Albert Haynesworth News

Titans DT Haynesworth gets Colts' attention
"It isn't difficult locating Tennessee's Albert Haynesworth when the Indianapolis Colts' offensive line reviews video of the Titans in preparation for Monday night's AFC South showdown in Nashville. He's the massive 6-2, 320-pound dude, the one generally creating havoc. "He's a huge man, there's no doubt,'' center Jeff Saturday said. "He's one of the biggest defensive tackles you'll face.'' Haynesworth already has matched his career high with six sacks to go along with nine quarterback pressures and three tackles for loss. He made his first Pro Bowl appearance last season, is well on his way to another and likely will draw attention for Defensive Player of the Year honors. He may even be ..."
Titans player recalls bygone days, when Arrowhead was loud
"You want some bulletin-board stuff, Chiefs fans? How about Tennessee tackle Albert Haynesworth, who hinted last week that Arrowhead Stadium has perhaps lost some of its mystique? (Don't tell that to the Denver Broncos, I guess.) "The crowd really used to be in it," Haynesworth told The Tennessean. "They haven't had a few good seasons; the crowd kinda got out of it. "If they get back to winning, it will be a tough road test for us." The Chiefs aren't winning, so I guess it won't be a tough road test, right? Hmmm. The challenge has been made, Chiefs fans. Naturally, Titans coach Jeff Fisher took a more diplomatic approach. "Even in the lean years, they've won there, and it's a tough place to ..."
As the Titans go, so does Haynesworth
"Albert Haynesworth believes if he can lead the Tennessee Titans to their desired destination, he can also reach his as well. At 5-0, the Titans are in the driver's seat in the AFC South. Though it is too early to make predictions, Tennessee is certainly beginning to take the shape of a bona fide contender. Haynesworth, of course, is a vital part of a Titans defense that is leading the charge for Tennessee's hopes this season, and he has a personal stake in the matter as well as the team's interests. Haynesworth, who was franchised in February, is playing with an incentive-laden tender offer that will allow him to explore unrestricted free agency and an accompanying big payday if he plays ..."
Haynesworth proves his value on the field
"With every snap, Albert Haynesworth is playing himself closer to another Pro Bowl. He also could be playing himself closer to free agency and a job with another team next season. For now neither the Titans nor their All-Pro defensive tackle are focused on any of that, not with the team undefeated and enjoying a bye week. Still, there's no disputing Haynesworth's dominant play so far this season and what it might mean down the road. At his current pace, the seventh-year pro will meet contract incentives that would pave the way for him to become a free agent in 2009. "It's not like I'm out there thinking, 'OK, I have to get this sack, that's going to be an extra $1 million for me,' '' ..."
Haynesworth on free agency pace
"With every snap, Albert Haynesworth is playing himself closer to another Pro Bowl. He could also be playing himself closer to free agency and a job with another team next season. For now neither the Titans nor their All Pro defensive tackle are focused on any of that, not with the team undefeated and enjoying a bye week. Still, there's no disputing Haynesworth's dominant play so far this season and what it might mean down the road. At his current pace the seventh-year pro will meet contract incentives that would pave the way for him to become a free agent in 2009. "It's not like I'm out there thinking, 'OK, I have to get this sack, that's going to be an extra $1 million for me,' '' ..."
Haynesworth keeps focus on production, Titans success
"Albert Haynesworth believes if he can lead the Tennessee Titans to their desired destination that he can also reach his as well. At 5-0, the Titans are in the driver's seat in the AFC South heading into their bye week. Though it is too early to make predictions, Tennessee is certainly beginning to take the shape of a bona fide contender. Haynesworth, of course, is a vital part of a Titans defense that is leading the charge for Tennessee's hopes this season, and he has a personal stake in the matter as well as the team's interests. Haynesworth, who was franchised in February, is playing with an incentive-laden tender offer that will allow him to explore unrestricted free agency and an ..."
Haynesworth predicts his full recovery by Sun.
"Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth missed practice for the second day in a row on Thursday but said he plans to be in the lineup Sunday against the Bengals. Haynesworth suffered a concussion in the season opener against the Jaguars and doesn't expect to practice today. "If I keep improving like I am,'' he said, "I should be perfect on Sunday.'' Haynesworth had two of the Titans' seven sacks against the Jaguars and said the plan is to make things equally uncomfortable for Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer. The Titans allowed Palmer to pick them apart last season, when he went 32-of-38 for 283 yards and three touchdowns in a 35-6 rout at Paul Brown Stadium. He was sacked once. "If ..."
Haynesworth is coming off concussion
"One Tennessee Titan, defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, all 320 pounds of him, looms larger than any other in the week leading up to the Bengals' home opener Sunday. But Haynesworth did not practice Wednesday in Nashville because of a concussion sustained against Jacksonville, and his status for Sunday is questionable. He said he only remembered the final play of the game. Haynesworth did not play against the Bengals on Nov. 25, 2007, when Cincinnati pulled a 35-6 upset. He had two of the Titans' two sacks against the Jaguars. Kevin Vickerson is Haynesworth's backup. "I mean, he's virtually unblockable," Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer said. "He kind of does whatever he wants. It's ..."
Haynesworth improves, but sits out practice
"Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, who suffered a concussion in the season opener, missed practice Wednesday and his status for Sunday's game at Cincinnati is undetermined. "He's improving," Coach Jeff Fisher said. "We usually take a couple of extra days when you're dealing with mild concussion symptoms." Haynesworth had two sacks and three tackles in Tennessee's 17-10 win against Jacksonville, but said he couldn't remember much of the game. Rookie Jason Jones and third-year pro Kevin Vickerson helped to fill in for Haynesworth late in the game. Jones had two tackles, Vickerson one. In late July, Haynesworth signed a one-year, $7.25-million tender that included four incentives, ..."
Haynesworth plays with concussion
"Vying to become the best defense in the NFL, the Titans resistance force rocked the house in Sunday's season opener. The only problem: Albert Haynesworth can't recall most of it. "I remember the last play of the game and that's about it," he said. The veteran defensive tackle had two of Tennessee's seven sacks in a 17-10 win over Jacksonville, including the victory-sealing takedown with 14 seconds to play, but an early concussion left him with a nasty headache and not much else to remember the game by. For the rest of the defense, it was an unforgettable effort. The Titans also collected two interceptions, limited Jaguars running backs Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor to a combined 31 ..."
Haynesworth is no Jags fan
"Tennessee Titans All-Pro defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth cut straight to the point when asked to relive his 2002 NFL Draft experience. "I didn't want to go to Jacksonville anyway," Haynesworth said. "I didn't like [former Jaguars coach] Tom Coughlin." Although the Jaguars opted to take Haynesworth's former college teammate, John Henderson, that day, that's not the source of the Titans' defensive tackle's snippiness. As Tennessee's most important weapon in stopping Jacksonville's vaunted rushing attack, Haynesworth, like his Titans teammates, appears to share a general disdain for everything Jaguars. That's how it goes in this physical AFC South rivalry, which takes center stage Sunday ..."
Old Haynesworth becomes hard to find at camp
"After working out on his own all offseason, Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth seemed ripe for the picking the first few days of training camp. He wasn't in football shape. Surely one of the offensive linemen would get under his skin. Surely he would snap out of frustration. It all seemed so predictable yet … it never happened. A few weeks later, after some fight-filled training camp practices with the Rams, a teammate asked Haynesworth if he was in the middle of the melees. The answer: No. "He was like, 'Why would you ask?' " center Kevin Mawae said. "Well, you would just assume that with Albert in the past." Haynesworth has been noticeably low-key since signing his one-year ..."
Linemen stay fresh in rotation
"In order to get Albert Haynesworth into training camp, the Titans agreed to a list of incentives that had one eye-popping entry: Management said it would not apply the franchise tag to Haynesworth again in '09 if the Titans win 10 games and he is on the field for 53 percent of the defensive snaps. That's right - 53 percent. What gives? That's barely half of the snaps. Last year, opposing offenses averaged about 61 plays per game. Haynesworth would meet the incentive benchmark by lining up for 33 of those 61 plays. So much for the old-school term "every-down player." Why pay full-time money for a part-time player? Don't blame Haynesworth. This is by design. In the Titans' system, defensive ..."
Haynesworth takes the field, feels the heat
"Albert Haynesworth said he wanted toa few pounds. In sweltering heat Saturday, during his first practice with the Titans since last January, he melted off eight. It wasn't exactly the weight-loss plan the All-Pro defensive tackle had in mind. "It was hard, different," an exhausted Haynesworth said. "I was still a little rusty. I was worried about getting myself through it. I am not in football shape yet. But by the middle of camp I should be back in football shape and you'll hear me chattering." Haynesworth opted to work out on his own while his contract situation was settled. He finally signed his one-year tender on Friday, but missed the opening practice of training camp. And while ..."
Johnson, Haynesworth make training camp debuts
"Chris Johnson said it cost $5,000 for him to make a switch with defensive back Chris Carr from jersey No. 29 to No. 28. Johnson should easily be able to afford that, however, as he signed a five-year, $12 million package Saturday morning that allowed him to join his Tennessee Titans teammates on the practice field for the second workout of training camp. Johnson, the 24th pick in last April%u2019s draft, will receive approximately $7 million in guaranteed money in the contract. %u201CI just knew that the organization and my agent [Joel Segal] were doing their job, that%u2019s what I had them for,%u201D Johnson said after going through his first training camp practice. %u201CI was just ..."
Haynesworth signs tender, awaits future
"For at least a day, and maybe a year, everyone was happy on the subject of Albert Haynesworth. The Titans got their All-Pro defensive tackle signed on the first day of training camp, and Haynesworth got what he wanted, too, a chance to play himself into free agency next offseason. The agreement could lead to the Titans signing Haynesworth to a long-term contract, or be the beginning of the end for Haynesworth in Tennessee. "We're just going to play this situation out and see how it goes,'' Haynesworth said. "Regardless, I am making, a lot of money. So I am happy they are giving it to me and we'll see what happens next year.'' After weeks of negotiations, Haynesworth signed his one-year ..."
Titans, Haynesworth agree to deal
"The Titans and Albert Haynesworth have agreed to a reworked tender that will result in the All-Pro defensive tackle reporting to training camp. After weeks of negotiations, Haynesworth will sign his one-year tender as the team's franchise player. As part of the deal he could become an unrestricted free agent next season if he reaches certain incentives in the contract. Titans officials could not immediately be reached for comment. Agent Chad Speck acknowledged Friday morning the two sides had reached an agreement, but declined further comment. Haynesworth was en route to Nashville on Friday, but may not be on the field when the Titans hold their first training camp practice at 3:30 p.m., ..."
Incentives may pave way for Haynesworth's long-term deal
"The Titans and defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth have agreed on one thing: establishing incentives allowing the All-Pro to play himself out of the franchise tag next year is a good idea. Now the two sides must agree on what those incentives will be. If they can do that, Haynesworth will sign his one-year tender and join his teammates at training camp, which begins this afternoon. "We have every intention and hope that we'll be able to get him in here,'' Coach Jeff Fisher said Thursday. "Things are progressing that we'll be able to have him in and he'll be on the practice field as early as (this) afternoon.'' Haynesworth's agent, Chad Speck, could not be reached for comment on Thursday, ..."
Fisher optimistic Haynesworth will be in camp soon
"The Titans and defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth have agreed on one thing: establishing incentives allowing the All-Pro to play himself out of the franchise tag next year is a good idea. Now the two sides must agree on what those incentives will be. If they can do that, Haynesworth will sign his one-year tender and join his teammates at training camp, which begins Friday afternoon. %u201CWe have every intention and hope that we%u2019ll be able to get him in here,%u2019%u2019 Coach Jeff Fisher said Thursday. %u201CThings are progressing that we%u2019ll be able to have him in and he%u2019ll be on the practice field as early as (Friday) afternoon.%u2019%u2019 Haynesworth%u2019s agent, Chad ..."
Tackle, Titans continue to talk
"Despite their inability to reach a contract compromise earlier this offseason, the Titans and Albert Haynesworth's agent had talked about the positive nature of negotiations. The good vibes could be in jeopardy if the All-Pro defensive tackle doesn't sign his one-year tender before the Titans start training camp on Friday afternoon and begins an extended holdout. Chad Speck, Haynesworth's agent, said Wednesday he's been in contact with the Titans on a daily basis, but "nothing has been worked out %u2026 nothing is in place yet." A Titans official confirmed the talks have continued but declined to comment further. Haynesworth didn't get the long-term contract he wanted by last week's ..."
Neither Titans nor Haynesworth would win in holdout
"It's five days and counting until the Titans open training camp, and nobody wants to utter the H-word. Holdout. But just because the word has not been spoken by either of two parties, that doesn't mean its implications have not been considered. This has become a point of heavy speculation in the aftermath of failed contract negotiations between Titans management and defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth. There are indications that the two sides never really got close to hammering out a long-term deal. And after the deadline passed