The Tennessean today explains why Albert Haynesworth may not be around when the Titans open up training camp tomorrow--he doesn't have a long-term deal, he doesn't want to be franchised again next year and the Titans want to have some sort of guarantees that they'll get a good season out of him this year.But the story does make one small mistake. It says that if Haynesworth doesn't sign his tender before Friday he may begin an extended holdout.
It's true Haynesworth may stay away from almost all of training camp, but it's not a holdout. If you franchise a player, you are running the risk of him avoiding all two-a-days, because they're isn't really any reason for him to show up until after the last day of camp has ended. Haynesworth isn't Devin Hester looking for a new contract when he's still under a current deal. Until the day Haynesworth signs his franchise tender, he's technically under no contract to the Titans.
If Haynesworth signs the tender right now, he's on the hook for being at every practice, and sweating off some of the 320+ pounds he normally carries into camp.
But if Haynesworth waits until the day before the season begins to sign his tender, he gets the exact same pay. The Titans can't fine him for missing any of camp--he's not under contract. And at this point, that's the only leverage Haynesworth has.
So if he wants to make sure the Titans don't franchise him next year, he needs to threaten to stay away from camp. That will probably help the two sides work out the parameters of a deal to keep him from being franchised next year--something like if he plays 60 percent of the snaps this year he can't be franchised next year.
It will probably all get worked out, but if Haynesworth isn't in camp this weekend, he isn't doing anything wrong. Tennessee knew that was a possibility when it didn't work out a long term deal with him.
