Haynesworth Returns as Training Camp Opens

Donovan McNabb is the team's new star, but all eyes will be on Albert Haynesworth Thursday afternoon as the Redskins open training camp for the 2010 season.

Haynesworth, as you probably know, isn't a happy camper after finding out in the offseason that his role in head coach Mike Shanahan's new defense would change. The team wants him to play more of a nose guard role in the 3-4 scheme, meaning he'd be plugging holes and taking up space instead of racking up sacks.

So what did the man who signed a $100 million deal before last season do? He skipped all of the team's offseason workouts, including the mandatory minicamp. And he allegedly lost about 40 pounds, something nose guards tend NOT to do.

But with all of that said, Haynesworth is expected to show up Thursday at Redskins Park, if for no other reason than he wants to keep his money.

When he takes the field, however, is another matter.

Shanahan said Wednesday that Haynesworth will have to pass a conditioning test before he puts on the pads. And when he does get out there, he'll be practicing with the reserves, not the starters.

"He says he's in good shape," Shanahan said.

But 40 pounds lighter? Defensive coordinator Jim Haslett's not buying it.

"I'll say this, someone said to me he lost 40 pounds, and I said, 'From what?'" Haslett joked.

But all joking aside, Haslett believes Haynesworth can succeed in the team's new system. He just has to give it a try.

"Players get in a comfort zone sometimes, and he's been playing in the same scheme for some time," Haslett said. "But this is something different. Something new. I think once he gets into it, and once he sees what we're doing, he's going to like it. I think he'll flourish in it. He's an athletic kid and we can put him in some spots to use his athleticism. I think he's going to be good at it, but he's got to obviously be willing to do it."


Tweets from Training Camp:  Dan Hellie and Lindsay Czarniak will be sending out tweets throughout training camp.  You can follow them on Twitter @dhellie and @lindsayczarniak, respectively.  And, as always, you should follow @nbcwashington for the latest news and info from camp, as well.

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