Haynesworth fails test again

Associated Press

ASHBURN, Va.

Early Friday morning, the cones were lined up 25 yards apart on the field for Albert Haynesworth’s conditioning test. He needed to complete the first part in 70 seconds or less to have a chance to pass.

He clocked 71.

Another failed effort. Once again, the two-time All-Pro defensive tackle was not allowed to participate in practice at Washington Redskins training camp.

And so the Haynesworth saga drags on. By now, some coaches or organizations would have worked out some sort of a behind-the-scenes compromise in the name of team harmony and good publicity, especially with one measly second hanging in the balance. Not Mike Shanahan. The rules are the rules for the Redskins new coach, no matter who the player is.

“Either you play by the rules, you’re gone or you’ll get fined, one of the two,” fullback Mike Sellers said. “He’s a no-nonsense guy. A lot of the vets around here who are pretty much old-school guys appreciate it.”

Perhaps Haynesworth didn’t see it coming, especially after spending last season under laid-back, player-friendly coach Jim Zorn. Or perhaps he thought by now he’d be playing for another team. Or perhaps he’d heard stories about the “star treatment” given to Redskins players such as Michael Westbrook, Bruce Smith and Clinton Portis over the years.

Either way, Haynesworth has learned the hard way that going toe-to-toe with Shanahan is not a good idea: Shanahan is going to win.

So, for Haynesworth, the second day of training camp was much like the first. After failing the test, he was sent inside to do treadmill and agility work while the rest of the team practiced. After practice, Haynesworth emerged in a long-sleeved gray T-shirt and burgundy shorts and spent about 15 minutes walking through some plays with defensive coordinator Jim Haslett.