Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando
We can now say definitively what I've been telling hopeful NFC West fans for weeks: Your team probably wasn't going to make a play for Albert Haynesworth.
The Redskins signed Hayesworth to a deal that makes it virtually impossible for the defensive tackle to exceed expectations. Haynesworth will be looking to do what nine of the highest-paid defensive tackles failed to do last season: win a playoff game.
Most of the highest-paid defensive tackles signed new or renegotiated contracts over the last two offseasons. The nine leaders in average annual salary:
Tommie Harris, Bears. Five sacks for 9-7 Bears.
Shaun Rogers, Browns. Dominated much of season before fading for 4-12 Browns.
Tommy Kelly, Raiders. Started every game for 5-11 Raiders.
Kris Jenkins, Jets. Dominated early, wore down late for 9-7 Jets.
Cory Redding, Lions. Started 13 games for 0-16 Lions.
Kevin Williams, Vikings. Had 8.5 sacks for division-winning Vikings.
Marcus Stroud, Bills. Started every game for 7-9 Bills.
Pat Williams, Vikings. Started 14 games for division-winning Vikings.
John Henderson, Jaguars. Started 14 games for 5-11 Jaguars.
Haynesworth was very difficult to contain while playing for a new contract. Will he prove as dominant over the long haul without short-term incentive? Will NFC West teams regret diving into the Haynesworth sweepstakes?