The Case for Keeping/Cutting Albert Haynesworth

Albert Haynesworth has always been a hot topic for us redskins fans.  He went from being our shiny new toy to possibly the most hated man in DC.  Here, on Hogs Haven, his exploits have been well documented and well-criticized.  At this point, we face a crossroads: should Albert stay or should he go?

The Case for Cutting the big man

1. He has off-field issues -- from the sexual assault charge to the possible road rage to refusing Shanny,  there is very little I can say to justify his behavior.  He has become the definition of a prick.

2. He is a bad influence -- We are in the process of a youthful rebuilding.  Next year, on defense, we will have atleast 2 new young starters playing closely with the defensive line (Kerrigan, Jenkins?, Bryant?, Nield?) and they don't need any contamination leaking through.  Shanahan went to great efforts to draft team leaders but it could all go to waste if Haynesworth plants a seed of corruption in any of their minds.

3. Effort -- AH has never, even at the peak of his career, played every snap he should.  He could be so good but he's just not there.  There's also the well-documented incidents of lack of effort on the field such as when he lay down against the Eagles.

4. Sending a Message-- After suspending Haynesworth and dealing with all his nonsense for so long, Shanahan would be 100% justified to cut AH.  Doing so would send a message to D. Hall, Banks, or any other potential off-field issues that NOTHING will be tolerated.  If your going to screw around, do it some place else.

5. Age -- This is something that I have yet to see any major posts about yet.  Albert Haynesworth will be 30 before next season.  Now that's not old but it does mean that his production should begin to fall and that is if he gets on the field

6. Scheme fit -- This is Albert's constant refrain here in DC.  He has yet to be used correctly.  He complained that Blatche didn't use him right and I don't think anyone thinks that now is better.  He is not a 3-4 NT and doesn't want to be.  He was dominant in Tennessee's system and clearly he should return to his successful system.  

The case for keeping him

1. Dominance -- There is a reason that we paid AH $100 million.  He was and can still be, the most dominant defensive tackle in the game.  He has two probowls under his belt and he could return this defense to its top five days

2. He makes the defense around him better -- Orakpo, D. Hall, Landry, Fletcher are all better when AH is being double teamed.  I don't have a stat on this but I remember many more plays that Orakpo could get to the QB when Haynesworth was on the field.  Last year, when AH wasn't on the field nearly as much, Rak seemed to regress and stopped sacking people.

3. Raising Rookies -- Now, I've already addressed that he could be a terrible mental influence on our youth.  That said, Haynesworth's dominance isn't purely mental.  He has physical skills which I would love to rub off on Nield, Kerrigan, Jenkins.  He would also give Jenkins a little bit of cushion time to get up to pro speed.

4. Lack of compensation --  Haynesworth's value may be at an all time low this off-season.  We will never get the equivalent of his true on the field value for him.  He has off-field issues, hasn't played in a while, and has too long term a contract to warrant any team giving up a high draft pick.  If we cut him, we get nothing for all our trouble

5. Contract -- Haynesworth has been paid and paid well but at this point, he is not that expensive for an ex-pro bowl DT until 2013 when he receives a 20 million dollar signing bonus.  Till then he receives on 5.4 mil and 7.2 mil a year (http://www.extremeskins.com/showthread.php?281844-SI-MMQB-Haynesworth-s-REAL-contract-breakdown-plus-Canty-Skins).

6.  Revenge -- This is a terrible reason but I'm not sure Shanny's ego will let Haynesworth go.  He has worked too hard and pulled too many strings to leave him to sign with another team.  The first two reasons on this list will ensure that someone takes a chance on him.  If he succeeds elsewhere, we get nothing and Haynesworth is free to rag on the Skins all he wants from his high horse on a new team.  If he fails, we still get nothing except the pain that we paid a failure 35.6 million dollars.

Personally, I would keep the man through the end of 2012.  We gain almost nothing tangible from cutting him.  Keep him and there is a chance that our Defense could be dominant this year (though our O will still suck).

So what do you guys think?

PS: any suggestions for my first major post?