bubba9497 Posted October 5, 2003 Share Posted October 5, 2003 Arrington waits for word on shadowing McNabb http://www.sunspot.net/sports/football/bal-sp.redskins05oct05,0,2752796.story?coll=bal-sports-football Redskins linebacker again in dark on plan for Eagles By Edward Lee Sun Staff Originally published October 5, 2003 LaVar Arrington knows the question is coming. The linebacker has been hearing it ever since he became a member of the Redskins in 2000. Will he shadow Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb? "That's like the topic of conversation every time we play the Eagles," Arrington said. " 'LaVar, are you spying McNabb?' I don't even really know if I'm spying McNabb, to be honest with you. We didn't even work on anything where LaVar is lined up over top of Donovan McNabb." The topic may be tiresome to Arrington and the Redskins - who will travel to Philadelphia for today's 4:15 p.m. game against their NFC East Division rivals - but it's an issue that will be valid as long as the Eagles are led by one of the most dangerous quarterbacks in the NFL. McNabb, who entered the league just one year ahead of Arrington, has compiled more than 10,000 passing yards and 1,600 rushing yards and directed Philadelphia to two consecutive NFC championship games in just his fifth season. Although a broken ankle forced him to miss six games last year, he was named to his third straight Pro Bowl. McNabb has been so good, he has even caught Washington coach Steve Spurrier's attention. "He's one of the best in the league," said Spurrier, who usually leaves questions regarding opposing offenses to Redskins defensive coordinator George Edwards. "Obviously, Donovan's the key to their offense, and we've got to contain him if we're going to have a chance to beat them." Mobile quarterbacks like McNabb victimized Washington last season. In games against McNabb, the 49ers' Jeff Garcia, the Titans' Steve McNair, the Saints' Aaron Brooks and the Jaguars' Mark Brunell, the Redskins went 1-4, with their only win against Tennessee. "Containment" is the hot topic when Washington meets the Eagles, but how do you contain a 6-foot-2, 240-pound quarterback who is just as proficient at running with the ball as he is throwing it? McNabb's ability to run has hurt the Redskins the most. Washington has defeated McNabb and the Eagles in four of the teams' seven meetings, but Philadelphia won both games in which McNabb rushed for a touchdown. That's why some Washington defensive players say the key will be keeping McNabb - who is Philadelphia's leading rusher with 156 yards on 19 carries - in the pocket. "If he sees a crease, he's going to go," said defensive tackle Jermaine Haley. "The challenge is we've got to be in our lanes and be consistent. We've got to try to make him beat us more by throwing it than running with it." That would seem to make sense because McNabb has the third-worst quarterback rating (51.1) in the NFL, completing 49.5 percent (55 of 111) of his passes, getting sacked 13 times and throwing three interceptions. But Redskins middle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter is wary of his former teammate. Trotter, who played with McNabb for three seasons, said the quarterback prefers to throw the ball rather than run with it. "For Donovan, running is always a second option," Trotter said. "He's looking to get the ball to the open guy. If there's no one open and the opportunity presents itself, then he's trying to run." This will be the Redskins' first game this season against a mobile quarterback. McNabb said he usually studies film of an opposing defense's work against the likes of McNair or the Minnesota Vikings' Daunte Culpepper. But with no framework to analyze, McNabb may find more questions than answers. "They've had times where LaVar has somewhat been my spy, and they've had times where they just played their defense," McNabb said. "You get a mixed bag of tricks." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gridironmike Posted October 5, 2003 Share Posted October 5, 2003 Secret agent #56! Does the CIA know about this? I'll bet the DTC does. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tex Posted October 5, 2003 Share Posted October 5, 2003 Lavar is going to spy him, Jesse is going to blitz him and Jeremiah is going to knock him out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickalino Posted October 5, 2003 Share Posted October 5, 2003 Why cant they make up their mind on him ? Is he equally dangerous throwing and running it, or not ? Originally posted by bubba9497 "Containment" is the hot topic when Washington meets the Eagles, but how do you contain a 6-foot-2, 240-pound quarterback who is just as proficient at running with the ball as he is throwing it? Ahh, so they're saying he can throw as good as he can run it. Originally posted by bubba9497 "McNabb's ability to run has hurt the Redskins the most. Washington has defeated McNabb and the Eagles in four of the teams' seven meetings, but Philadelphia won both games in which McNabb rushed for a touchdown. That's why some Washington defensive players say the key will be keeping McNabb - who is Philadelphia's leading rusher with 156 yards on 19 carries - in the pocket. "If he sees a crease, he's going to go," said defensive tackle Jermaine Haley. "The challenge is we've got to be in our lanes and be consistent. We've got to try to make him beat us more by throwing it than running with it." That would seem to make sense because McNabb has the third-worst quarterback rating (51.1) in the NFL, completing 49.5 percent (55 of 111) of his passes, getting sacked 13 times and throwing three interceptions. No wait a minute, here they're clearly saying he cant throw as good as he can run, so we have to force him to pass. No, actually they don't know the right answer, so they're trying to make both statements to look like they're right either way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NavyDave Posted October 5, 2003 Share Posted October 5, 2003 Well everyone will know once mcnugget starts to take off and either lavar or trotter is laying in wait Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skins26 Posted October 5, 2003 Share Posted October 5, 2003 I dont care what we do to stop him as long as we do it........and NO ZONE COVERAGE LIKE MARVIN TRIED LAST YEAR! That didnt work at all hence the 37-7 beating they gave us, nice job Marvin! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Symbol Posted October 5, 2003 Share Posted October 5, 2003 If we can just make it look like the pocket is about to collapse, but leave no running lanes, McNabb will not be able to do anything. He'll hopefully rush his passes and he'll not be able to run with the ball. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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