Haynesworth shows potential, rust in debut
Ira Kaufman, The Tampa Tribune, published 14 November 2011

It wasn't necessarily the script he would have written for his Buccaneers debut, but Albert Haynesworth offered fans a glimpse of his prodigious skills in an otherwise forgettable game.

Haynesworth started at defensive tackle Sunday against the Texans, only four days after he was claimed off waivers from New England, and finished with five tackles in a 37-9 loss that dropped the Bucs to 4-5.

"I was a little bit tired, but that was the most plays I've played all year,'' said the former Pro Bowl lineman, who also blocked an extra-point attempt 12 seconds into the game. "When I was in New England, it was hard. You play like three or four plays and then you sit for a quarter. It was hard to get into a rhythm.''

Early in the second quarter, Haynesworth was involved in two plays that showcased both his potential and his rustiness. On first down, Haynesworth reached out with his right hand and slammed RB Arian Foster to the turf for a 1-yard gain. On the next snap, Haynesworth was flagged for a neutral zone infraction.

"It's hard to evaluate our new D-tackle,'' head coach Raheem Morris said. "He made a couple of plays. I saw that. We've got to get a chance to look at him on tape, but I know he showed up a little bit and made a couple of plays for us.''

Before Haynesworth had even lined up Sunday, ESPN broadcasters weighed in on his chances of succeeding with the Bucs. "He has become the poster child for the guy who gets paid and then doesn't play,'' analyst Tom Jackson said on ESPN's "NFL Countdown.''

Herm Edwards, a former Bucs assistant, also has his doubts about Haynesworth. "Hello! He doesn't like football,'' Edwards said. "That's the problem. You have to be available. He's never available, and when he is available, his motor runs on idle.''