A Look Back at Albert Haynesworth's Signing Via Redskins Bloggers

I thought it would be fun to go back and look at what we were saying about Haynesworth last March. For the most part, we all knew this would not end well. Here's some links to several blogs from last year.

Homer McFanboy

Brian Murphy had a warning for Skins fans and entitled the Haynesworth post public service announcement. He led off the post with the following:

From all of us at Homer McFanboy to all of you in Redskins Nation we have just one word of advice – please proceed with caution.

after weighing the positive and negatives about Haynesworth the player, HM added this:

So feel free to talk yourself into this latest free agent acquisition or even talk smack to rival fans if you see fit. As for us, we’ll be proceeding with nothing more than cautious optimism until we see just how it all comes together on the field.

Mister Irrelevant

Jamie Mottram had 2 posts covering the Haynesworth signing, neither putting him on record as for or against it. He covered it in his own unique way that blog readers have come to love...he was a charming smart-ass. Oh yeah, this shirt was also born.

From Getting to Know the New $100 Million Man:

Some of that may seem to indicate character flaws, until considering he’s a defense lineman, then you realize they’re actually personality traits.

From Well, That Didn't Take Long: Skins Spend $150 Million on Haynesworth and Hall:

This probably isn’t the right way of doing things, and they’re all gonna laugh at us, but it’s not our money, and these two make the team better, so whatever.

Hogs Haven

Ken and Kevin were also cautious and sarcastic in their coverage. From Ken's post entitled Free Agency in Redskins Nation: Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa All At Once!:

Don't ruin this for me with the price tag either. This was my present from the Redskins. Our present. Today I just don't care about long-term consequences. I am going to unwrap my present and play. Our defense is going to rock (theoretically). Our opponents will be hosting half of our defense behind their line on every play (hypothetically). DeAngelo Hall will capitalize on the additional pressure to the tune of double-digit interceptions (supposably).

I beg you, take a second to embrace the fact that two guys who are easily inked to start for us next year and represent upgrades at their positions are on the team. One of them even stomped on a Cowgirl's head! We will wake up from this drunken orgy of careless spending soon enough. Our Walk of Shame will start on Draft Day (probably), and last through the regular season (God, I hope I'm wrong).

Later, perhaps in a bit of foreshadowing...Kevin asked fans to go on record about the Haynesworth signing. From Albert Haynesworth: Time for Everyone to Go on the Record:

As free agency names come and go, in retrospect, decisions always seem so much clearer. The Jason Taylor deal as we all know now was a total bust, and Vinny is taking quite the lashing for it. Over the course of the season (hopefully years), it'll become clear whether the Haynesworth signing was a bust or brilliance.

The Cooley Zone

Tanner Cooley attended Haynesworth's press conference and scored an interview, from TC: Haynesworth Exclusive:

Whatever issues anyone may have about Albert Haynesworth not being a character guy need to be put to rest. I had the chance to meet the guy today after his press and he seemed to be a genuinely nice guy. In the press conference he discussed the issues of his past and I felt he did a great job of putting them to rest stating, "I'm starting a new chapter in my life after my incident and I'm looking forward to adding to it."

Fatpickled

As for me? I was bitter that the Skins had signed 2 players for $150+ million, weeks after firing 30+ employees because the economy was slow. I did refer to Haynesworth as a "beast." From Great News… The Recession Is Over:

So while I’m excited as a fan about the product that I will see on the field next fall, I’m not comfortable with the ethics of the organization. 40 employees at an average of 50k per year = 2 million. The teams salary cap for players is $127 million, which by smoke and mirrors the Skins will exceed. Add another 15-20 million for the coaching staff and front office. $155 million committed to just 2 players! It just doesn’t add up.

40 employees lives crushed, their spouses and children deeply effected. Is it all worth it? I think not. There is no grey area here, it’s black and white, there is a right and a wrong. And…it’s just wrong. If the Danny has any integrity he would pick up the phone and personally call the individuals he laid off. He should offer them their jobs back and apologize. But we all know that would never happen.

He’s at Morton’s wining and dining the next player, ordering off the menu, and dangling million$$ in their faces.

Today, I think I speak for all of us when I say "F-off Fat Albert."

Cheers and Hail