WT: Arrington's status surprises Bailey

[bubba9497]

Arrington's status surprises Bailey
By Ryan O'Halloran
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
http://insider.washingtontimes.com/a...5-114513-9974r

Include Denver cornerback Champ Bailey among those surprised LaVar Arrington is not a bigger part of the Washington Redskins defense.

Bailey was Arrington's teammate for four seasons with the Redskins and they made three Pro Bowls together (2001-03).

Arrington was limited to two plays in the Redskins' win over Seattle on Sunday and has two tackles in three games.

"He's the best athlete on that team," Bailey said. "I never saw a reason to bench LaVar when I was there. Maybe it's different there now."

Things are different for the Redskins, and much of their current defense doesn't feature Arrington. Following yesterday's two-hour practice at Redskin Park, Arrington and coach Joe Gibbs had an extended conversation.

"We were just talking," Arrington said when asked about the details.
In an interview on Monday, Arrington expressed puzzlement with his lack of playing time. Yesterday, his teammates on defense understood Arrington's frustration.

"I know it's tough for him because he's a competitor," defensive end Renaldo Wynn said. "It's something that they can hopefully get hashed out and squared away. I don't know what the outcome will be.

"I definitely think he can help us because he's a heck of a talent. Hopefully he can get more snaps and contribute. But whatever they need to get situated, they need to take care of."

Wynn said Arrington rotated snaps with the starting defense during practice.

"I know LaVar wants to be out there a lot more than he has been," middle linebacker Lemar Marshall said. "I know he wants to be contributing a lot more than he has been. It's not his call. I guess when it's time to be out there, he'll be out there."

Outside linebacker Marcus Washington called Arrington "one of our better players" on defense.

"I think as time goes along, they'll work LaVar in more and more," Washington added. "I think he's going to be fine. With his athletic ability, every time he gets in, he can make a big play."

Against Seattle, Warrick Holdman saw almost all of the snaps at linebacker and Chris Clemons received snaps as a pass rusher on third down.

Bailey was traded for Clinton Portis after the 2003 season. Does Arrington see a similar fate for himself?

"No -- he was playing," Arrington said. "I haven't lost all hope. I still have some."

Injury report

Kicker John Hall (quad) and cornerback Walt Harris (calf) are questionable for the Denver game. Hall attempted a few kickoffs Monday, but Harris was limited to light jogging during yesterday's practice.

Gibbs said Harris remains a day-to-day proposition. As for Hall, Gibbs said, "Is he ready to go full blown, blast off on kickoffs? I don't think he is."

Safety Pierson Prioleau (hamstring), who missed the Seattle game, returned to practice. Prioleau, linebacker Clemons (knee), right tackle Jon Jansen (thumbs) and safety Sean Taylor (shoulder) are probable.

The Broncos' nine-player injury list includes Bailey and former Redskins tight end Stephen Alexander, who is probable with a thigh injury. Bailey is questionable but did practice yesterday.

Extra points

The Redskins-Broncos game is the only one in the NFL this weekend in which both teams have winning records. ..
.
Denver allowed only 12 rushing yards to Jacksonville last week, the second lowest in Broncos history. ...

Former Maryland standout Domonique Foxworth, a third-round pick by the Broncos this year, started in place of Bailey against Jacksonville and had seven solo tackles and an interception.

• Staff writer David Elfin contributed to this report.

[Timurchin]

The Redskins are missing one thing to make them a super bowl contender. Something that gets off of the bus and the other team says "What the hell is that" ? That is Arrington, the heart and sole of the team. The next time that he plays he must rise above and beyond mortal ability and remind everyone why he wears the #56 ! Only then will we be the #1 defense, only then can we make a super bowl run.Air-ing-ton, Air-ing-ton, Air-ing-ton, Air-ing-ton, Air-ing-ton

[ChampSkinsFanatic]

Greg Williams better put Lavar in the game, theres no reason a player like Lavar should be on the bench. I garauntee you our defense will be way better than it is with him in it.

Its a slap in the face to go out of your way not to put him in.

"Chris Clemons received snaps as a pass rusher on third down"

Chris Clemons pass rushing instead of Lavar? Come on now...

[pogoism9]

I think they may be looking for LaVar's "niche". It would not surprise me in the least to see him get a decent amount of time in this weekend.

"Wynn said Arrington rotated snaps with the starting defense during practice" leads me to believe that we may see more of him soon...

[Boss_Hogg]

I think alot of fans will be surprised by the amount of time LaVar spends on the field this Sunday. I envision Williams creating a scheme where LaVar spys Plummer.

I hope so...so much money and talent going to waste.

[kappaluvacee]

Gregg knows what he is doing. Everyone earns a job on the field these days. No more salary dictating moves. When/if Lavar gets back on the field he will value it much more and mind his assignments better.

[SkinzRool]

Don't get me wrong, I'm a big Arrington fan, but he has shown that he can definitely be beaten in pass coverage. He also has that propensity for the costly personal foul penalties. With that said, I'm sure GW can find many more packages to get him involved in pass rushing and run stuffing plays. The guy is a tremendous athlete who gives everything he has on the field. And now that he's older maybe he has learned not to take those dumb penalties. However, I guess we'll never know this since he's never on the field.

[kb7]

Again, this is crazy. I really, really hope this man gets on the field Sunday. This is almost the talk of the NFL. It's on the NFL network, you got other players talking about it. Folks for future free agents thinking of coming to Washington, it ain't good. Again if they would treat a player of his talent this way, what in the world will they think.........."nope I'm not going to Washington, I want to go somewhere where we can win, and I can play"

While all this time this dude is saying he still has hope!!!! I do hope now he goes somewhere else and comes back to punish the Redskins.

[tundey]

Are Redskins fans hard to please? If it takes Lavar not playing for the Redskins to be successfull, I am all for it. Someone said "so much money and talent going to waste". So what? If there's a better and more disciplined player, I say bench the big money players.

[kappaluvacee]

Again, this is crazy. I really, really hope this man gets on the field Sunday. This is almost the talk of the NFL. It's on the NFL network, you got other players talking about it. Folks for future free agents thinking of coming to Washington, it ain't good. Again if they would treat a player of his talent this way, what in the world will they think.........."nope I'm not going to Washington, I want to go somewhere where we can win, and I can play"

While all this time this dude is saying he still has hope!!!! I do hope now he goes somewhere else and comes back to punish the Redskins.

This is all over the media because it is talk worthy. This won't keep players from coming, if nothing else it will encourage the correct type of players to come here. Players will see that they can get a fair shake and decent pay if they come here. I like Lavar, but he isn't the foundation of this defense, Marcus Washington is. With that said he must play to MW's level. We haven't seen that from Lavar since the 01 season. I hope this gets resolved, but I'm confident in the coaching staff.

[SlobberKnockinFootball]

Again, this is crazy. I really, really hope this man gets on the field Sunday. This is almost the talk of the NFL. It's on the NFL network, you got other players talking about it. Folks for future free agents thinking of coming to Washington, it ain't good. Again if they would treat a player of his talent this way, what in the world will they think.........."nope I'm not going to Washington, I want to go somewhere where we can win, and I can play"

While all this time this dude is saying he still has hope!!!! I do hope now he goes somewhere else and comes back to punish the Redskins.

Have you not read all the of Arrington articles and posts that have been out?

Arrington doesn't know the defense.. plain and simple.. if the guy doesn't know the defense then what benefit would it be to put him out there? None. Because he will be messing up, missing assignments as well as being out of position. There is a reason he's wearing that QB wrist band with all the plays on it. BECAUSE HE DOESN'T KNOW THE DEFENSE!

[pez]

Do any of you think this is some sort of smokescreen ploy, and that maybe they will "unleash" him in one of our important games?

Just a thought...

[goldenster95]

Outside linebacker Marcus Washington called Arrington "one of our better players" on defense.

"Better" players? Jeez, was that some slip-of-the tongue by Marcus or was that intentional?

[Redsknz4life]

Are Redskins fans hard to please? If it takes Lavar not playing for the Redskins to be successfull, I am all for it. Someone said "so much money and talent going to waste". So what? If there's a better and more disciplined player, I say bench the big money players.

Tundey, what the hell are you talking about "If there's a better and more disciplined player, I say bench the big money players". Who has shown that they are a better linebacker on out team...besides Marcus Washington that they can make big plays like Lavar Arrington?

Warrick Holdman has 5 freaking tackles in 3 games...damn I can get out there and fall on someone for 3 damn tackels...LOL

[TheGreek1973]

Tundey, what the hell are you talking about "If there's a better and more disciplined player, I say bench the big money players". Who has shown that they are a better linebacker on out team...besides Marcus Washington that they can make big plays like Lavar Arrington?

Warrick Holdman has 5 freaking tackles in 3 games...damn I can get out there and fall on someone for 3 damn tackels...LOL

hey I don't remember which game but I saw a ref tackle the ball carrier a couple of times in ONE GAME.