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Uh-oh, trouble in Smallville!
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ASHBURN, Va. (AP) - The LaVar Arrington soap opera kept its grip on the Washington Redskins all week, with every development taking the shine off of a 3-0 start.
On Monday, the three-time Pro Bowl linebacker wondered why he was playing so little and seemed ready to accept that he will be playing elsewhere next season.
On Wednesday, Arrington and coach Joe Gibbs held a long and animated conversation after practice, just out of earshot but in clear view of a full brigade of reporters. Both men frequently gestured with hands and arms, and Gibbs even put his right index finger into Arrington's chest to make a point.
On Thursday, Arrington's routine changed. He did some work with special teams instead of practicing exclusively with the defense.
Listen to any local sports call-in show, and Arrington's name usually comes up in a hurry. What's the real deal behind the benching of the franchise's most popular player? Arrington played only two snaps in Sunday's 20-17 victory over Seattle, and he only played a few more in the first two games.
Gregg Williams, the assistant coach in charge of the defense, offered the most candid explanation yet following Thursday's practice.
"We're pretty old-school coaches," Williams said. "You've got to do it in practice if you're going to do it in the game. I'm not going to relent on that. If you do it in practice, you'll do it in the game. If you don't do it, you don't get a chance to play in the game."
It's hard to question the tactics of a team that's undefeated, but the Redskins have won their three games by a combined six points.
The defense has not allowed many points, but it is underperforming in two vital areas - sacks and turnovers. The team has four sacks and has forced only two turnovers, ranking near the bottom of the league in both.
Sacks and turnovers are Arrington's specialty. He had 17 sacks and forced 11 fumbles combined in 2002 and 2003, before a knee injury wrecked his 2004 season.
Now, he is healthy and would seem to fill a need. When asked about the turnover-sack deficiency, Williams said Arrington might be getting more time on the field soon, maybe on Sunday at Denver.
"He's doing better. He's improving. I think he's got a real good team at ude and as he improves, he'll play more," Williams said. "But right now, we're playing as well as we can play with the people that we are playing with and the guys that have put the most time in. There could be a chance - maybe it might spring out this week."
Arrington's teammates are not sure what to make of the linebacker's situation.
Running back Clinton Portis said he understands the defensive coaches not wanting to mess with a successful game plan. But, he added, "I think we need that guy on the field."
Former Redskins cornerback Champ Bailey, now with the Broncos, was particularly confounded when Arrington's name was mentioned during a conference call this week with Washington reporters.
"Can you please fill me in?" Bailey said. "Because I've been trying to figure that out myself."
Told that Arrington is healthy but not playing, Bailey said: "He's not playing, and he's healthy. Oh, God. He's the best athlete on their team. I don't know why that could be happening. ... When I was there, we had to have him on the field."
Lavar.....Joe Gibbs has 3 Super Bowl rings and is a hall of famer and right now you are 3-0....your dumb ass might want to listen to him.
Uh-oh, trouble in Smallville!
Apparently he is not the sharpest knife in the drawer. A friend of mine was dating former Marshall High and UT star Corey Quye when Arrington was a rookie and Corey still talked to former Marshall star ND Kalu and ND was laughing over this hyped up rookie being dumb as a post. Arrington held out of training camp his rookie year and turns out a big reason is that he just couldn't get the defense. The Redskins had to simplify a lot of stuff for him.
Why now? Gibbs had him for a whole season last year. Didn't he realize that he wasn't a practice player then?
If he's not your cup of tea, Joe, trade him in the offseason and get something for a 3 time Pro Bowl player. Much smarter than letting him rot on the bench in this salary cap era, but I forgot, that's all new to you.
Arrington will be traded or released soon if not next year.
Hey, Dexter Manley wasn't exactly mensa. And he thrived under Gibbs.
Lavar is arguably the best outside linebacker in the game. When he does finally get into the game, the Skins could ride that to a playoff spot.
I guess I can't argue with results, but this along with the way Gibbs has treated Ramsey hasn't sat well with me.
Gibbs is a great Xs and Os coach, but being gone from the game for over a decade he hasn't grasped that it's much more of a player's league now. He doesn't hold these guys careers in his hands any more. They'll just leave via free agency, either for better opportunites or money. He's not going to have 8-10 years to build and nurture a line or a defense.
Well, hopefully Lavar hits the field more tomorrow. There are indications he's getting a better hang of the D. But I never understood the stiffling of Ramsey last year in favor of Brunell. And he didn't really get a fair shot this year either. We'll see how it goes. At least Brunell is playing better now.
I didn't watch the game today but did he play? According to the game stats, it doesn't look like it.
He is too much of a talent not to play. Could he be traded to another team to get back some defensive line help?
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