Bucs release DT Albert Haynesworth

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers cut ties with Albert Haynesworth on Wednesday, releasing the veteran defensive tackle three weeks after naming Greg Schiano as their new head coach.

Haynesworth, 30, was claimed off waivers from New England on Nov. 8 and played seven games for the Bucs last season, including six starts as a flurry of injuries left Tampa Bay thin at defensive tackle, especially after Gerald McCoy was lost for the season with a torn biceps.

"I appreciate Albert playing for us after some key injuries this past season,'' Bucs general manager Mark Dominik said in a statement. "He was very professional and we now wish him all the best as he moves forward.''

Haynesworth came to the Bucs with a reputation as a lazy player, but several of Tampa Bay's young defensive linemen praised him as a good teammate eager to answer their questions about what it takes to excel at the pro level.

A two-time Pro Bowl player with the Tennessee Titans, Haynesworth was credited with 25 tackles as a Buccaneer, including two stops for losses.

Coming off two all-pro seasons with the Titans, Haynesworth signed a seven-year, $100 million pact with the Redskins in 2009. He fought with head coach Mike Shanahan over his physical condition and the team's defensive scheme (Haynesworth didn't want to play nose tackle) and was traded to the Patriots last summer.

Haynesworth was due to count $7.2 million against the 2012 salary cap, with a $500,000 offseason workout bonus and $6.7 million in salary this season, according to a report by former Redskins cap analyst J.I. Halsell in 2009 on the contract Haynesworth signed with Washington.

The Bucs now have about $67 million in available cap space, based on figures reported Monday by ESPN's John Clayton.

From 2009 through 2011, Haynesworth recorded 56 tackles and 6.5 sacks. He had 51 tackles and 8.5 sacks with Tennessee in 2008.