Titans DT Albert Haynesworth Matures & Impresses

wide right · Sep 29, 2007

The Titans Haynesworth Matures and Impresses
Source: Associated Press

Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth is having a monster year.

Not like 2006, when he became infamous for losing his temper on the field and swiping his cleated foot across the unprotected head of Dallas center Andre Gurode.

No, the man who served an unprecedented five-game suspension as punishment is dominating on the defensive line.

It is easily the best start of his six-year career, and his timing could not be better. He is in the final year of his contract and trying to convince the Titans he deserves an extension. With people watching and waiting to see if he will explode again, Haynesworth is finally hearing some praise.

It did feel good; I heard a lot of people talk about it, he said. Our media-relations guy was like, They were talking a lot about you. Dont get a big head if I give you a copy of the game, Haynesworth said.

Thats not going to affect anything to go out and keep playing like that, he said. I think Ive found a good technique that allows me not to get beat up and make more tackles.

His numbers are impressive.

Haynesworth is tied for fourth on the Titans with 18 tackles, including 12 solo. He has a sack and a team-high eight quarterback pressures, and he is a big reason why Tennessee is vastly improved on defense, giving up 63.3 yards rushing a game during a 2-1 start.

Hes in really good shape, and hes been very, very disruptive, Titans Coach Jeff Fisher said.

Its nice to be able not to have to bring safeties down and be concerned about the run when your front, especially starting with Albert and the rest of his teammates up there, are handling the run game.

This is what the Titans expected when they drafted the 6-foot-6, 320-pound Haynesworth with the 15th pick over all in 2002 out of the University of Tennessee. But so far, no Pro Bowl berths he talked of earning have come, and he is still working to play an entire season for the first time as a pro.

He was playing well a year ago in a season that will be remembered for how he lost control Oct. 1 in a loss to the Cowboys, the fourth in an 0-5 start. The suspension, three games more than any other one given for an on-field act, kept him away from the Titans for six weeks because of their bye week.

Fisher was among those upset by Haynesworths outburst. Fisher, a former player himself, thought Haynesworth crossed the line on the field. Gurode wound up with 30 stitches to close cuts on his face.

Haynesworth had to continue anger-management counseling to return to the team. He played well enough after the return, but not as well as he had been.

He started the off-season in good shape, determined to live up to his own expectations.

The Titans are waiting to see if Haynesworth can be consistent, which is why a contract extension has not been worked out to keep him from hitting the free-agent market in 2008. If he keeps playing like this, that could happen before the season ends.

His teammate Keith Bulluck said Haynesworth had been wreaking havoc. Haynesworth repeatedly was praised by broadcasters during the Titans 31-14 win at New Orleans last Monday night, when the Saints rushed for 34 yards.

Bulluck said he had seen Haynesworth, a father of three, mature into someone wanting to make up for his mistakes.

He is one of those guys, he doesnt hide his emotions like myself, Bullock said. But I think he learned from his mistake last year. Hes older, hes more mature now, and a lot of these younger guys are looking at him. And he knows people all over the country are looking at him.

That might be why Haynesworth was penalized for roughing in the season opener for throwing Jacksonville running back Maurice Jones-Drew to the ground for a tackle. Fisher defended the tackle, saying Jones-Drew might have kept running if not tackled strongly. The N.F.L. fined Haynesworth $5,000; he has appealed the punishment.

Haynesworth said the officials were probably watching him.

Im not going to worry about it, he said. If you let it affect your game, youre worrying about that stuff. Youre not going out there playing 100 percent. You go out and play 100 percent..

If I have a chance to slam somebody, Im going to do it and worry about it later.
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SRW · Sep 30, 2007

Haynesworth has been a beast so far this year. His play vs the Saints was awe inspiring, he seemed unblockable at times and single-handedly blew up running play after running play. I hope the Titans find a way to tie him up long term because that side of the line is as dominant as it's ever been with Haynesworth and Vanden Bosch wreaking havoc.

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Titans DT Albert Haynesworth Matures & Impresses

wide right Grumpy Old Man

SRW Ex-World's Worst Site Admin

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Titans DT Albert Haynesworth Matures & Impresses

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