DWinzit
October-5th-2006, 06:42 AM
I found this quite the interesting read. I started highlighting, but found I need to highlight all!!!
No rush to LaVar's defense By OHM YOUNGMISUK
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER Joe Gibbs apologized yesterday for LaVar Arrington no longer wearing a burgundy and gold Redskins jersey.
However, according to Arrington's old position coach and a former teammate, the Giants linebacker should apologize for not knowing the Redskins' defensive system.
Redskins linebackers coach Dale Lindsey told Washington reporters that Arrington, a Pro Bowl starter from 2001-03, never had a firm grasp on the defensive schemes used by coordinator Gregg Williams.
Washington cornerback Shawn Springs defended that notion when asked if Arrington would help the Giants against the Redskins this week with his knowledge of his old team's playbook.
"I don't think LaVar knew all of our defense when he was here," Springs said.
If the Redskins are trying to get into Arrington's head for Sunday's reunion, they are doing a good job of it.
Arrington, who is expected to speak with the media today, has always been upset by the notion that he was too much of a freelancer and not enough of a system guy to fit in Williams' defense.
The second player drafted in 2000, Arrington was supposed to be the anchor of the Redskin defense. But injuries, financial disputes with the organization and conflicts with Williams and Lindsey led to Arrington's demise in Washington.
Williams never seemed to (nor cared to) be able to utilize Arrington's pass-rushing and run-stopping strengths. Arrington never seemed to be the structured and well-rounded linebacker Williams wanted him to be.
In April, Arrington signed a seven-year, $49 million contract with the Giants. Expected to bolster an already intimidating pass rush, Arrington has yet to make an impact while he tries to play within the Giants' disciplined system. Then again, nobody on the the Giants defense has played particularly well.
"I know how important it is for him," said Giants linebacker and former Redskin Antonio Pierce. "He got beat up and knocked down over there by the (Washington) media. He's done his best since he has been here. He hasn't gone over the line. He hasn't done nothing that he wasn't supposed to do. That is what we have wanted out of LaVar. A physical presence."
"I don't think people understand, we don't need him to come here and be Superman."
If the Giants want to slow down the suddenly hot Redskins (2-2), Arrington and the rest of the defense will have to stop running back Clinton Portis and wide receiver Santana Moss.
Moss played like he had a cape on his back last Sunday, flying around and dodging Jacksonville defenders. He caught four passes for 138 yards and scored three touchdowns, two coming on 55- and 68-yard catch-and-runs. After a horrendous 0-2 start in which the Redskins looked inept, Gibbs has his team on a roll again. Yesterday, Gibbs sounded like he wished Arrington was still in Washington. "I was sure sorry that it didn't work out better for LaVar here," Gibbs said. "I've thought a lot about it and I'm sure there are things that I could have done to have done a better job as a coach and keep that from happening. Because that's my job. That's what I'm supposed to do as a head coach. I'm supposed to be able to work through things like that. I think I needed to take the heat on that one."
Originally published on October 5, 2006
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/story/458556p-385884c.html
No rush to LaVar's defense By OHM YOUNGMISUK
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER Joe Gibbs apologized yesterday for LaVar Arrington no longer wearing a burgundy and gold Redskins jersey.
However, according to Arrington's old position coach and a former teammate, the Giants linebacker should apologize for not knowing the Redskins' defensive system.
Redskins linebackers coach Dale Lindsey told Washington reporters that Arrington, a Pro Bowl starter from 2001-03, never had a firm grasp on the defensive schemes used by coordinator Gregg Williams.
Washington cornerback Shawn Springs defended that notion when asked if Arrington would help the Giants against the Redskins this week with his knowledge of his old team's playbook.
"I don't think LaVar knew all of our defense when he was here," Springs said.
If the Redskins are trying to get into Arrington's head for Sunday's reunion, they are doing a good job of it.
Arrington, who is expected to speak with the media today, has always been upset by the notion that he was too much of a freelancer and not enough of a system guy to fit in Williams' defense.
The second player drafted in 2000, Arrington was supposed to be the anchor of the Redskin defense. But injuries, financial disputes with the organization and conflicts with Williams and Lindsey led to Arrington's demise in Washington.
Williams never seemed to (nor cared to) be able to utilize Arrington's pass-rushing and run-stopping strengths. Arrington never seemed to be the structured and well-rounded linebacker Williams wanted him to be.
In April, Arrington signed a seven-year, $49 million contract with the Giants. Expected to bolster an already intimidating pass rush, Arrington has yet to make an impact while he tries to play within the Giants' disciplined system. Then again, nobody on the the Giants defense has played particularly well.
"I know how important it is for him," said Giants linebacker and former Redskin Antonio Pierce. "He got beat up and knocked down over there by the (Washington) media. He's done his best since he has been here. He hasn't gone over the line. He hasn't done nothing that he wasn't supposed to do. That is what we have wanted out of LaVar. A physical presence."
"I don't think people understand, we don't need him to come here and be Superman."
If the Giants want to slow down the suddenly hot Redskins (2-2), Arrington and the rest of the defense will have to stop running back Clinton Portis and wide receiver Santana Moss.
Moss played like he had a cape on his back last Sunday, flying around and dodging Jacksonville defenders. He caught four passes for 138 yards and scored three touchdowns, two coming on 55- and 68-yard catch-and-runs. After a horrendous 0-2 start in which the Redskins looked inept, Gibbs has his team on a roll again. Yesterday, Gibbs sounded like he wished Arrington was still in Washington. "I was sure sorry that it didn't work out better for LaVar here," Gibbs said. "I've thought a lot about it and I'm sure there are things that I could have done to have done a better job as a coach and keep that from happening. Because that's my job. That's what I'm supposed to do as a head coach. I'm supposed to be able to work through things like that. I think I needed to take the heat on that one."
Originally published on October 5, 2006
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/story/458556p-385884c.html