Albert Haynesworth didn’t spend much time at Redskins Park this offseason, but I was pretty sure he didn’t spend the last few months sitting around in Tennessee gorging on $21 million worth of cheeseburgers either.

To make sure, I reached out to Tripp Smith, Albert Haynesworth’s personal trainer for the last three offseasons, and wrote about our conversation for Wednesday’s paper. You can read the story here.

Smith shared several details about the workout program that has helped Haynesworth go from 362 pounds when they started on April 5 to 330 as of Tuesday afternoon. I won’t rehash them all, but I found particularly interesting the inclusion of boxing training in the program and the fact that Smith has lived with Haynesworth and generally has been by his side for the bulk of the last 14 weeks.

It was clear from our conversation that Smith is proud of the work Haynesworth has done so far this offseason. He knows Haynesworth’s physical performance level as well as anyone, and to hear him say that he believes Haynesworth is “going to open some eyes” is a significant endorsement. After all, if Haynesworth flops, Smith’s reputation is at stake.

If what Smith says is true—and I have every reason to believe it is—Haynesworth has genuinely committed himself to getting in top physical shape. Of course, there’s a difference between that and committing to being a productive member of the 2010 Washington Redskins, and it’s clear Haynesworth has made that distinction with his decision to stay away from Redskins Park.

Smith didn’t want to speak about the part of Haynesworth’s decision that has to do with his displeasure about playing in a 3-4. That’s not part of Smith’s job. He did, however, discuss Haynesworth’s choice as it related to working out individually with him instead of the Redskins’ strength and conditioning coaching staff.

“He was obviously not happy with his situation,” Smith said, “but I think more so he felt comfortable with me and the relationship that we had built. He knew what to expect and what I expected and the fact the past two seasons we’ve gotten ready and he has showed up to camp in shape looking good and everything.”

“We’ve gotten to know each other for the past three years, so I know what makes him tick and what doesn’t,” Smith added later. “I can be so one-on-one and focused on him, whereas in a team setting or whatnot, you’ve got 10, 20, 30 guys working out with you in that group—or however it works for that specific team—and that coach is not solely dedicated to you and working on those little things.

“I think he likes the fact that it’s just him and I. I listen to the feedback he gives me and I change things accordingly. In the long run that’s what’s going to make him a better football player and athlete on the field.”

This feedback-and-adjust arrangement that Smith heralded works for two specific reasons, Smith said. The first is that Smith knows Haynesworth’s capabilities, tendencies, etc. from working out together for the past three offseasons. Secondly, after eight years in the NFL, Haynesworth has a better idea of what he can do to train better, Smith said.

“I think he’s ripening with age, if that makes any sense,” Smith said. “Three years ago when we first started training, he was already in his seventh year at that time. By this point into his career, he’s starting to polish up some things. He’s starting to understand the little things are what make the big things. He understands the little things are what he needs to work on. That feedback to me can help me better design his program to work on those little things.

“For example, if it’s coming off the line and getting his hips turned in a certain direction, three years ago, we weren’t necessarily working on that little tiny detail because he wasn’t aware of it and therefore he wasn’t aware to let me know to work on it with him.”

The program “is just a little more polished and refined now,” Smith continued. “He knows me and I know him, and he gives me feedback. Therefore, I can better custom-tailor that program to him. At this point this year, I think condition-wise I think he’s in the same place he has been in the past. I think he’s ready to go to camp. As far as the little things, I think he’s a lot better this year.

“His hands are going to be a lot better this year than they were in the past. He’s going to have a lot more upper body explosiveness and moves that he can use that he may not have taken advantage of in the past.”

After Smith explained all that, I understood why, in the big picture, a player would want to work out on his own. It’s not always just a prima donna thing or related to a contract dispute.

The irony in this particular situation, though, is that the Redskins might not benefit from whatever improvements and gains Haynesworth has made. I’m not sure how his impasse with the team is going to be resolved, but it seems that he could have a different employer before the regular season.

And with that in mind, I’ll leave you with a question. Do you agree or disagree with this Tripp Smith quote?

“I told him, ‘If you show up and are playing like an animal, they’re going to forget about the fact that you didn’t go to a two-day minicamp or whatever happened aside from football.’”

Let me know your thoughts. Leave a comment, shoot me an email or hit me on Twitter.