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Mike Shanahan speaks on Haynesworth suspension

By ArtieFufkin

As we all know by know, the Washington Redskins finally did something about the Albert Haynesworth debacle on Tuesday, suspending the $100 million dollar flop for the rest of the season without pay. The move brought a sense of relief around the Redskins’ organization, knowing they can focus on football now that the drama Haynesworth seemed to bring on a weekly basis is over with.

Yesterday, Mike Shanahan said that during their eight months together, Haynesworth was impossible to please, and it was simply time to part ways:

“He didn’t like the 4-3 defense a year ago,” Shanahan said. “He didn’t like the base defense. He didn’t like the nickel defense. He didn’t want to play nose tackle, didn’t want to play defensive end (in the 3-4 defense). We got him playing the nickel package, first and second and third down. He didn’t like first- and second-down nickel, wanted to play third-down nickel in passing situations. Hey, it was just time. It was just time to go in another direction.”

More surprisingly, Shanahan also said that he “hasn’t even discussed this situation with Dan” … meaning that overly-hands-on owner Daniel Snyder wasn’t aware of the suspension – which was officially for “conduct detrimental to the team”  – before it happened. I don’t know about you, but I kind of love that.

Oh, and in case you’re still wondering if Shanahan made the right decision, we gently remind you of this.