The-Hogs.net - Washington Football Discussion, Redskins to Commanders Era

Chris Luva Luva wrote:He should just come back home...

frankcal20 wrote:And I could actually wear his jersey I just bought b4 he got released.

win-win, baby. win-win.

andyjens89 wrote:he wants to come back so hes waiting for an offer from the skins

gus wrote:Even TO has signed. What's the problem with Lavar?

Pierce makes plea for Arrington
By ERNIE PALLADINO
epalladi@lohud.com
THE JOURNAL NEWS

(Original publication: March 21, 2006)


Antonio Pierce has never been a man to mince words. So when he said yesterday the Giants should pick up his best friend in the NFL, former Washington linebacker LaVar Arrington, he meant it.

He was so enthusiastic about that prospect, in fact, that he was nearly gushing as his team gathered for the first day of the Giants' three-month offseason conditioning program.

"I just feel we need another player here who brings an attitude and mentality that it had back in the '80s, and even the '60s — an aggressive, nasty mentality. And I know he's that kind of player," Pierce said. "Knowing him personally, I know how he feels about what people say about him. He hasn't been on a pedestal. He's been beat down to the ground, so he's got a big chip on his shoulder."

Pierce, Arrington's Washington teammate from 2001-04, gave the front office the lowdown on the three-time Pro Bowl linebacker from a personal standpoint before free agency even started. He said he'd leave it up to the talent evaluators to determine if Arrington is a good fit for Tim Lewis' defense.

For Pierce's money, he is, despite last year's knee surgery and the benching Arrington took because Redskins coach Joe Gibbs thought he free-lanced too much.

"Sometimes a player tries to make a play that goes far beyond the system, and he looks bad when he doesn't make it," Pierce said. "With LaVar being hurt, he wasn't capable of making those plays. But when he visited up here, it looked like he lost about 15 pounds and went back to his Pro Bowl weight.

" ... A player tries to make plays, and he's going to make mistakes. But LaVar's even talked about studying more, which he probably hasn't done in the past."

The problem is that it's not Pierce's money Arrington wants. The linebacker's agents, Carl and Kevin Poston, seem intent on landing a contract that averages $6 million per year, with a signing bonus somewhere north of $10 million. The Giants have no intention of paying that much.

The Postons reportedly had Arrington visit Cincinnati to gauge their financial interest yesterday.

"I think he really likes New York," Pierce said. "That's a plus. He liked everything about it. It's a family atmosphere around here, and he's not going to wake up tomorrow and the whole staff is going to be gone.

"I can't speak on no other man's money. He's a three-time Pro Bowler. He's still one of the elite linebackers when healthy, and wants to get paid that way."

It all depends on the price tag.

Notes: Former Packers defensive tackle Grady Jackson is reportedly considering three teams, including the Giants. ... Eli Manning said he might spend a few days of the offseason program in Florida, throwing to Plaxico Burress and Jeremy Shockey. Burress and Shockey train on their own in Miami. "I've got to talk to them and see what our schedules are," Manning said, adding that he doesn't feel its as urgent a matter as last season to spend extensive time with Shockey to improve their timing. "I'll talk to them sometime, and hopefully we can work something out and get together." ... No progress was reported in the John Abraham trade situation, but the Jets did host Jacksonville cornerback Kenny Wright and New England kick returner Tim Dwight.

" ... A player tries to make plays, and he's going to make mistakes. But LaVar's even talked about studying more, which he probably hasn't done in the past."

"This organization's not the same as the Redskins," Pierce said. "It's not (about) the entertainment and the marketing side of it. It's all about football. It's about winning, and it's a family atmosphere around here. He's not going to wake up tomorrow and the whole staff and everybody in this organization is going to be gone. I think he felt good about that.

Fios wrote:P.S. LaVar ain't coming back, I'm guessing he ends up in Miami

More and more, it's looking like former Redskins linebacker LaVar Arrington is headed to the Sunshine State.

Question is, will Arrington be playing for Miami's Dolphins or Jacksonville's Jaguars?

Both teams are putting on a late, heavy push, and Arrington's decision is expected shortly. Both the Dolphins and Jaguars have a need for a playmaking linebacker such as Arrington, and he would have no problem going to a state where he would not have to pay state income tax.

The Giants and Bengals could make last-minute pushes for Arrington, but right now, it looks like Arrington is bound for Florida -- somewhere.

LaVar Arrington or Willie McGinest?

That was the decision facing Browns General Manager Phil Savage as he searched for a linebacker who could rush the quarterback.

He liked Arrington's raw physical ability. In 2002-2003, he had 17 sacks and seemed on the verge of stardom, then came injuries and some problems with coaches.

As the Browns looked at Arrington's numbers from last year, something really stood out: zero sacks in 11 games. He had 47 tackles, which wasn't all that special. In 2004, he played only four games (18 tackles, 0 sacks) because of a knee injury.

There was something else the Browns will never concede that they considered. Arrington is represented by the infamous Poston brothers -- the agents for Kellen Winslow Jr. Is it worth a protracted contract fight over a guy with injury and attitude baggage?

Yes, Arrington is only 27, but it has been 15 games and more than two years since his last sack with the Washington Redskins.

Compare that with McGinest, who arrived in Berea wanting to play for his old defensive coach, Romeo Crennel. McGinest had four sacks in the playoffs with the New England Patriots, six in the regular season.

Why did New England let him go?

Because McGinest is 34, was in line for an $8 million bonus that would count against the Patriots' salary cap. New England was surprised when the Browns gave McGinest a three-year, $12 million deal -- the key being $6 million guaranteed.

The Browns had another agenda.

McGinest had more sacks than any member of the Browns' 2005 team. He is in great shape, is an outstanding leader and understands Crennel's 3-4 defense.

He also can train a young linebacker, whom the Browns hope to find in the draft.

Arrington had none of that in his favor.

screwgun wrote:Looks like he's headed to Miami Hmmmmmmmm, :

skinsRin wrote:

screwgun wrote:Looks like he's headed to Miami Hmmmmmmmm, :

Yep! Miami is the front runner but the Jags and the Bangels are still interested too. Looks like he'll land in the ACF. I would love to face him in the SB.

1niksder wrote:

skinsRin wrote:

screwgun wrote:Looks like he's headed to Miami Hmmmmmmmm, :

Yep! Miami is the front runner but the Jags and the Bangels are still interested too. Looks like he'll land in the ACF. I would love to face him in the SB.

No visit yet from Arrington to the Bengals so I think they are out of the running. Anyone that visits the Gints signs with someone else and he'll be here in J-ville this weekend. I think he'll sign with Jack Del Rio and the Jags. He's been to Miami once I don't thing much has changed there and the Jags have the caproom

Lavar in Teal and Black? That might just complete his fall from grace... A least in Miami he'd have an excuse for wearing loud colors, being in the hot hot sun. Bu, Jacksonville???

1niksder wrote:

skinsRin wrote:

screwgun wrote:Looks like he's headed to Miami Hmmmmmmmm, :

Yep! Miami is the front runner but the Jags and the Bangels are still interested too. Looks like he'll land in the ACF. I would love to face him in the SB.

No visit yet from Arrington to the Bengals so I think they are out of the running. Anyone that visits the Gints signs with someone else and he'll be here in J-ville this weekend. I think he'll sign with Jack Del Rio and the Jags. He's been to Miami once I don't thing much has changed there and the Jags have the caproom