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Is defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth's absence really making that much of a difference in the Tennessee defense?
My contention is absolutely.
I contend that Haynesworth's absence has made that much of a difference on four fronts.
1. Not seeing big #92 gives the opposing offense confidence. No one wants to play against Haynesworth right now (did you hear Carson Palmer hoping as much out loud last week?) and when they see him on the inactive list, they breathe a sigh of relief. Plus, they are willing to try to anything offensively without him in the Tennessee defensive line. With Haynesworth in the lineup, some teams just take certain plays and throw them out the window.
2.Tennessee is very small in the defensive line without Haynesworth. He plays at roughly 340lbs while Kyle Vanden Bosch is 260lbs, Tony Brown is 285lbs and Antwan Odom is roughly 270lbs. At 312lbs, Randy Starks is the next biggest lineman. It is hard to stop the run in the NFL without some size in the D'line.
3.Haynesworth is going to blow up a play or two…or ten. Tennessee is hard to drive the football on with Haynesworth in the lineup because, at some point, he's going to ruin a play for the opposing offense. And it just takes one play to kill a drive.
4.He makes the other players around him better, in particular Vanden Bosch and Brown. Teams have been scheming for Haynesworth in 2007, meaning that some of his teammates get less attention. Those guys make more happen just because of Haynesworth's presence in the lineup.
Albert Haynesworth is back at work at practice this week. Because of the hamstring injury, he has missed three games, a lot of practice and a good deal of conditioning. That's what a hamstring injury does to a player---he has to basically shut it down for a period of time. It is a confounding injury, one that can debilitate a big man for a long time. The Titans will continue to be careful with Haynesworth, but everyone involved (including Haynesworth) knows if he can go on Sunday, it is a massive lift.
The Titans need him.
If he can play Sunday against the Texans, Haynesworth might not be able to go 70% of the defensive snaps like he did in the first eight games of the season. But his mere presence will make a difference.
The psychological impact of having #92 on the field might be as great as any play that Haynesworth can make. When your big, tough friend has your back, you get a lot tougher.
The mere sight of Albert Haynesworth back in uniform could help give the Titans defenders their swagger back.
