Redskins Update

Do not try to call Washington Redskins General Manager Bruce Allen this week. After trading picks to the Eagles for star quarterback Donovan McNabb less than a fortnight ago he can't rest and wait for the NFL Draft to arrive. He's still got plenty of work to do.

Last year's starting quarterback in Washington, Jason Campbell, has signed a $3.1 tender with the 'Skins, taking him off the market as a restricted free agent but opening up the possibility (or probability) of a trade. He has stopped attending voluntary workouts with the team. Other franchises that are rumored to be interested include the Oakland Raiders, Jacksonville Jaguars, Carolina Panthers, and Buffalo Bills.

The Redskins are also exploring opportunities to trade highly paid defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth. The former Titan signed a huge contract with the Redskins as an unrestricted free agent last year but has not seen eye to eye with coach Mike Shanahan and his staff. Albert has made public his disappointment with the teams decision to tranform into a 3-4 defense, as he has always played in a 4-3 scheme, and has also refused to show up for voluntary work outs with the team.

Though it is believed he would report to mandatory camps, the situation seems to have built up too much tension to be resolved soon. Shanahan is trying to change the culture of players being too empowered at Redskins Park. Haynesworth is also said to have a strained relationship with many of his teammates and removing him would endear the head coach to his new squad and spread positive chemistry throughout the locker room.

The only team likely to be a suitable trade destination would be his former team, the Tennessee Titans. However, the Redskins would probably want some return on the $21 million bonus they paid to Haynesworth last month. The Titans are not historically the kind of team to throw around money and that may be too rich for their blood, but something might be able to be worked out since Shanahan has a good relationship with Titans coach Jeff Fisher.

The NFL Draft is April 22 and the Redskins biggest needs are an offensive tackle, developmental quarterback, and nose tackle.