It's LaVar's fault and his agents fault. Stop dragging the Redskins FO and fans down. He's the highest paid linebacker (undeservingly) in the NFL without the 6.5 million. If I remember correctly he wouldn't sign the initial contract because there were three 6's in a row somewhere, or some such bullshit. To me, he read the contract, his agent read the contract, the NFLPA agreed to the contract. They signed. I can't go buy a car and then have a greivance saying they were supposed to give me more cash back, even though they said it the contract doesn't.

Like I said, I think it was a legitimate misunderstanding on LaVar's part, and ultimately, the Redskins' front office isn't guilty of any wrongdoing in the matter. I think LaVar feels like he's letting the fans down, and he wants to put this whole thing behind him and go out next year and earn back their love and respect, as well as his paycheck.

nice insight JC, thanks

Thanks for the kind words guys.

As for Arrington's grievance, I've always been confused. I have him down for a $4.5M bonus in 2006. Never been sure if Lavar expects an extra $2M to make it $6M, or a full extra $6M to make it $10M.

Based on all the other Redskins contracts, a $10M roster bonus is definitely out of the ordinary and doesn't make sense.

I have nothing against Lavar. I just hope this thing gets settled so he can get back to the business on the field.

[QUOTE=joecrisp]Like I said, I think it was a legitimate misunderstanding on LaVar's part, and ultimately, the Redskins' front office isn't guilty of any wrongdoing in the matter. I think LaVar feels like he's letting the fans down, and he wants to put this whole thing behind him and go out next year and earn back their love and respect, as well as his paycheck.[/QUOTE]Do you think his comment about not playing much this year and not earning his bonus is his way out of a sticky situation he never wanted to be in. Thanks for your insight

[QUOTE=CrazyCanuck]Thanks for the kind words guys.

As for Arrington's grievance, I've always been confused. I have him down for a $4.5M bonus in 2006. Never been sure if Lavar expects an extra $2M to make it $6M, or a full extra $6M to make it $10M.

Based on all the other Redskins contracts, a $10M roster bonus is definitely out of the ordinary and doesn't make sense.

I have nothing against Lavar. I just hope this thing gets settled so he can get back to the business on the field.[/QUOTE]

The way LaVar explained it to me, he thought he had agreed to an additional $6M in 2006. That would bring the total bonuses in 2006 to $10M. I asked him why the Redskins would agree to an additional roster bonus in 2006, on top of what already appeared to be a generous bonus for that year, and he said it was all there on the contract. I'm not sure that either of us understood each other when I asked him about it, though. There were some semantic differences in the way I posed the question regarding "roster" bonuses, and his response, which indicated "signing" bonuses. I should have pressed him about it, but frankly, I was a little shocked that he would discuss it with me at all, and I didn't want to press my luck.

[QUOTE=firstdown]Do you think his comment about not playing much this year and not earning his bonus is his way out of a sticky situation he never wanted to be in. Thanks for your insight[/QUOTE]

I think it's his way of trying to mend fences with the organization and the fans. I don't think he's being insincere. I think for the sake of his pride and that of his agents, he probably won't come out and admit unequivocally that they made a mistake or miscalculation, but I think he's going to do everything he can on the field to make it up to the team and the fans next season.

Then again, he admitted that he was wrong about the way he treated Marvin Lewis, so you never know.

The main thing is, he wants to be a Redskin above all else. He wants to be a part of the transformation of this team into a winner, and he wants to be here to enjoy the fruits of that process. I think his focus on that longer-term, bigger picture is a product of his personal maturation, and I think we're going to see a different kind of LaVar next year-- a dynamic physical presence, but with a sharper mental awareness than what we've seen in the past. I just think he has a better sense of where he fits into the puzzle now, both on the field and off of it.