Hard Hits

Redskins are back in the playoff hunt

LaVar Arrington — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 17:18:47 GMT

Who would have thought that after compiling a 3-6 record, the Redskins would still be in playoff contention? After two straight divisional wins, the Redskins are now 5-6 and very much in the hunt.

Although the Giants won too, next week’s game is a battle to get one game closer to first in the division.

Read full article >>

Let’s teach kids about the successes and failures of big-time sports

LaVar Arrington — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 17:29:55 GMT

I was on a panel Wednesday night at the NYU School of Law. (A very far cry from the guy who was accused of not being bright enough to learn a football defensive scheme.) The panelists were professors, lawyers, doctors, philosophers and former athletes. The topic of conversation was college athletics, and the question was: Who’s in charge?

Read full article >>

Redskins still have a shot at a playoff berth in the weak NFC East

LaVar Arrington — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 16:49:56 GMT

While the Redskins were resting this weekend, two of the other three teams in the NFC East, the Giants and Eagles, lost. The Cowboys won, of course, beating Philadelphia, but they’re still just one game ahead of Washington.

Read full article >>

Redskins’ season isn’t over, unless they decide it is

LaVar Arrington — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 17:11:22 GMT

As a former player, I understand how difficult it is to make it into the NFL. I also understand that it takes a special player to make it onto a NFL roster. So here’s where I get confused: I’m okay with media and fans attributing a team’s failure to injuries, but I’m not okay with players and coaches doing so.

Read full article >>

Nothing will change until the Redskins find their identity

LaVar Arrington — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 21:27:16 GMT

Instead of writing about what we all saw between the lines yesterday during the Redskins’ loss to the Panthers, I’m going to focus on what happened outside the lines that disturbs me.

Being in the stadium provides a different perspective on the game. Spectators are able to see more in person than they can on television. I have been curious, like everyone else, about the alleged lack of passion and fire. So I watched the Redskins’ sideline for most of the first half Sunday.

Read full article >>

Back at my other home, with the children

LaVar Arrington — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 18:17:01 GMT

It was alumni day at FedEx Field and it was the first time my family and I were at a game together since 2006. My kids have run around with Redskins jerseys and helmets all these years, and finally they were at a game.

Read full article >>

Redskins’ defense has an opprtunity Sunday vs. Panthers

LaVar Arrington — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 14:40:00 GMT

So DeAngelo Hall will be only fined not suspended for his verbal altercation and ejection last Sunday. Whether fans believe this or not, Hall’s absence would have made an already struggling secondary worse. I hope Hall sees this as a reprieve of sorts and has a get-back-on-track type of game. I am thinking the same thing for this entire defense. That could just be wishful thinking.

Read full article >>

Jim Haslett must clear things up on defense

LaVar Arrington — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 17:21:00 GMT

I have offered many reasons why the Redskins’ defense has struggled. I’ve suggested there is not enough pride, preparation and even passion about becoming a better unit. Then I began thinking about players I know on the team and I’m sure they have all those things. So why isn’t it apparent on the field?

Read full article >>

London Fletcher should not have played Sunday

Mon, 29 Oct 2012 17:06:29 GMT

I’m going to catch a lot of flack for this, but it needs to be said: London Fletcher should have been on the sidelines Sunday resting his body — either by choice or the decision of his coaches.

I apologize to anyone for writing this, the Redskins coaches’ first responsibility is to make the best decision for the team — not one player.

Read full article >>

‘I smell an upset’

LaVar Arrington — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 15:21:29 GMT

The Washington Redskins will square off against the Pittsburgh Steelers this weekend. Personnel-wise, the Redskins actually match up fairly well.

On offense, the Redskins’ wide open organized madness not only makes them fun to watch but very difficult to defend. Robert Griffin III has shown his remarkable talent both running and passing the ball. RB Alfred Morris is becoming a rookie of the year candidate himself, right alongside his star QB.

Read full article >>

Redskins defense must stop giving up the big play

LaVar Arrington — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 17:23:00 GMT

The Redskins fell to the Giants Sunday but it wasn’t for lack of effort or even ability. They simply yielded too many big plays and made too many mistakes to win.

Robert Griffin III continues to shine. Sure, the Giants got to him a few times and he did fumble at a very critical time, but he makes up for every mistake. He drove the team right down the field in amazing fashion to score what should have been the game-winning touchdown.

Read full article >>

Redskins can earn a large measure of respect with a win Sunday

LaVar Arrington — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 17:52:00 GMT

There’s some excitement brewing in Washington heading into this weekend’s matchup with the New York Giants. With the inconsistency of all the NFC East teams, the Redskins find themselves in position to contend for the division and own the tiebreaker against the Giants.

Read full article >>

Redskins played like a team, and that may be most encouraging of all

LaVar Arrington — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 16:40:39 GMT

Here’s what I took from the Redskins big win over the Minnesota Vikings, which, remember, they accomplisehd wthout top wide receiver Pierre Garçon. That made some of these keys to the game even more important.

Read full article >>

Redskins need to believe in themselves as they approach a pivotal game

LaVar Arrington — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 16:47:00 GMT

The Redskins lost a heartbreaker last weekend against a real fine team. I don’t know which hurts more--a close loss or a blowout. What I do know is players have a hard time accepting moral victories. Most times, a loss is simply a loss.

Read full article >>

Redskins improve, still learning

LaVar Arrington — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 16:55:05 GMT

The Redskins played their hearts out in Sunday’s 24-17 loss to the Falcons. Although there are no door prizes for losing games, it was important for the members of the defense to show up, and they did.

Read full article >>

How the Redskins can beat Atlanta

LaVar Arrington — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 15:26:29 GMT

Here’s what the Redskins must do to win against Atlanta. The offense will have to be the Redskins defense this weekend. If the Redskins can control the time of possession, they could be in position to win.

Read full article >>

A 2-2 start is not bad, but now the road gets rougher

LaVar Arrington — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 19:11:17 GMT

After pulling out a much needed victory over the Bucs, the Redskins sit at .500 after the first quarter of the NFL season. With the schedule they have coming up, undefeated or 3-1 would have put them in a better spot. All four games were winnable. Washington let the Rams and Bengals games get away. They didn’t lose to better teams.

Read full article >>

Redskins-Bucs: What the Redskins need to do

LaVar Arrington — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 17:37:32 GMT

The Redskins are at a very critical place early in this season. At 1-2 against three rebuilding teams, the Redskins this weekend are facing their fourth rebuilding opponent in a row. Tampa Bay has a rookie head coach and new players. The Bucs have been a scrappy team in close, losing efforts. A struggling QB doesn’t make matters better for them.

Read full article >>

Some positive thoughts as RGIII moves forward

LaVar Arrington — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 16:23:00 GMT

Much has been made about how much RGIII is running in games. There are many arguments and debates about how he should be used and if running so much will lead to him being injured.

I understand the concern. I, too, am concerned about his longevity. I can remember vets like Marco Coleman and Bruce Smith telling me to be smart about how I played the game. All I ever knew was 100% at all times. That was great until my body started failing me.

Read full article >>

Lessons from the Redskins-Bengals game

LaVar Arrington — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 15:26:00 GMT

First, I absolutely admire Robert Griffin III running the ball to give the team a boost when it needs one. The problem is he’s running too much. If he has to continue to run this much, it’s not a matter of if but when he’ll be knocked out of a game. I understand he’s super-athletic; that doesn’t mean run him and risk him getting seriously injured.

Read full article >>

Redskins vs. Bengals: Washington’s keys to victory

LaVar Arrington — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 19:25:18 GMT

There are the obvious things the Redskins need to do to win their home opener Sunday against the Bengals, like winning the turnover and time-of-possession battles. But the game won’t come down to statistical categories; it’s about playing with pride, control and being physical. I could break the game down by phases like I usually do but the point is every single Redskins player needs to go into this game thinking the same exact thing.

Read full article >>

Four Redskins who could make a difference this season

LaVar Arrington — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 15:13:00 GMT

In the wake of two major losses on defense — the season-ending injuries to linebacker Brian Orakpo and defensive end Adam Carriker — three guys on defense and one on offense have a chance to make a difference this season: lineman Kedric Golston, linebacker Rob Jackson, linebacker Chris Wilson and wide receiver Josh Morgan.

Read full article >>

Too many mistakes cost the Redskins

LaVar Arrington — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 15:26:07 GMT

The Washington Redskins left an important game on the table against the Rams. This was a game to show a different team from years past. The game against the Saints marked a win they weren’t suppose to get. Getting a win against the Rams would have been just as important: beating a team they were suppose to beat. We all know the Redskins have made a habit of playing to the level of their competition, up and down. So a win against the Rams would have shown that this team has moved forward, at least in that regard.

Read full article >>

Redskins’ keys to victory vs. Rams

LaVar Arrington — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 16:21:03 GMT

Like last week’s season opener, tempo and ball control will be important for the Redskins’ offense Sunday against the Rams, but I believe this is also the perfect opportunity to let RGIII throw downfield and often. The Rams’ defense is similar to the Saints, but their offense isn’t — so keeping them off the field isn’t as high a priority. The Redskins offense can take some chances, so I’m looking for them to be more aggressive with their play-calling this week.

Read full article >>

Beware the Robert Griffin III hype, it could make the Redskins’ challenge more difficult

LaVar Arrington — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 16:41:21 GMT

The attention on Robert Griffin III and the Redskins is a mounting concern for me.

I will be the first one to admit that what happened last Sunday was very exciting, as well as promising. But the thing that bothers me is all the media attention surrounding a single win.

Read full article >>