Shanahan says he would defend Haynesworth block to NFL

Coach Mike Shanahan said Thursday that he would lobby on behalf of defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth if the NFL fines Haynesworth for upending Chicago offensive tackle J'Marcus Webb in Washington's Week 7 victory.

During DeAngelo Hall's 92-yard interception return late in the third quarter of the 17-14 win, Webb, who was about 11 yards behind Hall, was knocked to the ground by Haynesworth's block. Some in the media have speculated that Haynesworth could be fined for his actions. After the game, Shanahan praised Haynesworth for hustling on the play, and said Thursday he would support Haynesworth if the league takes disciplinary action against the two-time all-pro player.

"Well, I liked the effort. I'm not sure what the NFL is gonna do," Shanahan said. "I haven't really seen the hit, to be honest with you. I saw the block. I didn't see the TV copy to see if it was helmet to helmet. The angle I had did not show that. If it is [helmet to helmet], I've got to get the TV copy on it."

With heightened concerns about concussions, and the NFL taking a more aggressive stance in enforcing hitting rules, it may be interpreted that Haynesworth should be fined, Shanahan said.

"Well, what they do, they determine how close they [the players in pursuit of the ball] were. Did they have a chance to make a play?" Shanahan said. "If a guy's 25 yards back, and a guy kills somebody, they say, 'Hey, that's a cheap shot.' If he's got a chance to catch 'em, if he's within 10 yards, maybe it's 12 yards, they [league officials] determine if he had a legitimate chance to make a play."

Shanahan said he would have to review the play to determine Webb's distance from Hall. Informed that there appeared to be 11 yards separating Webb and Hall, Shanahan said, "It's their [league officials'] opinion."

Again, Shanahan applauded Haynesworth's effort. "I loved the effort. I loved the effort," he said. "We get everybody working downfield like that, you got a chance for good things to happen."

Shanahan is prepared to defend Haynesworth with the league. "A lot of times, I've gone to bat for players in those situations and determine what's in the best interests, if you've got a chance to win it or if you don't," he said. "I've got to look at it first. And if it is, we'll determine it. I've done that before. I've won. I've lost. So you never know."