How big of a differerene will Albert Haynesworth make to the Redskins' defense?

(This is question three in the 30 questions/30 days series on the 2009 Washington Redskins)

Redskins fans got excited when they heard Albert Haynesworth and signed his big-money deal and was coming to D.C. It was almost as exciting as the day when Dana Stubblefield, another NFL defensive player of the year, and Dan Wilkinson, the first overall pick in the draft, came to town.

Yeah, that worked out real well.

Neither Stubblefield nor Wilkinson performed above average in Washington, struggling in the Redskins’ defensive scheme. The Redskins don’t use Tennessee’s scheme, either, which allowed Haynesworth more of an ability to freelance.

Gulp.

Defensive Coordinator Greg Blache is no idiot, though, and he’s already said that he’s willing to implement some modifications to allow Hayesworth to do his thing. And, if he does do what he’s done the last couple of years (read: he’s not going to slack off now that he’s gotten paid), it’ll make a lot of difference to the Redskins defensive line.

When it came to run-stopping, the ‘Skins were fine. Rushing the passer, however, was a tragedy. When Andre Carter’s four sacks are the best you’ve got, you’re not going to be a playoff team. That should be a lot different this year.

With Haynesworth’s 350 lbs. blowing up the center, the double teams Carter saw are going to evaporate. The Redskins have even talked about moving Haynesworth to the end in passing situations, which would be something interesting to see. That would mean that Brian Orakpo would probably be rushing from a standup position, something he did a lot at Texas.

Haynesworth is a tremendous weapon. His presence alone makes his teammates better. Having Phillip Daniels back and adding Orakpo gives the Redskins two extra weapons that will be able to capitalize on the presence of the NFL’s best tackle. Carter should be the one who benefits the most, since he’s the most experienced pass rush threat on the team.

Of course, all of this goes for naught if Haynesworth’s old attitude problems resurface, his knee problems flare up or he can’t get comfortable in Blache’s system. If things go the way they should, however, the Redskins could see the most dramatic change of fortune of any defensive line in football in 2009.