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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Saturday, February 28, 2009

Haynesworth receives $100M from Redskins

Associated Press

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Albert Haynesworth

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ASHBURN, Va. — After signing a contract with an NFL-record $41 million in guaranteed money, Albert Haynesworth made a guarantee of his own.

"You're not going to remember Albert Haynesworth as a bust," he said.

That's a tall order, even for a player as talented as Haynesworth. The 27-year-old All-Pro defensive tackle has to live up to the $100 million, seven-year contract he signed yesterday with the Washington Redskins, a team that reverted to form by snagging the biggest name available with a blockbuster deal within hours of the midnight start of free agency.

"With the contract, it's going to be all on me," said Haynesworth, who played for Tennessee last season. "My goal is to be the best player on the field and to eventually get to that Hall of Fame status and be mentioned with Reggie White and Bruce Smith and all the greats."

At least he can claim membership in a championship team — as in champions of the offseason. The Redskins also spent the wee hours re-signing cornerback DeAngelo Hall to a $54 million, six-year deal that includes $22.5 million guaranteed.

"We're not done yet," added coach Jim Zorn a few hours before the Redskins agreed to terms with left guard Derrick Dockery on a deal. Dockery played his first four seasons with Washington before leaving for Buffalo as a free agent after the 2006 season.

BROWNS-BUCS TRADE

TAMPA BAY GETS TE WINSLOW FOR DRAFT PICKS

The Cleveland Browns traded talented but troublesome tight end Kellen Winslow yesterday to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for undisclosed draft picks.

Winslow's five years in Cleveland were marked by injuries and controversy. He missed most of his first two seasons with injuries, but made the Pro Bowl in 2007 after making 82 catches for 1,106 yards. He demanded a new contract after the '07 season.

Last season, he was briefly suspended by the Browns after being hospitalized with a staph infection.

"Cleveland was great to me," Winslow said from Tampa. "I had a great time playing with Braylon Edwards, Brady Quinn. I'm going to miss those guys. But it's also a new opportunity."

CARDINALS

FREE AGENT QB WARNER WANTS TO STAY IN ARIZONA

Kurt Warner's agent declined to say whether his client had scheduled visits with any other teams now that the Arizona Cardinals quarterback has become a free agent.

"I really don't want to get into the specifics with that," Mark Bartelstein said. "Obviously, people are calling."

Warner became a free agent yesterday after he and the Cardinals failed to reach a deal on a new contract. The 37-year-old quarterback has made it clear that he wants to remain in Arizona for what probably would be the final two years of his career.

Bartelstein said he and the Cardinals continue to talk.

"Nothing's changed other than free agency has started," he said yesterday evening.

JAGUARS

WILLIAMS FACING DWI, MARIJUANA CHARGES

Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Reggie Williams, expected to leave the team as a free agent, faces DWI and marijuana possession charges.

A Houston police department spokesman says Williams, 25, was arrested early yesterday after he was pulled over during a routine traffic stop and officers smelled marijuana. Both charges are Class B misdemeanors.

Williams was the ninth player selected in the 2004 draft. He had 37 receptions for 364 yards and three touchdowns last season.

PATRIOTS

SIGN FORMER JAGUARS' RUNNING BACK TAYLOR

Running back Fred Taylor signed with the New England Patriots yesterday after spending 11 seasons with Jacksonville.

Taylor was cut by the Jaguars in a salary-cup move. He joins a Patriots team seeking depth at running back, with Laurence Maroney having been bothered by injuries for most of his career.

Taylor visited with the Buffalo Bills and the Patriots this week before signing a deal with New England. Terms were not disclosed.

ELSEWHERE

Bears: Chicago agreed to a four-year contract with free agent offensive lineman Frank Omiyale yesterday, hoping to stabilize an offensive line that could be losing some key pieces. The 6-foot-4, 310-pound Omiyale played in 10 games for Carolina last season.

Jets: New York bolstered its defense in a big way yesterday, signing former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Bart Scott to a six-year, $48 million deal. The 28-year-old Scott will make $27 million over the first three years of the deal.

Saints: New Orleans agreed to terms with linebacker Jonathan Vilma on a five-year contract yesterday, bringing back the team's leading tackler from last season. The team didn't disclose the financial terms.

VIKINGS-TEXANS TRADE: The Minnesota Vikings acquired quarterback Sage Rosenfels from the Houston Texans yesterday for a fourth-round draft pick and signed him to a two-year, $9 million contract extension that could keep him in Minnesota through 2011.

2009 NFL FREE AGENT SIGNINGS LIST

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ATLANTA FALCONS — Re-signed Michael Koenen p/k (f).

BALTIMORE RAVENS — Signed Domonique Foxworth, CB, Atlanta.

BUFFALO BILLS — Signed Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB, Cincinnati.

CAROLINA PANTHERS — Re-signed Jordan Gross (OT).

CHICAGO BEARS — Signed Frank Omiyale, OL, Carolina.

CINCINNATI BENGALS — Re-signed Chris Crocker, S; and DeDe Dorsey, WR.

DETROIT LIONS — Re-signed Jason Hanson, K; and Stephen Peterman, G.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS — Re-signed Kelvin Hayden, CB; and Jeff Saturday, C.

MIAMI DOLPHINS — Re-signed Vernon Carey, OT; Yeremiah Bell, S; and Channing Crowder, LB.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS — Re-signed Matt Cassel, QB (f).

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS — Jonathan Vilma, LB.

NEW YORK GIANTS — Re-signed Brandon Jacobs, RB (f); and David Carr, QB.

New York Jets — Signed Bart Scott, LB, Ravens.

OAKLAND RAIDERS — Re-signed Nnamdi Asomugha, DB; and Shane Lechler, P.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES — Re-signed Joselio Hanson, CB.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS — Re-signed Max Starks, T (f); and Chris Kemoeatu, G.

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS — Re-signed Kynan Forney, G.

TENNESSEE TITANS — Re-signed Rob Bironas, K; Justin McCareins, WR; and Kerry Collins, QB.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS — Re-signed Luke McCown, QB.

WASHINGTON REDSKINS — Re-signed Ethan Albright, LS; and DeAngelo Hall, CB. Signed Albert Haynesworth, DT, Tennessee; Derrick Dockery, OL, Buffalo.