Should Arrington Be Rushed Back Into the Lineup?

[BrudLee]

Originally Posted by Hogster

Are you serious, you guys start talking this freelancing stuff ever since some reporter who probably hasnt even seen Lavar play this season (including pre-season games) and you start talking about how Lavar is discipline and how he freelancing alot. Come on guys this can't be serious we know that in the past that's what he has done but realisticly before he was our only playmaker on defense even when we had Champ. Even the last couple of years whenever he forced a turnover no one was ever around the ball to recover it. The point that i am trying to get across is you really can only assess him on 6 games this year and that includes 5 preseason games, as true Redskin fans we have watched him and seen how he has developed from year's past so please cut him a break!

Slow down.

LaVar has a career long history of freelancing. It's where some of his most spectacular plays have happened. It's also where he's been burnt the most. The only year LaVar didn't excessively freelance was when Marvin Lewis made him play DE on some plays. The shift in position forced him to pay attention to the schemes and play less instinctively.

There nothing wrong with playing by instinct - if it's within the parameters of the scheme. Blitzing is a perfect example. Sometimes it's best to wait a half second before going in - blockers discount your presence if you aren't coming at them. Sometimes its best to try to jump the snap count and be in before the offense can react (LaVar Leap, anyone?) That can't be taught, and LaVar's instincts are excellent at that. The problem becomes when he thinks a play is going one way, and his responsibilities are in another area. If he leaves his gap to make a big play, and he's wrong (or the offense sees him cheating and changes the play), LaVar's the problem.

The reason you let LaVar play these last three games is because we need to see him buy into Gregg Williams's system. He knows it works, he's been watching the results. Knowing it works and believing you aren't above it are two different things. If he can "be LaVar" and do the things that are asked of him in a given play, we're fine. If he has trouble adjusting, then we have an offseason to surround him with the people who can either keep him in line or allow him more freedom to move around.

The other reason you let LaVar play is that he gives the team a boost on both sides of the ball. He has a historical knack for creating turnovers and firing up players and fans alike.

Besides, if they wanted to "rush him back", don't you think we would have seen him against the Eagles? He practiced three days before that game, and could have been put on the roster, even in a limited role. This staff has shown a lot of patience with this injury, when their own credibility has been on the line.