Lavar Arrington: Should the Texans Look to Acquire Him?

[mogrod]

This guy has a world of talent and makes plays but, since Gibbs has taken over, hasn't seen the field much.

The NFL Live guys were talking about him tonight saying he makes a ton of plays but will miss some assignments at times.

But, if I'm the Texans, what do you have to lose? They haven't found a playmaking OLB in now their 4th season.

Trade for him and just blitz the hell out of him every play to get ANY pressure on the QB. It sucks that Dunta Robinson is our best pass rusher.

Anyway, thoughts?

[rusHour]

Im not sure what the Texans could give to get a guy like Arrington...but if they arent playing him then maybe it wouldnt take much.

The very few times Ive seen him play, he makes plays and is very fast. He can definately get after the QB...not like our D now. Also, seems like a down to earth guy also.

I wouldnt mind seeing him on the Texans as him and Dunta could be the corner stones of the Texans D for a long while.

[JamesC]

If we could get him without giving up too much then I'm all for it. I've liked Arrington since his Penn State days.

[SamFisher]

Can he play left tackle?

No team is going to trade for him with his contract when they can get him for free when he is cut after the season. He is due a hundred zillion dollars over the next few years.

[reggietodd]

Arrington is a stud player, i'd trade anyone we have other than danta robinson for him.

[PhiSlammaJamma]

Yeah, I think he can be a difference maker on the field. Not sure what the problem is.

[RocketJedi]

No. Charley would give up the next two drafts for him. Look at what Oakland got for Buchannon.

[rrj_gamz]

Hell, we had Sharper...LA is good, would love to have him, but I think its economics...We need to be acquiring a stud O-lineman...

[Austin70]

Can he play left tackle?

No team is going to trade for him with his contract when they can get him for free when he is cut after the season. He is due a hundred zillion dollars over the next few years.


Ditto, we need a strong O line and not have the defense on the field 80% of the time.

[Stoli]

What about the two surgeries on the knee? Is that why he's sitting? Is he the same player? Healing up? That said, I'd take the old Lavar.

[swilkins]

Can he play left tackle? ...

Zackly!!!

I don't think OLB is our biggest problem, bu then we all know that.

[Hakeem06]

if you can move him to o-line i'm all for it. arrington is probably the most overrated defensive player in the game. he hasn't accomplished a whole hell of a lot for a guy who is consistently touted as "one of the NFL's best LB's".

[JayZ750]

David Carr for Lavar Arrington :D

Maybe if the Redskins throw in a starting lineman.

[Lil Francis]

David Carr for Lavar Arrington :D

Maybe if the Redskins throw in a starting lineman.I like that trade because Im a Texans fan but the Skins already have one bum QB they drafted (Ramsey) they don't need two on the roster.

[Hakeem06]

I'm really tired of all the david carr bashing...he's a good player but when he doesn't have any damn time to throw what do you expect??? i've said it before and will say it again.

THE TEXANS OFFENSIVE LINE IS THE WORST PASS PROTECTING LINE IN NFL HISTORY. JOE MONTANA, JOHN ELWAY, JOHNY UNITAS, TROY AIKMAN, AND NO OTHER QB IN THE HISTORY OF THE GAME COULD BE SUCCESSFULL WITH THAT LINE. NONE OF THEM!!!!

[rusHour]

I agree with yall about the offensive line..but what are the odds of that trade happening? slim to none...it was a nice subject to talk about (the idea of arrington)....it was a different subject other than how terrible the O line is. Everyone knows already. The D is just as bad sometimes...we get absolutely no sacks. Arrington (if healthy) could help.

Im starting to side with most, in saying I hope we lose alot of games this year so we can start over. Its sad to think and say that but oh well. Capers and crew seems like they are not getting the job done. We are starting to be the Bengals of a past couple year ago but lets hope we can turn it around after 1 year of extreme disapointment.

[Hakeem06]

the problem with the D is very similar to that of the offense...a bad line. they get no push what so ever and that's why they don't get sacks and can't stop the run. they can't disrupt the play at the point of attack.

[rusHour]

my gf told me that there was some talk about levar coming to houston on PTI....

[JayZ750]

I'm really tired of all the david carr bashing...he's a good player but when he doesn't have any damn time to throw what do you expect??? i've said it before and will say it again.

THE TEXANS OFFENSIVE LINE IS THE WORST PASS PROTECTING LINE IN NFL HISTORY. JOE MONTANA, JOHN ELWAY, JOHNY UNITAS, TROY AIKMAN, AND NO OTHER QB IN THE HISTORY OF THE GAME COULD BE SUCCESSFULL WITH THAT LINE. NONE OF THEM!!!!

I think a lot of people...myself included, understand that. It changes nothing about the fact that having Carr on this team right now is useless. You could pay a NFL Europe scrub crap money to lose. Troy Aikman played 12 years. Carr will have played 4 after this year, and will be just as far away from winning as he was in his first (whether his fault or not). I just don't see the point of keeping him around, preventing the team from improving in other areas which are clearly more paramount to winning in todays NFL - apparently.

[Dreamshake]

if you can move him to o-line i'm all for it. arrington is probably the most overrated defensive player in the game. he hasn't accomplished a whole hell of a lot for a guy who is consistently touted as "one of the NFL's best LB's".


Yeah hes only a three time All Pro, who only hass missed it the one year he got hurt.


He does what is asked of him. First he was asked to be a gap player, plugging wholes, which he did wonderfully. Then he was asked to almost be a DE and rush the passer. That year he had something like 12 sacks. Then he was asked to be a surveyor and reactor, which he did well. Each year except his injury year, he has had over 100 tackles and has had to deal with working with like 5 diff coordinators and 6 coaches in 5 years. Id say hes done a terrific job considering hes had to learn a new defense each of his first 5 years.


There is alot of speculation as to why he isnt playing. My personal belief is that he got hurt last year, and because of his litigation with the Skins he didnt rush to come back. Honestly they outright just stole money from him, over a mistake that his agent may of made. I think that caused him to sit at the beginning of the year as they still were in the "is he completely healthy" questionable area. Now that he definately is, the D was playing so solid that they could sit him without anyone noticing. That and he shut his mouth. Now that the last few weeks the skins D has looked mortal at times, he opened his mouth.

Honestly he is one of the 3-5 best linebackers out there. He's no tackle monster like Ray Lewis, but he covers much better then Ray does. The dude ran something like a 4.3 40 and is over 250lbs. He if given the opp can get to the QB all day long. Problem is, that they havent USED him like an LT, except for one year, then they changed his role again. If he had some solidarity in his coaching staff, he could be LT with the ability to stuff the run and cover.


Its a joke he isnt playing right now.

[Supermac34]

Lavar is not as good as advertised.

He made the pro bowl with name recognition and making a few spectacular plays.

But as an every down defender, he makes SO MANY boneheaded plays.

He never stays with his assignment leading to an overall breakdown on defense.

He tries to do too much without thought to the defensive scheme.

[stro4swift]

Lavar is not as good as advertised.

He made the pro bowl with name recognition and making a few spectacular plays.

But as an every down defender, he makes SO MANY boneheaded plays.

He never stays with his assignment leading to an overall breakdown on defense.

He tries to do too much without thought to the defensive scheme.

this is true, I realized it this season while watching him play in 2 complete games, but I still think he would definitly be a good addition to the Texans...who would not be?

[OldManBernie]

this is true, I realized it this season while watching him play in 2 complete games, but I still think he would definitly be a good addition to the Texans...who would not be?

yeah... Matt Stevens look pretty good on the Texans defense right about now.

[SLIMANDTRIM]

I found this on another board.

He (Brian Mitchell) said on the post-game that he (Lavar Arrington) is very undisciplined, and that when he played with Philthy and New York, they specifically game-planned to attack his freelancing tendencies; that if they did certain things, Lavar would consistently breakdown and give up big plays by being out of position.

This isn't speculation. It's not a reporter. It's not innuendoes. This is coming from a player who has been on opposing teams, sat in the meetings, and saw the game-plans designed to take advantage of his undisciplined play.

[Dreamshake]

I found this on another board.

He (Brian Mitchell) said on the post-game that he (Lavar Arrington) is very undisciplined, and that when he played with Philthy and New York, they specifically game-planned to attack his freelancing tendencies; that if they did certain things, Lavar would consistently breakdown and give up big plays by being out of position.

This isn't speculation. It's not a reporter. It's not innuendoes. This is coming from a player who has been on opposing teams, sat in the meetings, and saw the game-plans designed to take advantage of his undisciplined play.


OMG. Due to Dwight Freeney's constant spinning, teams plan to run delay sprints to his side too. Does this make Freeney overrated?


Ive watched Lavar his entire career, but all superstars, who try to make plays make mistakes too. You could run right by LT all day long if he was in a get to the QB mode. The point is, is that Arrington is a big play LB. He gets picks, sacks, forces fumbles by feeding off of instincts. NO LB in this league hits harder then him, and for the most of the game he plays his role correctly. Picking on the times he makes a mistake is asinine, as you could do that with ANY PLAYER.


Here is a good read. Sounds more like a coaching vendetta then a play making issue.


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/15/AR2005101500581.html

[Zacatecas]

I'm really tired of all the david carr bashing...he's a good player but when he doesn't have any damn time to throw what do you expect??? i've said it before and will say it again.

THE TEXANS OFFENSIVE LINE IS THE WORST PASS PROTECTING LINE IN NFL HISTORY. JOE MONTANA, JOHN ELWAY, JOHNY UNITAS, TROY AIKMAN, AND NO OTHER QB IN THE HISTORY OF THE GAME COULD BE SUCCESSFULL WITH THAT LINE. NONE OF THEM!!!!


I concur!!!
David is being ruined an NFL quarterback. He is getting really close to losing his NFL swaggar. Once that is gone, the quarterback is shot. And his best success was left behind him.

Casserly or Capers must take responsibility for this injustice on Carr! When Carr had time to throw, he was dead aim accurate. Now he is missing even when he has time.

It is a shame that when the fans should be mad at the powers that didn't concentrate on building an Offensive Line, everyone sits here and bashes David Carr :(

[SLIMANDTRIM]

OMG. Due to Dwight Freeney's constant spinning, teams plan to run delay sprints to his side too. Does this make Freeney overrated?


Ive watched Lavar his entire career, but all superstars, who try to make plays make mistakes too. You could run right by LT all day long if he was in a get to the QB mode. The point is, is that Arrington is a big play LB. He gets picks, sacks, forces fumbles by feeding off of instincts. NO LB in this league hits harder then him, and for the most of the game he plays his role correctly. Picking on the times he makes a mistake is asinine, as you could do that with ANY PLAYER.


Here is a good read. Sounds more like a coaching vendetta then a play making issue.


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/15/AR2005101500581.html


Well we have watched two different players. I've witness a player getting BURIED when he was in the backfield, overpursue constantly when he could get around blockers, and account for an ungodly amount of offside penalities. He is not worth the paycheck and has yet to this date have ANY effect to the game as LT did. To compare LA to LT is a slap in the face to LT.

Anways, from the article you posted, this seems to be the root of the problems:

"Lewis, who declined to comment for this story, later told Sports Illustrated magazine that Arrington was the most "undisciplined" player he had ever coached."

"In NFL circles, Arrington began to gain a reputation as a "freelancer," or someone who does not always adhere to the letter of the game plan in his desire to make plays. Joe Paterno, Arrington's coach at Penn State, had expressed similar sentiments, but Arrington has long rebuffed the notion."

[SLIMANDTRIM]

the problem with the D is very similar to that of the offense...a bad line. they get no push what so ever and that's why they don't get sacks and can't stop the run. they can't disrupt the play at the point of attack.

Don't this team remind you of the bad Redskins teams during the 90's?

[gucci888]

I concur!!!
David is being ruined an NFL quarterback. He is getting really close to losing his NFL swaggar. Once that is gone, the quarterback is shot. And his best success was left behind him.

Casserly or Capers must take responsibility for this injustice on Carr! When Carr had time to throw, he was dead aim accurate. Now he is missing even when he has time.

It is a shame that when the fans should be mad at the powers that didn't concentrate on building an Offensive Line, everyone sits here and bashes David Carr :(

Every single person in Houston knows the OL is to be blamed just as much as Carr, it's just that it is really easy to point the finger at one person who is suppose to be the "leader" of this team.

The OL has been pathetic so far, but I'm not going to sit and cry for Carr, he has been terrible himself as well. We can all say the OL doesn't give him enough time or protection, which is true, but Carr has also thrown more interceptions than TDs so far and has ran into a countless number of sacks himself.

Its a vicious cycle that's going to keep on running through this org. unless big changes are made.

[Dreamshake]

Well we have watched two different players. I've witness a player getting BURIED when he was in the backfield, overpursue constantly when he could get around blockers, and account for an ungodly amount of offside penalities. He is not worth the paycheck and has yet to this date have ANY effect to the game as LT did. To compare LA to LT is a slap in the face to LT.

Anways, from the article you posted, this seems to be the root of the problems:

"Lewis, who declined to comment for this story, later told Sports Illustrated magazine that Arrington was the most "undisciplined" player he had ever coached."

"In NFL circles, Arrington began to gain a reputation as a "freelancer," or someone who does not always adhere to the letter of the game plan in his desire to make plays. Joe Paterno, Arrington's coach at Penn State, had expressed similar sentiments, but Arrington has long rebuffed the notion."


Are you kidding. The ONE year, he was let loose to rush the passer, he had what 12 sacks. More than any other linebacker in years. He never has the opp to rush the passer as he has consistantly been asked to be a gap player which is what he is NOT. Its like telling LT to play gaps and not go after plays. It would be fooking ludicrous. And BTW. Show me the LB that stays in his GAP when a runner is turning the corner and Ill show you a lifeless LB. BURIED? are you kidding me. What RB or TE ever buried him?


If your going to challenge that LT was a disciplined player then this conversation ends now. The best Disciplined LB I ever saw play was Mike Singletary...but Mike could NOT be the game breaker that Arrington has already shown he can be. Off the top of my head Arrington won two games in his career doing things that most LBs could never make.

[SLIMANDTRIM]

Are you kidding. The ONE year, he was let loose to rush the passer, he had what 12 sacks. More than any other linebacker in years. He never has the opp to rush the passer as he has consistantly been asked to be a gap player which is what he is NOT. Its like telling LT to play gaps and not go after plays. It would be fooking ludicrous. And BTW. Show me the LB that stays in his GAP when a runner is turning the corner and Ill show you a lifeless LB. BURIED? are you kidding me. What RB or TE ever buried him?


If your going to challenge that LT was a disciplined player then this conversation ends now. The best Disciplined LB I ever saw play was Mike Singletary...but Mike could NOT be the game breaker that Arrington has already shown he can be. Off the top of my head Arrington won two games in his career doing things that most LBs could never make.

I'm contending LA is nowhere near the force of LB, LT was. I also read the same feel good article romantizing Arrington. I remember LA causing his defensive unit to stay out on the field longer becuase of his numerous off sides. Blown plays, late hits on the qbs, and getting burnt in zone coverage. You see something different. GD it's like you want to fist fight over this.

Now we can go back and fourth with this, or agree to disagree. Time will tell how good of LB Lavar can be with a new unit, or current team.

How is your love affair with Casserly going? I read your posts comparing him to one of the best GM's in the league. Still feel the same?

[Dreamshake]

Obviously you must be a converted Cowgirls fan to make such asinine comments about LA. Burnt in Zone coverage. Continous offsides. WTF are you talking about. I think in 5 years of watching LA hes probably had maybe 5 or 6 of these. Roughtly one a year. Hes maybe had 1 or 2 late hits on QBs. You argue speculation. You also forget the fact that in the middle of the year where the skins started 0-5 about to be 0-6 he made a great read picked off a pass and ran it back for the score. Almost every teammate that year credited LAs play for turning their season around to 8-8.


All your doing is feeding off the same sheep who say the same things about the same players forever. LA is EASILY a top 3-5 LB in this league.


You seemed to get real testy over someones opinion who has seen pretty much every L Arrington game to date. C Casserly did a great job with the skins. I can go on and on and show you proof of his great moves. But obviously that would be too much for you and your limited view of things.

[SLIMANDTRIM]

" I can go on and on and show you proof of his great moves. "

The proof is in the pudding, and that is wins and losses. From 1992-current, come back and tell me the win percentage of the teams "Casserly not Bethard" assembled. You also didnt answer do you still hold him in such high regards?

You're the person getting defensive with MY opinion of LA. I understand he is love or hate kind of guy. Your obersvation blows my mind as it looks my obervation does yours. You see a great LB I see a liability. So how you want to handle this?

[Dreamshake]

And up until this year the Texans had improved every year and looked pretty good last year. Im SURE you were crying about Casserly last year. It must be lost on you that the TEXANS were a franchise team just three years ago and were all but a .500 team last year.


Casserly also was the last resemblence of a Redskins playoff team, and look at what they have done since. NOTHING. Not with Spurrier, not with Marty, Not with Marvin Lewis, not with Deion Sanders, not with Bruce Smith, not with L Coles, not with alot of talent brought in by other people, not even with Joe Gibbs. You probably want to moan about Boselli, but if the guy stayed healthy tell me he wouldnt help that team immensely right now.


Your just jumping on the hate Casserly Bandwagon, just like you are with Lavar. I think my sampling of watching him play probably far.......................................far stretches yours of Lavars play. Come hit me when your not using a 1 or 2 game assesment.

[SLIMANDTRIM]

And still he hasn't answer the question.........