Redskins Player Might Have Admitted Team Tampered With Haynesworth

Here's what we know: the Redskins' pass rush was anemic last season. To address the issue, they threw $100 million at Albert Haynesworth hours into the free agency signing period. Unsurprisingly, he took it.

Another seemingly typical offseason in Washington -- owner Dan Snyder spends gobs of cash to quick-fix his team, and the only guarantee is that he'll be doing the same thing next spring. One problem: The Titans, Haynesworth's former employer, think the 'Skins had a deal in place prior to free agency, which is a violation of the NFL's tampering rules.

On Saturday, MDS wondered if Tennessee could prove the allegations. Well, today, the Titans got one step closer.

Via the Tennessean's Jim Wyatt:

A reader -- who admits he's not much of a Redskins fans -- sent me this audio clip, and it's interesting. It's sound of Washington's Rock Cartwright, on D.C. radio the morning of the start of the free agency period.

At the very beginning, the host and Cartwright talk about Haynesworth, and on his first answer Cartwright seems to incriminate his own team. Remember, this was aired early on the morning of free agency. Until free agency opened, under the guidelines of the NFL's tampering rules, the 'Skins weren't allowed to have contact with Haynesworth or his agent.

Wyatt admits that "finding concrete evidence that proves the Redskins tampered" with Haynesworth might be difficult, but still, Cartwright inadvertently spilling the beans on a radio station owned by Snyder is ironically hilarious.

"I kind of had an idea they were going to sign [Haynesworth] anyways," Cartwright said. "One of my teammates said they had the same agent and ... he said they had been talking."

PFT writes that "one of (Cartwright's) teammates" is Malcom Kelly, the Redskins' second-year wide receiver who shares an agent with Haynesworth.

Is this enough evidence for commissioner Roger Goodell to get the NFL Gestapo involved? It sure seems like it given Goodell's track record on such matters. I mean, if Haynesworth had done an introductory press conference shimmy, he'd already be out ten grand.

NFL Free Agents

Brian Dawkins, Cornerback, Philadelphia Eagles
SIGNED WITH DENVER - Five years, $17 million
The Latest: A Philadelphia favorite, Dawkins made the emotional decision to leave the Eagles for a long-term deal in Denver.

Tom Hauck, Getty Images

Kurt Warner, Quarterback, Arizona Cardinals
RE-SIGNED WITH ARIZONA - Two years, $23 million
The Latest: After a lengthy negotiation, Warner finally came back to the defending NFC champion Cardinals.

Matt Slocum, AP

Albert Haynesworth, Defensive tackle, Tennessee Titans
SIGNED WITH WASHINGTON - Seven years, $100 million
The Latest: Just hours after becoming an eligible free agent, Haynesworth agreed to a monster deal with Washington.

Mark Humphrey, AP

Jonathan Vilma, Linebacker, New Orleans Saints
RE-SIGNED WITH SAINTS - Five years, $34 million
The Latest: The Saints couldn't afford to lose their defensive leader, and made sure that wouldn't happen with a nice contract.

Reed Hoffmann, AP

Jason Brown, Center, Baltimore Ravens
SIGNED WITH ST. LOUIS - Five years, $37.5 million
The Latest: Brown didn't get the contract offer he was seeking from the Ravens, so he will head south to anchor the Rams line.

Scott Boehm, Getty Images

Bart Scott, Linebacker, Baltimore Ravens
SIGNED WITH JETS - Six years, $48 million
The Latest: After a confusing dance between Baltimore and New York, Scott finally landed a long-term deal with the Jets.

G. Newman Lowrance, Getty Images

Kerry Collins, Quarterback, Tennessee Titans
RE-SIGNED WITH TENNESSEE - Two years, $15 million
The Latest: Collins wanted big money in what will likely be his last contract year. He got it, so the Titans can keep waiting on Vince Young's development.

Scott Boehm, Getty Images

DeAngelo Hall, Cornerback, Washington Redskins
RE-SIGNED WITH WASHINGTON - Six years, $54 million
The Latest: For the second time in his young career, Hall received a massive deal, this time from big-spending Washington.

Nick Wass, AP

Chris Kemoeatu, Guard, Pittsburgh Steelers
RE-SIGNED WITH STEELERS - Five years, $20 million
The Latest: Despite rumors claiming he was headed to the Jets, Kemoeatu decided to stick with the Steelers, a boost for their mediocre offensive line.

Paul Spinelli, Getty Images

Nnamdi Asomugha, Cornerback, Oakland Raiders
RE-SIGNED WITH OAKLAND - Three years, $45.3 million
The Latest: One of the NFL's brightest young stars, Asomugha inked a gigantic contract to stay in Oakland.

Greg Trott, Getty Images

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

3-11-2009 @ 9:49PM

Redskins0492 said...

What an idiot.

3-19-2009 @ 11:56AM

hgodwin1968 said...

I don't know what Cartwright was thinking. When it comes to the bussiness aspect of the team, if it doesn't concern you directly, tell'em " I don't know nothing about that. Ask the front office".

3-12-2009 @ 10:15AM

dino said...

Haynesworth knew he was in for a big payday. He wasn't signing with Titans for big money. Too many people trying to create problems. As long as Redskins had no contract drawn up BEFORE Friday 12:00, they are fine. Only bitter teams like the Titans go about their business this way because they don't want to lose their guys, but don't want to pay them either. Now what's the new rule, you can't have interest in a player before free agency starts? Move on people.

3-12-2009 @ 10:44AM

tjoles42 said...

Sounds like 'hearsay' evidence to me, it should never hold up. Its like the kid's phone game, i heard it from someone who heard it from someone who overheard it from someone...pretty soon at the end of the line, the contract was written before Haynesworth declared for the draft!

3-12-2009 @ 3:08PM

Loy said...

get a life ryan wilson

3-12-2009 @ 3:46PM

HATRICK said...

What a futile waste of space on such a fine blog, get a real job Ryan Wilson.

3-12-2009 @ 4:43PM

skins2win said...

Rock said "I was told by a team mate who has the same agent as Albert that they had been talking". He doesn't say that the team was talking to Albert's agent. He simply say's that they had been talking. Maybe Albert called the team mate for whom he shares an agent with and asked the team mate about the Redskins. I don't think that would be tampering?
Did you call any of you other sources and get clarification on that Mr. Wilson?

3-12-2009 @ 4:52PM

Joe said...

This article sounds like its from a man who's jealous the redskins got albert haynesworth.

3-12-2009 @ 5:13PM

checka624 said...

the titans are just butt sore. they need to get over it. hell, i said we were going to sign albery haynesworth after the super bowl, that doesnt mean i knew a deal was in place, but more of the fact that as a redskins fan, i knew haynesworth was going to be a FA and i knew the skins have needed a BIG DT for years so i just put two and two together. This is NOT evidence that we tampered with hayneworth and this is complete BS.. If Roger Gooddell actually says the skins tampered with haynesworth with just this as proof and no actual CONCRETE evidence, i will boycot him and the nfl until the commissioner is replaced.

3-12-2009 @ 6:06PM

redskin95 said...

technically cartwright never said Haynesworth "I kind of had an idea they were going to sign [Haynesworth] anyways," Cartwright said. "One of my teammates said they had the same agent and ... he said they had been talking." If you read closly then youd see the retarded editor put Haynesworth in () so really its not saying that Cartwright said any name what so ever.....So really this wouldn't count as evidence at all.......