Redskins sign Haynesworth

Seven hours after re-signing cornerback DeAngelo Hall, the Washington Redskins agreed to terms with one of the best available free agents on this year’s market.

Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth has agreed to terms with the Redskins and was introduced at a press conference Friday.

This comes after the Redskins re-signed DeAngelo Hall to a six-year, $54 million contract that includes $22.5 million in guaranteed money. The club on Friday cut cornerback Shawn Springs, a move that saves $6 million needed to sign Haynesworth.

Terms for Haynesworth’s deal weren’t available, but ESPN reported that the deal was for seven years, $100 million — with $41 million of that guaranteed. It would be the richest contract in NFL history for a defensive lineman.

Haynesworth was expected to be locked up by a team in the opening hour of free agency, which began at 12:01 a.m. Friday. But a number of teams expressed interest and talks extended through the night.

Haynesworth, the top rated defensive lineman to hit the open market and the second-ranked defensive player behind Baltimore linebacker Ray Lewis, comes to the Redskins after playing the first seven years of his career with the Titans. He’s had one head coach (Jeff Fisher) and one defensive coordinator (Jim Schwartz).

The first-round pick from the University of Tennessee comes to the Redskins with question marks about his durability, production and character.

Durability: He’s played all 16 games only once his rookie year when he was a part-time player. In the last six years, he’s played 12, 10, 14, 11, 13 and 14 regular season games. He has been sidelined because of elbow, knee and hamstring injuries.

Production: Only in the last two years has he become a consistent pass rushing threat with 14.5 of his 24 career sacks. But Haynesworth does have four years of at least 60 tackles.

Character: Haynesworth was suspended for five games in 2006 for twice stomping on the head of a helmet-less Andre Gurode during a game against the Dallas Cowboys. Gurode required 30 stitches to close the wound and Haynesworth’s suspension (which cost him $190,000) was, at the time, the longest ban for an on-field action in league history. The next year, he was involved in an incident with teammate Justin Hartwig.

But Haynesworth saved his two most productive seasons as he headed into free agency.

In 2007, he tied a career high with 23 quarterback pressures to go with 69 tackles and six sacks.

And last year, he was a dominant player — 75 tackles, 8.5 sacks, 19 quarterback pressures and four forced fumbles.

Before Haynesworth’s contract, the largest given to a defensive lineman was last year when Oakland’s Tommy Kelly signed a 7-year, $50.5 million contract to stay with the Raiders ($18.125 million guaranteed). He responded with only 4.5 sacks.

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