Lavar has been misused...

[Skins_4_Lyfe]

Does anyone remember this quote in a Washington Post article back when Joe Gibbs and Greg Williams came on board?

"Washington gives the Redskins another linebacker in addition to LaVar Arrington with an ability to rush the passer. Washington, who compiled 18 sacks in the past four seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, appears likely to play strongside linebacker. The change would move Arrington to weakside linebacker -- Armstead's old spot -- which would give Arrington a better path to the quarterback. Williams also plans to often use Arrington at defensive end on third downs. Arrington had a career-high 11 sacks in 2002 when then-defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis used him in that capacity.
Gibbs called Washington and Arrington "double jeopardy," alluding to their pass-rushing ability."

I'm quite sure Williams never lived up to his plans for Lavar. I can count on one hand the number of times I've seen him lined up at DE post Greg Williams (even in 2004 before the injury). During the three games that Lavar was sidelined our defense produced 2 sacks. With a performance like that I would be willing to try anything. You can't blow an assignment if your on the field to rush the QB. LT became famous doing just that as he wasn't the most disciplined of players.

I would hate to see Lavar go elsewhere and return to his Pro-Bowl statis.

[That Guy]

who knows, we've talked about it before, and i haven't really heard a great reason besides he lost speed ddue to the injury... I'm all for increased sack count.

[GoSkins!]

Think about it like this. Lavar plays all out all the time. He got injured and he wasn't 100%. The type of injury Lavar had was easily aggrivated and hard to fully recover from.

Now, with that in mind, is it a good idea to line him (253 lbs.) up against OTs (300+) consitantly? Even when he was fully healthy, Lavar said that rushing from the DE position took a toll on him physically. That was part of why he didn't want to do it.

If he was used that way in 2005, there may have not been a 2006 for Lavar anywhere.

[bigm29]

Originally Posted by GoSkins!

Think about it like this. Lavar plays all out all the time. He got injured and he wasn't 100%. The type of injury Lavar had was easily aggrivated and hard to fully recover from.

Now, with that in mind, is it a good idea to line him (253 lbs.) up against OTs (300+) consitantly? Even when he was fully healthy, Lavar said that rushing from the DE position took a toll on him physically. That was part of why he didn't want to do it.

If he was used that way in 2005, there may have not been a 2006 for Lavar anywhere.

ever hear of Robert Mathis? 6-2, 235, and he got 11.5 sacks

[shallyshal]

Originally Posted by GoSkins!

Think about it like this. Lavar plays all out all the time. He got injured and he wasn't 100%. The type of injury Lavar had was easily aggrivated and hard to fully recover from.

Now, with that in mind, is it a good idea to line him (253 lbs.) up against OTs (300+) consitantly? Even when he was fully healthy, Lavar said that rushing from the DE position took a toll on him physically. That was part of why he didn't want to do it.

If he was used that way in 2005, there may have not been a 2006 for Lavar anywhere.

i see the skins are thinking seriously about drafting tapp to play def end. he is 255 and 6' 1" and will be going up against those same tackles. is that a mistake too?

seriously, lavar has enough size and strength but lacks technique coming off the edge. he tends to plow right into those tackles and get swallowed up. even chris clemons seemed to have better technique.
perhaps lavar is not fully over his injuries and perhaps he is not suited well for rushing the passer from that spot... i do not know for certain but lavars production has certainly diminished inthat regard

[GoSkins!]

Originally Posted by shallyshal

i see the skins are thinking seriously about drafting tapp to play def end. he is 255 and 6' 1" and will be going up against those same tackles. is that a mistake too?

seriously, lavar has enough size and strength but lacks technique coming off the edge. he tends to plow right into those tackles and get swallowed up. even chris clemons seemed to have better technique.
perhaps lavar is not fully over his injuries and perhaps he is not suited well for rushing the passer from that spot... i do not know for certain but lavars production has certainly diminished inthat regard

The mistake isn't having a guy his size play 3rd down DE, the mistake is having a guy WITH A BUM KNEE playing 3rd down DE against those OTs.

Regardless of technique, when Lavar was healty, he produced quite a few sacks when rushing from the DE position. Williams made it very clear that he had to get back to that level of health. I think that it would have been idiotic to put him back at DE last year while his knee was "iffy".

I agree that his production has diminished, the question is why. Does anyone here believe, as the title of this thread suggests, that it's because the coaching staff doesn't know how to use or get the most out of their players? If so, please name another defensive player who this is happening to.

Lets reserve judgment until after seeing Lavar healty after a full offseason of workouts and training camps.

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by Skins_4_Lyfe

Does anyone remember this quote in a Washington Post article back when Joe Gibbs and Greg Williams came on board?

"Washington gives the Redskins another linebacker in addition to LaVar Arrington with an ability to rush the passer. Washington, who compiled 18 sacks in the past four seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, appears likely to play strongside linebacker. The change would move Arrington to weakside linebacker -- Armstead's old spot -- which would give Arrington a better path to the quarterback. Williams also plans to often use Arrington at defensive end on third downs. Arrington had a career-high 11 sacks in 2002 when then-defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis used him in that capacity.
Gibbs called Washington and Arrington "double jeopardy," alluding to their pass-rushing ability."

I'm quite sure Williams never lived up to his plans for Lavar. I can count on one hand the number of times I've seen him lined up at DE post Greg Williams (even in 2004 before the injury). During the three games that Lavar was sidelined our defense produced 2 sacks. With a performance like that I would be willing to try anything. You can't blow an assignment if your on the field to rush the QB. LT became famous doing just that as he wasn't the most disciplined of players.

I would hat to see Lavar go elsewhere and return to his Pro-Bowl statis.

Ever stop to think that the reason Lavar didn't show up on the field much at DE (or LB for that matter) was because he didn't deserve it?

I don't think it's Gregg Williams' fault that Lavar wasn't on the field. I think it's Lavar's fault. If it weren't for the cap constraints, I'd love to see him gone from the team.

[Skins_4_Lyfe]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

Ever stop to think that the reason Lavar didn't show up on the field much at DE (or LB for that matter) was because he didn't deserve it?

I don't think it's Gregg Williams' fault that Lavar wasn't on the field. I think it's Lavar's fault. If it weren't for the cap constraints, I'd love to see him gone from the team.

thats kinda harsh...

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by Skins_4_Lyfe

thats kinda harsh...

Harsh, but deserved. He has never bothered to develop any consistent technique or learn the intricacies of defensive assignments because he was always able to rely on his athletic ability and speed to make up for those shortcomings. But as soon as his knee got hurt and he became a step slower, that athleticism wasn't there to bail him out, and his shortcomings have been exposed.

If Lavar's speed is there, he can probably continue to do damage on the field. But you can't pay a guy that much money when he's starting to have balky knees if he's not going to be technically sound. As soon as something starts hurting him and his speed dwindles, he becomes totally useless. Speed and nastiness are his only assets; if he loses them he's going to play terribly, book it.

Some guys actually make up for their lack of speed by being smart and working hard (Lemar Marshall). But Arrington is the opposite. Guys like that aren't worth the money we're paying him.

[70Chip]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

Ever stop to think that the reason Lavar didn't show up on the field much at DE (or LB for that matter) was because he didn't deserve it?

I don't think it's Gregg Williams' fault that Lavar wasn't on the field. I think it's Lavar's fault. If it weren't for the cap constraints, I'd love to see him gone from the team.

First, I would preface this by saying that some knee injuries take a couple of years to completely recover from. (Some never heal). If this were the case with Lavar and he were willing to restructure, I might keep him.

However, Lavar says he is 100% and it is not clear if he would restructure. There is no way the Redskins can keep him given his contract and the current state of his play. He not only seems unsure of his asignments, but he also looks physically slow and overweight. I thought I was alone in that but Riggins said the same thing on the last RR of the season.

[offiss]

I have to agree, Lavar defiently wasen't used properly, to many times I would see our defense on the sideline, or during a timeout with nothing to drink, IMO Lavar has to be there with plenty of gatorade for everyone, we can't have our defense dehydrated like that, that will defintly hinder their performance.

He also has to make a better effort in december when the weather gets cold at keeping the bench warm for the rest of the guys.

If Lavar can't get the job done, then it's time to get a new waterboy!

[saskin]

It did say he "PLANNED" to use him like that. Didn't say it was set in stone.

[wheeler]

Originally Posted by 70Chip

First, I would preface this by saying that some knee injuries take a couple of years to completely recover from. (Some never heal). If this were the case with Lavar and he were willing to restructure, I might keep him.

However, Lavar says he is 100% and it is not clear if he would restructure. There is no way the Redskins can keep him given his contract and the current state of his play. He not only seems unsure of his asignments, but he also looks physically slow and overweight. I thought I was alone in that but Riggins said the same thing on the last RR of the season.

i think it would be great if lavar stayed . I think he's a leader .Remember he was the redskins very best player for a couple of years .

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by wheeler

i think it would be great if lavar stayed . I think he's a leader .Remember he was the redskins very best player for a couple of years .

He was the very best player on Redskin teams that couldn't make the playoffs. Lavar did not study his assignments back then, he just used his pure speed to wreak havoc. The only way he becomes that same player again is if his knee is completely healthy. Even then, he's a bit older now, and his speed is not likely to be what it once was.

And he's definitely the furthest thing from a leader in my mind. He doesn't lead by example. The right example to set for teammates is to study hard and learn to work as a unit. And leaders don't come out whining in the media about treatment from the coaching staff, and then a few days later retracting those comments.

Marcus Washington is the emotional leader of the defense. And Lemar Marshall sets the tone for work ethic.

[shallyshal]

Originally Posted by Skins_4_Lyfe

Does anyone remember this quote in a Washington Post article back when Joe Gibbs and Greg Williams came on board?

"Washington gives the Redskins another linebacker in addition to LaVar Arrington with an ability to rush the passer. Washington, who compiled 18 sacks in the past four seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, appears likely to play strongside linebacker. The change would move Arrington to weakside linebacker -- Armstead's old spot -- which would give Arrington a better path to the quarterback. Williams also plans to often use Arrington at defensive end on third downs. Arrington had a career-high 11 sacks in 2002 when then-defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis used him in that capacity.
Gibbs called Washington and Arrington "double jeopardy," alluding to their pass-rushing ability."

I'm quite sure Williams never lived up to his plans for Lavar. I can count on one hand the number of times I've seen him lined up at DE post Greg Williams (even in 2004 before the injury). During the three games that Lavar was sidelined our defense produced 2 sacks. With a performance like that I would be willing to try anything. You can't blow an assignment if your on the field to rush the QB. LT became famous doing just that as he wasn't the most disciplined of players.

I would hat to see Lavar go elsewhere and return to his Pro-Bowl statis.

lavar has been unable to stay healthy.. and unable to keep from blowing coverages.. not too bad for someone making vet minimum salary... totally unacceptable for someone about to cost the team 12 mil in cap dollars..