Chief Redskin Still Making Strange Decisions

You’re 3-0 in the NFC East and everything seems to be bouncing your way. But not all is right in Redskins-World.

I’m trying to get my hands around this one. The best player on your defense doesn’t play? Repeat: The best player on your defense doesn’t play. After practice on Wednesday Hall of Fame Head Coach Joe Gibbs and three-time Pro-Bowl Linebacker LaVar Arrington exchanged words and their voices were loud enough that a full gang of reporters could hear everything they said. This cannot be a good sign for an undefeated Washington Redskins team.

Now, the stud linebacker and one time franchise player has been relegated to a special teams player? Arrington played only two snaps on defense in last Sunday's 20-17 OT victory against Seattle, and he barely played in the first two games of the season.

Now I’m a big believer in “if ain’t broke – don’t fix it” but this is crazy to me. Arrington has been one of the best defensive players in all of football since he was drafted. He dazzled fans in his rookie season and then was a Pro-Bowler in three consecutive seasons before hurting his knee last year. And now that he’s healthy he gets a nice big reward of – SIT THE BENCH. Makes no sense to me.

It's difficult for me to say this because the Redskins are 3-0, but I really don’t think they’re player personnel decisions have been good at all…and let’s be real – they’ve won their three games by a combined six points. The defense has been good and not given up many points, but hasn’t been able to get many turnovers or sacks. The Redskins have forced only two turnovers and have only four sacks. The are currently ranked close to the bottom of the league in both.

Maybe Joe Gibbs didn’t watch too much football while he was retired and off doing the NASCAR thing, but sacks and turnovers are Arrington's bread and butter. In LaVar’s three Pro-Bowl seasons he racked up 17.5 sacks, forced 10 fumbles and also had 3 interceptions. My point – he’s all over the field making big plays.

They need this guy. Marcus Washington has been fantastic for the Redskins and Warrick Holdman and Lemar Marshall have been really good too…but the best linebacker on the team hardly plays. If he’s not a starter – bring him in on 3rd down and long…let him go all out on blitz packages – because if he’s healthy he’s going to make a difference. If he’s not healthy, then tell us and I’ll move onto my next topic.

As far as I can see, the ‘Skins aren’t a playoff team – but maybe with a jolt of energy and exciting play the rest of the season they’ll be able to steal a few more victories…LaVar Arrington is just the guy to be making those plays.