Every year, just before the season starts and teams converge on the practice field, there are those few players who don’t show up for the “voluntary” practices.  Then, when the mandatory practices start, training camp and mini-camps, speculation abounds over which players will show up and which will scorn their teams.  Albert Haynesworth has already scorned his fellow Redskins, not showing up for practice and letting his desire to be traded known to the press.  Unfortunately for the Redskins, he signed a $100 million contract for seven years with the team and Coach Shanahan and the team fully expected Haynesworth to show.  He is still listed on the team roster.  However, he did not show for the mandatory three day minicamp, simply messaging that he will “continue to work individually to prepare for training camp and the start of the 2010 season.”

Haynesworth is simply pouting.  He doesn’t like the plans Coach Shanahan has for the defense, and the new 3-4 defense alignment which has him lining up in scrimmage in the nose tackle position.  Yes, he can be a thoroughly menacing player, but his frequent injuries left the Redskins wanting for a decent performance from their high priced player.   Now his attitude that he doesn’t need to work with his team has players, coaches and fans wonder if he will even show up for training camp at the end of the month.

Prima Donnas who seem to think themselves above the law are rampant.  Headlines of this running back or that wide receiver being found with a gun, driving drunk, or beating on their spouse are as common place as hurricanes and tornados at this time of year.  In fact, the similarities don’t end there.  A wayward football player stepping over to the wrong side of the law can seem like a hurricane to a team trying to focus and establish plays and routines for the coming season.  Just ask the Oakland Raiders how they feel about the former number one pick, JaMarcus Russell. 

Of course, there are always the “will he retire or won’t he” players like Brett Favre, who hasn’t yet decided what the 2010 season holds.  He did the same thing last year, leaving his team hanging while he weighed his options.  Will Brett play for one more year?  No one knows yet, maybe not even Brett himself, although one would think his intentions for the coming year are clear, at least in his own mind.  Chris Samuels, on the other hand, realised his career as an NFL player was at an end and announced his retirement.

The question is, however, are these players really “all that”?    Do they have the right to treat their fellow players, their coaching staff and their team owners with such disdain and disrespect?

Many of the fans say no.

In fact, I’ve heard it suggested more than once that this group of miscreants should be assigned to play on their own team.  Surely there are enough of them to make a full roster.  In fact, there might be an abundance of players for this particular team.  They could be assigned to Alcatraz Island, a location that would suit them perfectly.  Of course, I know the island is no longer used as a prison, however, the location itself is just too perfect to ignore.  They could be given the name the Alcatraz Asses and have the donkey as their team mascot and symbol.

Ridiculous? Well of course it is, but the behaviors of certain players is unfair to their teams, the owners and especially to the fans.  The owners deserve to have players who show up to play football as do the fans.

Michael Vick will be picking up his Ed Block Courage Award on Tuesday. I won’t even go into my thoughts on the many reasons he doesn’t deserve the award, but I think it’s safe to say that most people with a functioning brain would agree with me on that. Going back to playing professional football in the face of a bunch of PETA hatred isn’t “courage”. It’s what every other ex-convict WISHES he could do. If you’re blessed with the athletic ability that Vick has, I would even go so far as to say it’s EASY. But anyway, enough of my ranting. Vick will be picking up the award on Tuesday, along with a member of each NFL team, and they’ve already had to change the rules for him, because crown reaction might be a little different from the norm. No more autographs, no more meet-and-greets… just another stuffy awards ceremony for guys who get accolades heaped on them on a nearly daily basis.

More interesting notes:

Shutdown Corner takes a look at some of the best free agents that could help your team this year, both on offense and defense.

Some of the latest rumors (nothing concrete here, folks): Julius Peppers and/or Darren Sproles to the Panthers, Peppers to the Redskins, Donovan McNabb to the Rams (in a trade), Adalius Thomas to the Dolphins, Darren Sharper to the Giants, every linebacker available to the Broncos. Once the bidding opens up, things are going to get interesting very quickly.

As exciting as free agency is, nothing compares to the NFL Draft. The post-combine hype right now is incredible. People are even paying $160 for a chance to get an autograph from future 2nd or 3rd round pick and NFL nobody Tim Tebow.

The always entertaining KSK gives us an interesting profile on one of my favorite prospects (for me to poop on), Jimmy Clausen.

Speaking of Clausen, the Redskins appear to be a little more interested in him than they should. I’m not saying Jason Campbell is the best thing since sliced bread, but when your offensive line is among the worst in the league, doesn’t it make sense to get some protection before you throw another QB to the wolves?

Brady Quinn is on the trading block again (or still)? I’m interested to see which team(s) will continue to think this guy has a future in the NFL. In case you can’t tell from my tone, I don’t think he does. He was overrated coming out of college, and makes up for his fragile mental makeup with far too much gym time than a QB should ever bother with. If he spent half as much time studying film as he did in the weight room, he’d be a lot better off.

Last but not least, Chad Ochocinco is the latest in a series of viral ads from Reebok. They’re… ummm… provocative, to say the least.

After nine years with the San Diego Chargers, LaDainian Tomlinson has been released by the team.  He was tearful as he bid good-bye to the place he has called home for almost a decade.  At 30 years of age, with several injuries slowing him, LT has become what many people view as a typical NFL veteran, bruised, battered and beat up.

But is his career over?

Rumors flew last week that Drew Brees was lobbying for LT to move to the New Orleans Saints, but honestly, the Saints don’t need him.  They showed last season that they have a very well-oiled machine when it comes to their offence.  They don’t have anyone they would want to sit, should they hire LT.  Plus there is the issue of the salary cap.  It just wouldn’t work for LT to go to New Orleans.

However, the Washington Redskins are building.  Coach Mike Shanahan has had more than a full-time job in this off season, negotiating, wrangling and strengthening his team.   He has made it his business to ensure he has the very best team he can possibly arrange heading to the 2010 pre-season and beyond.  Why not add another brick to that foundation?

LaDainian Tomlinson was instrumental in making the San Diego Chargers the strong team they are today.  Who can forget  2006, his best yet, when he was named MVP and set the record for single season touchdowns with 31.  Yes, he was injured in 2009.  However, he should be completely healthy heading into the 2010 season and the Redskins could definitely use a skilled running back.  Clinton Portis has said he is confident he has the number one spot for the ‘Skins, but a little competition for that spot could only be a good thing, in this writer’s opinion.  Ladell Betts was also injured last year, so both his and Portis health could be an issue.

Mike Shanahan has already said he and LT are acquainted and he keeps in touch, following LT’s career.  He has also already said he pays attention to what players do in the off season.  And he’ll be attending the Combine.  The Redskins hold the number 4 pick in the first round, meaning they should have the opportunity to make a strong pick.  They need a quarterback (more about that later) and could go with Colt McCoy if he is still available.  Also, Clemson’s CJ Stiller would be an excellent choice in the running back position, but may not be available by the 4th choice.  Shanahan will likely look at later rounds to find a quality RB, and honestly, so he should.  However, he could also look at LT.  Yes, it may be a stretch, especially given the injuries and that could be the single factor that eliminates him from Shanahan’s sites.  Why add another injured RB to the two he already has?  Surely a healthy younger RB would be a better choice?  Possibly, but a younger running back, fresh out of university will take time to groom.  He will have to adjust to the NFL playing style and it has been said so often that an incredible college player may only achieve MFL mediocrity.   In my opinion, adding LT to the Redskins’ roster and in effect, creating a competition for the starting position,  will only “encourage” the existing players to step up their efforts to be the very best, and that is something the Redskins definitely need.

They know each other from the Denver Broncos.  New Redskins’ Head Coach, Mike Shanahan, and veteran Redskins’ running back, Clinton Portis, are completely aware of each other, their reputations, work ethics and ability to get the job done. They may be viewing their reuniion in completely different ways.

Clinton sat down with Lindsay Czarniak for a multiple part interview to discuss Portis’ 2009 season and what to expect for 2010.

In 2009, the lack of respect Clinton had for then Head Coach, Jim Zorn, was evident.  He didn’t show up to practice, he openly criticized the team, the Coach and the Owners.  In the interview with Lindsay, he acknowledged that he wasn’t the best teammate on the roster last year, and vowed to be a different man in 2010.

He claims he always knew he could return to football after the season-ending head injury, that he could heal from the injury, but that the ”BS” was what made him have doubts if he would be back as a Redskin.

Regardless of what Clinton says, under Coach Mike Shanahan, he won’t have the opportunity to miss practice or to ”perform” off the field.  Shanahan isn’t Jim Zorn and if Portis doesn’t show for practice, or doesn’t give it 100% on the field, he will be called on the carpet, privately, in the Coach’s office.  If there isn’t a complete turnaround once asked, Shanahan won’t hesitate to bench him.  Coach Shanahan is well aware that there are a thousand other players out there who want to play football.  He pays attention to what players do in the offseason, especially the veteran players who have egos.  If he doesn’t feel a player is giving 100%, he isn’t going to play him.  He has already acknowledged he is well aware of Portis’ actions, on and off the field.

Portis seemed,  in the early part of the interview with Lindsay, to honestly want to man up and play a more dedicated game of football.  However, when Lindsey challenged him about being given some leeway as far as practices were concerned, Portis became instantly defensive, showing more of the argumentative Clinton Portis we are used to seeing and denying any kind of favoritism.   He then tried to backtrack a little, saying he is  a dedicated man and wants to prove exactly what he can do on the field.  And it seems he feels he still has a great deal to offer the team.

Part 2 of the interview aired last night, and featured more of Clinton at home.  However, he did say he is confident the starting running back position with the ‘Skins is his, and he won’t really have to compete for it.  He also stated that he realises he is getting older, and is on his way out, but when he actually leaves will be in his hands and not someone elses.

I truly mean no disrespect to Lindsey Czarniak.  I’ve seen some great interviews done by her, however, Clinton really isn’t all that changed and the interview wasn’t all that insightful.  He still has that confident air that could easily turn to arrogance.  The fact that he feels the running back position is his without really trying is a testament to that.  Additionally, he made no mention of any off-season training, something Mike Shanahan says he looks for in a dedicated player.  Instead, Clinton went hang-gliding in Brazil.

The Redskins are still negotiating, trading and looking to improve their roster in every way.  If I were Clinton, I’d be taking this a whole lot more seriously.