NFC East: In Cap Move, Arrington Is Released
By Gary Fitzgerald
Redskins.com
March 5, 2006
Three-time Pro Bowl linebacker LaVar Arrington has reached an agreement with the Redskins, with the assistance of his agents Carl and Kevin Poston, to become a free agent and provide the team with much-needed salary cap relief.
For Arrington, the release ends a six-year run in Washington that has included some ups and downs. After starring at Penn State, Arrington was drafted by the Redskins with the second overall pick in the 2000 NFL Draft.
Arrington emerged as one of the NFL's top linebackers one year later, recording 100-plus tackles each year from 2001-03. He also earned Pro Bowl trips each of those years. In 2004, Arrington suffered a knee injury that sidelined him most of the season.
Last season, Arrington gradually returned from the injury and earned back his starting assignment in Week 9. He started six of the last eight regular season games, plus both playoff games, and finished with 53 tackles (45 solo).
For his career, Arrington has logged 467 tackles (335 solo), 22.5 sacks, 11 forced fumbles, seven fumble recoveries and three interceptions.
His signature play as a Redskin may have been the game-changing interception he recorded against Carolina on Oct. 21, 2001, when he raced 67 yards for a touchdown that ignited a rally. The play helped turn around the Redskins' season that year and elevated Arrington's status as an elite player.
Arrington also turned in a memorable interception in the Redskins' Wild Card win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Jan. 7, 2006. His 21-yard return helped set up the Redskins' first touchdown in a 17-10 victory.
Arrington's departure creates an opening for a starting job at the weak-side linebacker spot. Warrick Holdman, who started seven games at weak-side linebacker last season, is also an unrestricted free agent. Another option, Chris Clemons, is a restricted free agent.
The Redskins have several linebackers who could move into the role, including second-year player Robert McCune who has worked on the weak-side in practices. Washington drafted McCune in the fifth round of the 2005 NFL Draft.
Lemar Marshall, who started 16 games at middle linebacker last season, could move back to the weak-side, a position he played most of the 2004 season in place of Arrington. That would create an opening at middle linebacker.
It's also possible that the Redskins could seek to acquire Arrington's replacement in free agency or in the NFL Draft, scheduled for April 29-30.
Redskins.com
March 5, 2006
Three-time Pro Bowl linebacker LaVar Arrington has reached an agreement with the Redskins, with the assistance of his agents Carl and Kevin Poston, to become a free agent and provide the team with much-needed salary cap relief.
For Arrington, the release ends a six-year run in Washington that has included some ups and downs. After starring at Penn State, Arrington was drafted by the Redskins with the second overall pick in the 2000 NFL Draft.
Arrington emerged as one of the NFL's top linebackers one year later, recording 100-plus tackles each year from 2001-03. He also earned Pro Bowl trips each of those years. In 2004, Arrington suffered a knee injury that sidelined him most of the season.
Last season, Arrington gradually returned from the injury and earned back his starting assignment in Week 9. He started six of the last eight regular season games, plus both playoff games, and finished with 53 tackles (45 solo).
For his career, Arrington has logged 467 tackles (335 solo), 22.5 sacks, 11 forced fumbles, seven fumble recoveries and three interceptions.
His signature play as a Redskin may have been the game-changing interception he recorded against Carolina on Oct. 21, 2001, when he raced 67 yards for a touchdown that ignited a rally. The play helped turn around the Redskins' season that year and elevated Arrington's status as an elite player.
Arrington also turned in a memorable interception in the Redskins' Wild Card win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Jan. 7, 2006. His 21-yard return helped set up the Redskins' first touchdown in a 17-10 victory.
Arrington's departure creates an opening for a starting job at the weak-side linebacker spot. Warrick Holdman, who started seven games at weak-side linebacker last season, is also an unrestricted free agent. Another option, Chris Clemons, is a restricted free agent.
The Redskins have several linebackers who could move into the role, including second-year player Robert McCune who has worked on the weak-side in practices. Washington drafted McCune in the fifth round of the 2005 NFL Draft.
Lemar Marshall, who started 16 games at middle linebacker last season, could move back to the weak-side, a position he played most of the 2004 season in place of Arrington. That would create an opening at middle linebacker.
It's also possible that the Redskins could seek to acquire Arrington's replacement in free agency or in the NFL Draft, scheduled for April 29-30.
posted by The Gryphon at 8:14 PM
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