As he had done the first nine days of training camp, the Pro Bowler met with strength coach Ray Wright, who had Haynesworth's schedule planned for the morning, but the afternoon portion was not set, people familiar with the situation said. After four days of resting his knee and not even attempting the test, some in the organization expected Haynesworth to finally pass it Saturday morning.
The test, which Mike Shanahan mandated Haynesworth pass before he could participate in full practice, has been a hurdle for the defensive tackle, whose failure to complete the two, timed 300-yard shuttle runs in the allotted time had stirred frustration within the organization. But after an MRI exam Thursday on Haynesworth's sore knee revealed no structural damage and the two-time All-Pro was "flying" on a treadmill after the test, according to a source, there was a sense of optimism that Haynesworth would soon pass the test.
Haynesworth, Haslett, Wright and three other members of Wright's staff walked down the hill to the practice fields at 7:06 a.m. As workers milled about preparing the VIP tent for Fan Appreciation Day at the complex, Haynesworth stretched for about 10 minutes. A worker shouted out, "You got this."
Unofficially, Haynesworth completed the first run in 66 seconds, and following a break, he finished the second portion of the test in 70 seconds, according to two team sources who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to provide the results. Shanahan is expected to address the situation at some point Saturday. And Haynesworth and Haslett might also be made available to the media for the first time since camp opened on July 29.
So on his fourth attempt at the test, Haynesworth cleared the bar Shanahan set in order for him to participate in 11-on-11 drills. Haslett, who has worked individually with Haynesworth from the outset of camp, was extremely happy, a team source said.
Haslett, one of Shanahan's most trusted lieutenants, has been in total agreement with Shanahan's handling of Haynesworth, who skipped all but one day of Shanahan's first offseason program. But Haslett is developing a good working relationship with Haynesworth, whom he believes could be among the keys to the team making a successful transition from the 4-3 to their new base 3-4. Haslett was "happy as hell" about Haynesworth passing the test, one source said.
Now, Haslett can move forward with his plan to primarily have Haynesworth line up as the Redskins' starting right end. He's been studying the position in meeting rooms and by watching his teammates during practice. He also worked with Haslett and Jacob Burney, the team's defensive line coach, on the field following most practices.
And in a twist of irony, Haynesworth actually likes the new defense and Haslett's plans for him in the scheme, two sources said. Haynesworth's concern about the unknown, in large part, prompted him to stay away from Ashburn for most of the offseason, resulting in the current situation. Coaches will finally get to see how he actually fits into the team's new defense.
source: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/redskinsinsider/3-4-defense/albert-haynesworth-on-board-as.html?hpid=artslot
author: Jason Reid
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