Before there was Ndamukong Suh, there was Albert Haynesworth.
Suh could be among the biggest winners in NFL free agency, reportedly agreeing to a $114 million contract with the Miami Dolphins after five seasons with the Detroit Lions. He is not the first interior defensive lineman to receive a nine-figure deal, with Haynesworth having signed a seven-year, $100 million contract with the Washington Redskins in 2009 after seven seasons with the Tennessee Titans.
Haynesworth had Pro Bowl seasons in 2007 and '08 but lasted just two years in Washington, and the NFL Network has called him the "worst free-agency move of the last decade." The former Tennessee Volunteers standout was a guest Tuesday on "Press Row" on ESPN 105.1 FM.
Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth (92) is shown during an NFL football game in Nashville on Sunday, Dec. 9, 2007.Q: How was the free-agency process for you six years ago?
A: "It was crazy. Most players are looking for the team that they've played with for a while, like me with my seven years with the Titans, to step up to the plate before it all hits. When that doesn't happen, then you have to start doing your homework about other teams and where you're going to take your career."
Q: How did you decide on Washington?
A: "We talked to everybody in upper management, and what they said was that they were going to play the same defense that Tennessee played and that they wanted me to create havoc and destroy the backfield. They said they had better players than the Titans players , and they thought I was the key to making it work.
"In my second year, they switched to the 3-4, which was completely out of my realm and something I had never done before -- not even in Pop Warner when I was 6 years old. People think you're just playing football, but there are different doctors in the world. There are pediatricians and cardiologists. There are all types, and just because you're a football player doesn't mean that you can play in the 4-3 and in the 3-4."
Q: Ndamukong Suh is a disruptive player who has a fiery side that occasionally has gotten him into trouble. The same could have been said about you a few years ago. Do you like watching him play?
A: "I love to watch him play. He's a very dominant player, and I think we're a little different. He's more of a pure pass-rusher, and he can also stop the run. My strength was definitely stopping the run, and I would mostly overpower the guards to get my pressure on the quarterback.
"This guy I think is the complete tackle. I'm not saying I wasn't close to him, but I just think he has more gifts than I had. He's an awesome player and is definitely the top defensive tackle in the league right now."
Q: What is the biggest reason you couldn't match the success you had at Tennessee when you were with Washington?
A: "It was just totally different. The first day at Washington's practice, I told a defensive coach, 'I thought we were going to do this,' and he was like, 'We're not going to do any of that.' I felt like I went over there only for them to put shackles on me, and they never took off those shackles to where I could play my game and play to my strengths.
"I really enjoyed my time with the Titans, and I wish (general manager) Floyd Reese were still there and that I could have signed a long-term deal with them. I didn't have a good time with Washington. I did not enjoy that, and that whole process took my love for the game away."
Q: How often do you attend Vols games in Knoxville?
A: "I do it all the time. I love UT, and I'm all Vol. I had to miss some games this past season, because I had two aneurysms in my brain that almost burst. I had emergency surgery and spent about 10 days in the hospital, so I couldn't travel, but I can't wait to get back up there and work with some of those guys to help them hone their skills.
"They are so young right now up front, but as they go on and develop together, they could be better than the defensive line I played on."
Q: What was your favorite game with the Vols?
A: "Any game as long as we were beating South Carolina, since I'm from South Carolina."
Q: You and (former Bradley Central and Lady Vols basketball star) Brittany Jackson are expecting a son this summer. Will he play football or basketball?
A: "That's the real battle in our house right now. Hopefully he'll be great in both and we can let him pick. I don't care if he plays golf or lacrosse or whatever as long as he's a healthy baby boy."
Q: You do realize it probably won't be too long before he has a profile on Rivals.com or Scout.com, don't you?
A: "I think Butch (Jones) already has him a scholarship offer. He may be the earliest scholarship ever."
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.