IDP Spotlight: Albert Haynesworth (1 Viewer)

[Aaron Rudnicki]

2009 IDP Spotlight Series

One of Footballguys best assets is our message board community. The IDP Forum here has grown quickly over the past few years and is probably the best place on the internet to discuss, debate and analyze all things related to IDPs. In what we hope to make an annual tradition, the IDP Spotlight series will be a key part of our preseason effort this year. As many of you know from what has been done with offensive players over the years, we consider the Player Spotlight threads the permanent record for analyzing the fantasy prospects of the player in question. This year, we hope to publish IDP Spotlights for approximately 20-30 players, which should account for many of the most interesting IDP starters for this year and possibly years to come.

Each week we will post a list of players to be discussed. Those threads will remain open for the entire preseason, and should be a central point to discuss expectations for the player in question. Importantly, analysis done in the first week (or possibly longer) of posting will be part of the permanent record in two ways.

1) At the end of the week (or longer when necessary), we will tally the projections into a consensus.

2) We will select a number of pull quotes from forum contributors who make a compelling statement or observation. Both the projections and pull quotes will be part of a published article on the main website.

Thread Topic: Albert Haynesworth, DT, Washington Redskins

Albert Haynesworth Player Page

Each published article will include:

Detailed viewpoint from a Footballguys staff member
Highlighted member commentary from the message board threads
FBG Projections
Consensus Member ProjectionsThe Rules

In order for this thread to provide maximum value, we ask that you follow a few simple guidelines:

Focus commentary on the player or players in question, and your expectations for said player(s)
Back up your expectations in whatever manner you deem appropriate; avoid posts that simply say "I hate him" or "He's the best"
To be included in the final synopsis and consensus outlook, we request that you provide projections for the playerProjections should include the following categories at minimum:

For DLs: Solos, Assists, Sacks, PD
For LBs: Solos, Assists, Sacks, INT, PD
For DBs: Solos, Assists, Sacks, INT, PDNow let's get on with the conversation! We look forward to your contributions and let me offer a personal thanks in anticipation of the great debate and analysis.

 

[Jene Bramel]

I've got Haynesworth ranked in the 20s among defensive lineman right now based on his skill set and upside, but I probably wouldn't trust him as my DL2. There are strong durability concerns (he's missed at least two games every season) and he doesn't play every down. His last two seasons of pass rush numbers coincide with his push for a big contract. He got that contract this offseason and on a team with a defensive coordinator that doesn't let his linemen penetrate. If Haynesworth is serious about remaining motivated, can stay healthy and the Redskins make good on rumors to change to a more aggressive front seven philosophy, there's DL2 value here. I think there a good chance that those things happen, but there's more downside than upside if you take Haynesworth in the top 25.

Projection: 35 solos, 11 assists, 4 sacks, 2 FF/FR, 2 PD

 

[kethnaab]

BUST with a capital "Dan Snyder"

Haynesworth's talent and potential is matched only by his petulance and his laziness. He got his contract. He has no real reason to do much of anything now. He got his dough.

He didn't say "I want to go to a team that is a winner"

He didn't say "I want to go to a team that will use me so I can produce"

He said "gimme the money"

he got the money, and now his lazy keester is going to miss another pile of games and he'll be the standard disappearing act in others.

12 games, 29 solos, 9 assists, 3 sacks, 3 FF/FR, 1 PD

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

bump for any additional comments/projections

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

Over the past couple seasons, it would be hard to find a more dominant player in the league than Haynesworth. That hasn’t always translated into great fantasy numbers, but he has put up an impressive 14.5 sacks in his last 27 games. If he can maintain that type of pace in Washington, Haynesworth should remain one of the most productive fantasy DTs in the league when healthy. For such a big player who faces double teams on nearly every play, injuries are always a concern. The fact that he cashed in with a huge contract also might take some incentive away from him. Shaun Rogers seems to be in a tier by himself among fantasy DTs, but Haynesworth and a few others aren’t that far behind him.

36 solos, 12 assists, 6.0 sacks, 0 INT, 3 PD, 2 FF, 1 FR

 

[dgreen]

He didn't say "I want to go to a team that is a winner"He didn't say "I want to go to a team that will use me so I can produce"He said "gimme the money"

He was offered more by Tampa Bay.I didn't follow him closely in TN, so what's happening so far in DC may be what we see from him every year. When he first arrived, he talked about how his goal is to be the best player on the field every game. Since then, he has arguably been the best player on the practice field (Orakpo is probably the only player we hear more positives about). Now, the Skins OL certainly isn't a top NFL unit, but we hear every day about Haynesworth dominating in practice. He repeatedly beats every lineman in every possible way (over, through, around).Again, maybe this is the same old story as in TN and the "laziness" comes later. But, so far, he's been nothing but professional...and dominant.

 

[Drop]

I'm a huge fan of Fat Albert, but Jene makes the most valid point that he has durability concerns. It's just a trend in his career, he tends to break down a bit. He's a great player and if he can play he will and usually dominate. It's worth noting any scheme concerns, especially if they don't want him penetrating. In my mind that's the best part of his game, he's so disruptive that it's a waste to just have him clog 2 gaps. I don't know that Albert is lazy or if he just comes off that way at times, he seems to be a pretty candid guy who stomps to the beat of his own drum at times if you will. He's not shy about saying he doesn't think a team is physical or whatever and he'll also give the Jags oline props for the way they play. He's pretty honest about how he views the game, so listening to his interviews can usually give you some insight that isn't cliche nonsense.

One thing that I would look for in terms of fantasy value is if he lines up at end on passing downs ever. Often in Tennessee he played DE in clear passing situations and was dominant there as well. The Skins are foolish not to move him around a bit and let him beat up on different linemen from time to time. Another thing that I would key on to see how productive he's going to be is the way he chases down plays. It might be hard to believe, but he's pretty fast and can run. He's going to make tons of plays inside, but if he's really on his game he'll be chasing stuff down and not just jogging as if he believes he can't get there. Ironic, but true, Jevon Kearse calls him the Freak because of how athletic and fast he is for his size.