Problem: Your defensive line cannot generate a consistent and productive pass rush thus your opponents light up your secondary like sugared up kids blasting a piñata.

Solution: You go out and sign the most dominant defensive lineman in the game in Albert Haynesworth.

Tangible Results: The Redskins defensive line showed vast improvement with Brian Orakpo and Andre Carter registering double digit sack totals. Haynesworth’s presence did improve the defensive line dramatically.

What we did not know – Haynesworth was really upset with the Redskins defensive coaches because they were not playing him in the manner he was used to.  In Tennessee all Haynesworth had to do was penetrate and disrupt but here he complained about too many run gap responsibilities. Obviously some are going to say Haynesworth should do what he is told to do but if you brought the guy here for 100 million dollars because he is the best in the league at what he does it only makes sense to place him in a position to be successful. We have two years of proof in Tennessee that Haynesworth is a dominant player so who was wrong here Greg Blache and staff or Haynesworth? 

Jim Haslett’s first Challenge - NFL Insider and former Redskin beat reporter, Jason La Canfora reports that grumblings have already started within the Redskin locker room (view video here) with regard to the possible shift to a 3-4 defensive alignment.  The good news is the Redskins with a few additions can play both the 4-3 and the 3-4. The bad news is where does Albert fit in a 3-4? Everyone assumes nose tackle but not so fast. Albert wants to penetrate and destroy but the job of a nose tackle in a 3-4 is to hold the point of attack and occupy as many blockers as you can. Even if they moved him to defensive end the job is to hold the edge and occupy blockers. Unless Albert loses roughly 200 pounds and becomes a linebacker he will not be a happy camper in a 3-4. 

Jim Haslett’s second Challenge – will be Turning “Fat” Albert into “Fit” Albert. We all saw Haynesworth dominate when he was in the game but the problem was keeping him in the game.  Haynesworth was rotated regularly in Tennessee to maximize his effectiveness but I’m thinking this guy should spend the summer getting into much better shape.

Relief in the form of an uncapped year –  If the Redskins are bound and determined to make a complete shift to the 3-4 rather than using it as another package then are they content to deal Haynesworth or cut him. The only salvation is they may be able to survive this expensive move in an uncapped year. I like Haynesworth and what he brings to the table. I love the fact that he is mean and he wants to destroy opposing QBs. Since he has proven himself a dominant player I believe it is the job of the coaches to place him in the best position to succeed. The Redskins have not had someone this dominant on their defensive line since Dexter Manley.  Smart coaches do not shove systems down players’ throats. Smart coaches make the best of what they have. I tend to side with Big Al on this one. He was brought here to do what he does best and now people want him to change into something else.