---

Maturity spares tight end Lee; Packers cut Havner
30-year-old veteran's work ethic 'rubs off'
By Tom Silverstein and Bob McGinn

Green Bay — Chock full of young, impressionable tight ends, the Green Bay Packers weren't about to toss away veteran Donald Lee, the guy who sets the bar with his work ethic and professionalism.

In the end, the decision to keep Lee over touchdown-producing tight end Spencer Havner came down to the Packers acknowledging they can't go into the season with a budding third-year superstar, a young blocking specialist and a talented rookie with previous off-the-field issues without having someone like the venerable Lee around.

Havner was the odd man out when the cut to 53 came around Saturday.

Joining starter Jermichael Finley will be the veteran Lee, first-year pro Tom Crabtree and rookie Andrew Quarless. It would have been hard for the Packers to carry five tight ends without being short somewhere else on the roster, so they had to make a move.

Earlier in the week, while talking about his group, tight ends coach Ben McAdoo made it clear that the 30-year-old Lee's ability to set an example for his younger brethren was as important as the 37 catches for 260 yards and a touchdown were last year or his high-effort blocking.

"He rubs off on everybody," McAdoo said. "He brings out the pro in everyone. It's one of the reasons why we like to have him around."

Havner spent all of 2007 and part of 2008 on the Packers' practice squad, playing mostly linebacker. After '08, the coaches moved him to tight end and, due to his improvement as a pass catcher and his ability to play both ways, Havner made the squad in '09.

When Finley got hurt early in the season, Havner helped fill the void and proved to be a man in the right place at the right time more often than coincidence would allow. He caught nine passes in the regular season and playoffs, and five were for touchdowns.

He became a fan favorite for being such a long-shot touchdown maker and appeared to have a future with the team. However, in mid-March he was involved in a motorcycle incident in which he broke a bone in his shoulder and was forced to miss most of the off-season conditioning program.

Though police arrested him on suspicion of drunken driving, charges have yet to be filed. Whether that incident played a part in his release from the Packers isn't clear.

Havner was at a disadvantage in training camp because he had to keep filling in at linebacker when injuries piled up at that position. It affected the number of snaps he got at tight end and definitely didn't help him in competing with the others.

The Packers kept Crabtree, a practice squad success story also, because of his blocking ability. The coaches have called him the best blocking tight end they have and they are eager to see what he can do on offense as well as special teams.

Quarless showed some promise in camp, but he will struggle to be active on game days. He has athletic ability like Finley, but he showed up out of shape at the start of camp and has had a hard time catching up.

---

---

Bradshaw wishes Rex Ryan would shut up
By Tim Graham

Terry Bradshaw is as gregarious as they come. He must love New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan, right?

Wrong.

ESPNNewYork.com reporter Rich Cimini relayed some strong comments Bradshaw delivered Thursday in his hometown of Shreveport, La.

"He doesn't even play, so it's easy for him to shoot his mouth off," Bradshaw told television station KTBS. "He doesn't make a tackle. He doesn't run a ball. He doesn't make a catch or throw a ball. He just sits over there. Unfortunately, I don't think his players are quite as strong-minded as he is."

Bradshaw, a Hall of Fame quarterback who won four Super Bowls with the Pittsburgh Steelers, didn't express much confidence that Mark Sanchez could handle it, either. Bradshaw at least was sympathetic to what the young quarterback is dealing with.

"He's putting a lot of pressure on his young quarterback," Bradshaw said of Ryan. "If they can't run the ball, they're going to have to throw it, and they can't pass protect.

"He'll shut up real quick. You know what? I don't like guys like that, OK?"

---

---

Albert Haynesworth's disappointing performance in Washington Redskins' preseason finale affects his status for opener
By Jason Reid

A disappointing performance by Albert Haynesworth in the Washington Redskins' preseason finale has renewed concerns about the Pro Bowler's commitment to the team and apparently has affected his status for the regular season opener against Dallas, three people familiar with the situation said Saturday.

Haynesworth was "awful" Thursday during the Cardinals' 20-10 victory at University of Phoenix Stadium, said two of the team sources who recently reviewed game film. It often appeared he gave little effort while participating in 49 of the Redskins' 55 defensive plays. On the few occasions he did play hard, the two sources said, Haynesworth failed to adhere to the principles of the new 3-4 scheme. He was credited with four tackles, including three unassisted.

All three sources indicated that Coach Mike Shanahan has lost his patience with the ongoing Haynesworth drama. During practice at Redskins Park on Saturday, Haynesworth took part in very few plays, one of the sources said. He was moved back to nose tackle - he had been working primarily at right end recently - and removed from the nickel package.

Considering Saturday's developments, it is highly unlikely Haynesworth would be named a starter for the opener, all of the sources said. The Redskins play host to the Cowboys, their NFC East rivals, Sept. 12 at FedEx Field. Redskins defensive coaches have worked hard to help Haynesworth prepare to play right end this season, but the situation is unsettled again after Haynesworth's poor showing in the desert.

Speaking on behalf of Shanahan, team spokesman Tony Wyllie declined to comment about Haynesworth. "Mike will address questions on Monday," Wyllie wrote in response to an e-mail.

This turn in the Shanahan-Haynesworth saga was unexpected. The two men seemed to turn a page recently, burying the animosity that began when Haynesworth refused to attend offseason workouts and a mandatory minicamp. Haynesworth started at right end in the nickel package and played extensively in the Week 3 preseason victory over the New York Jets.

Afterward, an upbeat Haynesworth joked with reporters about saving Shanahan from an errant ball and having cigars and drinks at Shanahan's house. But Haynesworth, a nine-year veteran, appeared frustrated about playing the entire game against Arizona. When approached by a reporter after the game, Haynesworth said, "I have no comment."

The Redskins could assign Haynesworth to the inactive list against Dallas, or have him active and hold him out, but that could hurt the defense, two of the sources acknowledged. Although Haynesworth has stirred controversy since the offseason, he still is considered among the NFL's top defensive players.

Haynesworth often commands a double-team, freeing others to make plays. His presence on the field during the preseason, even while he was learning the defense, clearly helped his teammates at times.

People close to Haynesworth on the team insist he would play hard against the Cowboys. The Redskins are better with Haynesworth on the field, two of his teammates said Saturday, adding they hope Shanahan views the situation similarly.

But Shanahan runs the football operation, so it will be his decision alone on how to use the two-time All-Pro performer. Shanahan may seek input from defensive coordinator Jim Haslett, who has been supportive of Haynesworth. But Haslett is among Shanahan's most loyal lieutenants.

Owner Daniel Snyder guaranteed Haynesworth $41 million in the contract Haynesworth signed in February 2009. Haynesworth, who played in 12 games last season, already has been paid $32 million -- including a $21 million bonus on April 1.

---