2005 Question: Who benched Lavar Arrington and Why?

I wish that Lavar could have done more here, because of the great natural talent that he had. I'm glad he's still a fixture in this town with his radio show and all. IMO I love the realness he brings to the fans about the Skins players/coaches, former or current and what goes on. I wouldn't say he was an angel or anything but I believe some Skins fans may dislike him because he discusses alot of things about this team that many don't want to believe. I hope he continues to keep bringing that realness... It's much more refreshing than that kool-aid BS thats spewed on Redskins Nation everyday.

I'm w/ya on the kool-aid of RN, but Lavar has too much bias of his own. Think of his comments about Gibbs & then look back at the dallas game in 07 when we'd clinched a playoff berth. Players were going up to Gibbs & hugging him in the final minutes of the game. If it was all an act those guys were in the wrong proffession.

From what I can tell, there was a lot of love & respect for Joe Gibbs from the players, but Lavar said he would never want to play for him again. A lot of players have even stood up for the danny. To Lavar's credit he tried to bury the hatchet w/Snyder on his blog. I just can't give him too much credit for making a living by airing his bitterness.

Is he just retired from him being a jerk in the business? or can he not legitimatley play?

He is only 32. I saw him on Pros vs Joes, and even though he looked out of shape, is an NFL return completely out of the question? Would no team take him even for vet minimum?



Thats good to hear, I think he had knee issues in NY but Im glad he recovered from his motorcycle accident to be on P v J. No team would want him- respectively.

speaking of former Redskin LBs that have faded into obscurity... what ever happened to Marcus Washington?

Good question- I was seriously hoping he would have came back to us for a vet min 1 or 2 years ago but it seemed he's been unemployed since if not retired. I miss a lot of former Skins- hope to cross paths with them down the road with many favorites.

People forget his level of play dropped because of the chronic knee issue he developed. He was playing in pain. Of course he would never admit that and he went on to play play for the NYG? and proceeded to get cut from there. his playing days were over when he left here. There was not much left when he singed with other team.

I'm w/ya on the kool-aid of RN, but Lavar has too much bias of his own. Think of his comments about Gibbs & then look back at the dallas game in 07 when we'd clinched a playoff berth. Players were going up to Gibbs & hugging him in the final minutes of the game. If it was all an act those guys were in the wrong proffession.

From what I can tell, there was a lot of love & respect for Joe Gibbs from the players, but Lavar said he would never want to play for him again. A lot of players have even stood up for the danny. To Lavar's credit he tried to bury the hatchet w/Snyder on his blog. I just can't give him too much credit for making a living by airing his bitterness.

While (Gibbs 2) may have received more of a pass than most coaches would've been allowed, I don't agree with Lavar's feelings regarding JG.

What's funny is GW said it was because he didn't play within the system, then they replaced him with Warrick Holdman, who may have been the most useless LB in the history of the Redskins. Seriously, I love how GW said LaVar "wouldn't stay in position" apparently, as long as you stay in position it doesn't matter if you're getting blocked and not making tackles.

I was really upset about LaVar getting benched, he was one of my favorite Redskins at the time, but I was even more pissed when I watched Warrick Holdman get out there and do nothing, but hurt the defense.A lawn chair would've been more effective than Warrick Holdman. I was thrilled that Lavar finally got some more time as the '05 Skins made a late push for the playoffs. In the playoff victory at Tampa, he had an INT that set up the Skins first TD, and in the subsequent playoff game in Seattle, Lavar knocked Shaun Alexander out in the 1st quarter with a concussion. He was fun to watch, even if he was out of control/position at times.

That's the first I have ever heard that other players came to LaVar and asked him to restructure to save their jobs. Is this backed up by any players? It has a very LaVarian sound to it ("Look at me, I am such a martyr for the fans, my teammates"). Is there anyone other than LA that ever said this?


on his show, if you remember when Portis ran his mouth saying that LaVar left because Portis was the start and LaVar couldn't handle it? This is when LaVar went on that passionate rant about the situation with him when he was here. If you haven't heard it, you should find it and listen to it. Got a lot play time nationally.

People forget his level of play dropped because of the chronic knee issue he developed. He was playing in pain. Of course he would never admit that and he went on to play play for the NYG? and proceeded to get cut from there. his playing days were over when he left here. There was not much left when he singed with other team.

he tore his achillies (SP) that is why he was let go. However, that year he started to play a lot better. The night he got hurt against Dallas i believe, he was actually making a few plays and made a difference on that D.

on his show, if you remember when Portis ran his mouth saying that LaVar left because Portis was the start and LaVar couldn't handle it? This is when LaVar went on that passionate rant about the situation with him when he was here. If you haven't heard it, you should find it and listen to it. Got a lot play time nationally.

So the only source of teh "I took wanted to guarantee my teammates salaries" was from LaVar? Did anyone else confirm it? I am sure in LaVar World it made sense - just like Erik Cartman wrote the Fishsticks joke. But, if that is the only source of the story, I would suggest that LaVar's recollection of events may not be particularly reliable.

I've heard it said before, that LaVar tried to help out his teammates by taking a different deal, but the organization was already done with him, and no matter what he was headed to free agency in 2006.

I basically felt that Portis confirmed LaVar's side of the story when he said that LaVar left DC because he couldnt handle the fact that Portis was the top paid star.