Former Redskins defensive lineman Charles Mann has joined the growing chorus in Washington ripping current Redskins defensive lineman Albert Haynesworth for refusing to participate in voluntary offseason workouts.
In an interview with ESPN 980, Mann said it’s ridiculous that Haynesworth is unhappy with his role in the Redskins’ new 3-4 defense.
“I mean, just do the work,” Mann said, per Dan Steinberg of the Washington Post. “He looks more like a nose tackle, and a 3-4’s gonna be great for him. You know why a 3-4 would be great? Because all he’ll have to do is what he did last year, and that’s just fall on the ground, pile it up a little bit and the linebackers roll past you and make the plays, He doesn’t even have to make a play in the 3-4.”
Noting that Haynesworth is staying away this offseason just a year after signing a $100 million contract, Mann said Haynesworth is an example of an overpaid modern athlete who doesn’t appreciate what he’s getting.
“Man, lemme tell you this, for a million dollars I would have done all those things, not a hundred million,” Mann said. “I mean, you go through it, you’re young, and you think this is the way it’s supposed to be and this is just regular life, and they have no clue as to the opportunity that they’re in the midst of. I’d crawl on the ground backwards for a hundred million dollars.”
Mann said “heck no” when asked if Haynesworth -- who says he’s been working out on his own -- will show up to the Redskins’ upcoming mandatory minicamp in shape. And he said he expects the Redskins to trade Haynesworth just as soon as they get the kind of compensation they’re looking for.
“You know what, Mike Shanahan’s a smart guy, and he’s won some Super Bowls,” Mann said. “Just saying that, the next breath would be absolutely. He’s just trying to get the right number.”