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Redskins coach Mike Shanahan shot down speculation that defensive lineman Albert Haynesworth's play in the preseason finale was a disappointment. The coach said Haynesworth "did a good job" and "keeps getting better."

Shanahan and his staff had been rumored to be upset with the effort that Haynesworth displayed last Thursday against the hosting Arizona Cardinals.

But while addressing the media for the first time since reviewing the game film, Shanahan on Monday afternoon actually defended Haynesworth.

"Any time a person plays the defensive end position and nose [tackle] position, it takes some time, and isn’t going to happen over night," Shanahan said of Haynesworth, who played all four quarters of the preseason finale, taking 49 of the 55 defensive snaps. "He got a lot of plays, and I thought he did a good job considering playing as many plays as he did do, and playing a couple different positions. It was work that was well-needed, and he played hard."

Shanahan said that Haynesworth, who made four tackles while splitting time between right defensive end and nose tackle, still is learning, and although his play wasn't perfect, it was encouraging.

"It’s not just the effort, you’ve got to get used to the technique," Shanahan said. "You’re playing multiple positions, it’s going to be tough. That’s just part of it. He worked hard, made a few mistakes here and there, and he’s getting better."

Another rumor involving Haynesworth that was flying around indicated that Shanahan and his staff were still displeased with the players' conditioning and as a result, were unsure if he would even play in the season opener Sunday night against the visiting Dallas Cowboys.

Shanahan shot down those notions as well and said that Haynesworth isn't the only player still working to improve his conditioning.

"He’s in much better shape than he was before," Shanahan said. "I think that’s the question you ask for the first game about anybody on your team. Nobody’s played a full game yet. Most guys plays have been about in the 30s and 40s. But most people don’t have to play the whole game. Most guys are half the snaps, and you don’t play full speed. The defensive line’s a little different, but most people play no more than 50 percent."

Defensive coordinator Jim Haslett when interviewed separately, echoed Shanahan's sentiments that Haynesworth continues to improve while making up for time lost due to his boycott of the offseason workout programs.

Haslett said he would let Shanahan answer questions of whether or not Haynesworth would play Sunday, however.

Shanahan, meanwhile, has declined to discuss plans of who will play, who will start and who comes off the bench when asked about any player, however. Clinton Portis has been the declared starting running back since the conclusion of the offseason program in June, but today Shanahan refused even to confirm that the situation remains the same, or discuss how he would use the back. So naturally, he wouldn't rule Haynesworth in or out.

He strongly implied, however, that the plan is for the lineman to play in some capacity.

"We’re going to play the best players that are available to play, and Albert is one that keeps getting better at different positions," Shanahan said.

Further indication that things might not be as bad as they seem at Redskins park, when practice concluded on Monday, players trickled off the field in various clusters. Shanahan and Haynesworth strolled up the hill leading from the fields to the team's facility side-by-side and chatting.