Camp Storylines: No. 1 Albert Haynesworth

With Redskins training camp opening Thursday afternoon, this week on Redskins Insider we have counted down the most pressing issues the team faces as players prepare to report. Will disgruntled, all-pro defensive lineman Albert Haynesworth report to camp in shape after skipping all but one day of Coach Mike Shanahan's first offseason program -- including a mandatory minicamp -- in a failed attempt to force a trade? Haynesworth developed into one of the league's premier interior lineman while playing the three-technique tackle position in 4-3 schemes. Shanahan wants him to play nose tackle in the Redskins' new 3-4 alignment, so Haynesworth would prefer to continue his career elsewhere. The Redskins have discussed trading Haynesworth with some teams but decided to keep him. In recent days, Haynesworth has reached out to Redskins' coaches and is expected to report to training camp Thursday afternoon. Prediction: Haynesworth will report to Redskins Park Thursday, in part because the team would be able to recoup some of the $32 million it has paid him (in only 17 months) if he fails to show up for the start of camp. Haynesworth is in much better condition than he was at any point during his first season with Washington, according to people familiar with his training program, having lost as much as 40 pounds. Still, the Redskins will ask him to pass a conditioning test, and even if he succeeds, he'll start camp practicing with the reserves. If recently signed veteran nose tackle Maake Kemoeatu is fully recovered from an Achilles injury that sidelined him last season, he likely would start in the middle of the line and Haynesworth would mostly play end. Haynesworth probably would shift to the nose on third down and other obvious passing situations. Defensive coordinator Jim Haslett knows that Haynesworth, when he's in shape and motivated, is among the league's most talented players. Haynesworth has accepted that he will be with the Redskins this season unless another team overwhelms the team with a trade offer, team sources said, and Shanahan could make his life miserable if he doesn't do what is asked of him. Both sides should be motivated to make the best of the situation.