Answer the question LA
 

[b]Q: [Linebackers coach] Dale Lindsey has complimented you on your attention to detail in practice this week. Have you increased your mental focus since you've been away for so long?[/b]
Arrington: "My teammates and my coaches have really invested a lot in me and each other. It's a cool deal. I think Coach Lindsey is giving us all an opportunity to be successful. Guys like Marcus Washington and Chris Clemons have raised the bar. Warrick Holdman is playing really hard. It's a healthy competition out here."

-Redskins.com

Answer the question?

Re: Answer the question LA
 

Not an answer to the question but a change in LaVar- he said his teamates and coaches have invested alot in him. I can't ever remember him talking about the fact he owes his team something. If he is serious about it, we just may have a very team focused LaVar who is wound up he hasnt played for a year....pretty scary. I think it speaks volumes for the bond this defense has regardless.

The other thing is he sounded like he might be happier just being more of a player and not as much depended on to be a leader (Washington seems to have that job).

Boy, oh boy, I can't wait till the 11th!!!

Re: Answer the question LA
 

I hope you are right Kope. An unselfish Lavar would be an amazing addition to our defense. If he stays the same as he was pre-injury he will get some monster sacks, but he will over pursue and give up big plays. If Lavar is learning to play within a system and trust Coach Williams, we are all in for a treat.

Re: Answer the question LA
 

Lavar will be the toll man in the NFC East. Your gonna have to pay the toll to pass through DC. There isn't any doubt in my mind he will be monster lurking in the back of the minds of our opponents. I foresee a big year.

Re: Answer the question LA
 

A focused LaVar could lead to a great player. An unfocused LaVar we've seen.

Re: Answer the question LA
 

Hell
on
Wheels.

Re: Answer the question LA
 

LaVar if he stays healthy will heavily influence games and other teams game planning. When he connects its usually serious. Along with a healthy Daniels the defensive right side will be kinda scary with ST backing up the rear. Our defense shined without LaVar and with him it could possibly dominate.

Re: Answer the question LA
 

He actually answered that question either before that particular question or after, I can't remember the sequence. But he said that his teammates gave him the moniker of "Mind Hunter" and that he is seeking out who is behind each statement and thought. This to me sounded like he is focused on the mental aspect of the game more, right?

Re: Answer the question LA
 

[QUOTE=Daseal]A focused LaVar could lead to a great player. An unfocused LaVar we've seen.[/QUOTE]
Thanks, Master Yoda. :D

Re: Answer the question LA
 

In a roundabout sorta way I think he did answer the question.

I guess it goes to show what a microscope this guy is under at times, when we're picking apart his interviews and saying he didn't answer a question to our satisfaction.

Re: Answer the question LA
 

An "unfocused" Arrington has been pretty damn good, can't wait to see him really focus and get down to business.

Re: Answer the question LA
 

[QUOTE=Daseal]A focused LaVar could lead to a great player. An unfocused LaVar we've seen.[/QUOTE]

Yah, that darn unfocused three-time pro bowler.......let's hope we don't have to deal with him again. :rolleyes:

Re: Answer the question LA
 

I just can't wait to see him start baching some heads. My most memorable moment of any football game was the moment he ended Aikman's career and EVERYONE KNEW IT. He knew it, I knew it, even old Troy knew it. Ending the career of a Cowboy like that, without actually hurting him in any serious long term way, is probably the highlight of the Skins last decade to be honest.

Re: Answer the question LA
 

[QUOTE=FRPLG]I just can't wait to see him start baching some heads. My most memorable moment of any football game was the moment he ended Aikman's career and EVERYONE KNEW IT. He knew it, I knew it, even old Troy knew it. Ending the career of a Cowboy like that, without actually hurting him in any serious long term way, is probably the highlight of the Skins last decade to be honest.[/QUOTE]

It really was a great hit. And not only did it take out their All-American QB, it pushed Troy into the broadcast booth sooner.......which I'm embarrassed to admit I kinda like.

Re: Answer the question LA
 

[QUOTE=FRPLG]I just can't wait to see him start baching some heads. My most memorable moment of any football game was the moment he ended Aikman's career and EVERYONE KNEW IT. He knew it, I knew it, even old Troy knew it. Ending the career of a Cowboy like that, without actually hurting him in any serious long term way, is probably the highlight of the Skins last decade to be honest.[/QUOTE]I was watching that game with a Cowbays fan and said before the game it was Aikmans last game and Lavar would provide the last blow. It happened almost off the sreen and I went wild as my friend looked at me like a freak. Then the camera panned back to Aikman on the ground and he realized why I was going wild. I saw Lavar interviewed and he was very subdued in the interview. It was like he was waiting to make his statment on the field and I very impressed with his demeanor with the press. It just left me with the feeling that I would hate to be on the opposite side of the ball from him.

Re: Answer the question LA
 

[QUOTE=firstdown]I was watching that game with a Cowbays fan and said before the game it was Aikmans last game and Lavar would provide the last blow. It happened almost off the sreen and I went wild as my friend looked at me like a freak. Then the camera panned back to Aikman on the ground and he realized why I was going wild. I saw Lavar interviewed and he was very subdued in the interview. It was like he was waiting to make his statment on the field and I very impressed with his demeanor with the press. It just left me with the feeling that I would hate to be on the opposite side of the ball from him.[/QUOTE]

I get the feeling he's got a lot of frustration built up inside, but he's waiting to let it out on the field instead of lashing out at the media.

Re: Answer the question LA
 

[QUOTE] just can't wait to see him start baching some heads. My most memorable moment of any football game was the moment he ended Aikman's career and EVERYONE KNEW IT. He knew it, I knew it, even old Troy knew it. Ending the career of a Cowboy like that, without actually hurting him in any serious long term way, is probably the highlight of the Skins last decade to be honest.[/QUOTE]

I agree Aikman is a good anouncer. He did a skins - dallass game and the play by play guy showed the clip of him getting tagged and Aikman was pretty pretty funny about it.

Kind of like when Thiesman is anouncing and they talk about his punt :)

Re: Answer the question LA
 

I've been waiting since last season to see the TOTAL defense healthy. I am even more excited now. griffin anchors the line, then Arrington and Washington making plays sideline to sideline. Sean Taylor punishing any one who tries to throw it deep. Our corner can cover with a rookie who can make an impact... every game should be at least close if the offense can put up atleast 21 points a game cause our d can limit other teams to 17 a game or less.

Re: Answer the question LA
 

By the way, apparently LA won't start tomorrow but he's expected to play about 30 snaps

Re: Answer the question LA
 

Aikman was a monster he took alot of licks over the years, and demolished the league including us. I know he was a little older, and had taken some beatings but the fact Lavar demobilized his career says something. This big corn fed beast went down to #56 is important. This strikes fear in the hearts of people, Lavar is a scary kind of player, opposing offensive players know he can lay them out. You have to think Bledsoe's slow ass must be thinking he has a big bulls eye on him.

Aikman and Arrington like 99% of the players in this league have handled this like professionals and gentleman. Both with sportsmanship, and a little levity.

Re: Answer the question LA
 

I'm not sure it would have taken much to end Aikman's career at that point. Don't get me wrong, I loved the hit but players have walked away from worse to play another day.

Aikman was battling concusion problems late in his career, a hard sneeze could have ended his career just the same.

Re: Answer the question LA
 

[QUOTE=Mattyk72]I'm not sure it would have taken much to end Aikman's career at that point. Don't get me wrong, I loved the hit but players have walked away from worse to play another day.

Aikman was battling concusion problems late in his career, a hard sneeze could have ended his career just the same.[/QUOTE]You mean you didn't see Lavar sneeze Aikman over.

Re: Answer the question LA
 

LaVar just "blessed him" then

Geshundeit

Re: Answer the question LA
 

Heaping praise on one player for physically ending the carreer of another (even if he's a Cowboy) is not in my mind a fond revelation. We should all hate to see any player get hurt at any time for any team. Everytime I hear someone speak of the LaVar on Aikman hit with fondness, I'm reminded of Jack Tatum and the hit he put on Darryl Stingley that cripled him for life. I was hoping at that time I would never again see anything like it, and can never imagine hearing of it as if it's something good.

Re: Answer the question LA
 

fan, while i'd normally wholeheartedly agree with you, i think Aikman's situation was pretty unique. like it's been stated, Aikman was already at the end of his career, and the 'injury' he received from Lavar was a mere concussion, a "playground" injury, hardly career threatening by itself. in Aikman's particular case it just happened to be the last one of the many he unavoidably received throughout his full length NFL career.

I doubt anyone on this board would be cheering if LaVar was Lawrence Taylor and Aikman was Joe Theismann, where a particularly destructive injury truly ended a career short.

Re: Answer the question LA
 

"A play-ground injury" you're kidding me man!! Concussions have been the end of a lot of football carrers, and I'm sure those who experienced them would not consider them insignificant. To me, it matters less whether one is at the beginning or the end of one's carrer, injuries are not something we gloat about.

In the case of Joe Theisman and LT, no one felt worse about that injury than LT. He certainly didn't mean to break his leg, and I cannot recall a single instance where anyone spoke of it as though something good had been accomplished. Serious injury is something every player risk's while playing the game, there's no getting around that, however when they do occur we as fans IMO should not view them as an accomplishment even if that p[layer happens to be a member of the arch rival.

Re: Answer the question LA
 

I think most redskins fans love it so much cause it was Aikman, Dallas's best QB. the guy that lead them to all those championships, and the head of "americas" team. It was only fitting that a skin take him out. fan I understand where ur comming from but everyone is intitled to their opinion even if it an unmoral way to think

Re: Answer the question LA
 

[QUOTE=Longtimefan]"A play-ground injury" you're kidding me man!! Concussions have been the end of a lot of football carrers, and I'm sure those who experienced them would not consider them insignificant. To me, it matters less whether one is at the beginning or the end of one's carrer, injuries are not something we gloat about.[/QUOTE]

Aikman had suffered a lot of concussions before LaVar's, and though they can get to be serious, as football injuries go, i'd say they are considered pretty minor. minor enough for Aikman to keep playing long after his first one anyway.

[QUOTE=Longtimefan]In the case of Joe Theisman and LT, no one felt worse about that injury than LT. He certainly didn't mean to break his leg, and I cannot recall a single instance where anyone spoke of it as though something good had been accomplished. Serious injury is something every player risk's while playing the game, there's no getting around that, however when they do occur we as fans IMO should not view them as an accomplishment even if that p[layer happens to be a member of the arch rival.[/QUOTE]

that's precisely how and why i brought that situation up. to contrast the very big differences between Theismann, Stingley and Aikman.

Re: Answer the question LA
 

[quote]Yah, that darn unfocused three-time pro bowler.......let's hope we don't have to deal with him again. [/quote]

When he buys into a scheme I'll buy into him as a player. He doesn't give a fuck about the team, he cares about LaVar and LaVar only. Until he proves otherwise that's what I'm going on. Let's use the pro-bowl as an example of playing prowess? I guess Springs, Griffen, Pierce, etc didn't deserve to be there. I mean, Trotter really did out-play Pierce last year.

The pro-bowl is a popularity contest. LaVar is a big name with a big smile. Everyone knows him and he's charismatic. While being an amazing athelete he's far from a great player. We've had this discussion a billion times before. I'll leave it at that.

Re: Answer the question LA
 

[quote]Answer the question LA[/quote]

Ok Ok already...

The Skins will finish 7-9 along with the Jints...The Cowboys go 9-7 and none of the 3 go to the playoffs

Happy Now?

Re: Answer the question LA
 

[QUOTE=Longtimefan]Heaping praise on one player for physically ending the carreer of another (even if he's a Cowboy) is not in my mind a fond revelation. We should all hate to see any player get hurt at any time for any team. Everytime I hear someone speak of the LaVar on Aikman hit with fondness, I'm reminded of Jack Tatum and the hit he put on Darryl Stingley that cripled him for life. I was hoping at that time I would never again see anything like it, and can never imagine hearing of it as if it's something good.[/QUOTE]

I think you're basically correct. Everybody loves a good hit, but ideally the "victim" gets up soon after, if not immediately after. Unfortunately, the Redskins have not had the best of luck against the Cowboys these past few years. As a result, we have to take joy in the small things such as LaVar's hit. Had we won more games versus Dallas recently I'm not sure we would look back on that one hit with such fondness

Re: Answer the question LA
 

[QUOTE=Daseal]I mean, Trotter really did out-play Pierce last year.[/QUOTE] Your kidding I hope. If you look at the way teams attacked the Eagles last year you would see that they ran the ball up the middle. This was there weak point for their defense. Trotter had a ton of tackles cause they were running right at him. This guy was sent in on a run blitz or a pass blitz almost every play. Could he cover a tight end or a RB. Pierce played the run and pass well and in a system that aggreed to his playing ability. Trotter an All-Pro was joke.

Re: Answer the question LA
 

Pierce is a more well rounded player than Trotter.

Trotter is very one dimensional as we should all know by now.

Re: Answer the question LA
 

[QUOTE=Daseal]When he buys into a scheme I'll buy into him as a player. He doesn't give a fuck about the team, he cares about LaVar and LaVar only. Until he proves otherwise that's what I'm going on. Let's use the pro-bowl as an example of playing prowess? I guess Springs, Griffen, Pierce, etc didn't deserve to be there. I mean, Trotter really did out-play Pierce last year.[/QUOTE]

I live for the day that anyone offers some support for statements like this. Why things like this are repeatedly said about Lavar and no other player on our team is simply beyond me.
"Lavar doesn't give a fuck about the team, he cares about LaVar and LaVar only"? Really? So I guess every other player on our team is playing for free? What is it that the other players do that makes them "care" so much more about the team? Do they sign long extensions to contracts without testing free agency because they want to be lifelong skins? Oops, I'm sorry, that's what LaVar did.

And how exactly is it that you KNOW Lavar hasn't bought into Williams's system? He was hurt all last year, yet you presume to know that he wouldn't have bought into Williams' system? And prior to that, what EXACTLY was the "scheme" Lavar didn't buy into? Which one of the four different schemes didn't he buy into? And which of our other players did? That is, if you can even name one guy on our defense that has seen as many different Redskins coaches as Lavar has had to play under. You talk about this grand "scheme"? News flash: our defense wasn't really anything to write home about prior to Williams. I'm not so sure we even had a real defensive "scheme" that anyone could define or describe prior to Williams.

And I find it hysterical that you even bring up Springs, Griffin and Pierce. Not a single one of these guys ever started for the skins before Greg Williams came to town. None of them were repeated pro-bowl caliber players before playing under Williams. Yet Lavar went to the pro bowl having to play for illdefined and constantly changing defensive "schemes" three times. I would argue that his accomplishments on a sub-par, misguided defense are far more impressive than guys who played great for a great coach who truly had his act together and finally ran a tight ship. You blame the Redskins organization for so many other things......but THIS, is all Lavar's fault? Makes sense to me.

Re: Answer the question LA
 

To clarify my last post, the only thing that really got me pissed off was saying that Lavar doesn't give a fuck about the team, and he only cares about himself. If you want to talk football, let's talk football. But I don't understand the need to attack a man's character like that.

But of course, that's just what certain of you do. You make presumptions about Lavar that you can't back up to save your life. You presume that if some guys missed voluntary team activities, one of them must have been Lavar (even though you're dead wrong about it). At every turn you presume the worst with him, yet give guys like Kellen Winslow, Sean Taylor and Maurice Clarett the benefit of the doubt. I mean, if Lavar raped you sister or something, then I could understand it......but it's just so inconsistent to be as hard on Lavar as some of you are without taking the same hard-line stance against other NFL players. It just doesn't make any sense to me.

Re: Answer the question LA
 

Ouch, PSU coming out swingin'

LOL

LaVar is that you?

Re: Answer the question LA
 

RIght on, PSU!!! I'm with you, man! Score one for Happy Valley!!!

Re: Answer the question LA
 

[quote] Your kidding I hope.[/quote]
Yes, CRT3. It was just sarcasm trying to prove that a Pro Bowl appearence normally means squat.

[quote]And how exactly is it that you KNOW Lavar hasn't bought into Williams's system?[/quote]
How do you know he has? I simply said that until he proves it I won't buy that he believes. Sorry if that's too hard to fathom that I won't close my eyes and jump praying that LaVar is there to catch me not on the other side of the field freelancing.

[quote]And I find it hysterical that you even bring up Springs, Griffin and Pierce. [/quote]
Gee, Not like Sean Springs has been to the Pro Bowl before. [url]http://www.pro-football-reference.com/misc/pb1998.htm[/url]
Anyhow, I think you completely missed the fact of that statement. Those players were some of the best at their position last year yet didn't get to the Pro Bowl. Why not?

We didn't have a scheme before Greg Williams? Yeah, that Marvin Lewis. Shame he doesnt have any credentials. Oh, arguably one of the top 3 defenses of all time... Wow. Yeah, you're right. He hasn't had a scheme to buy into! Good thing he didn't listen to that guy and try the 3 point stance.

[quote]hat is it that the other players do that makes them "care" so much more about the team? Do they sign long extensions to contracts without testing free agency because they want to be lifelong skins?[/quote]
Ask them if they want to be the highest paid player for their position, then see what their answer is. Oh, by the way. I bet they wouldn't bitch about roster bonuses that are impossible to the cap to give.

LaVar is an exciting and physically gifted player, but I want to see him play with the team not against it. Granted, he hasn't had much of a chance in Williams scheme and people can always change. I hope he does. I feel the contract was too large for the on-field production. I haven't seen the leadership aspect out of him I had once hoped for and I'm not sure if it's coming. He'll make lots of big plays, but people like to ignore the big plays he gives up because he's out of position.

Re: Answer the question LA
 

Out with the bad air...

In with the good air...

Relax, everyone. Daseal's point that Lavar's freewheeling style may not mesh with Williams's controlled pressure schemes is valid, if inartfully expressed. It shouldn't be taken as an indictment of Lavar's immense talent.

As for Lavar's working within a scheme, I think the point being made is that he's been forced to be in a different scheme each year, not that those scheme weren't any good.

We should, perhaps, all relax, before a moderator locks down this topic due to a flame war starting for no good reason.

Re: Answer the question LA
 

[QUOTE=Daseal]How do you know he has? I simply said that until he proves it I won't buy that he believes. Sorry if that's too hard to fathom that I won't close my eyes and jump praying that LaVar is there to catch me not on the other side of the field freelancing.[/quote]

I don't have to know that he has......I'm not the one criticizing him for not "giving a fuck about the team". When I criticize a player, I back it with some facts. And I also don't presume things about players as you presume that he's refused to accept Williams's system.

[quote]Gee, Not like Sean Springs has been to the Pro Bowl before. [url="http://www.pro-football-reference.com/misc/pb1998.htm"]http://www.pro-football-reference.com/misc/pb1998.htm[/url] [/quote]
Wow, once......in 1998........yep, you got me there. Clearly he came to the skins in 2004 still in pro bowl form.

[quote]Anyhow, I think you completely missed the fact of that statement. Those players were some of the best at their position last year yet didn't get to the Pro Bowl. Why not? [/quote]

I don't know why not. I think they should have been there too.......but does that necessarily mean that the other CBs, LBs (except for Trotter......I agree with you on that one), and DTs that did make the pro bowl didn't deserve it?

[quote]We didn't have a scheme before Greg Williams? Yeah, that Marvin Lewis. Shame he doesnt have any credentials. Oh, arguably one of the top 3 defenses of all time... Wow. Yeah, you're right. He hasn't had a scheme to buy into! Good thing he didn't listen to that guy and try the 3 point stance.[/quote]

First of all, how many years ago was that? Second of all, how many years did Lavar get to play under Marvin Lewis? You're still holding a grudge against a player for being young and stubborn how many years later? You know what's funny, I can't think of a single coach that's complained about Lavar the way you do. Think there's something to that?

[quote]Ask them if they want to be the highest paid player for their position, then see what their answer is. [/quote]

Huh? You presume they don't want to be the highest paid player for their position?

[quote]I feel the contract was too large for the on-field production.[/quote]

Then take that up with the front office. Go call Danny Boy and tell him what you think. But holding that against Lavar is just crazy. He didn't get that contract by holding out or demanding a trade. He got it because he played great and the REDSKINS decided they wanted to lock this guy up right away and make him a career skin. Give me one good reason you hold his contract against him? Last I heard he didn't hold a gun to anyone's head to get what he felt he deserved (oops, that's right.......that's another member of our team that does that, who you feel is more worthy of praise).

And before you even think about bringing up the contract dispute, tell me one single day that he didn't show up for work or give 100% on the field all the while that dispute was outstanding. Again, in a day in age when players routinely cast aside the good of the team and hold out and pout to get what they want, I think it's ridiculous to say that a guy like Lavar only cares about himself. You couldn't be more wrong about this point, in my humble opinion.

[quote]I haven't seen the leadership aspect out of him I had once hoped for and I'm not sure if it's coming. [/QUOTE]

Really, then tell me who it was that got in the faces of other members of our esteemed defense a few years back for not taking losses seriously and not giving 100% on the bus ride home?