WPost: Redskins, Arrington Continue Discussions

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Redskins, Arrington Continue Discussions
Sides Hope to Resolve Financial Dispute
By Jason La Canfora
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, July 31, 2005; E11




While linebacker LaVar Arrington worked out many of his differences with the Washington Redskins during a meeting with team officials on Wednesday, league sources said the sides are continuing discussions through this weekend in hopes of resolving a lingering financial dispute.

Arrington has long said that a $6.5 million bonus was left out of the eight-year, $68-million deal he signed in December 2003, and negotiations were ongoing through yesterday to reach a financial settlement before players take the field for training camp tomorrow.

Officials from the Redskins are not commenting on the matter, nor is Arrington's attorney, Steve Brown, nor are officials from the NFL Players Association. Lawyers and representatives from the NFLPA, including Executive Director Gene Upshaw, attended the meeting at Redskins Park, as well as Brown, Arrington, Coach Joe Gibbs, owner Daniel Snyder and team attorneys, according to sources with knowledge of the situation.

Arrington, who lashed out at the organization after an injury plagued 2004 season, was able to express his concerns to Gibbs and Snyder during the meeting and work to repair their relationship, sources said, which was one of the primary reasons the three-time Pro Bowl performer requested the get-together.

The other purpose of the meeting was to resolve the financial grievance, Brown said during an interview about two weeks ago. All sides involved are hoping to reach a resolution before the start of training camp, and continue to exchange ideas to that end. The case was scheduled to go before an arbitrator on July 18, but Arrington requested to postpone that hearing and meet in this fashion instead. Should the sides be unable to reach a resolution on the contract, the case could go to arbitration again in late September, league sources said.

If Arrington and the Redskins were to agree to any additional compensation, it could have salary cap ramifications, and those matters would have to reviewed by the NFL and NFLPA as well.

Redskins Notes: The Redskins are continuing to negotiate with their two unsigned first-round draft picks, cornerback Carlos Rogers and quarterback Jason Campbell. Rogers, selected ninth overall, was the third cornerback taken in the top 10, and as of yesterday neither of the corners taken ahead of him had signed. Those signings will likely help frame the structure of Rogers's deal. Rogers is also recovering from foot and ankle injuries and may not be ready to practice tomorrow. Campbell, selected 25th overall, is projected to be the No. 3 quarterback and said he is already in Virginia, working out and awaiting the completion of his deal. . . .

The Redskins released injured linebacker Mike Barrow last night. Barrow, who never played a game after signing before last season, had resisted the team's requests to restructure his contract -- he was scheduled to earn $1.74 million in base salary in 2005 -- and releasing him saved the club $1.74 million in cap space, although Barrow will count $1.66 million against the team's 2006 cap. . . .

Safety Andre Lott, who started three games last season, was waived last night. Lott was attempting to recover from a season-ending pectoral tear.