Grilled stuft backfield
What? You say the Redskins new 100 million dollar investment has an anger management problem? Well who doesn't these days, Zoloft is practically the national accessory. So setting aside little things like rage on high boil and a capacity to hurt people, what kind of player is this guy? Curly R's two part series on Washington's new franchise player concludes.
Part One: Off the Field
Part Two: On the Field
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Albert Haynesworth got good playing time his first year with the Tennessee Titans, the team that selected him fifteenth overall in the 2002 NFL draft out of the University of Tennessee. He appeared in every game, starting only the last three and the two playoff games, in 2002 Albert totaled 30 tackles and one sack (or more accurately, two half sacks).
By 2003 Albert moved into a starting spot and started eleven games and the two playoff games, missing four games in September and October with a dislocated left elbow and the final game of the season by coach Jeff Fisher for punching Titans offensive tackle teammate Matt Martin. That year Albert totaled 32 tackles and 2.5 sacks. The Titans run defense was ranked number one that year, surrendering 80.9 yards per game on the ground. Not counting his rookie year in 2002 when he was a part time starter, Albert at this point has missed five out of eighteen games, or 28 percent of games.
Albert started the first nine games of the 2004 season, totaled 32 tackles and a sack in that stretch, in game nine against the Bears Albert dislocated his other elbow, the right one, and missed the next six games before coming back for the season finale where he racked up another four tackles for a total of 36 for the season. Tennessee did not make the playoffs and the Titans' run defense fell to number eighteen that year. Albert has now missed eleven of thirty-four games, or 32 percent of games.
In 2005 Albert progressed as an inside force and missed two games with a sprained knee, managed 52 tackles and three sacks in the other fourteen games. Tennessee missed the playoffs again and despite Albert's improved play fell to number twenty-two in run defense. Albert has now missed thirteen of fifty games, or 26 percent of games.
Albert missed more playing time in 2006 though it was not about injury. After raking Cowboys center Andre Gurode's face with his cleats in the fourth game of the season, Albert was suspended five games. His final season tallies were 30 tackles and two sacks. The Titans missed the playoffs for the third straight year and Tennessee's run defense slipped to 30th overall. Albert has now missed eighteen of sixty-six games, or 27 percent of games.
For much of 2007 Albert was having a great year, he missed four games and most of a fifth with a recurring right hamstring injury. The Titans were back in the playoffs in 2007 and Albert was part of a run defense that rebounded from 30th in 2006 to fifth in 2007 (one spot behind Washington) and Albert tallied 40 tackles and five sacks, including a three sack performance against Carolina and was selected to his first Pro Bowl. Albert has now missed twenty-two of eighty-three games, or 27 percent of games.
Tennessee maintained its stout run defense in 2008, finishing sixth (two spots ahead of Washington), Albert had an outstanding season overall tallying 51 tackles and 8.5 sacks and was selected to his second (consecutive) Pro Bowl. However Albert suffered a left MCL sprain in game fourteen against the Texans and missed the final two games of the season before coming back for the playoffs.
Over his career as a full time starter, 2003 through 2008 Albert has missed twenty-four of one hundred games due to injury or suspension, that works out to missing 24 percent of games.
What the Redskins got for their 100 million dollars is a dominant defensive tackle, a guy that can collapse the pocket from the inside and that will draw regular double teams. Partner him with Cornelius Griffin and the Redskins suddenly have tackles that might be hard to run through. Blocking schemes will move inside, giving edge rushers better shots at the quarterback and the play. The defensive backs should benefit as quarterbacks have less time to consider a throw before making it.
What they also got is a guy projected to miss four games in 2009. Let us hope this whole thing works out.
Albert Haynesworth resisting the urge to stomp on Warrick Dunn's face, uncredited image from here.
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