Defensive lineman Albert Haynesworth plans to report to Redskins training camp on time, an awkward situation intensified by the fact his non-injury grievance against the team remains unresolved.
That seems likely to be the prologue for another dramatic and public chapter in the ongoing feud between Haynesworth and coach Mike Shanahan as Washington attempts to move on from last season’s 6-10 record.
A league source on Thursday confirmed an ESPN 980-AM report that Haynesworth, who is under contract for 2011, expects to be at training camp. Chad Speck, the player’s agent, declined to comment on his client’s intentions.
Asked Thursday about Haynesworth’s situation, Redskins general manager Bruce Allen told The Washington Times, “We’ll wait to the appropriate time to talk about that.”
Haynesworth in March 2010 balked at playing in the Redskins’ 3-4 defense and fell out with Shanahan that June after he skipped a mandatory minicamp. Shanahan eventually suspended Haynesworth without pay for the final four games of the 2010 regular season, at which point Haynesworth refused to speak to the coach.
The NFL Players Association responded on Haynesworth’s behalf by filing a non-injury grievance against the Redskins. The grievance attempted to ensure that Haynesworth received the $847,058 withheld from him because of the suspension. That amount is four games’ worth of his base salary last season.
The grievance was scheduled to go before an arbitrator during the offseason, but all league business was put on hold when NFL owners locked the players out March 12. A league source on Thursday indicated that the grievance still is pending because of the lockout.
In addition to that unfinished business, nothing suggests Haynesworth has changed his aversion to playing in Washington’s 3-4 defense. Shanahan, then, must decide what to do with Haynesworth during practices while the team attempts to trade him.
The Redskins have paid Haynesworth approximately $35 million since he signed a seven-year, $100 million contract in February 2009. He has played only 20 games with the team.
It’s unknown whether the club has tried to recoup at least a portion of the $22 million in signing bonus money paid to Haynesworth during the 2010 season.
Signing bonuses were subject to forfeiture under the recently expired collective bargaining agreement between the league and the players’ union, and the Redskins protected themselves last offseason when they converted Haynesworth’s $21 million option bonus to a signing bonus.
The additional $1 million is a prorated portion of the $5 million signing bonus Haynesworth earned when he signed with the Redskins.
Training camp is scheduled to begin July 28 on the condition that NFL owners and players settle their labor dispute and end the lockout.
• Rich Campbell can be reached at rcampbell@washingtontimes.com.
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