Yahoo: NFL formally opens investigation into Redskins tampering of Haynesworth

The NFL has formally opened an investigation into charges by the Tennessee Titans that the Washington Redskins tampered with defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth before the start of free agency in February, according to two sources with knowledge of the situation.

The NFL has interviewed at least two people associated with the situation after the Titans complained to the league in April that the Redskins contacted Haynesworth and agent Chad Speck before the start of free agency on Feb. 27.

click the link for the rest of the article....

NFL conducts Haynesworth tampering probe - NFL - Yahoo! Sports

Hopefully we dont lose a draft pick over this. We already dont have a 6th round pick in 2010.

[steveo395]

Well since we haven't traded away all of our picks we have to lose them somehow.

[Ruhskins]

This tampering business will not end until players and agents are punished by the league. Now the league wants to make an example out of the Redskins, since they are so high profiled by the media. Meanwhile, Parcells signed a free agent last year at 12:30am, and nothing was made of it. The league really needs to fix this by punishing agents and players (as well as the teams), and also beginning the free agency period sooner.

[vallin21]

I'm not surprised. When we did this thread in early March I said the league would probably investigate this, but the league has greater issues than to investigate this. The NFL is doing this to simply because the Titans keep bitching about how AH left their team and are looking for some kind of refund for not signing AH sooner. IF we get caught, the most they can take from us is a draft pick. I highly doubt anything will come out of it.

GET OVER IT TITANS FANS.....

ITS OVER

[Ruhskins]

Here's my solution to this tampering issue.

- Give teams up until the Pro Bowl to negotiate with the players they want to re-sign. Maybe give some extra time for teams that are in the playoffs. Other teams are not allowed to negotiate with the soon to be free agent.

- Once the offseason starts, let anyone negotiate with the player. Give the team who holds the right to the player the opportunity to counter any offers made to the players. Do this up until the day when typically free agency begins.

-Once free agency begins, the player is free to sign with anyone and their former team cannot make any counter offers.

- Set up a punishment system for players and agents. For the players, they would get fined by the league or maybe reduce their guaranteed pay for that year. Also heavily fine agents that negotiate with teams.

- Continue punishing teams by taking picks away, also fine GMs and/or owners involved with tampering.

Originally Posted by vallin21

IF we get caught, the most they can take from us is a draft pick. I highly doubt anything will come out of it.

Thats what scares me. We already dont have a 6th round pick.

When the 49ers were guilty of tampering with Lance Briggs they lost their 5th rd pick and they had to swap 3rd rd picks.

Im afraid Goodell is going to come down harder on us if we are guilty to set a better example.

I know probably every team tampers to a extent but I wish the Skins wouldnt of done this. If we were going to offer what we did we should of just waited. We could of offered it and if he took another deal so be it. With the amount of money we packaged in the 1st 2 seasons I would of been shocked if Haynesworth declined it.

[GTripp0012]

Ruhskins has a very well thought out plan to enforce tampering.

The alternative is, the "whatever" approach, where tampering can stay in the rulebook, but only as a deterrant to everyone signing at 12:01 am at the onset of FA. It's not reasonably enforced to the point where teams can deny contact between agent and other teams regarding impending free agents.

You had 5 years to extend Haynesworth, what difference does a week make?

[53Fan]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

Ruhskins has a very well thought out plan to enforce tampering.

The alternative is, the "whatever" approach, where tampering can stay in the rulebook, but only as a deterrant to everyone signing at 12:01 am at the onset of FA. It's not reasonably enforced to the point where teams can deny contact between agent and other teams regarding impending free agents.

You had 5 years to extend Haynesworth, what difference does a week make?

Great point GTripp.

[vallin21]

Originally Posted by Brian Orakpo

Thats what scares me. We already dont have a 6th round pick.

When the 49ers were guilty of tampering with Lance Briggs they lost their 5th rd pick and they had to swap 3rd rd picks.

Im afraid Goodell is going to come down harder on us if we are guilty to set a better example.

I know probably every team tampers to a extent but I wish the Skins wouldnt of done this. If we were going to offer what we did we should of just waited. We could of offered it and if he took another deal so be it. With the amount of money we packaged in the 1st 2 seasons I would of been shocked if Haynesworth declined it.

You have a good point, but I think nothing will come out of this investigation. (hopefully) Like GT said they had 5 yrs to sign him and they didn't, and thats their fault. It might be why they're angered that we signed him 3 hrs after the FA market opened and suspected we tampered with him at the combine.

[Dirtbag59]

Come on guys. You knew that sooner or later we would need to find a new way to give up draft picks.

[djnemo65]

The NFL is considering relaxing the tampering rules but it looks like the vote is getting pushed back until October.

NFL News Feed: No Vote on Tampering Rule - The League at washingtonpost.com

Originally Posted by vallin21

You have a good point, but I think nothing will come out of this investigation. (hopefully) Like GT said they had 5 yrs to sign him and they didn't, and thats their fault. It might be why they're angered that we signed him 3 hrs after the FA market opened and suspected we tampered with him at the combine.

Yeah I dont understand why the Titans care so much. Their contract offer was weak and pathetic.

[53Fan]

Originally Posted by Brian Orakpo

Yeah I dont understand why the Titans care so much. Their contract offer was weak and pathetic.

They're just trying to pick up some free picks. F 'em.

[Missin21]

We kinda saw this coming. Can't say that I blame them. Not that they should use us as the example or punish only us, but you know they will. So they take a draft pick. Meh, no big deal, if you ask me. We hardly use them except for trade anyway. I guess Danny will have to use cold hard cash next year...if they take a draft pick that is.

Originally Posted by 53Fan

They're just trying to pick up some free picks. F 'em.

Yeah thats pretty much what it comes down to. They are trying to get a free handout. I just dont see why they would cause all of this drama over a chance of getting a draft pick for a player they couldnt afford either way.

It just reminds me of a little kid complaining at a toy store that he wants a XBOX360 and leaves with a Atari.