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Archuleta Speaks
Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2006 6:31 pm
by Jake
Archuleta: 'I don't like getting lied to'Associated Press
ASHBURN, Va. -- Beleaguered Washington Redskins safety Adam Archuleta broke his silence Thursday, offering a glimpse of what it's been like to sit in the doghouse all season.
Archuleta, signed in March to the richest contract for a safety in NFL history, hasn't played a snap on defense in seven weeks. Coach Joe Gibbs and assistant Gregg Williams have not given an explanation for the benching, and they've shown little patience when asked to discuss Archuleta's plight beyond generic comments such as: "He's had a good week of practice."
"Do I deserve an explanation?" Archuleta said. "I don't know if an explanation matters anymore because what's done is done. I pretty much know what's going on. I pretty much know what it all stems from."
Archuleta wouldn't go into detail, but he indicated the coaches have not been upfront in their dealings with him.
"I'm a grown man. I don't like getting lied to," Archuleta said. "All people want is for people to be straight up with them. I don't mind bad news. I don't mind negativity. I don't mind if somebody says to my face what my flaws are and what I'm doing wrong and what kind of person they think I am.
"I welcome those kind of things because an honest assessment is all anybody wants in this business. I don't need someone to sit here and tell me how great I am: 'I'm doing good, just keep working hard.' I don't need that. I need real stuff. That's the only way I can make an evaluation as to who I am as a player."
Archuleta, a free agent from St. Louis, signed a seven-year, $35 million contract that includes $10 million in bonuses, but it became immediately apparent during training camp that Williams wanted to use his new player in different ways than the Rams did.
Archuleta, a hard-hitting converted linebacker, was asked to play more coverage -- not his strong suit. He started the first seven games only because Pierson Prioleau was lost for the season with a knee injury, and his liabilities are one of the reasons the Redskins lead the league in allowing passes of 20 yards or more.
Now Archuleta isn't a part of the defense at all. He's used only on special teams, and that's the only role he expects to play in Saturday night's season finale against the New York Giants. There seems little sense in having him return next year, even if it means taking a large salary cap hit.
Archuleta spoke after Gibbs had addressed the media, although Gibbs made tacit acknowledgment of the Archuleta mistake and other free agent miscues by saying he plans to re-examine the team's approach to the offseason. Williams was not available to reporters Thursday.
Archuleta was vague when asked about his future.
"A lot of things have been going through my mind," Archuleta said. "I've pretty much scoured every subject known to man in the last six months of my life, so we'll see."
Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2710691
Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2006 7:01 pm
by REDEEMEDSKIN
He's used only on special teams, and that's the only role he expects to play in Saturday night's season finale against the New York Giants.
After this hissy fit, I wouldn't be surprised if Double A has seen the field for the last time as a Skin already.
Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2006 7:16 pm
by Jeff Rhodes
I love when an athlete is in the doghouse with his coaches and he runs to the press to have them publish a story that "clears the air." Except they never clear the air about the incident that landed them in the doghouse in the first place -- only their reaction to being there.
Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2006 7:20 pm
by SkinzCanes
After this hissy fit, I wouldn't be surprised if Double A has seen the field for the last time as a Skin already.
I'm not a big AA fan and think that signing him was a mistake but i wouldn't exactly call this a hissy fit. The way he is being treated does resemble the treatment of Lavar last season. Lavar also complained of not being told what was going on. AA def deserves some blame for this situation, but so does Greg Williams. It's not a coincidence imo that this type of situation has occured with two different players, two years in a row. We don't see these types of problems occuring on the offensive side of the ball that Saunders and Gibbs are in charge of.
Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2006 7:30 pm
by Mursilis
SkinzCanes wrote:After this hissy fit, I wouldn't be surprised if Double A has seen the field for the last time as a Skin already.
I'm not a big AA fan and think that signing him was a mistake but i wouldn't exactly call this a hissy fit. The way he is being treated does resemble the treatment of Lavar last season. Lavar also complained of not being told what was going on. AA def deserves some blame for this situation, but so does Greg Williams. It's not a coincidence imo that this type of situation has occured with two different players, two years in a row. We don't see these types of problems occuring on the offensive side of the ball that Saunders and Gibbs are in charge of.
I don't blame AA one darn bit, except maybe for not getting on that plane and going to see what Chicago was offering. Gibbs and Williams knew what they were getting when they signed him - a safety much better in run support and blitzing than he was in coverage. It's not like he lied to them about what he could do. If this team bungled yet another personnel move yet again, that's on this team, not Adam A.
Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2006 8:08 pm
by 91SKINS
Gibbs blew the season with the help of GW. Not re-signing Clark???
Signing AA and AC ??? Bust Central.
Playing Panzy ball when down by big chunck, Get embarrassed by the G-String in NY two years in a row. Two B.S. miracle W's against Dallas.
Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2006 8:10 pm
by Skins2daGrave
i still say he could be a good LB for us...
Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2006 8:56 pm
by skinsfano28
i second that s2dg, he's a "converted linebacker" as the article says, and i know he hits super hard, so why not give it a shot? he's fast enough to go from sideline to sideline, and he's big and strong enough to stuff the run, try him out in the middle?
Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2006 8:56 pm
by aswas71788
I am not a big Archuleta fan but I think he deserves better treatment than this. He is getting the Arrington treatment. Archuleta was known as a good, hard hitting safety but not a good cover. Why would Williams bring him in and then have him play a position that showcased his short comings? I think this as more to do with Williams failings that Archuleta's. Look at the entire defense, Archuleta is not much different that everyone else....disfunctional. It makes me wonder if Williams time is past because all of the new young hotshots have figured his schemes out.
Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2006 8:58 pm
by Ownzone46
Adam Archuleta wasn't used propelly this year. Who to blame the coaching? I just beleive AA has loads of talent its not just him whos playing terrible this year look at Sean Taylor too and almost the entire D. Just watch him leave play for anothere team and put up unbeleiveable stats just like what Walt harris did.
Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2006 9:24 pm
by Skins2daGrave
GW should start him at LB alongside Rocky and Lemar this final game against the Giants, just to see what he can do. he is probably 500X better than Warrick Holdman...i wouldnt be surprised if he had a huge impact while GW just wasted him on the bench all this time
Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2006 9:34 pm
by crazyhorse1
aswas71788 wrote:I am not a big Archuleta fan but I think he deserves better treatment than this. He is getting the Arrington treatment. Archuleta was known as a good, hard hitting safety but not a good cover. Why would Williams bring him in and then have him play a position that showcased his short comings? I think this as more to do with Williams failings that Archuleta's. Look at the entire defense, Archuleta is not much different that everyone else....disfunctional. It makes me wonder if Williams time is past because all of the new young hotshots have figured his schemes out.
Let's do remember that Arch led the team in tackles when he played.
Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2006 9:37 pm
by crazyhorse1
aswas71788 wrote:I am not a big Archuleta fan but I think he deserves better treatment than this. He is getting the Arrington treatment. Archuleta was known as a good, hard hitting safety but not a good cover. Why would Williams bring him in and then have him play a position that showcased his short comings? I think this as more to do with Williams failings that Archuleta's. Look at the entire defense, Archuleta is not much different that everyone else....disfunctional. It makes me wonder if Williams time is past because all of the new young hotshots have figured his schemes out.
Let's do remember that Arch led the team in tackles when he played. Why not try him at LB rather than just take the cap hit. Do we have anything to lose by it? What?
Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2006 9:57 pm
by Mursilis
skinsfano28 wrote:i second that s2dg, he's a "converted linebacker" as the article says, and i know he hits super hard, so why not give it a shot? he's fast enough to go from sideline to sideline, and he's big and strong enough to stuff the run, try him out in the middle?
Interesting idea, but at 223 pounds, AA just isn't big enough to be a pro MLB. He'd get steam-rolled by those interior offensive linemen. Even Seattle's 'small' MLB, Lofi Tatupu, is 238.
Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2006 10:05 pm
by RedskinsFreak
When a safety leads in tackles, it's the most tell-tale sign of a pretty pathetic defense.
Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2006 10:31 pm
by Skinsfan55
This is all just opinion, and it's only grounded in observation... but I think there's a big disconnect between the coaches and Danny.
I've heard that Gregg Williams has personell power on defense... but even if that's true I think the fact that he's the next in line for coach (if he plays his cards right) means that Snyder can get in his ear and make "suggestions".
Now Danny probably knows more about football than your average fan... but there are a lot of guys, even on this board, who have forgotten more about football than Danny knows. IMO he should stay 100% out personel decisions, only coming in to woo players and flash Redskins One and his checkbook around.
I believe that Carter was a GW pick, I think Williams really did want a pass rusher and the conversion back to DE has just not gone as well as he (or AC) hoped... but I think AA was a Danny signing. I mean, it just has all the telltale signs. Overpriced, old, washed up (not completely, but he's not the player he was a few years ago)...
It was just a bad move, and the kind I thought the Redskins were moving away from.
The Redskins will be at a crossroads this season. Guys like Springs, Griffin, Washington, etc. who were right moves to make could be gone for cap space (or at least asked to renegotiate.)
The Skins will have some tough decisions to make, but building around our "core Redskins" is difficult but not impossible...
Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2006 10:46 pm
by SkinzCanes
but I think AA was a Danny signing. I mean, it just has all the telltale signs. Overpriced, old, washed up (not completely, but he's not the player he was a few years ago)...
I'm not sure if that's the case. I remember reading some articles that talked about how GW handpicked AA. I could be wrong but I also remember reading about how GW met with AA before signing him to look over game tape of the Skins' defense. I blame Snyder for a lot of our problems but I don't think that this one is his fault.
Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2006 10:58 pm
by roybus14
This speaks of the arrogance of GW and the lack of control Gibbs has over this team. Why in the hell would you bring in a guy whose strongest attribute is stopping the run, then expect him to cover. I don't blame AA either.
This is the arrogance of GW, period, and Gibbs' lack of involvement with his team and it's coaches. He's basically given GW full reign to ruin this defense by not coaching them and not utilizing their talents by forcing them to play in a overly controlled scheme that everybody around the league has caught up to. Too much thinking and being in some damn spot instead making plays with their talent. Look at Sean Taylor. He, IMO, has regressed. Why? Lack of coaching and the loss of Clark who kept this kid straight and where he needed to be. Why would you bring in another introvert (AA) who can't cover to play alongside another introvert in Taylor???? Plus, I don't know if anybody saw the sideline shot that I saw but right after Taylor got burnt over the top, AA sat down next to him and Taylor got
It is very apparent that the position coaches on the defense are doing a bad job too because I assume that they are the ones that are supposed to keep these guys fundamentally sound with tackling, etc. while GW teaches them the scheme. Maybe they should trim the fat and get new position coaches. They should have one coach for the LBs, one for the DLine, and one for the Secondary, period. Make GW and them fockers earn their damn money.
For those who have said that they are doing the same to AA that they did to Lavar are, IMO, 100% correct.
Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2006 11:37 pm
by SkinsJock
I'm not sure what AA thought he could "clear up" by going this route but I am fairly sure he did not "help" his "case".
This offseason is going to be interesting as far as who stays, who is added and who leaves. One thing for sure with all this speculation from a lot of fans (and the media) - Gibbs, Williams and Saunders are all staying and while we may see some player changes on the field (both because of a better effort or better game planning) we will certainly find out who here had the better "fix" for the Redskins - the fans (well some of them!) or the coaches. My money is on the coaches - I think these guys know a little more about what is going on with both the players and the NFL than a lot of fans here and the media.
Besides, I don't think Gibbs or Williams are going to follow a lot of advice like a lot of what is posted here, if any - just a hunch
Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2006 12:02 am
by PulpExposure
91SKINS wrote:Signing AA and AC ??? Bust Central.
Have you watched any of the last 6 games or so? Carter has been, by far, our best defensive player on the field in those games.
Bust?
Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2006 12:32 am
by Redskins Rule
Mursilis wrote:SkinzCanes wrote:After this hissy fit, I wouldn't be surprised if Double A has seen the field for the last time as a Skin already.
I'm not a big AA fan and think that signing him was a mistake but i wouldn't exactly call this a hissy fit. The way he is being treated does resemble the treatment of Lavar last season. Lavar also complained of not being told what was going on. AA def deserves some blame for this situation, but so does Greg Williams. It's not a coincidence imo that this type of situation has occured with two different players, two years in a row. We don't see these types of problems occuring on the offensive side of the ball that Saunders and Gibbs are in charge of.
I don't blame AA one darn bit, except maybe for not getting on that plane and going to see what Chicago was offering. Gibbs and Williams knew what they were getting when they signed him - a safety much better in run support and blitzing than he was in coverage. It's not like he lied to them about what he could do. If this team bungled yet another personnel move yet again, that's on this team, not Adam A.
To say that he was used only as coverage is not correct.....Adam Archuleta wiffed on quite a large number of tackles too!
Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2006 1:00 am
by tcwest10
I agree, RR...it's one thing to blame your coaching for not using you properly...it's quite another to not be able to get a little lower on tackles. Most of the time I see AA on a tackle, he looks like he's trying to help the WR try on a necklace.
Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2006 9:12 am
by Chris Luva Luva
Year after year we hear the same comments from players........
I'm starting to think that its not the players that are the issue.
Bailey
Smoot
Clark
Peirce
Arch
Trotter
Different coaches, same results.
Different coaches, same comments.
What is the constant in all of this?
Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2006 10:04 am
by Redskins Rule
Chris Luva Luva wrote:Year after year we hear the same comments from players........
I'm starting to think that its not the players that are the issue.
Bailey
Smoot
Clark
Peirce
Arch
Trotter
Different coaches, same results.
Different coaches, same comments.
What is the constant in all of this?
Bailey and Smoot........Deon Sanders got into their heads and had them screw us over!
Trotter..........."I've always bled Green, its good to be back here"(Its a loose quote). Thank Goodness we got rid of him! Besides, he sucked anyways!
arch......are you kidding me?
Pierce....... wanted to stay here, but he wanted an extra $600,000 to do it! Screw him! Let him leave if its only about the money!
Clarke........uhhhhh..........uhhhhhh..............Okay, I'll give you clarke.
Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2006 10:27 am
by gibbsfan
this is just a clear indication of a losing team with too much rift raft.
i,m just tired of this BS to tell ya the truth. hey adam feel free tp leave i don,t have a problem with that either.