The Washington Times
  • Subscribe
  • Times News Services
  • RSS
  • Mobile Headlines
  • e-edition
  • E-MAIL ALERTS
  • REGISTER
  • LOG IN
  • E-MAIL ALERTS
  • WELCOME
  • Your Profile
  • Log Out
  • Front Page Image
  • Classifieds
  • Autos
  • Real Estate
  • Jobs
  • Special Sections
  • Customer Service
  • Home
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Sports
    • NFL
    • NBA/WNBA
    • MLB
    • NHL
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • Motorsports
    • Soccer
    • NCAA
    • Olympics
    • Outdoors
    • Other
  • Culture
    • Home & Living
    • Family & Kids
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Health
    • Washington Visitors
    • Books
    • Military History
    • Life
    • Auto
    • TV Listings
    • Movie Listings
    • Death Notices
    • Entertainment
  • Themes
  • Communities
  • Shopping
    • Stores
    • Coupons
    • Daily Double
    • Promotion
    • How It Works
  • Videos
    • Two Guys
    • Birnbaum on Washington
    • Liz Glover
    • Amanda Carpenter
    • Morning Briefing
    • Documentaries
    • Joe Giganti
    • Video Game Minute
  • Podcasts
    • About Headlines
    • Audio and Radio
    • America's Morning News
  • National

    PRUDEN: Obama's due process doctrine

  • National

    U.S. links 8 to Somali terrorist group

  • Business

    Home sales surge 10.1 percent in October

  • Local

    Fenty trails Gray in D.C. poll

  • Politics

    S.C. governor faces 37 ethics violations

  • National

    China holds lawyer who tried to see Obama

  • World

    Israel-Hamas prisoner swap talks advance

Home » News » Editor Favorites

Saturday, February 28, 2009

Skins make Haynesworth $100 million man

Rate this story

Average 0.00
after 0 votes
Login or register to rate this story

Redskins' huge offer lands defensive tackle

  • Font Size -+
  • Print
  • Email
  • Comment
  • Tweet this!
  • Share
  • Article
  • Comments ()
  • Click-2-Listen
  • Videos
Please stand by, images loading!
  • Albert Haynesworth had 14.5 sacks and 91 tackles the past two seasons with the Titans. (Mary F. Calvert/The Washington Times)

More Editor Favorites Stories

  • PRUDEN: Obama's due process doctrine
  • U.S. links 8 to Somali terrorist group
  • Home sales surge 10.1 percent in October
  • Fenty trails Gray in D.C. poll

By Ryan O'Halloran

Albert Haynesworth's goal was to become the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL history, but when the bidding opened at 12:01 a.m. Friday, he didn't want to hear about the dollars until a proposal was finalized.

The call came at about 3:45 a.m. from agent Chad Speck with information Haynesworth would later describe as "astounding."

The Washington Redskins' offer: seven years for $100 million, $41 million guaranteed, including $32 million in the next 13 months.

"I was like to myself, 'He said what?' " Haynesworth said. "But it kind of all worked out."

Worked out for the 27-year-old defensive tackle, who got his record-setting contract, and worked out for the Redskins, who believe they have acquired a difference-maker on the defensive front who will prevent slumps like the 2-6 skid that ended last year.

An agreement was reached at 4:30 a.m., and Haynesworth arrived at Redskin Park at midafternoon and signed his contract after meeting with the front office and coaching staff for the first time.

Haynesworth vowed during a packed news conference that he will not join the long line of free agent mistakes who have cost the franchise millions but have produced no championships.

"You're not going to remember Albert Haynesworth as a bust," he said. "You're going to remember me as a great player, and that's what I live for. When I put that helmet on, it's to kick butt and make sure that [opponent] knows I'm the best player he's played against. Any team that faces me will have to worry about me."

Even when they put together the huge contract offer, the Redskins were concerned it wouldn't be enough. Six teams seriously pursued Haynesworth, and the Redskins crafted a deal that featured only a $7 million salary cap hit this year.

"When we first started, [salary cap specialist] Eric [Schaffer] came in at one point and said, 'No way we're in this,' " Redskins vice president of football operations Vinny Cerrato said. "That's why it goes on for four hours. Eric did a great job doing the numbers, and Chad Speck and him kept working and didn't let it stop and kept pushing until we came to the conclusion."

[Get Copyright Permissions] Click here for reprint permissions!
Copyright 2009 The Washington Times, LLC

12Next »

Post a comment

There are comments on this article, submit your opinion!

Please login or register to post a comment

Ask a Question

You Report

Do you have another point of view, photos, audio, video or more information about a story?

Top Stories

Most Read

  1. Islamic center in Maryland keeps ties to Iran
  2. Not invited: Republican lawmakers
  3. EDITORIAL EXCLUSIVE: On terrorists, Justice recused
  4. Religious leaders vow civil disobedience on anti-life issues
  5. KELLNER: New Apple mouse really is 'Magic'
More Top Stories »
  1. Massive bill steals show in health care debate
  2. Report: D.C. schools chief Rhee mishandled sexual misconduct scandal
  3. Company that repaired Chairman Gray's house lacked license
  4. EDITORIAL: Gunning for Sarah Palin
  5. Green energy stimulus growing few jobs

Most Shared

  1. Ego of 'O': It's all about him
  2. Religious leaders vow civil disobedience on anti-life issues
  3. EDITORIAL: Schumer's change of heart
  4. Green energy stimulus growing few jobs
  5. Unemployment taxes hit small firms hard
More Top Stories »
  1. EDITORIAL: Death for being a Christian
  2. Islamic center in Maryland keeps ties to Iran
  3. EDITORIAL EXCLUSIVE: On terrorists, Justice recused
  4. VMI faces probe into sexism
  5. Company that repaired Chairman Gray's house lacked license

Most Commented

  1. Work site arrests of illegals fall dramatically
  2. ANALYSIS: Obama takes a bow, but applause is weak
  3. Lobbyists spending big to shape health care debate
  4. Senate Democrats win key vote on health bill
  5. Islamic center in Maryland keeps ties to Iran
More Top Stories »
  1. EDITORIAL: Gunning for Sarah Palin
  2. Schumer: Dems will pass health bill alone
  3. Green energy stimulus growing few jobs
  4. EDITORIAL: Schumer's change of heart
  5. Religious leaders vow civil disobedience on anti-life issues

Listen to Washington Times Radio

  • America's Morning News

    with John McCaslin and Melanie Morgan

Question of the day

White House officials and Senate Democrats met in private three times last week to craft health care legislation. Do you think these discussions should be more public?

Blogs & Columns

  • Hot Button Blog

    RNC: Breast cancer recommendations may lead to 'rationing'

  • Belief Blog

    Evangelicals OK civil disobedience

  • Out of Context

    Foods that might kill libido

  • On the Fly

    United lifts some 'award' blocking

  • Technology

    Facebook wins round against phishing spammer

  • Redskins 360

    Mason returns

  • SNOBlog

    Beyond 'Woody'

Videos

Advertising Links
TWT Store
  • e-edition
  • Print Edition
  • Weekly Washington Times
TWT Affiliates
  • Middle East Times
  • Golf
  • UPI
  • Arbor Ballroom
  • Washington Times Global
  • About TWT
  • Press Room
  • F.A.Q.
  • Work for TWT
  • Advertise
  • Sponsors
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Site Map

All site contents © Copyright 2009 The Washington Times, LLC.