Arrington: Team Has Feel of a Winner

During LaVar Arrington's five-year NFL career, the Washington Redskins introduced five new coaches, each with new optimism. Arrington has made his perfunctory positive predictions, but the star linebacker believes that things will be different this year because of head coach and team president Joe Gibbs (http://65.54.187.250/cgi-bin/linkrd?_lang=EN&lah=bb5a973f7e013eee779bbc96efb6228e&lat=1094673617&hm___action=http%3a%2f%2fletters%2ewashingtonpost% 2ecom%2fW8RH044E935435865884F3F5E0C370).

"I think it's going to be one of those years where this team has a certain aura about it," Arrington said. "We just have a certain feel. I felt this way about our freshman team. It's been a long time, but I do know what it is to be on a championship team. I just think that we have that feel -- it's a special feeling.

"Guys really believe it. We believe in the system. We believe in the coaching staff. Funny enough, they believe in us."

So what is the difference in this year's predictions?

"In years past, you're always optimistic about what the season may hold but you're just unsure," Arrington responded. "I don't feel unsure. We may be worse than we were in the years past, but I just don't feel it.

"When I was on Penn State teams, when I was on teams at North Hills High , we went out there and no matter what the score was . . . you just never feel like you're going to lose. It's just a feeling. I hadn't had that feeling."

When asked if it was strictly because of Gibbs, Arrington replied:

"I don't think it's all because of Gibbs. I don't think that it's fair that you guys are putting all that pressure on Coach Gibbs."

But upon further thought, Arrington admitted most of the good vibrations have to do with Gibbs.

"He's definitely a winner," Arrington said. "The interesting thing is he has a knack for just picking the right people and picking the right players. Indirectly you can say it's because of Coach Gibbs because the atmosphere that's been created around here is a product of him.

"A lot of times a coach might want to create the atmosphere that he's created. They just don't have that type of pull. So it's not to say that another coach didn't try to create what he's creating right now. It's Coach Gibbs. You want to tell him no? You tell me one person in this building that's going to tell Coach Gibbs no."

[i]-- Nunyo Demasio

Let's hope he's right. I think he is this time!!! :headbange :dallas:

He of all people whould know not to talk, and just go out and play.

I remember when we had such a solid defense and marvin lewis as Def. Coord, but struggled due to the fact that they never came together. I hope the team can really come together under Gibbs, and the leadership of Brunell and Arrington.

The key word here is "team". Last year we had Arrington, Trotter, and Armstead. I don't think they ever jelled as a unit. Lots of talent, but not the discipline that is required. How many times did those guys get caught out of position? This year Gibbs wants "smart, tough, guys who will play thier guts out". Enter Washington, Barrow, and Pierce. I guess we will find out Sunday if all the new puzzle pieces really make this puzzle fit together. If the preseason is any sign, I think we are in for a fun ride!!! :food-smil

I think we all agree that we are due...

arrington is quoted in tha post chalenging the fans to step it up this year. he said it the year of the 12 th man

When Gibbs was first hired, Lavar had that "yeah, he's great, but here we go again (with a coaching change)" attitude. He didn't want to get too excited. But, once mini-camps started, then into training camp, he began to gain more and more confidence and excitement about the coaching staff and the team. Now he is ready to kick ass and wants everyone to join in the fun! Just as we do, he sees those empty yellow seats and wants them to be filled....just like a lot of fans do. Fans who can't afford tickets, or don't have a connection to get them, or live out of town, etc. If you want to watch the game from a bar, sell/give away your tickets and go to a f#cking bar!!!
Rant over. ;)

yeah you can give the tickets to me I live 3-4 hours away but would not hestitate to travel and watch a game live. I would do it in a hear beat.

I think LaVar's initial skepticism was to be expected. I think the euphoria about Gibbs' return was more outside in, the fans of course bought into it faster just becasue Gibbs was so successful here before. Even in here, whenever a coaching change was mentioned Gibbs' name inevitably came up even though he was off doing his NASCAR thing. But to the players it had to seem like a "here we go again" type thing, seeing the franchise go in yet another direction. After five coaches in five years it has to be hard to keep buying into new guys when you just keep on seeing coaches proclaimed as saviors one season and then fired the next season.

Obviously I believe the Skins are finally in good hands, and it's good to see LaVar come around as well. It means more that Gibbs convinced him because the proof is always in the pudding and I believe this is a special team.