Redskins.com: Williams Addresses Arrington Situation

[bubba9497]

Williams Addresses Arrington Situation
By Gary Fitzgerald
Redskins.com
http://www.redskins.com/news/newsDetail.jsp?id=11023



Redskins 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."

[budski]

They want Arrington to be in the game, but he must not be very good in practices.
Its not the money the coaches are looking at its production and assignments.
Unitl Arrington gets it, he sits imo.

[202Chaz]

Agreed, and I wish the media would stop making such a huge deal about it and focus on our positives, but wait were would the fun be in that right.

[jimster]

I think this whole bit of drama is going to blow over before we know it, but the important lesson that is being driven home to the whole team is what came straight from Greg Williams mouth...

"It's about the team, not the individuals"

[>>Spearhead>>]

I think this whole bit of drama is going to blow over before we know it

I wish- LA is too much of a fan fav for people to let it die down. The reasons and answers are pretty clear, however. But if he doesn't get much time in Denver there will still be 50 Lavar threads on Monday

[Dead Money]

This whole situation is overrated...just like lavar! :D

[DaveP666]

Coach Gregg Williams seems pretty strong willed... and he's 3-0 so who can argue? If he drops 3 games i bet Lavar will be back, regardless of if he fits in or not. Its a damn shame he doesnt fit... i'd love him to have a 3 sack game and get back on track. He's one hell of an athelete who's sucking the cash out of our team to play special teams (Gregg Williams said that wasnt for him to talk about).

Sundays prediction... another close one... 20-17 (again). 4-0 baby!!!

[Larry]

When this will really hit the fan is if Denver, say, hangs 30 points on us with LaVarr on the bench.

The only reason this isn't bigger is because "What we do, works".

[kappaluvacee]

Williams Addresses Arrington Situation
By Gary Fitzgerald
Redskins.com
http://www.redskins.com/news/newsDetail.jsp?id=11023



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."
Lavar is starting to look like the new DMAC. (LOL)

[>>Spearhead>>]

This whole situation is overrated...just like lavar!

:laugh: :cheers:

[jrfriedm]

I still stick to my prediction. By week 10 Lavar will be starting, and I think Holdman will be moved into the middle for Marshall.

[Epistopheles]

Leave it up to Coach Williams to squash it before it becomes a controversy... or, well, right after it becomes a controversy. Well, here, at least, it's a controversy, if not within the team. But we have to fill up six days a week with stuff to do and bull**** about. It's not that easy. We have a hard job around here, and I think we deserve a little appreciation for it!

[CHUBAKAH]

This whole situation is overrated...just like lavar! :D

Easy there Billy!

[coolskin]

He is improving. As he improves, he will play more

Okay, but what does he have to "Improve" on? What is he so far behind on, compared to the rest of the players that is keeping a former three time pro bowler almost entirely off the field? That's what is puzzling to most of us.

[warrentonboy]

Lavar didn't make a difference last year, and he won't this year either!

[skinstzar]

There is still one thing that we don't know about. One thing that makes GW's statement true and valid or makes it a song and dance around the truth. Is Lavar getting the equal amount of reps in practice????? I don't think he is, because if he was then they would see how valuable he can be. Give the guy a chance to play in this system. Let him be out there with other talented players. He has never had any talent around him and now that he does we don't even use him. It's not right.

[Waleo32]

I'm trying to understand the situation. OK there afraid that LA will miss assignments. Well I love my man ST, but he misses assignments as well, but he makes plays. LA and ST are similar in that. And for the people who bring up LA's late hits, my man ST isn't that far behind.

[Drex]

I'm trying to understand the situation. OK there afraid that LA will miss assignments. Well I love my man ST, but he misses assignments as well, but he makes plays. LA and ST are similar in that. And for the people who bring up LA's late hits, my man ST isn't that far behind.

I generally agree with this assessment.

Sean Taylor is essentially a younger Lavar Arrington at the safety position.

[boobiemiles]

Why does the media alwasy look for problems with this team? We are 3-0 and its like we can't do nothing right. Damn they talk about Patriots being a TEAM, and endorse it all day. Beat me over the head with the Patriots TEAM concept. Then we show a example of putting the team above the players they jump all over us? It's a double standard. But I love how much they don't want to eat crow. And I feel this is going to make LA a better player, because he's focused just like this team to prove everybody wrong.

[Destino]

Perfect. Gregg Williams came out was clear about the situation and the teams future plans. Drama over.

[carlsbadd]

What none of us really know is the level of confidence LaVar has in himself. Coming off an injury like his can have a profound effect on how a person plays. LaVar says he is 100% healthy ,but in the back of his mind is he worried about how he can cut and react on the field?
This may be more of an issue than anything else.
The coaches may be bringing him along slowly for this reason.

[TK]

Perfect. Gregg Williams came out was clear about the situation and the teams future plans. Drama over.
Yeah, right. Forgot where you're posting at, didn't you. :laugh:

[Destino]

Yeah, right. Forgot where you're posting at, didn't you. :laugh:
ok maybe you are right. :laugh: But this is all I wanted the coaching staff to do. Come out be clear about the situation and maybe show a little love for a player in a tough spot. Done and done.

[B&GPride44]

I think the media has turned this into a giant ***** storm. As the season wears on we will see more and more of LaVar on the field, I think you'll see him on special teams this week in fact. I think the coaches want LaVar to do the little things to contribute and as he does that his reps on D will increase. I have no doubt LaVar has the hunger and the drive, and that he is a game changer when in. Let this thing work itself out!

[TNSkinsFan]

He will be playing this weekend, a lot. Mark my words.

[Truant]

He has NEVER really played in the system and it's complicated. He will get better at his assignments and he'll be on the field more. Relax people.

It's week 3. Do you remember Lavar's hit on Vick in the preseason last year? That's the type of impact he can have on this team. Who doesn't get chills by thinking of that play?

[FranklinNoble]

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."


I don't know why this is such a difficult concept for some people.

[Lil Kenzo]

At least Williams gave us a straight out answer on what Arrington needs to do to get more playing time and did not beat around the bush.

[jenkins]

I must say that I am totally disappointed in the reason that Williams gave as to why Lavar is not playing. Does he realize that Lavar is one of the best defensive players that we have ever had on the team? I know I'm not out there on the practice field to see what's going on, but I don't believe a word of what he said about Lavar not practicing the way he should. This was the year that should have been Lavar's defensive team as far as leaders go on the team. Just as Ray Lewis is to the Ravens; that's what Lavar was supposed to be to the Redskins and I think Williams is denying him that opportunity. Anybody who has ever seen Lavar play, knows he is one of the hardest hitting players on the team with no fear of anyone coming into his territory. I truly think there is a little more to what's happening than what is being said and I think Williams is wrong, wrong, wrong, for not playing him. I guarantee you, next year Lavar will be gone and we will have lost another great player because of some idiotic reason that we as fans don't know about. We'll meet him again on the other side of the field and he'll rip through us like some of the other players have. I just hope that if he leaves us, the fans will not show any type of animosity toward him when he plays against us and realize he wanted to play for the Redskins, and only the Redskins, but management said no.

[skinstzar]

I am interested in knowing what Gibb's and Arrington were discussing after practice on Wednesday? I hope it was positive.

[herrmag]

I must say that I am totally disappointed in the reason that Williams gave as to why Lavar is not playing. Does he realize that Lavar is one of the best defensive players that we have ever had on the team?

No, he's not aware. GW wears blinders in practice. I think you should call up coach Gibbs and tell him you're on to something. Perhaps they could find a position for you. :doh:

[KTrainSkinsFan]

I don't care who is on the field, as long as we win.

I don't get some of the fans here...they talk about how Gibbs is going to bring in a team first attitude, where the best player plays....then Ramsey and Lavar are benched and people go nuts.

Just win.

[>>Spearhead>>]

Is Lavar getting the equal amount of reps in practice?????

Equal amount of reps as who, the starters?
Seeing as how he doesn't start .........no


I'm trying to understand the situation. OK there afraid that LA will miss assignments. Well I love my man ST, but he misses assignments as well, but he makes plays

Taylor is in his second year !!
I hate that Lavar's growth was stunted by all the instability and different coordinators, but he refuses to execute his assignments and freelances.-thats on him. ST may bite on a fake, miss a tackle, or get beat but the reasons are not close to being the same.
Between LA's lack of discipline, point blank refusal to follow instruction, and contract issues it shouldn't be hard to understand.

As talented as he is, how else can one justify him being on the bench?

'Only LaVar can fix Lavar'- Marvin Lewis