Lavar and Giants agree on deal

BigSKINBauer · 04-25-2006, 05:32 PM

Lavar is on the JT show right now. It is on commercials so I hope I didn't miss it but I think i did. Damn

firstdown · 04-25-2006, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ParkerGibbs

"Poston said Green Bay, Jacksonville and Miami all were in the running for the 27-year-old Arrington. But in the end, he said, his client decided that he wanted to play against Washington twice a season"

That to me is enough to really really hope that he gets shut the hell down next season. What an arrogant move.

Why is that an arrogant move. He picked the best team out of the ones that showed an interest in him. If it was me and a team let me go I would want ever oppertunity to prove to them they made a mistake and now he gets to do so twice a year.

That Guy · 04-25-2006, 07:42 PM

he'll make more money off of NYC ads than any other market, and more than enough to bridge the contract differences.

Giantone · 04-26-2006, 06:18 PM

This is from his first meeting with the New York press .

Arrington Arrives
“I didn’t know you could feel this comfortable.” - Arrington
By Michael Eisen, Giants.com

April 25, 2006

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. –A few minutes before LaVar Arrington met the metropolitan area media for the first time as a Giant, the team’s director of public relations, Peter John-Baptiste, hung home and road No. 55 jerseys in his locker. Arrington looked at the jersey to his left and said, “I wore red and white in high school. I was destined to wear red and white again.”

The Giants are thrilled that he was. On Saturday, they signed Arrington, one of the NFL’s most accomplished outside linebackers. Arrington was a three-time Pro Bowler in his six seasons with the Washington Redskins. Although his production tailed off the last two seasons, in part because of a knee injury that required surgery, Arrington and the Giants believe he will become a big contributor on a defense that boasts Pro Bowl ends Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora and stellar middle linebacker Antonio Pierce, his former teammate in Washington and one of his closest friends.

“I think my best football is ahead of me,” said Arrington, one of the many memorable lines he delivered in a 30-minute session before a thicket of cameras and reporters at his locker. Arrington was affable and outgoing and he hit every question head on. What shone through was a tremendous confidence and a belief that he and the Giants defense are going to enjoy banner seasons.

“I know I can thrive in this system,” Arrington said. “This is going to be a re-birth. I think it is going to be really exciting, because it is a great defensive scheme. And it has some really good players. We added a shutdown corner (Sam Madison) and a good solid player in R.W. (McQuarters) and (safety) Will Demps. So putting all of those pieces in place, it is going to create a lot of excitement with this defensive unit.”

Later, Arrington added these gems:

• “I feel rejuvenated. I just feel really good. I didn’t know you could feel this comfortable.”

• “I’m motivated – you guys are going to get what you’re looking for.”

• “I feel great. I’m pumped up to come to work.”

• “Defensive players have an opportunity to take destiny in their own hands.”

If Arrington dishes out hits as well as he does quotes, offensive players are going to feel his wrath this season.

Arrington already has big fans in the locker room. Pierce lobbied the Giants front office hard to bring in his friend, who he believes is one of the NFL’s premier linebackers. And Brandon Short, re-signed last week after two years in Carolina, was Arrington’s teammate at Penn State. They were both chosen in the 2000 NFL Draft, Arrington with the second overall selection by Washington and Short with the 105th pick by the Giants.

“We got a great player here, a guy that is energized,” Pierce said. “He’s very excited and he’s someone who is going to help us out on this defense, which is trying to get to the top five in the rankings.”

Pierce and Short are aware of the recent criticisms of Arrington, that he freelanced too much and didn’t always listen to his coaches in Washington. They insist the reports have no credibility.

“I’m a professional football player and I play linebacker in this league, too,” Short said. “I understand a lot of the things they were talking about with LaVar were just inaccurate. Anytime an athlete like that comes in, there’s going to be a lot of attention. They magnify the good and they magnify the bad. Nobody is going to be in the right position all the time on the football field. But what matters is you make plays. And the guy makes plays.”

“He’s going to give you big-play ability,” Pierce said. “That’s what he is. He’s like a basketball player that looks for the last shot of the game. He’s looking for that knockout hit. You’re going to hit and miss sometimes. That’s the nature of the game. But now, being an older player, a wiser player, I think you’ll see a more consistent LaVar Arrington. He’ll play within the system. I’m not saying he didn’t play within the system elsewhere. But he’s not the focal point of this defense. We don’t need him to go get 10 sacks. We’ve got two guys that can do that. If he comes in and gives us another 10 sacks, you know what that’s going to mean for us. He understands that he doesn’t have to come here and put the whole load on his back.”

Short and Pierce said the Giants are getting a focused, determined player. Arrington didn’t dispute that, but said that’s the way he has always been.

“I have been focused my whole career,” Arrington said. “If that is what the general perception is, then that’s cool. But I will say I matured a whole lot more than what I have been in the past, just from the standpoint of really taking time to pay attention to the detail of every single thing I am doing. Which I think will, in the end, prove to make me a better player.”

Arrington, who is 6-3, weighs 255 but hopes to lose five or six pounds. He has played in 79 regular season games with 67 starts and he has been credited with 467 tackles (335 solo), 22.5 sacks, 11 forced fumbles, seven fumble recoveries and three interceptions. Arrington played for the NFC Pro Bowl team every season from 2001-2003.

In 2005, Arrington played in 13 regular season games with eight starts. He also started the Redskins’ two postseason games. Arrington finished seventh on the team with 53 tackles (45 solo). He had 11 tackles (10 solo) in two games against the Giants and 10 tackles vs. Philadelphia on Nov. 6. Arrington was a standout in Washington’s victory at Tampa Bay in the NFC Wild Card Game when he had 10 tackles (six solo), an interception that he returned 21 yards to set up a touchdown, and a forced fumble.

The previous year, he played in only four games because of an injury to his lateral meniscus. He twice underwent knee surgery, which was not the reason for his perceived decline in play.

“They were scopes,” he said. “Not ACL, not reconstructive. They were scopes. Scopes. Arthroscopic surgeries. I got a little bit of cartilage cleaned out of my knee. That is what it was. This is not, ‘He’s washed up.’ This isn’t, ‘Gee, he’ll never be able to run again.’ If you watched the film from the end of last year, I thought I was pretty impressive, actually. And that was with very limited play time.”

Arrington touched on several other subjects in his get-acquainted interview:

• On the chance to twice face the Redskins, for whom he played the first six seasons of his career: “It will be fun. To have the type of guys on this team and to bring what I know I can bring to the table, any team is going to be fun to play against. But obviously, playing against your old team, your former team, that has a little bit more meaning.”

• Arrington wore No. 56 in Washington, but the Giants retired that number in 1994 to honor Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor. Arrington was asked about the franchise’s tradition of great linebackers.

“Well, for so long that is (who) people were (comparing) me to, L.T,” Arrington said. “Just to have the opportunity to be in the same locker room as that guy – it is unbelievable. That was one of the first things I saw when I came here was his retired locker. So I never asked to wear 56, nor would I. The only way I would wear 56 is if L.T. himself came to me and said, ‘You know what, guy, I want you to wear 56.’ That would be the only way that I would end up wearing the 56 number here. But I have the utmost respect for him. I have always admired his game. Fifty-five is cool. Just call me Mr. Nickels.”

• On why he believes defensive coordinator Tim Lewis’ system will suit him.

“Tim Lewis is a Pennsylvania guy like myself and a Pittsburgh protégé,” Arrington said. “I modeled my game and patterned my game after Greg Lloyd and Kevin Greene and Chad Brown and all of those guys. Tim Lewis was around those same guys. He brings that very intense, very aggressive approach to playing defense. So we have very similar backgrounds in our schools of thought and philosophy. So I think it will be a good fit.”

• On the charge that he freelanced too often:

“It is not surprising. This is the NFL. Nobody makes it in the NFL just freelancing. People have always had their opinions one way or the other. I just try and play past it. I try not to give it too much attention. I don’t know what freelancing means. I try my best to fit into whatever it is that I am being taught. I am a very coachable individual. I think I am a pleasant individual to be around. So where all of those things got started, I have no idea. Maybe it is the style of play where, even if I am on one side of the field, if I have an opportunity (I am going to try to make the play on the other side). At times it worked, at times it doesn’t. So maybe that is where it came from. I don’t know. But I am out there giving 100 percent. My motor is running and I am trying to help the team win. I am trying to do the best that I can to create a winning effort.”

• On his impressions of the Giants:

“I think they are talented. I think it is a very talented team…They obviously went to the Super Bowl not too long ago. And have made moves toward getting back, being the division champ. They fizzled a little bit in the playoffs, but that is why you bring guys like me in so that you make sure that doesn’t happen again.”

• On his impressions of Giants tight ends, past and present:

“Howard Cross is probably the best technician tight end that I have ever had to go up against. He actually helped me to raise my game. But I think (Jeremy) Shockey has probably been the toughest tight end for me to have to deal with my whole career at whatever level.”

• On Pierce working to bring him to the Giants:

“A.P. is my baby, man. I had A.P. since his rookie season. So we got a lot of history together. We have been through some wars together. And I know there are very few people that know me as well as Antonio knows me, and vice versa. So it wasn’t a surprise because I know the mentality that A.P. has and the mentality that I have. It is a natural fit. We are a lot alike in a lot of ways. So to have the opportunity to get in here and play with him again, I think it is awesome. And I think it is awesome that he stepped up to plate for me like that.”

• On his football future:

“Physically, I am in the prime of my career. So with that being said, with the wisdom that I have, having a new beginning, being in a system where I am wanted and I’ll be used, I can see myself exceeding what I have accomplished thus far.”

Beemnseven · 04-26-2006, 06:30 PM

I guess there was no way the Giants would give him #56.

Giantone · 04-26-2006, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beemnseven

I guess there was no way the Giants would give him #56.

ya think ?

04-25-2006, 05:32 PM	#121
BigSKINBauer Pro Bowl Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Washington, DC Age: 36 Posts: 5,688	Re: Lavar and Giants agree on deal Lavar is on the JT show right now. It is on commercials so I hope I didn't miss it but I think i did. Damn

04-25-2006, 07:42 PM	#123
That Guy Living Legend Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: VA Age: 42 Posts: 17,553	Re: Lavar and Giants agree on deal he'll make more money off of NYC ads than any other market, and more than enough to bridge the contract differences.

04-26-2006, 06:18 PM	#124
Giantone Gamebreaker Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 14,029	Re: Lavar and Giants agree on deal This is from his first meeting with the New York press . Arrington Arrives “I didn’t know you could feel this comfortable.” - Arrington By Michael Eisen, Giants.com April 25, 2006 EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. –A few minutes before LaVar Arrington met the metropolitan area media for the first time as a Giant, the team’s director of public relations, Peter John-Baptiste, hung home and road No. 55 jerseys in his locker. Arrington looked at the jersey to his left and said, “I wore red and white in high school. I was destined to wear red and white again.” The Giants are thrilled that he was. On Saturday, they signed Arrington, one of the NFL’s most accomplished outside linebackers. Arrington was a three-time Pro Bowler in his six seasons with the Washington Redskins. Although his production tailed off the last two seasons, in part because of a knee injury that required surgery, Arrington and the Giants believe he will become a big contributor on a defense that boasts Pro Bowl ends Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora and stellar middle linebacker Antonio Pierce, his former teammate in Washington and one of his closest friends. “I think my best football is ahead of me,” said Arrington, one of the many memorable lines he delivered in a 30-minute session before a thicket of cameras and reporters at his locker. Arrington was affable and outgoing and he hit every question head on. What shone through was a tremendous confidence and a belief that he and the Giants defense are going to enjoy banner seasons. “I know I can thrive in this system,” Arrington said. “This is going to be a re-birth. I think it is going to be really exciting, because it is a great defensive scheme. And it has some really good players. We added a shutdown corner (Sam Madison) and a good solid player in R.W. (McQuarters) and (safety) Will Demps. So putting all of those pieces in place, it is going to create a lot of excitement with this defensive unit.” Later, Arrington added these gems: • “I feel rejuvenated. I just feel really good. I didn’t know you could feel this comfortable.” • “I’m motivated – you guys are going to get what you’re looking for.” • “I feel great. I’m pumped up to come to work.” • “Defensive players have an opportunity to take destiny in their own hands.” If Arrington dishes out hits as well as he does quotes, offensive players are going to feel his wrath this season. Arrington already has big fans in the locker room. Pierce lobbied the Giants front office hard to bring in his friend, who he believes is one of the NFL’s premier linebackers. And Brandon Short, re-signed last week after two years in Carolina, was Arrington’s teammate at Penn State. They were both chosen in the 2000 NFL Draft, Arrington with the second overall selection by Washington and Short with the 105th pick by the Giants. “We got a great player here, a guy that is energized,” Pierce said. “He’s very excited and he’s someone who is going to help us out on this defense, which is trying to get to the top five in the rankings.” Pierce and Short are aware of the recent criticisms of Arrington, that he freelanced too much and didn’t always listen to his coaches in Washington. They insist the reports have no credibility. “I’m a professional football player and I play linebacker in this league, too,” Short said. “I understand a lot of the things they were talking about with LaVar were just inaccurate. Anytime an athlete like that comes in, there’s going to be a lot of attention. They magnify the good and they magnify the bad. Nobody is going to be in the right position all the time on the football field. But what matters is you make plays. And the guy makes plays.” “He’s going to give you big-play ability,” Pierce said. “That’s what he is. He’s like a basketball player that looks for the last shot of the game. He’s looking for that knockout hit. You’re going to hit and miss sometimes. That’s the nature of the game. But now, being an older player, a wiser player, I think you’ll see a more consistent LaVar Arrington. He’ll play within the system. I’m not saying he didn’t play within the system elsewhere. But he’s not the focal point of this defense. We don’t need him to go get 10 sacks. We’ve got two guys that can do that. If he comes in and gives us another 10 sacks, you know what that’s going to mean for us. He understands that he doesn’t have to come here and put the whole load on his back.” Short and Pierce said the Giants are getting a focused, determined player. Arrington didn’t dispute that, but said that’s the way he has always been. “I have been focused my whole career,” Arrington said. “If that is what the general perception is, then that’s cool. But I will say I matured a whole lot more than what I have been in the past, just from the standpoint of really taking time to pay attention to the detail of every single thing I am doing. Which I think will, in the end, prove to make me a better player.” Arrington, who is 6-3, weighs 255 but hopes to lose five or six pounds. He has played in 79 regular season games with 67 starts and he has been credited with 467 tackles (335 solo), 22.5 sacks, 11 forced fumbles, seven fumble recoveries and three interceptions. Arrington played for the NFC Pro Bowl team every season from 2001-2003. In 2005, Arrington played in 13 regular season games with eight starts. He also started the Redskins’ two postseason games. Arrington finished seventh on the team with 53 tackles (45 solo). He had 11 tackles (10 solo) in two games against the Giants and 10 tackles vs. Philadelphia on Nov. 6. Arrington was a standout in Washington’s victory at Tampa Bay in the NFC Wild Card Game when he had 10 tackles (six solo), an interception that he returned 21 yards to set up a touchdown, and a forced fumble. The previous year, he played in only four games because of an injury to his lateral meniscus. He twice underwent knee surgery, which was not the reason for his perceived decline in play. “They were scopes,” he said. “Not ACL, not reconstructive. They were scopes. Scopes. Arthroscopic surgeries. I got a little bit of cartilage cleaned out of my knee. That is what it was. This is not, ‘He’s washed up.’ This isn’t, ‘Gee, he’ll never be able to run again.’ If you watched the film from the end of last year, I thought I was pretty impressive, actually. And that was with very limited play time.” Arrington touched on several other subjects in his get-acquainted interview: • On the chance to twice face the Redskins, for whom he played the first six seasons of his career: “It will be fun. To have the type of guys on this team and to bring what I know I can bring to the table, any team is going to be fun to play against. But obviously, playing against your old team, your former team, that has a little bit more meaning.” • Arrington wore No. 56 in Washington, but the Giants retired that number in 1994 to honor Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor. Arrington was asked about the franchise’s tradition of great linebackers. “Well, for so long that is (who) people were (comparing) me to, L.T,” Arrington said. “Just to have the opportunity to be in the same locker room as that guy – it is unbelievable. That was one of the first things I saw when I came here was his retired locker. So I never asked to wear 56, nor would I. The only way I would wear 56 is if L.T. himself came to me and said, ‘You know what, guy, I want you to wear 56.’ That would be the only way that I would end up wearing the 56 number here. But I have the utmost respect for him. I have always admired his game. Fifty-five is cool. Just call me Mr. Nickels.” • On why he believes defensive coordinator Tim Lewis’ system will suit him. “Tim Lewis is a Pennsylvania guy like myself and a Pittsburgh protégé,” Arrington said. “I modeled my game and patterned my game after Greg Lloyd and Kevin Greene and Chad Brown and all of those guys. Tim Lewis was around those same guys. He brings that very intense, very aggressive approach to playing defense. So we have very similar backgrounds in our schools of thought and philosophy. So I think it will be a good fit.” • On the charge that he freelanced too often: “It is not surprising. This is the NFL. Nobody makes it in the NFL just freelancing. People have always had their opinions one way or the other. I just try and play past it. I try not to give it too much attention. I don’t know what freelancing means. I try my best to fit into whatever it is that I am being taught. I am a very coachable individual. I think I am a pleasant individual to be around. So where all of those things got started, I have no idea. Maybe it is the style of play where, even if I am on one side of the field, if I have an opportunity (I am going to try to make the play on the other side). At times it worked, at times it doesn’t. So maybe that is where it came from. I don’t know. But I am out there giving 100 percent. My motor is running and I am trying to help the team win. I am trying to do the best that I can to create a winning effort.” • On his impressions of the Giants: “I think they are talented. I think it is a very talented team…They obviously went to the Super Bowl not too long ago. And have made moves toward getting back, being the division champ. They fizzled a little bit in the playoffs, but that is why you bring guys like me in so that you make sure that doesn’t happen again.” • On his impressions of Giants tight ends, past and present: “Howard Cross is probably the best technician tight end that I have ever had to go up against. He actually helped me to raise my game. But I think (Jeremy) Shockey has probably been the toughest tight end for me to have to deal with my whole career at whatever level.” • On Pierce working to bring him to the Giants: “A.P. is my baby, man. I had A.P. since his rookie season. So we got a lot of history together. We have been through some wars together. And I know there are very few people that know me as well as Antonio knows me, and vice versa. So it wasn’t a surprise because I know the mentality that A.P. has and the mentality that I have. It is a natural fit. We are a lot alike in a lot of ways. So to have the opportunity to get in here and play with him again, I think it is awesome. And I think it is awesome that he stepped up to plate for me like that.” • On his football future: “Physically, I am in the prime of my career. So with that being said, with the wisdom that I have, having a new beginning, being in a system where I am wanted and I’ll be used, I can see myself exceeding what I have accomplished thus far.”

04-26-2006, 06:30 PM	#125
Beemnseven Pro Bowl Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Virginia Beach Age: 50 Posts: 5,311	Re: Lavar and Giants agree on deal I guess there was no way the Giants would give him #56.

Lavar and Giants agree on deal

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