingston]

i am all for Shan making a point and imposing his will but it comes down to "when is it imposing and when does it become him just being a dick?"

There's a fine line for sure - but one or two days is not it. If this persists for a week or more, then we can start criticizing Shanahan. But the bottom line is that Haynesworth needs to be punished.

Now dont get me wrong, Albert has done this team wrong with his attitude but you can only "rub his nose in the carpet" so many times before he doesnt know why you are doing it and just takes it as you dont want him there.

Ha, touche!

and oh yeah, sean taylor did skip OTAs his rookie season and we all LOVED him anyways.

As I said in another thread, the situations couldn't be more different. Apples and oranges. But besides that, I remember there being a LOT of criticism for Sean when he skipped OTAs, if you recall. Remember Gibbsgate, when Sean wouldn't answer Joe's calls?

maybe this will get the team to rally around Albert if he is truly tryng and just get Shan to back the F down a little.

I wouldn't rule that out as a possible reason for Shanahan doing what he's doing. He needs to break Haynesworth down, and the other players need to see Haynesworth busting his ass to meet his demands. Never thought about it this way - makes a lot of sense, actually.

 

[Lanky Livingston]

Ray Wright on the conditioning test:
2 300-yard shuttles, he has to finish them in 70 and 73 seconds. He failed the first one today at 71 seconds. Wright "expects him to pass real soon."

http://twitter.com/skinscast

 

[fansince62]

Not on our teams it wasn't. It didn't happen at the college level either. Both coaching staffs acted as judge jury and executioner in all matters. Your experience may be different and I know your point has some validity, just not in this situation. Problem here is Albert has no track record with Mike and no good will in the bank. It's not like the team is coming off a deep playoff run either. We can lose just as easily without him as we did with him.

What message do you send to all of the guys (some pro-bowlers) who showed up for all of the off-season stuff and who were clearly willing to pay the price? No, I maintain this had to be done.

I just can't get on board with Albert being the victim here. Mike is just being consistent with every good coach I’ve ever been around. All the players understand what's going on and most would expect nothing less. Would you rather him be like Wade Phillips? Not me. This will all be over and forgotten in a couple of days.

uh huh. so players with academic problems didn't receive special help.....or coaching staffs...oh I don't know..at places like SC steadfastly thwarted questionable booster activities....or being late for a mtg received the same remonstration for stars and wanna bes....or star HS ballers never received some "leniency" in the classroom.......

 

[Hog Fever]

uh huh. so players with academic problems didn't receive special help.....or coaching staffs...oh I don't know..at places like SC steadfastly thwarted questionable booster activities....or being late for a mtg received the same remonstration for stars and wanna bes....or star HS ballers never received some "leniency" in the classroom.......

Believe what you want chief but spare me the condescending attitude. I've heard the same type stories you are referring to. I'm saying it didn't happen with any of the programs I was associated with. Are you disputing that? If you're going to call someone a liar quit ***** footing around and do it. Otherwise move on.

So I guess your point is it's good for the team to have separate rules for different players based on how well they play or how much they get paid? I disagree.

If instead you're saying that that stuff happens I think you are arguing with yourself because I never said it didn't happen. We all know it does. I just think that in most cases it's destructive and doesn't help build a team mentality.

 

[CounterTrey]

Yea I saw that Mike my first reaction was "yea riggo like no one ever rode your ass for playing the spoiled/petulant role". Gimme a break, the guy has become a pro at convenient memory loss. He's also not the most reliable source for typical player sentiment having sat out an entire season himself once.