ASHBURN, Va. — After passing the Redskins’ conditioning test, defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth was in no shape to practice.
Haynesworth finally conquered the 300-yard shuttle runs Saturday morning and was allowed to put on the pads for the first time at training camp, ending a will-he-or-won’t-he spectacle that lasted a week and a half, made him the butt of jokes nationwide and overshadowed everything else at Redskins Park.
Coach Mike Shanahan had said Haynesworth could not practice until passing the test, and the showdown was seen as a statement of a new coach’s uncompromising authority that wouldn’t bend even for a two-time all-pro with a $100 million contract.
“He probably doesn’t like me very much right now,” Shanahan said, “but I’m not here to be liked. I’m here to get him to play, and hopefully he’ll play at a very high level.”
Merely passing the test took enough of a toll to keep Haynesworth from getting through a full practice. After doing some defense drills — blocking sleds, recovering fumbles, etc. — he had a huge wrap put on his persistently sore left knee midway through the session.
Delhomme shines in debut
CLEVELAND — Jake Delhomme took an immediate liking to Cleveland Browns Stadium while playing for the Panthers five years ago in a preseason game.
While Saturday’s encounter was only an intrasquad scrimmage, Delhomme enjoyed his first experience at the stadium as a member of the Browns.
“It’s great,” he said. “You can feel the energy and passion of the fans. We’re trying to win. I think it’s building. There’s a nice feel.”
Delhomme, slated to be Cleveland’s starting quarterback, threw a 5-yard scoring pass to tight end Ben Watson in the fourth quarter for the Brown team, which defeated the White team 14-6. He completed 10-of-15 passes for 78 yards and no interceptions.
Footnotes.
Giants wide receiver Steve Smith, a four-year veteran who shattered the team record with 107 receptions last season, said he hopes to return from a groin injury next week.
• Cardinals receiver Early Doucet sat out practice with an abdominal injury. Coach Ken Whisenhunt said the move was precautionary and that he expected Doucet to return to practice soon.
• Bills starting right tackle Cornell Green left practice early with an injury to his left leg, although he left on his own power.
• Falcons coach Mike Smith said the status of receiver Michael Jenkins’ injured shoulder, which he hurt in Friday’s scrimmage, is still uncertain.
