2005 Question: Who benched Lavar Arrington and Why?

[SouperMeister]

Originally Posted by jdlea

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.

[#56fanatic]

Originally Posted by JoeRedskin

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.

[#56fanatic]

Originally Posted by Defensewins

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.

[JoeRedskin]

Originally Posted by #56fanatic

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.

[SolidSnake84]

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.

[#56fanatic]

Originally Posted by JoeRedskin

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.

We could all say the same thing, do you have anyone not confirming it? it is always a back and forth battle, so in the end does it really matter now? not really. its over and done with, so we should probably just move on.

[SmootSmack]

Yes, LaVar restructured his contract to allow the Redskins to sign more players. HOWEVER...it was not a pay cut, and he was one of many over the years to do so. Players do it every year all over the league. He didn't do anything extraordinary

[#56fanatic]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Yes, LaVar restructured his contract to allow the Redskins to sign more players. HOWEVER...it was not a pay cut, and he was one of many over the years to do so. Players do it every year all over the league. He didn't do anything extraordinary

He didn't restructure the year he left. I think that is what we were talking about? He wanted to do it certain way to guarantee certain players got guaranteed contracts, or they wouldn't get cut, or something along those lines. And they wouldn't do both, so he chose to leave. At least that is the way it was explained....?

[JoeRedskin]

Originally Posted by #56fanatic

He didn't restructure the year he left. I think that is what we were talking about? He wanted to do it certain way to guarantee certain players got guaranteed contracts, or they wouldn't get cut, or something along those lines. And they wouldn't do both, so he chose to leave. At least that is the way it was explained....?

By LaVar. Show one player who backs up this silly statement i.e. "LaVar left b/c they wouldn't restructure his contract to guarrantee mine." It seems to me, if this were the reason he left at least one of the players he was trying to "protect" would have supported his statements.

Sorry, I know I should let it go - but the LaVar Love crowd was almost as bad as the Cult of Colt in the denial of reality department (the only difference is that LaVar was an amazing athelete).

[SolidSnake84]

So he would never return to football ever based on what happened here, or are you saying that he physically is not able to play anymore. Because i remember after the motorcycle accident, there were people saying he was still going to recover and attempt to comeback to the NFL, and then it just never happened.

[#56fanatic]

Originally Posted by JoeRedskin

By LaVar. Show one player who backs up this silly statement i.e. "LaVar left b/c they wouldn't restructure his contract to guarrantee mine." It seems to me, if this were the reason he left at least one of the players he was trying to "protect" would have supported his statements.

Sorry, I know I should let it go - but the LaVar Love crowd was almost as bad as the Cult of Colt in the denial of reality department (the only difference is that LaVar was an amazing athelete).

i dont recall anyone coming out and verifying what he said, but we all choose to believe who we want to, or what story we want to believe. I tend to believe it based on how this all came about. He kept his mouth shut about all this for a few years and it came out in a very passionate rant regarding stupid comments made by Portis. You can believe it or not, really doesn't bother me. I choose to believe it, i am sure it doesn't bother you either. When it comes to stories from the NFL, they all have two sides, you choose to believe what you want.

[JoeRedskin]

Originally Posted by SolidSnake84

So he would never return to football ever based on what happened here, or are you saying that he physically is not able to play anymore. Because i remember after the motorcycle accident, there were people saying he was still going to recover and attempt to comeback to the NFL, and then it just never happened.

I think he is physically incapable to play football and was definitively so after the motorcycle accident.

Even if he was physically capable of playing football, however, I doubt he would choose to play for the Skins or that the Skins (particularly under the current regime) would have any interest in him.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by #56fanatic

He didn't restructure the year he left. I think that is what we were talking about? He wanted to do it certain way to guarantee certain players got guaranteed contracts, or they wouldn't get cut, or something along those lines. And they wouldn't do both, so he chose to leave. At least that is the way it was explained....?

What do you mean "they wouldn't do both" I don't follow

[over the mountain]

Originally Posted by SolidSnake84

So he would never return to football ever based on what happened here, or are you saying that he physically is not able to play anymore. Because i remember after the motorcycle accident, there were people saying he was still going to recover and attempt to comeback to the NFL, and then it just never happened.

After hearing lavar talk about his appearance on pros v joes, he was saying there is no way in the world he could ever play again. he has said repeatedly that he has no cartilage in one of his knees, that he aches all the time, etc.

lavar walked away from the nfl before he couldnt walk at all.

With lavar, when he was in the goat house and finally brought in slowly. i remember one game in a goal line stand, he jumped up and stopped the runningback from going over the top. great play lavar! (i dont think he was supposed to do that thoo). very next game, goal line stand, i think it was against the bucs, lavar tried to leap or shoot the gap again instead of eating up a blocker and allowing the LB behind him to plug the hole and make the tackle. he missed the runningback (alstott?), bocker he was supposed to eat up made the block on the LB who would have been in position to make the tackle had lavar stuck to his responsibility.

i was a lavar fan but it was clear from that play and coach comments afterwards that he freelanced on that play when he had been in the doghouse all year b/c of freelancing and it cost us. if he had done his assignment, that runningback wasnt going to score on that play.

was that a 4th and goal for the game/lead with lil to no time left against the bucs?

of course, lavar didnt like playing/being assigned to mostly DE that year either.

[JoeRedskin]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

What do you mean "they wouldn't do both" I don't follow

He means that, according to LaVar, management wouldn't (1) agree to restructure his contract; and (2) do so in a manner so that would "guarantee certain players got guaranteed contracts, or [that] they wouldn't get cut[.]"

It's the choice to believe in part (2) that just makes me laugh inside. It's such a preposterous proposition - like any management anywhere would even entertain such a request (And people accuse me of believing in fairy tales!!). I am sure LaVar has convinced himself this is how it all went down but I am also sure he has convinced himself of many alternate realities.

But, as #56 said, whatever floats your boat dude. He is a fanatic after all.