Lavar Arrington "Glass half Empty"

NikiH · Post by **NikiH** » Wed Oct 13, 2004 3:40 pm

Wow you guys are sounding like a bunch of ungrateful jerks. I'm not calling names. I'm calling it as I see it. Did you forget that this week Lavar lost his cousin. The week before he was hit with a fine and had to have surgery. If anyone is entitled to a minute of being down or saying the wrong thing, I'd say Arrington is the one. He's grieving, trying to recover, and carrying quite a load on his shoulders at the moment. He's only human people. I say he has the heart to be a leader, and if during a bad week he falters a bit then so be it. We still need to stand behind him. As Jake has shown, he has obviously bounced back. And I will not belittle Lavar or his statements. Get well soon Lavar, and I'm not just referring to your knee! ;-)

redskins56 · Post by **redskins56** » Wed Oct 13, 2004 6:38 pm

How you got that he doesn't want to stick around out of him saying that he is tired of losing is beyond me...

chicosbailbond · Post by **chicosbailbond** » Wed Oct 13, 2004 7:42 pm

really and truly ask yourself...

if we don't have a winning season this year... and things continue to look bleek...

and lavar doesn't get his money.... "that our owner left out of his contract"

Do you think he will want to be a Redskin? Or be a positive leader on this team?

I have my doubts... But I hope to god he does... I love the Redskins and want the best for the team.... I think Lavar can be a part of a great thing....

So I hope I am wrong....

redskinz4ever · Post by **redskinz4ever** » Wed Oct 13, 2004 7:50 pm

lavar needs to :-#

until he gets back on the playing field and see where we go the rest of the season .. (when is he due back ???).. at 1-4 we look pretty bad but to throw in the towel is a little soon.hopefully this week we start a new season. a win will cure any thing !! :wink:

Jake · Post by **Jake** » Wed Oct 13, 2004 8:01 pm

No problem, guys.

chicosbailbond wrote:really and truly ask yourself...

if we don't have a winning season this year... and things continue to look bleek...

and lavar doesn't get his money.... "that our owner left out of his contract"

Do you think he will want to be a Redskin? Or be a positive leader on this team?

Yes. Why else would he sign an EIGHT year deal during the end of a 5-11 season? Losing is nothing new to him as a Redskin. And LaVar has said that he doesn't want his contract siutation to affect his relationship with the FANS or the ORGANIZATION.

He has been a leader since he was a rookie so that just makes your question a silly one.

chicosbailbond · Post by **chicosbailbond** » Thu Oct 14, 2004 7:39 am

Jake wrote:No problem, guys.

chicosbailbond wrote:really and truly ask yourself...

if we don't have a winning season this year... and things continue to look bleek...

and lavar doesn't get his money.... "that our owner left out of his contract"

Do you think he will want to be a Redskin? Or be a positive leader on this team?

Yes. Why else would he sign an EIGHT year deal during the end of a 5-11 season? Losing is nothing new to him as a Redskin. And LaVar has said that he doesn't want his contract siutation to affect his relationship with the FANS or the ORGANIZATION.

He has been a leader since he was a rookie so that just makes your question a silly one.

Don't get me wrong guys... I hope Lavar is around and steps it up... So, I really hope your right...

But that is my whole argument regarding him being a leader since he was a rookie... I haven't seen it... I just hope he can become more of a leader...

I just want the Redskins to win and be successful...

Californiaskin · Post by **Californiaskin** » Thu Oct 14, 2004 11:37 pm

Lavars just hurt and frustrated. Having him 100% could havein my opinion turned the tide in at least one of the two most recent losses.
And any of you suggesting Lavar does'nt hit and whatnot are freaking kidding yourselves. Dude is a beast.

patrickg68 · Post by **patrickg68** » Fri Oct 15, 2004 12:06 am

Lavar Arrington is one of the most overrated players in football. His whole reputation has been based on what he did in college. The only reason that he hasn't lost that reputation is because he hasn't been a terrible player in the nfl like a ryan leaf.

tcwest10 · Post by **tcwest10** » Fri Oct 15, 2004 11:22 am

No, Patrick...Drew Henson is "overrated".
LaVar has played the game at a high level. I don't think you need to look any further than Troy for an opinion you'll have to respect. Arrington, when properly situated (and this is a coaching issue, BTW), is a game breaker.
There's no need for me to go into the how and why of it all; you'll write it off as excuses. Still. Get with Troy, and ask him.

Irn-Bru · Post by **Irn-Bru** » Fri Oct 15, 2004 11:45 am

Lavar Arrington is one of the most overrated players in football. His whole reputation has been based on what he did in college. The only reason that he hasn't lost that reputation is because he hasn't been a terrible player in the nfl like a ryan leaf.

Tory Aikman himself has praised Lavar several times, so even putting that injury aside you've got the (probably) most sane football analyst saying Lavar has the skills.

Good, consistent systems can make talented players look like superstars year in, year out. Lavar has done very well considering the circumstances, and I think the only shame is that he never had a solid, consistent system to really develop his potential. Even then he's been in the top 10 of linebackers for the last 5 years. He'll be fine under Greg Williams, but you can keep thinking that he's simply overrated if you want--I'm hoping Dallas starts thinking that way, as well.

Jake · Post by **Jake** » Sat Oct 16, 2004 12:57 am

Here's another one.

Even On the Sidelines, Arrington Leads

October 15, 2004

Even though he will not play in Sunday's Week 6 game against the Bears in Chicago, LaVar Arrington's frame of mind is the type the Redskins need.

"Whether it's ugly or pretty, it doesn't matter as long as we get the win," Arrington said. "That's what we're looking for and pushing for."

The fifth-year linebacker out of Penn State said last week's effort versus Baltimore, even though it resulted in a 17-10 setback, showed some positive signs.

"What we produced in the first half--a 10-0 lead--let's try and produce that type of intensity and effort in the second half," Arrington said. "Those are the things we're focusing on, just trying to be stable and consistent."

Sidelined since Week 2 with a knee injury, Arrington has been doing everything possible in hopes of helping to rally his team out of its current four-game losing streak.

In 2001, his second year in the league, Arrington's 67-yard interception and return for a touchdown led the Redskins past Carolina 17-14 in overtime. That effort ended a five-game losing streak and started the Redskins to five straight wins and a push for the playoffs.

The fifth win in that streak may have been the most impressive. It was a 13-3 decision over Philadelphia at Veterans Stadium.

After that win in South Philly, Arrington said the Redskins resembled a "sleeping giant" that had been awakened.

Certainly, he'd like to see that same sleeping giant emerge from its doldrums this week in Chicago--whether he's able to play or not.

On the comparison to Marty Schottenheimer's 2001 season and this year, Arrington says: "I think it's two totally different teams. What you draw from that is you just don't give up on it. You keep plugging away. It doesn't matter what your personnel is, it doesn't matter how bad it may get. You just keep plugging away."

Arrington wanted to be on the field last Sunday night against Ray Lewis and company and had hoped to be able to give it a go against another of the NFL's top linebackers, Brian Urlacher, this Sunday.

But coaches want Arrington at full health--and since the Redskins have a bye next week, it gives him another two weeks to fully recuperate before the Oct. 31 matchup against the Green Bay Packers at FedExField.

In each of his four previous seasons, Arrington has seemed to come up with a play that turns a game around. Consider the interception against Chris Weinke and the Panthers in 2001 or the game-saving forced fumble versus Kurt Warner and the Rams in 2002.

He's yet to chime in, in 2004. But you know it's coming.

Even On the Sidelines, Arrington Leads

SkinsJock · Post by **SkinsJock** » Sat Oct 16, 2004 8:15 am

Thanks Jake! I would add that Lemar has played well and that gives the coaches a little added incentive to not rush LA back.

This guy and Barrow are going to be important to us. Right now they can be on the sidelines and we will still be okay on defence, but we are going to really be better when we get these 2 on the field.

This is a big game BUT the bears are also getting desperate.

We are going to need everyone ready for those final 10 games and I hope a 6-4 or 7-3 finish.

patrickg68 · Post by **patrickg68** » Sat Oct 16, 2004 10:11 am

Drew Henson isn't overrated, he's not even rated. How can you be overrated if you haven't played at all? As far as the Aikman hit is concerned, is the criteria for being a great player one big hit? I know after years of losing the standards for Redskins fans have been significantly lowered, but come on.

NikiH · Post by **NikiH** » Sat Oct 16, 2004 10:21 am

patrick do you know anything about football?? It does not seem you do. In college Lavar played on weak side. Up until now, Lavar has not for some reason, probably crappy coaching, been able to play in that position. Until this year. So in December, make sure you come back here so you can tell us how "overrated" he is after he plows your freaking offense.

Bacon · Post by **Bacon** » Sat Oct 16, 2004 11:08 am

Really,he deserves to be frustrated. If you're gonna say he shouldn't be frustrated,you might as well be on the field getting your head knocked off every week with no results. Let's see if you're frustrated then.

patrickg68 · Post by **patrickg68** » Sat Oct 16, 2004 8:59 pm

This is impressive. In the same post you manage to say that Arrington is not overrated while at the same time offering up an excuse for why he hasn't played as well as his reputation.

tcwest10 · Post by **tcwest10** » Sat Oct 16, 2004 9:31 pm

Patrick, if you're coming to me for impressive...you've got the wrong forum. Don't be simpleminded. Read it again.
You're in the wrong house, kiddo. Run. Run away before the bad men come and get you.
Scoot.

patrickg68 · Post by **patrickg68** » Sat Oct 16, 2004 9:37 pm

I wasn't talking to you.

tcwest10 · Post by **tcwest10** » Sat Oct 16, 2004 9:52 pm

It doesn't matter, kiddo. You're coming after the brethren, and you're wearin' a lone Star.
That's just my bag.
Make a valid point, please. If you believe in it, back it up with something tangible. Stand your ground. You'll earn respect that way.
Anything else is Patrick Lite. Just one calorie. Less filling. Here's how you do something like that. Pay attention. There's going to be a quiz on this later.
I stand by my assesment of Drew Henson. See, I'm a Yankee fan. In my view, he's not a team guy. He's not even all that athletic. I've met him, shook his hand. It's clammy and limp, and he had no interest. My wife said, "Want me to take a picture ?" I said, "No, it's okay. Get me with Bernie."
Drew didn't like that. He chews gum loudly and kinda like a teenage girl.
Talk about "resting on laurels", which was the summation of your initial post ?
At least LaVar has done remarkable things in this league. (Again, I reference Troy Aikman.)
Drew ? Big Heisman guy ? Wanted to do baseball first ?
Nothing.
Dallas goes nuts to get him.
Based on what ? Yup. "College Career". What else ? His stellar play at 3rd base ?
Now, son. That's what we call "overrated".
Dig ?

patrickg68 · Post by **patrickg68** » Sat Oct 16, 2004 10:43 pm

I lived in Northern Virginia for 11 years before moving down to Tampa a couple years ago. I watched The Redskins play every week, and saw pretty much every one of Arringtons games for his first 3 years. And from what I have seen, Lavar Arrington is nothing special. I'm not saying that he is bad player, but he is not one of the best linebackers in football. Given his athletic ability, you would think that his production would be out of this world, but it hasn't been. For his career he is averaging just 5.5 tackles a game and 84 a year. For a linebacker with a reputation as a playmaker, he is averaging only 5.5 sacks a year, and has only 3 career interceptions. These are decent numbers, but it is still nothing spectacular.

He has most often been compared to Lawrence Taylor, so lets see how he compares. Taylor played 13 years, had 132 career sacks, and that doesn't include the 9.5 he had in his rookie year when sacks weren't an official statistic. Hell, Arrington isn't even as good as Michael Barrow. Barrow has averaged 6.5 tackles a game, about 94 a year, and 3.6 sacks a year. Barrow isn't exactly headed for Canton, when comparing the two careers, Barrow is the better linebacker.

Also, its nice to see that you evaluated such critical aspects of the quarterback position as handshakes and bubble gum chewing to determine Henson's future development as a quarterback.

One more point. Drew Henson is not overrated because he is not viewed as a good quarterback at this moment. He is thought to have the POTENTIAL to become a good quarterback in the future. There is a difference between a player who is thought to have a lot of potential and one who is thought to be a great player at the moment.

NikiH · Post by **NikiH** » Sat Oct 16, 2004 11:56 pm

First of all this thread is not about Drew freaking Henson. Second of all I suggest you show some respect Patrick. This thread is about Lavar's character, you turned it into something about his talent. He is talented, and unlike LT, Lavar hasn't quite seen his star shine. He will. And that was my point. He is good and you will soon see great.

My last point is what joy could you possibly get by bashing a man who just lost a very close relative, had surgery, and is dealing with his team not doing so hot? You are a big man Patrick, I'd love to see you make these comments to Lavar's face? Having met him, I'm sure you never will.

Deadskins · Post by **Deadskins** » Sun Oct 17, 2004 11:06 am

FanfromAnnapolis wrote:I don't believe that Lavar has that killer instinct which would drive him to play like the best of the blue collar players. It is my belief that you have to try and hit guys hard enough to hurt them (though that's not why you're hitting them), and Lavar seems like much more of a don't-get-dirty type of player.

There was an article about this in the Post a while back. My main man Sam Huff was talking about how, if he had been the linebacker who had ended Aikman's career, he really would have fed off that and tried to hit people even harder afterward. Lavar just isn't that kind of guy, he doesn't have that mean streak.

I can sympathize with his frustration, it doesn't seem like anything is working. But the answer is to work out of it--I think we've finally got hope of stability under Gibbs, and if our Skins just keep working hard good things are going to happen. Lavar will definitely feed off of that, because simply hitting people and being mean isn't going to cut it. I view that as a weakness in Lavar, but as long as we're winning I don't think it'll be much of a problem.

I found that Huff quote interesting too. He basically said that LaVar does not have the killer instinct of a Ray Lewis, and that if he did, he could be the best LB in the NFL because he has all the ability in the world. Ending Aikman's career hurt LaVar because since then, he has tried not to hurt people, and that is weakening his game. BTW, when is he supposed to play again?

tcwest10 · Post by **tcwest10** » Sun Oct 17, 2004 6:06 pm

What else could you use to evaluate Henson, kiddo ? His nice, clean locker ?
Oh, it's true. Henson is clearly overrated, with heightened expectations derived from a college career that ended years ago.
Arrington has made his mark in this league, and as such, is not "overrated".
Nobody compares favorably to LT, so forget that. You never heard me say that, did you ?
I'm no big LA Nation fan, but I know "overrated" when I see it. I don't need to make excuses for the man. Why bother ? I could go all day about the coaching changes and so forth. You're not here for that, though. You just like to carelessly throw out words that have no business being in the same sentence as LaVar Arrington.
You have no case.

welch · Post by **welch** » Sun Oct 17, 2004 7:29 pm

TCW wrote

Drew Henson is "overrated"

Wait!!! I thought Henson was the Yankees' 3rd baseman of the future. Sure, he's not as good as Brosius was at 35 or so, but give Henson another 5 years in AA and he could be a fixture in Columbus.

CcHhDd · Post by **CcHhDd** » Mon Oct 18, 2004 1:06 am

Its funny how you guys view lavar. Think about this.

everyone calls john jansen a hard working blue colar team player. And now ur calling lavar selfish and not worth it.

In the ravens game who was on the sidelines right there in the middle of the action. Who ran onto the field to congradulate his teamates for a good play.

And which player sat up in the press box watching the game?

This is in no way putting down jansen at all , Rock is the man. But so is lavar and we need him running all over the field GETTING DIRTY and being around each and every tackle as he's done his whole career. When he's back watch at the end of the play and i'll bet u always see number 56 there.