Lavar Arrinton.... Merged

[HEROHAMO]

Man I just cant see why Arrington is not starting Holdman is okay. But hes no Arrington . Who is keeping him out. He is one of the few skins who has been a skin since his rookie year. Man I will be crushed if he leaves hes my favorite skin. Greg Williams has done wonders with the D. But theres no way that Lavar does not fit into the scheme. As far as Im concerned I would let go of Williams before Arrington anyday. It must be a disciplinary action against him or something. Geez I just cant see why. If anybody has any more on the situation please enlighten me on the happs.

[1fan4ramsey]

Merging threads is great, but it's a pain to read through 26 pages of responses. Ones thoughts and comments seemed to get lost in the many pages.

[portis26]

Arrington missed most of last year and most of training with a bad knee. They are working him back slowly. Once he is shows in practice he can stay healthy and perform at a higher level than Holdman he will play. Until then he will not. I am confident he will be back in there for the second half of the season. JUST BE PATIENT EVERYONE!!!

[welch]

I'm glad the threads were merged. I couldn't see much difference among them. It was too much like the repeated Ramsey/Brunell threads.

Maybe 26 pages indicates that were ought to find something else to discuss?

Gibbs and Williams decide who plays and when. Gibbs never releases more information than he wants (the Godfather rule: "Sonny, never let them know what you think"), and he does not believe in criticizing a player. Whatever is going on is inside the team...we're just guessing.

Williams has coached well enough that I'm willing to trust his judgement. If Williams and Gibbs think that Arrington should sit, then that's fine. When they think Arrington should play, then he plays.

Meanwhile, isn't there a game against Denver in a few days?

[SkinsJock]

I'm glad the threads were merged. I couldn't see much difference among them. It was too much like the repeated Ramsey/Brunell threads.

Amen to that!

..Maybe 26 pages indicates that we ought to find something else to discuss?

Gibbs and Williams decide who plays and when. Gibbs never releases more information than he wants (the Godfather rule: "Sonny, never let them know what you think"), and he does not believe in criticizing a player. Whatever is going on is inside the team...we're just guessing.

Williams has coached well enough that I'm willing to trust his judgement. If Williams and Gibbs think that Arrington should sit, then that's fine. When they think Arrington should play, then he plays.

Meanwhile, isn't there a game against Denver in a few days?

Well said and this is almost like the previous "reign" where you thought you knew but you really didn't - and we were pretty good back then too!

[die cowboys die]

From Gregg's chat on that other "official" board:

Lavar’s got a very good team attitude right now and he’s working very, very hard to get back playing at a level that helps us win games. He’s improving daily, and he’s improving weekly and he will play more. But it’s more important that the team is playing well, and how you fit in with the team. He’s doing his part, and believe me, when he’s up to speed and he’s playing at that level, he’ll play as much as we can get him on the field.

now THIS is an appropriate and informative response. thank you GW!!! that is very encouraging to hear.

[SkinsFanInHawai'i]

From Gregg's chat on that other "official" board:

Lavar’s got a very good team attitude right now and he’s working very, very hard to get back playing at a level that helps us win games. He’s improving daily, and he’s improving weekly and he will play more. But it’s more important that the team is playing well, and how you fit in with the team. He’s doing his part, and believe me, when he’s up to speed and he’s playing at that level, he’ll play as much as we can get him on the field.

now THIS is an appropriate and informative response. thank you GW!!! that is very encouraging to hear.

I believe that chat is at least a couple of weeks old.

[die cowboys die]

From Gregg's chat on that other "official" board:

Lavar’s got a very good team attitude right now and he’s working very, very hard to get back playing at a level that helps us win games. He’s improving daily, and he’s improving weekly and he will play more. But it’s more important that the team is playing well, and how you fit in with the team. He’s doing his part, and believe me, when he’s up to speed and he’s playing at that level, he’ll play as much as we can get him on the field.

now THIS is an appropriate and informative response. thank you GW!!! that is very encouraging to hear.

I believe that chat is at least a couple of weeks old.

if that's true, then i guess it's not surprising that the media made no mention of the positive notes from it, since they prefer to conjure up doom and gloom.

[Chris Luva Luva]

Im looking at NFL Network and Marcus Washington said that "I know Lavars knee was bothering him".

Maybe he knee isn't 100% This interview was done after this previous win I assume.

[SkinsLaVar]

I don't know if it's about the knee... I think Gibbs took it personal when LaVar went all out on the team like that. I don't think Gibbs is going to take that from anyone, but who knows? We could talk about this crap all day....

[cvillehog]

From Gregg's chat on that other "official" board:

Lavar’s got a very good team attitude right now and he’s working very, very hard to get back playing at a level that helps us win games. He’s improving daily, and he’s improving weekly and he will play more. But it’s more important that the team is playing well, and how you fit in with the team. He’s doing his part, and believe me, when he’s up to speed and he’s playing at that level, he’ll play as much as we can get him on the field.

now THIS is an appropriate and informative response. thank you GW!!! that is very encouraging to hear.

I believe that chat is at least a couple of weeks old.

That was dated Sept. 30, I believe, which is less than a week ago, but (obviously) before the Seahawks game.

However, it is still from the proverbial horses mouth, and more informative (and obviously accurate) than any of the many conjectures in this thread.

[REDEEMEDSKIN]

Greg Williams has done wonders with the D. But theres no way that Lavar does not fit into the scheme. As far as Im concerned I would let go of Williams before Arrington anyday.

I can't believe anyone would write something like this. This is borderline insanity. Gregg is more valuable to the team than Lavar. Lavar just happens to carry a higher price tag, and can't be fired as easily.

[MyrtleBeachRedskin]

http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/story/NFL_SC-RUMOR

Just found this! Do not know if anyone has posted this part yet.
I say get rid of him but for a good price. We do not need him.

[hkHog]

This is no conspiracy. Lavar will be the starter soon enough.

Williams is treating him in a similar way to Taylor and Rogers. People said they were in his doghouse when they didn't start. They said the same things back then - they weren't in the packages that were used.

He only got back to real practice a month and a half ago. Holdman was working on the schemes more than a full month before him. Soon he will start taking over the role that Holdman has right now just as Taylor did. This has just been sensationalized so much and completely blown out of proportion.

[SkinsFanInHawai'i]

I believe that chat is at least a couple of weeks old.

That was dated Sept. 30, I believe, which is less than a week ago, but (obviously) before the Seahawks game.

However, it is still from the proverbial horses mouth, and more informative (and obviously accurate) than any of the many conjectures in this thread.

My fault. I thought I had read that chat a while ago.

[ICEMAN]

How is anything blown out of proportion when your star player and best defensive player, who is a "PLAYMAKER" is not playing??? We don't have any kind of pressure whatsoever for the teams that we played and seems like the teams that we will be facing! We need Lavar! I agree with the person who stated "He'd rather have Lavar before GW anyday" His point is well taken, the urgency to have him play is through the roof!!! Remember the pre-season game against Atlanta last year when Lavar was smacking around Michael Vick like a rag-doll..the Falcons hurried up and got Vick out of that game...due to the tenactiy of the one and only LAVAR ARRINGTON!!!! Can you all imagine him "Stomping" on Plummer, Green and any other QB we face this season...I'd rather ask Troy Aikman that question...instead

[SKINS#1]

I just read the following GW quote

"I think every day is an opportunity and every day is an interview. We're pretty much old-school coaches. You have to do it in practice if you're going to do it in games."

Enough said, Now you know.

[Chris Luva Luva]

I just read the following GW quote

"I think every day is an opportunity and every day is an interview. We're pretty much old-school coaches. You have to do it in practice if you're going to do it in games."

Enough said, Now you know.

Exaclty, I said the same thing pages ago. These are real deal coaches, this isn't Spurrier time...

From Redskins.com

http://www.redskins.com/news/newsDetail.jsp?id=11023

Assistant head coach-defense Gregg Williams addressed questions on Thursday about LaVar Arrington's playing time.
Williams said that Arrington has had a "good team attitude" and that "as he improves, he will play more."

"He has been better," Williams said. "He is improving. As he improves, he will play more. Right now we are playing as well as we can play with the people we are playing and the guys who have put the most time in."

Arrington could get more time on the field soon, possibly this Sunday at Denver.

"There could be a chance," Williams said. "Maybe it might spring up this week."

Williams added: "[The media] is making more of this than him or me or anybody else. We are a team, a defensive team, and it's about winning ball games. It's about the team, not the individuals."
Arrington has returned from a knee injury that sidelined him most of the 2004 season and the offseason. Last year, it was Lemar Marshall who mostly replaced Arrington in the lineup.

This year, Warrick Holdman is seeing the bulk of playing time alongside Marshall and Marcus Washington.

Asked in general if it's difficult to work a player back into the lineup after he has missed a lot of time due to injury, Williams replied: "No. I think every day is an opportunity and every day is an interview. We're pretty much old-school coaches. You have to do it in practice if you're going to do it in games."

This cat missed 95% of 2004 and this ENTIRE offseason. No mini camp, no training camp and you just want to plug him back in?!?!?!

Thank you Gregg Williams. Thank you for sticking to your guns where its been Sean or Lavar. Thank you for not listening to the media and fans. You're doing what you see if right and that has led us to a #3 Defense last year and right now we're #5. Keep Lavars butt on the bench until he is at a level where he can compliment this team and not be a detriment because he isn't up to speed. Thank you for not putting Lavar in too early so that he'd get hurt. Thanks for doing that because if you would have it would just be another fiasco! We'd have these "Fans" and I use that term loosely complaining about him being hurt again. We'd have the media saying its a fake because of his contract issues. It'd be a circus. YOu and Gibbs are handling this correctly and thats keeping everything in house! You dont have to tell me jack, we're 3-0 and well on our way to 4-0.

Thanks!

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

[KPrince1975]

This is no conspiracy. Lavar will be the starter soon enough.

Williams is treating him in a similar way to Taylor and Rogers. People said they were in his doghouse when they didn't start. They said the same things back then - they weren't in the packages that were used.

He only got back to real practice a month and a half ago. Holdman was working on the schemes more than a full month before him. Soon he will start taking over the role that Holdman has right now just as Taylor did. This has just been sensationalized so much and completely blown out of proportion.

Well Said

[skinsfano28]

i dont know if anyone noticed but in the article it said he was running almost exclusively with special teams. that is how he will make or break his spot on this team, no doubt about it. i believe in GWilliam's scheme, and i dont know about you, but i think this frustration is good for lavar. think about any time you've ever played when you're pissed off, you tend to play harder, faster, and better (i know i do). now put that with an already fierce player. he'll be back before we know it, and some qb's career is on the line. that's all there is to it.

[Jake]

Williams calls out Arrington
'Skins coordintor says LB needs to practice better
Posted: Thursday October 6, 2005 5:55PM; Updated: Thursday October 6, 2005 5:55PM

ASHBURN, Va. (AP) -- The LaVar Arrington soap opera kept its grip on the Washington Redskins all week, with every development taking the shine off of a 3-0 start.

On Monday, the three-time Pro Bowl linebacker wondered why he was playing so little and seemed ready to accept that he will be playing elsewhere next season.

On Wednesday, Arrington and coach Joe Gibbs held a long and animated conversation after practice, just out of earshot but in clear view of a full brigade of reporters. Both men frequently gestured with hands and arms, and Gibbs even put his right index finger into Arrington's chest to make a point.

On Thursday, Arrington's routine changed. He did some work with special teams instead of practicing exclusively with the defense.

Listen to any local sports call-in show, and Arrington's name usually comes up in a hurry. What's the real deal behind the benching of the franchise's most popular player? Arrington played only two snaps in Sunday's 20-17 victory over Seattle, and he only played a few more in the first two games.

Gregg Williams, the assistant coach in charge of the defense, offered the most candid explanation yet following Thursday's practice.

"We're pretty old-school coaches," Williams said. "You've got to do it in practice if you're going to do it in the game. I'm not going to relent on that. If you do it in practice, you'll do it in the game. If you don't do it, you don't get a chance to play in the game."

It's hard to question the tactics of a team that's undefeated, but the Redskins have won their three games by a combined six points.

The defense has not allowed many points, but it is underperforming in two vital areas -- sacks and turnovers. The team has four sacks and has forced only two turnovers, ranking near the bottom of the league in both.

Sacks and turnovers are Arrington's specialty. He had 17 sacks and forced 11 fumbles combined in 2002 and 2003, before a knee injury wrecked his 2004 season.

Now, he is healthy and would seem to fill a need. When asked about the turnover-sack deficiency, Williams said Arrington might be getting more time on the field soon, maybe on Sunday at Denver.

"He's doing better. He's improving. I think he's got a real good team attitude and as he improves, he'll play more," Williams said. "But right now, we're playing as well as we can play with the people that we are playing with and the guys that have put the most time in. There could be a chance -- maybe it might spring out this week."

Arrington's teammates are not sure what to make of the linebacker's situation.

Running back Clinton Portis said he understands the defensive coaches not wanting to mess with a successful game plan. But, he added, "I think we need that guy on the field."

Former Redskins cornerback Champ Bailey, now with the Broncos, was particularly confounded when Arrington's name was mentioned during a conference call this week with Washington reporters.

"Can you please fill me in?" Bailey said. "Because I've been trying to figure that out myself."

Told that Arrington is healthy but not playing, Bailey said: "He's not playing, and he's healthy. Oh, God. He's the best athlete on their team. I don't know why that could be happening. ... When I was there, we had to have him on the field."

Copyright 2005 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Champ, that's the difference between a George Edwards defense and a Gregg Williams defense. Too bad you weren't here to experience it.

That tidbit about Gibbs and LaVar's convo seems interesting, though. It still may be the media trying to make something out of nothing again.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/f ... index.html

[SkinsJock]

..That tidbit about Gibbs and LaVar's convo seems interesting, though. It still may be the media trying to make something out of nothing again.

I'd like to think that Gibbs was probably telling him something like "you're a leader and a player! help me out here. Get back into the scheme and we will be even better on defence!" I would also agree that it is definetly being hyped by the media.

[roybus14]

Okay. Now we are getting somewhere. That is fine that GW is sticking with the old-skool mentally. I respect and that is how it should be. But alot of the confusion and these posts could have been squashed a week or two ago if GW had just come out and said that in the begining. Then the ball would have really been in Lavar's court to step up.

I still stand behind my previous posts about moving Lavar to DE and letting him do what he does best and that's attack the ball. What needs to be done now, in my opinion, is that GW, Greg Blache, and the rest of the defensive unit push Lavar into being the guy we saw in 2002 that played DE. Marvin Lewis is a defensive genius just like GW and Marvin bascially said "if you don't want to play LB in my scheme, then I will put in a position (DE) that will not hurt us defensively". Look at what happened. Turnovers and sacks. I would imagine that GW is just as smart and should figure that out....

[JPFair]

What the hell is so wrong with Special Teams? I heard on NFL network last night that LaVar was quoted as saying that he would play ST, but he wouldn't attend the meetings. This brings back memories of D-Mac not wanting to play ST. Someone fill me on on this! What is so bad about playing ST. Is it like a social stigma that you had to play ST, and it's not good for your ego?

Any team player, regardless of how much money he was making would play ST if asked. I just don't get it!!

[cvillehog]

What the hell is so wrong with Special Teams? I heard on NFL network last night that LaVar was quoted as saying that he would play ST, but he wouldn't attend the meetings. This brings back memories of D-Mac not wanting to play ST. Someone fill me on on this! What is so bad about playing ST. Is it like a social stigma that you had to play ST, and it's not good for your ego?

Any team player, regardless of how much money he was making would play ST if asked. I just don't get it!!

I see a lot of our other starters out there on ST, from both offense and defense, and I don't think any player should be above it if asked. Not that I think that is necessarily what happened here. This could just be the media trying to make something out of nothing.

Then again, as you mentioned, there were similar wispers about McCants not long before he was cut.