Despite a recent arrest, Redskins owner Dan Snyder hasn’t given up on Albert Haynesworth’s run with the Washington Redskins.
“It may still work out,” Snyder told a group of reporters in the media workroom Friday. “You never know.”
In this case, we know. Haynesworth wouldn’t even speak to coach Mike Shanahan at the end of the year. And Snyder made it clear that Haynesworth’s signing has been a “disappoinment” as a business investment. As one reporter asked Snyder about signing Haynesworth two years ago, Snyder slyly cut him off.
“Well, now we have a new G.M.,” Snyder interjected.
Asked if bringing in Haynesworth was Cerrato’s decision mostly, Snyder responded: “It’s a fact.”
Snyder admitted he supported Haynesworth’s contract at the time, in addition to Donovan McNabb’s recent contract extension.
“I think we’re headed in right direction,” Snyder said when asked about the Shanahan regime, noting they were competitive in 14 of 16 games. “I’ve never seen so many missed field goals and extra points and blocks.”
We’ll have more from Snyder’s session later -- and Florio will have him on a bonus PFT Live this weekend -- but we couldn’t help but notice Snyder said more than once how he viewed things “as a fan.”
Some of his comments seemed more grounded in fan-like optimism rather than reality. The Redskins have a long way to go. They have very little young talent on their roster in a competitive division.
Shanahan and Snyder still have to prove they can break the Redskins’ cycle of mortgaging the future for short-term gains that rarely arise.