SkinsTillIDie Posted August 25, 2005 Share Posted August 25, 2005 http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=pasquarelli_len&id=2142691 Arrington, Redskins settle contract dispute By Len Pasquarelli ESPN.com Nearly a year and a half of acrimony between the Washington Redskins and star linebacker LaVar Arrington have ended with a settlement of the contract dispute in which the three-time Pro Bowl defender insisted that the team shorted him by $6.5 million in the eight-year extension he signed in December 2003. The settlement, which culminated weeks of intense bargaining that was ratcheted up over the past few days, is expected to become official Thursday. The deal was essentially completed on Wednesday when Arrington's attorney, Steve Brown, was able to have some key sticking points removed from the settlement language. Under terms of the settlement, Arrington likely to see half the disputed $6.5 million. The deal allows Arrington to void the contract, which is scheduled to run through the 2011 season, as early as 2007 if he is named twice to the Pro Bowl. Making the Pro Bowl twice over the next four years would permit Arrington to then void the remainder of the deal. If such a void is triggered, and Arrington opts to become a free agent, the Redskins can "buy back" the voided years with a $3.25 million bonus. There is an additional $1.6 million in bonuses that Arrington can earn, but which will be difficult for him to reach, given playing time stipulations involved. As recently as a few days ago, it appeared a settlement might include a contract extension, but extra years were not included in the final document. The dispute began shortly after Arrington signed an eight-year, $68 million extension late in the 2003 season. Arrington and agent Carl Poston subsequently charged that a bonus of $6.5 million for 2006, which they said had been agreed upon, was omitted from the final draft of the contract that the star linebacker signed. Poston acknowledged that he had not read the final contract. Arrington, the second overall choice in the 2000 draft, filed a formal grievance through the NFL Players Association last year. After several arbitration hearings were postponed, Arrington withdrew the grievance last month, in part at the urging of NFLPA executive director Gene Upshaw, and the two sides pursued a settlement. It appeared a settlement was close last week, but Redskins owner Daniel Snyder backed away from some of the stipulations, and the agreement nearly fell apart. Sources close to the talks told ESPN.com that, while Upshaw played a major role in the discussions, the deal was completed because of the relationship between Arrington and coach Joe Gibbs, and their mutual eagerness to reach an agreement before the start of the season. Arrington, who has not played in the preseason and has missed considerable practice time in camp, is to make his debut in Friday night's contest against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ntotoro Posted August 25, 2005 Share Posted August 25, 2005 Pastabelly got scooped again. Hope he doesn't take it personally... :laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E-Dog Night Posted August 25, 2005 Share Posted August 25, 2005 It appeared a settlement was close last week, but Redskins owner Daniel Snyder backed away from some of the stipulations, and the agreement nearly fell apart. Hmmm....does he know that for sure? Or did he hear a "maybe" and turned it into his own stab at Snyder? After all, we all know he can't resist taking a swipe at Danny whenever he has the chance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redskin-one Posted August 25, 2005 Share Posted August 25, 2005 Hmmm....does he know that for sure? Or did he hear a "maybe" and turned it into his own stab at Snyder? After all, we all know he can't resist taking a swipe at Danny whenever he has the chance. I was thinking the same thing - anything he can do to take a swipe at Danny or the Skins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dead Money Posted August 25, 2005 Share Posted August 25, 2005 Hmmm....does he know that for sure? Or did he hear a "maybe" and turned it into his own stab at Snyder? After all, we all know he can't resist taking a swipe at Danny whenever he has the chance. Thats exactly what I thought Ev... Whatta jackass to go and try to put negative spin on a positive situation. At first I was thinking..."Maybe the redskins threw him a bone to settle down some of the criticism"... but nevertheless he had to take a parting shot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spaceman Spiff Posted August 25, 2005 Share Posted August 25, 2005 Pastabelly got scooped again. Hope he doesn't take it personally... :laugh: Scooped? Two scoops of Baskin Robbins? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kappaluvacee Posted August 25, 2005 Share Posted August 25, 2005 This will be merged 1 million times over. I think Pasta is plagiarizing a little because his story is very close to what the Washington Post is printing. Right down to the incentives part. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RabidFan Posted August 25, 2005 Share Posted August 25, 2005 Classic he didn't release this first...what a toolbox. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monk4theHall81 Posted August 25, 2005 Share Posted August 25, 2005 Hmmm....does he know that for sure? Or did he hear a "maybe" and turned it into his own stab at Snyder? After all, we all know he can't resist taking a swipe at Danny whenever he has the chance. Ive got to the point now where I wont even read his articles any more. He looks like Don Vito's long lost twin brother Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwsleep Posted August 25, 2005 Share Posted August 25, 2005 Yeah--the one part he didn't lift was the stab at Snyder. Fat POS! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milliondollarslim Posted August 25, 2005 Share Posted August 25, 2005 good job by Joe Gibbs...and Lavar for that matter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gridironmike Posted August 25, 2005 Share Posted August 25, 2005 The interesting thing I take from this is that Lavar's attorney, Steve Brown, and not his agent, Carl "they dimmed the lights when I signed" Poston, handled the negotiation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubba9497 Posted August 25, 2005 Share Posted August 25, 2005 LaVar was the one who stepped back after the WP wrote LaVar agreed to drop it for nothing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. S Posted August 25, 2005 Share Posted August 25, 2005 i kinda find it odd that they have the clause that he can void the deal if he makes the pro bowl twice. We have to buy him back for 3.25 or something. Sorta makes me wonder about his loyalty to the Skins now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyJoe92 Posted August 25, 2005 Share Posted August 25, 2005 I think it was worth it LaVar will do what he needs to do out there when it comes time. you can tell he is happy because he let the press interview him the other day and it was more than 4 words long :laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevenaa Posted August 25, 2005 Share Posted August 25, 2005 Sources close to the talks told ESPN.com that, while Upshaw played a major role in the discussions, the deal was completed because of the relationship between Arrington and coach Joe Gibbs, and their mutual eagerness to reach an agreement before the start of the season. Arrington, who has not played in the preseason and has missed considerable practice time in camp, is to make his debut in Friday night's contest against the Pittsburgh Steelers. This can't possibly be true. Joe Gibbs does not know how to relate to todays NFL players. He couldn't possibly have been a factor here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ernie5 Posted August 25, 2005 Share Posted August 25, 2005 Oh yeah: he was definitely taking a shot at Snyder. We've seen it dozens of times before: the P-man speculates or fabricates to try to make people he dislikes look bad. He knows no one will ever really call him on it. A journalist he is not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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