It's an easy assumption to make that Albert Haynesworth was suspended for the final four games of the season due to his comments on "The Kevin And Rock Show" last night. However, that may not actually be the case exactly.
ESPN 980's Chris Russell quotes NFL Sources who say that Haynesworth's suspension is due to what the Redskins have seen, not what they have heard.
#NFL sources say the suspension has nothing to do w/ what Albert has said, but everything to do w/ #redskinsversion of what they have seen.
This is backed up by the words in Mike Shanahan's statement in the team's press release announcing the suspension. Shanahan made no reference to Haynesworth's comments, which included him calling fellow Redskins personnel "cowards," "haters" and "little girls." Instead, Shanahan pointed to two factors: Haynesworth's inabiltiy to listen to his coaches and his refusal to meet with Shanahan about the issue.
Among other things, he has consistently indicated to our defensive coaches that he refuses to play in our base defense or on first-down or second-down nickel situations. He has also refused to follow the instructions of our coaches both during weekly practices and during actual games as well.
"Yesterday, when Albert was at Redskin Park, he told our General Manager Bruce Allen that he [Haynesworth] would no longer speak with me.
The Redskins really could not have suspended Haynesworth any earlier. NFL rules dictate you are only allowed to suspend a player for a maximum of four games if it is for "conduct detrimental to the team." With just four games left in the season, this was an ideal time for the Redskins to make their decision.