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Do IT this week: Layering
Rogers and Haynesworth are tackles worth weight
By Marla Ridenour
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Friday, Dec 05, 2008
BEREA: Browns receiver Donte' Stallworth still recalls a summer workout at the University of Tennessee when he realized the special athleticism of Albert Haynesworth.
He, Haynesworth and John Henderson were sophomores, and Stallworth spotted the two defensive linemen doing ladder drills with the running backs. It was his first clue that Haynesworth and Henderson were destined for the NFL.
In the 2002 NFL Draft, all three went in the first round — Henderson ninth to the Jacksonville Jaguars, Stallworth 13th to the New Orleans Saints and Haynesworth 15th to the Tennessee Titans — as 10 Volunteers were selected.
Watching the two big men stepping through the rungs of a ladder lying on the ground, Stallworth said, ''You could see it, these aren't ordinary defensive linemen. [Haynesworth] has got some really quick feet.''
Stallworth said Haynesworth more than held his own with the backs.
''Plus nobody wanted to be in his way, either,'' Stallworth said.
The game Sunday pitting the Titans (11-1) against the Browns (4-8) at LP Field in Nashville has little marquee value except for the matchup of two of the league's best defensive tackles — 6-foot-6, 320-pound Haynesworth of the Titans against 6-4, 350-pound Shaun Rogers of the Browns.
With players and coaches voting for the Pro Bowl next Thursday and Friday, Haynesworth is certain of his
second consecutive trip to Hawaii, and Rogers has a chance for his third appearance. The results will be announced Dec. 16.
In his seventh year with the Titans, Haynesworth is tied for 12th in the league in sacks (81/2) and has added 64 tackles, six tackles for losses, 19 quarterback pressures, four forced fumbles and a pass defense. In his first season with the Browns after seven with the Detroit Lions, Rogers has notched 41/2 sacks, 62 tackles, seven tackles for losses, 12 pressures, and two pass breakups. He also has blocked two field goals.
Fans account for one-third of the Pro Bowl vote. In the totals through Tuesday, Haynesworth leads AFC defensive tackles with 313,536 votes, followed by Kris Jenkins of the New York Jets (139,195), Casey Hampton of the Pittsburgh Steelers (135,213) and Rogers (111,688). Four defensive lineman in each conference go to Honolulu.
Rogers has not been vocal about pursuing the honor. He even downplayed the showdown with Haynesworth on Thursday.
''I don't play Albert Haynesworth, I play the Titans offense,'' Rogers said. ''I can't control anything Haynesworth does.''
Asked if being on the same field with another of the AFC's top defensive tackles would inspire him, Rogers said, ''I'm sure he would appreciate and I do appreciate that compliment. But his job is to affect our offense and mine is to affect his. I'm not battling Albert Haynesworth, I'm more worried about what is it, Slash and Dash.'' He was referring to the Titans' two-pronged rushing attack of LenDale White and rookie Chris Johnson.
Browns linebacker D'Qwell Jackson hopes Rogers gets the recognition he deserves, but he fears he'll be hurt by the team's disappointing record.
''Big Baby is having a heckuva year, a bunch of sacks and a bunch of pressures. He's a playmaker,'' Jackson said of Rogers. ''It's overshadowed right now because we're not winning.''
That's not the case for Haynesworth, who's being touted as an MVP candidate. The Browns are well aware of his abilities, especially Stallworth and another former Volunteer, running back Jamal Lewis.
Lewis was a junior in 1999, his final season at Tennessee, when Haynesworth earned his first letter.
''Ever since I saw him step foot on campus at Tennessee, I knew he was an animal,'' Lewis said in a conference call with Titans writers this week. ''He's a force to be reckoned with. I think any offensive lineman can say that. He plays MVP-caliber ball and I support him all the way.''
Browns coach Romeo Crennel said Rogers and Haynesworth are very comparable, even though the latter has more sacks.
''They're both playing at a very high level,'' Crennel said. ''If you want to slow them down, one guy generally can't block them. Haynesworth has exceptional strength versus guards. We're going to try to have to help those guys as much as we can, just like they have to help their center [Kevin Mawae]. Their center is a pretty heady, smart guy and he's got a few tricks of the trade. We'll see if we can counteract that.''
Haynesworth is surrounded by talent, with Pro Bowlers Jevon Kearse and Kyle Vanden Bosch at the defensive end spots and four-year veteran Tony Brown next to him. Even receiver Braylon Edwards knows what the Browns are up against.
''Their defensive line is pretty unreal,'' Edwards said.
Brownies
Crennel said he talked to the team about guns Wednesday in light of the arrest of New York Giants receiver Plaxico Burress. Crennel said he emphasized how players need to be aware of gun control regulations in their state and places they might be traveling to. . . . Fullback Charles Ali (ribs) did not practice. Limited were tight end Darnell Dinkins (ankle), defensive linemen Shaun Smith (calf) and Corey Williams (shoulder) and receiver Syndric Steptoe (ankle). . . . Titans cornerbacks Cortland Finnegan (hamstring) and Nick Harper (ankle) sat out for the second consecutive day.
Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Read her Browns blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/browns/.
BEREA: Browns receiver Donte' Stallworth still recalls a summer workout at the University of Tennessee when he realized the special athleticism of Albert Haynesworth.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Akron, Oh
Posted 08:12 PM, 12/05/2008
My coach used to always tell us...
He who goes into a tackle the weekest gets hurt.
I got hurt one time.
I went into a tackle week, because we had already had the game locked.
All these injuries for the Browns, I was just thinking that maybe they are going in week.
Akron, Oh
Posted 08:13 PM, 12/05/2008
whoops on the spelling of 'weak'.
