spanishomelette Posted September 7, 2005 Share Posted September 7, 2005 A new side of LaVar http://www.washingtontimes.com/sports/20050907-121613-6940r.htm By David Elfin THE WASHINGTON TIMES September 7, 2005 LaVar Arrington is back. And he's a changed man. Arrington showed in Thursday's preseason finale at Baltimore that he can still play the way he did in the past for the Washington Redskins. But the three-time Pro Bowl linebacker said he is not the same person he was before suffering the first major injury of his career last September. "In years past, I would have been jacked up for this first game, so jacked up to get on the field for the Pittsburgh [preseason] game or so jacked up to get back on the practice field and know that I can move well enough to make plays," said Arrington, who figures to play extensively in a regular-season game for the first time in 51 weeks in Sunday's opener against Chicago. "It's not like that anymore." Arrington, heading into his sixth season at 27, cares about football as much as ever. But all the lonely hours of rehabilitating from two knee surgeries and a bad bone bruise between the operations changed him, as did his marriage this offseason and the impending arrival of his first child in January. "I've slowed everything down," Arrington said. "I slowed how I view things. I slowed how I react to things. Not just in football, but in life. I used to create something in my mind and make myself go 100 miles an hour towards whatever that was." As Arrington talked about slowing down, rookie cornerback Carlos Rogers -- Washington's most recent top draft pick -- came running through the Redskin Park lobby. Arrington smiled at the reminder of how he used to be. "Carlos has some swagger," Arrington said. "He's going to do some good things. I've still got some of my swagger, but times have changed. I know what I have to do and I understand that for me to be able to do it as proficiently as I possibly can, I can't go out there and just be all emotional. I'm growing up. I'm married. There's a baby on the way. That all plays a part." Arrington would even be at peace with being a spare part behind fill-in Warrick Holdman if that's what the coaches want. "Playing on Sunday will be an accomplishment because it has been such a long road," said Arrington, who hasn't been a healthy backup since the third game of his rookie year. "However much I play, however they use me, whatever I do, I'm just going to be happy that I'm out there. I'm not concerned about starting. I just want to be a part of it. I'm grateful to even have an opportunity again to get out there with those guys." Arrington renewed his recovery when he returned to practice Aug. 15, and it began in earnest Aug. 26 in the preseason game against the Steelers at FedEx Field. "I'm getting faster," Arrington said. "It felt good out there in Baltimore [he played about half the game Thursday]. The thing I was most impressed with was that I slowed my heart rate down on the field. I was very methodical. I was directing traffic out there, letting people know what we were going to do." Going from amped-up star to backup traffic cop represents quite a change, but the new Arrington is steadfastly philosophical. "I don't put too much into some of the things that I used to," he said. "I'm just going to take the future as it comes." Notes -- Sean Taylor's attorney, Edward Carhart, filed a motion for a continuance of the Redskins safety's trial. If approved by Judge Mary Barzee at a hearing tomorrow in Miami, Taylor won't face trial on the felony assault charge until the offseason. The Redskins' final regular-season game is Jan. 1. ... Redskins owner Dan Snyder pledged $500,000 to the victims of Hurricane Katrina to kick off a donation drive that will include collection points for fan contributions at each stadium entrance for all of this season's home games. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synergist Posted September 7, 2005 Share Posted September 7, 2005 Any chance that motion for a continuance could be denied? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Full Monty Posted September 7, 2005 Share Posted September 7, 2005 Sure there's a chance. Let's pray it doesn't happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fifty Gut Posted September 7, 2005 Share Posted September 7, 2005 Any chance that motion for a continuance could be denied? the DA already said they would have no problem with the continuance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hands11 Posted September 7, 2005 Share Posted September 7, 2005 the DA already said they would have no problem with the continuance That would be a major blow if we lost him. Look at LaVar, all grow up. He wears it well. Look like we are building some mature Skins to one day pass the torch. We are rebuilding that thing we lost. I feared after Green left, we may never have it again. This is the (GE) - GIBBS EFFECT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtyler42 Posted September 7, 2005 Share Posted September 7, 2005 This is what LA has always needed to add to his game....Patience, he was always so anxious to go blow the ball carrier up that he wouldnt make his reads properly and get out of position but he is slowing his thought process down but when he reacts he still reacts w/the speed and aggression that we are accustomed to seeing in LA.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HapHaszard Posted September 7, 2005 Share Posted September 7, 2005 Time will tell, lets see how he does in a real game with all the excitement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G-Prime Posted September 7, 2005 Share Posted September 7, 2005 Something bothers me about his words. .I'm not sure.. You can be calm and slow down and still show confidence.. But I'm not feeling any from this.. Maybe LaVar knows something about his condition that we don't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SouthernSkinsFan Posted September 7, 2005 Share Posted September 7, 2005 Let me tell ya, Lavar, getting married and having younguns will slow any man down. Be careful though, 'cause it'll make ya fat too! (Glad to hear the maturity level is rising.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G-Prime Posted September 7, 2005 Share Posted September 7, 2005 Let me tell ya, Lavar, getting married and having younguns will slow any man down. Be careful though, 'cause it'll make ya fat too!(Glad to hear the maturity level is rising.) Were you actually just speaking to Lavar? I wonder if he'll respond Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
red zone Posted September 7, 2005 Share Posted September 7, 2005 Something bothers me about his words. .I'm not sure.. You can be calm and slow down and still show confidence.. But I'm not feeling any from this.. Maybe LaVar knows something about his condition that we don't. Ever heard of the "calm before the storm?" LaVar is a football player's football playerl. You can't just turn that off. He's just channeling his energy into a more focused approach to the game. Instead of going in and just flying around, he's realized sometimes you have to let the game come to you, and understand how the other team is attacking you. LaVar will make another trip to the Pro-Bowl after this season and he'll most likely bust up a couple QBs in the process. :cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlinginSammy HOF '63 Posted September 7, 2005 Share Posted September 7, 2005 So has he lost his spot on the depth chart or is he just listed as a backup until he's 100%? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G-Prime Posted September 7, 2005 Share Posted September 7, 2005 I can't imagine he's lost his spot permenantly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoony Posted September 7, 2005 Share Posted September 7, 2005 He sounds depressed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrfriedm Posted September 7, 2005 Share Posted September 7, 2005 I think this sounds great! Especially, if he can start being the defensive QB, then AP will really be a faint memory. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrfriedm Posted September 7, 2005 Share Posted September 7, 2005 So has he lost his spot on the depth chart or is he just listed as a backup until he's 100%? He's suppose to start Sunday, so I don't know who he's backing up other than maybe God. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Sisko Posted September 7, 2005 Share Posted September 7, 2005 I'm encouraged by his comments. One of the knocks on LaVar has always been that he doesn't play within the scheme and is caught out of position a lot. If he is able to fix that it will be a huge (LaVar) leap forward and he'll be a major factor for us. Now, if he could just do something about his lack of any pass rushing moves other than the bull rush, he might really fulfill the promise of being the next LT...but Rome wasn't built in a day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saqs Posted September 7, 2005 Share Posted September 7, 2005 He sounds depressed. My thoughts exactly. This humbler LA isnt giving off a good vibe with me. Let's see how he plays. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Full Monty Posted September 7, 2005 Share Posted September 7, 2005 I remember reading in 02/03 that Bruce Smith was teaching Lavar some of his secrets. Let's not forget that in 2002 under Marvin Lewis, LaVar led ALL linebackers with 11 sacks. I think this defense is better than our 2002 defense and LaVar will get double-digit sacks, provided he's 100% healthy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hollywood2k3 Posted September 7, 2005 Share Posted September 7, 2005 That's nice to see LaVar, finally maturing into the man we knew he could be Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
authentic Posted September 7, 2005 Share Posted September 7, 2005 I think he's understanding that the game is more mental than anything else. See, everybody in the league has talent, some more than others. But the thing that separates the Great ones from the good ones, is preparation. At age 27 he's at his prime so if he can mix his physical attributes with the intelligence of the game, he can be one of the greatest. Imagine if his football IQ was that of a Ray Lewis, i'm telling you he would be the greatest linebacker probably ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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