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The Washington Redskins
With LaVar Arrington
Redskin Linebacker
Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2001; 2 p.m. EST
Following a dismal 0-5 start the Redskins managed one of the most dramatic turnarounds in NFL history. Under head coach Marty Schottenheimer the team has managed to take what seemed a hopeless season and win five games in a row. However, the Redskins were defeated 20-14 on Sunday -- the team's ninth straight loss to the Dallas Cowboys. ("For Redskins, Cowboys Remain Unbeatable" Post, Dec. 3)
Washington Redskins linebacker LaVar Arrington was online to talk about the team, the game against Dallas, where the Redskins go from here and his career.
The transcript follows.
Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control
over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.
LaVar Arrington: Hello everybody.
Falls Church, Va.:
LaVar,
I went to Penn State with you and graduated in Dec. '99. In fact, you hit on my ex-girlfriend a few times, but I'll put that behind me for now! Anyway, since I first saw you play, you've always been not only an outstanding physical talent but also an emotional leader. My question is, has it been difficult for you to transition into the obvious defensive leader for the Redskins that you now are? Or better yet, did you feel that you had to prove yourself to some of the more veteran players before they would listen to what you said?
Greg
LaVar Arrington: Good question.
If I ever hit on your girlfriend it was probably by accident. I was just being polite.
Second, I think I did have to prove myself in order for the veterans on the team to respect me. But I feel like I have become a leader this year. I welcome it and enjoy the pressure.
Laurel, Md.:
LaVar, what mental preparations do you go through when preparing for a game?
LaVar Arrington: I try to learn as many tendencies as I can about the other players before game time. I try to figure out if there are any "tells" the other players have. As far as getting myself ready, I try to stay as relaxed and loose as I can and reflect before the game. I try to think about all of the people who have sacrificed so much for me and I play with the mentality that I can not let them down.
Temple Hill, Md.:
I notice the last 8 weeks or so, it appears to me that the team has really been playing more like a family. Players picking players up. Everyone watching each others backs. I might be wrong, but, this is what I feel when watching the games now. What do you think.
LaVar Arrington: This is true and I think we need more of it.
Silver Spring, Md.:
LaVar,
Thanks for taking questions on what must be a very tough day for you and your comrades.
My question is this, how can you repeatedly make the statement that the Redskins were the "underdog" before and after the Dallas game? I mean what's to be gained from basically admitting that the Cowboys are better than ya'll? The better approach would be to let them know there will be no quarter and that they will be squashed like a roach under foot! You only make them feel bigger and badder by saying that the Skins are "underdogs" playing at home, riding a 5 game win streak while Dallas was on a 4 game losing streak, starting a rookie QB. Make THEM afraid, not cocky. What were you thinking when you said that stuff?
Thanks for your time LaVar,
LaVar Arrington: You know what? I agree with you. I might have made a mistake. We were approaching the season as underdogs because so many people were writing us off. So I was speaking in terms of the whole season. But you are correct in your statement. I hope we don't let up.
Silver Spring, Md.:
Did the Cowboy players talk any smack while you were on the field?
LaVar Arrington: They didn't talk too much to me. I am always talking though.
State College, Pa.:
Lavar, I am a student at Penn State, but I live in Arlington, Va. and follow the Redskins with the rest of the die-hard Washingtonians. What do you think about the fact that Penn State and the Redskins have played on the same weekend nine times this year with both teams having the same result?
LaVar Arrington: It is pretty neat. We are connected.
Ashburn, Va.:
Lavar,
How is your buddy Shawn Barber doing? How is his knee coming along.
LaVar Arrington: Shawn is in good spirits. He is doing really well. He keeps me on my toes. I told everybody when he went down that I would be hitting people a lot harder since I have to do it for two now. I'm dedicating the rest of the season to him.
Reston, Va.:
It's Penn State's fault, isn't it.
LaVar Arrington: They should have won. If they had won, we would have. Just kidding.
We both should have won those games but we lost.
Virginia:
It has been widely printed that your interception in the Carolina game was the rally cry heard team-wide; what was, or were, the motivation, or motivating factors, that kept you go participating in what seemed such a Season without hope (i.e. what kept you going to keep your eye on the ball?)?
P.S. Thank-you
LaVar Arrington: It provided a spark in that game and some guys use that as an inspiration for the season but I don't think that that was the play that turned the season around. I think that it started way before that.
Sterling, Va.:
LaVar,
After the loss to Dallas, can we rebound against a far better Arizona?
LaVar Arrington: Yes we can.
Burke, Va.:
LaVar,
How do you compare Joe Paterno to Marty Shottenheimer as coaches and as people?
LaVar Arrington: I think that they are pretty similar. They both have strict and demanding schedules and demand the best out of their players. They are also both people friendly and seem like good guys.
Somerset, N.J.:
Mr. Arrington,
As a long time Redskins fan, I have been looking for a football card of you in your Redskins uniform. No one seems to make them yet. Is their one available? IF yes which sets are they in? How do we get them?
Please let us know a little about your friendship with Bruce Smith. I attended the Victory in Philly last week and saw that you guys sit near each other, has he been a help in your adjustment to the Pro game? If so how? Thanks and Go Smash the Cardinals! Hail to the Redskins!
LaVar Arrington: No, there is no card out with me in a Redskin uniform.
Bruce and I have gotten really close in this past year. He has helped me a lot with the game. I consider him a good friend.
Charlottesville, Va.:
Just out of curiosity, Lavar, after working with the NFL conditioning coaches, what has your bench max gone up to now, and what was it right out of college?
LaVar Arrington: I could do sets of six with 315 when I was in college. Now I can do 315 about 10 times.
Washington, D.C.:
LaVar,
You are one of the hardest hitters in the league but it has to take a toll on your own body. Are you concerned that you may be shortening your career by playing with such ferocity
LaVar Arrington: I hit hard but it doesn't feel as bad as it looks. At least to me it doesn't. I don't think I am shortening my career by hitting the way I hit.
Bethesda, Md.:
Do you have one "favorite hit of all time?"
LaVar Arrington: No, I really don't. They each have their own story.
Reston, Va.:
LaVar,
I know it must be a very frustrating year for you from watching you Penn St. fall out of any bowl game possibilities to the dismal game yesterday played against "America's Team" the Dallas Cowboys. Would you consider playing football with another team (possibly the Cowboys) after your current contract expires?
It seems to me that you are the heart and soul of an otherwise disheartened Washington Redskin team. Keeping this in mind, what can you do to shake this team up? I saw your post-game interview and happy to finally see someone in that locker room that had a pulse. I was great to see you so angry for losing the game. Don't get me wrong, I'm not happy at your loss, rather happy that your not just accepting this as any other game.
LaVar it's up to you to keep what I feel was, at one time, the greatest, most bitterly contested rivalry in all of our country's major sports.
LaVar Arrington: I totally agree with you.
I don't want to play for another city. I love the fans, I love the people and the community. I wouldn't want to play for another team.
I will do my best to restore the rivalry. It will take a couple of other players to approach the games differently. I will do my best to make people understand.
Maryland:
Is the rumor true that you and Serena Williams are an item?
LaVar Arrington: No she is not my girlfriend, just my friend.
Washington, D.C.:
Who do you realistically see being the division winner?
LaVar Arrington: Us.
Columbia, Md.:
How do you handle these emotional roller coasters? As a fan it's tough -- but as a player?
LaVar Arrington: It is tougher.
Bethesda, Md.:
Lavar great season so far! That must of been a disappointing lose yesterday, do you think the team can bounce back from such a tough loss? Do you feel like you guys got outplayed or was it overconfidence?
LaVar Arrington: I know we will bounce back. I think we did get outplayed because we did loose. I don't know if we got overconfident, I think that we were just out game-planned and by the time we corrected for it it was too late.
Tampa, Fla.:
We all know the talent is there but has the defensive scheme change or one year experience been the key to this breakout season for you?
LaVar Arrington: I think a little of both.
Rockville, Md.:
I noticed you and Emmit Smith exchanging some words down on the playing field a few times yesterday. What were you saying? What was he saying? Bring us in a little, LaVar.
Thanks
LaVar Arrington: I try and intimidate everyone I play against. I wasn't saying anything to him -- I just looked at him, trying to get into Emmit's head by not saying anything. He just looked at me, smiled and said "good hit."
LaVar Arrington: First, I apologize for loosing to the Cowboys but we WILL bounce back. Hang in there with us and I will try to make the rest of the season interesting.
Thanks for the questions.
washingtonpost.com:
That wraps up today's show. Thanks to everyone who joined the
discussion.
If you didn't get your question answered today, come back this Friday at 1:30 p.m. EST when Washington Redskins running back Ki-Jana Carter will be online to discuss the team.
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