Friday, April 21, 2006

The agent for LaVar Arrington met with lawyers yesterday to appeal a two-year suspension recommended against him by the NFL Players Association.

A judge heard Carl Poston 's argument against the suspension and is expected to make a decision soon. An eight-member union disciplinary board ruled last month that Poston was negligent in his handling of the contract Arrington signed with the Redskins in 2003.

The hearing continues an offseason of uncertainty for Arrington, who after essentially buying out his Redskins contract for $4.4 million still is without a team. Arrington met with the New York Giants yesterday and took a physical, but left without signing a contract.

Arrington had been in negotiations with Jacksonville, Miami and Cincinnati, but according to sources is seeking a contract similar to that of free agent linebacker Julian Peterson , who left San Francisco and signed with Seattle for $54 million over seven years, with nearly $14 million in guaranteed money.

According to sources, at least five teams are interested in Arrington but consider his asking price to be too high. Arrington, however, may be softening his stance because he has an interest in playing for the Giants, a team he initially pursued, and he took the unusual step of taking a physical without agreeing to contract terms.

Arrington has said he wanted to maintain his business and personal ties to the Washington area and also has special motivation in playing in the NFC East, because he would play against the Redskins twice per season.

-- Howard Bryant