Titans deny Haynesworth trade

Tennessee Titans head coach Jeff Fisher is denying the existence of trade talks with the Redskins for disgruntled DT Albert Haynesworth.

Fisher said he has not spoken to Redskins Coach Mike Shanahan since news surfaced that Washington attempted to trade Haynesworth to Philadelphia as part of the Donovan McNabb deal last month.

“There has been some speculation that I’ve had conversations with Mike Shanahan, which is false,’’ Fisher said. “I have not had behind-the-scenes meetings with our people. There have been no discussions. He is under contract with the Redskins and we are dwelling on the draft right now.”

…

Asked if the Titans would be interested if the Redskins called, Fisher said “I don’t deal in hypotheticals.’’

This isn’t much of a denial. Sure, Fisher may not have had any discussions with the Redskins, but someone else could have had discussions with the Redskins or Haynesworth’s agent. The Titans front office does not consist solely of Jeff Fisher.

In any case, we should expect this sort of denial in the days leading up to the draft. The fact remains that the Titans wanted to keep Haynesworth last year, but were outbid by the Redskins. The Titans were so miffed they even filed a tampering charge with the NFL, accusing the Redskins of contacting Haynesworth and/or his agent before they were allowed to do so. If the Titans wanted Haynesworth last year, why wouldn’t they want him this year, at a significant financial discount?

The Titans want Haynesworth. The question is whether or not they’ll meet Shanahan’s price.