[PAmedic]

how can we not have a plain 'ol NFL thread? oh well- we do now.

SCAR: you think Philly takes a chance on the "Linebacker-U" alum?

Arrington says Washington wasn't 'comfortable fit'Associated Press

WASHINGTON -- LaVar Arrington played for five defensive coordinators in his first five years without a playoff game to show for it. He endured a lingering contract dispute with the owner. He didn't like the way the team handled his knee injury.

Then he got benched.

A three-time Pro Bowl linebacker can only take so much, even if he had pledged himself forever to the team and had moved his family to the area. Arrington severed ties with the Washington Redskins late Sunday, agreeing to forgo $4.4 million so he could become a free agent.

"Under the current situation, I don't see how it would be productive for me or for the Redskins for me to be there," Arrington said Monday. "I think it's obvious. Some people feel I'm full of drama. Some people feel the Redskins are like that. Who knows who's wrong? It just seems we got to our current position in terms of me and the Redskins. It didn't seem like a comfortable fit."

Arrington's agent, Kevin Poston, told The Associated Press that Arrington agreed to forfeit $4.4 million of $5.7 million in structured bonus payments due to him over the next two years. Arrington will receive the remaining $1.3 million on April 1, while the Redskins get some savings under the salary cap.

"You can't put a price tag on principals and values," said Arrington, who nevertheless could recoup most -- if not all -- of the money in free agency.

Arrington turned down the Redskins' offer to restructure his contract to save cap money while remaining with the team, a deal that would have only taken effect if the NFL and players' union can't agree on a new collective bargaining agreement. Otherwise, Arrington would have been a candidate to be cut after June 1 under the league's complex salary cap rules.

"It's going to be best for the Redskins. I hope it's going to be best for LaVar," coach Joe Gibbs said. "I think it gives him a chance for a fresh start."

Gibbs said the Redskins have reached provisional agreements with "11 or 12" other veterans over the past week to restructure their contracts to help slash more than $20 million under the cap if there is no new agreement. The deadline to get under the cap is the start of free agency, currently scheduled for 12:01 a.m. ET Thursday after being postponed twice.

The Redskins couldn't cut Arrington outright because it would have cost the team under the cap. He was due to count some $12 million against the cap in 2006.

Arrington was the No. 2 draft pick in 2000 out of Penn State and played in three straight Pro Bowls from 2001-03. He became the team's most popular player and signed an eight-year, $68 million contract extension near the end of the 2003 season.

Arrington's downfall began when Gibbs arrived with a new coaching staff in 2004. Arrington hurt his knee early in the season and played in only four games. In April 2005, after his second knee surgery, he criticized team officials for failing to support him during his injury. He was also in a dispute with owner Dan Snyder over a $6.5 million bonus he claimed was missing from the final version of his contract.

The contract dispute was eventually settled, but Arrington then found himself unable to get on the field. He was a marginal player in the first six games of the season last year and didn't play at all in a loss at Denver. There was sense that Arrington wasn't a good fit in assistant coach Gregg Williams' disciplined defensive schemes. He also did not mesh with linebackers coach Dale Lindsey.

"I wasn't one of their guys, and maybe that was the direction they wanted to go in," Arrington said. "I've gotten older. I'm not just a young rookie who is as moldable. Maybe that's where the difficulties came in."

Arrington eventually regained his starting job at midseason, but was not an every-down player and did not have the impact he had in years past. He finished the season without a sack.

Most telling, the defense usually played well regardless of whether Arrington was on the field.

"We wish the last two years had been smoother," Gibbs said. "We wish there had been no injuries. We wish he could have played more and played back to the standard where he wanted to be. I know he was totally frustrated by it."

The Redskins could very well see Arrington again. He said he wants to sign with an NFC East team.

"I want to come back and walk in FedEx Field once a year," he said.

[A.G.]

That would be a great signing for someone. I just pray that it aint the Cowgirls.
(or can we agree to call them the Dallas B. Cowboys)

[TIMSCAR20]

I have hung out with LaVar a few times over the years and I can tell you he is an absolute cut up. The Eagles will love him in the locker room and I think on the field too. I hope we get him.

[PAmedic]

I was curious about the theory put forward in the article about him not playing w/in the regimented defensive scheme- like he's a free lancer or something. Also, how he's rebounded from the knee surgeries.

[PAmedic]

only thing worse would've been Dallas:

LB Arrington signs with Giants

NEW YORK (AP) - LaVar Arrington signed with the New York Giants on Saturday, giving him a chance to play twice a year against his former team and helping fill a huge gap at linebacker for the NFC East champions.

Arrington agreed to a $49 million, seven-year deal late Friday, according to Kevin Poston, one of his agents. Poston didn't say how much was guaranteed but Giants general manager Ernie Accorsi indicated that it includes performance bonuses.
Arrington reportedly had been seeking as much as $18 million guaranteed and a $58 million deal, one reason Arrington stayed on the market while dozens of other players signed during the first few weeks of the free-agent period.

"We needed a big, power player to add to our defense and LaVar Arrington is that," Accorsi said. "He has a presence about him and he makes us a better football team.

"The agreement is a fair deal for the player and a fair deal for the organization."

Arrington, the third overall pick in the 2000 draft and a three-time Pro Bowler, bought his way out of Washington in March for $4.4 million after a tempestuous final two seasons in which he suffered from knee injuries and was benched by defensive coordinator Gregg Williams for freelancing. He took a physical with the Giants on Thursday to ensure that his knees were healthy.

He joins a defense that features the defensive end tandem of Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora, who last year combined for 26 sacks. Both made the Pro Bowl and Umenyiora, in his third year, was an All-Pro.

Arrington also fills a huge hole for the Giants, who lost all three starting linebackers late last season to injuries and went into the playoffs with a backup and two recently signed free agents.

Last week, the Giants signed free agent Brandon Short, who played for them from 2000-2003. The addition of Arrington means the team could turn its attention to another position in the first round of next week's draft, perhaps cornerback or defensive tackle.

Poston said Green Bay, Jacksonville and Miami all were in the running for the 27-year-old Arrington. But in the end, he said, his client decided that he wanted to play against Washington twice a season and for Tim Lewis, New York's defensive coordinator.

"It came down to LaVar feeling most comfortable going to a good team in a familiar division with a defensive coordinator that he loves," Poston said.

---

Larry Lage in Detroit contributed to this report.

[PAmedic]

Reports: Favre to play '06 season

Brett Favre's career apparently isn't over just yet.

According to published reports Tuesday night, Favre has decided to return for his 15th NFL season, telling the Packers he'll play the 2006 season.
The due date for Brett Favre's $3 million roster bonus — originally scheduled last month — had been moved to July 27, giving the three-time MVP more time to make a decision on retirement.

Since the team ended its season with a 4-12 record, Favre had repeatedly said he had not decided whether to return for a 15th season with the Packers.

Favre has questioned whether the team has been improved significantly and would be better next season.

"I guess, ultimately, it comes down to just whether or not you want to play and run the risk of being 4-12 again," Favre said earlier this month.

Packers general manager Ted Thompson said in early April that the bonus due date - which already had been moved back three times - was a non-issue.

Favre would have to be on the Packers' roster on the due date to qualify for the bonus.

Thompson and new Packers coach Mike McCarthy said previously that they'd like a decision from Favre as soon as possible but have not criticized him for taking so long to make up his mind.

[Flamesfanva]

I often wonder what his career would have been had an NFL team given him the chance to be a franchise QB. He did great in the CFL. He hopefully will be good in the broadcasting booth.