Arrington aiming for first winning season
LaVar Arrington’s words were introspective, defensive and measured, a jaded byproduct of four NFL years of high expectations and not a single winning season to show for it.
“We’ve been like the laughingstock of our division the last few years,” Arrington said. “Dallas-Redskins rivalry – we’ve got to win some of those games. We haven’t held up our end of the bargain.”
The Washington Redskins opened training camp this weekend, but the three-time Pro Bowl linebacker’s opinions are in midseason form.
“I was vocal in years past,” Arrington said. “But I think this is the first year that I’m really not tolerating anything less than everybody giving their best. I don’t care. This is not going to be a waste of their time, and this is not going to be a waste of my time.”
Few players are more intense and hard-hitting than Arrington, and he has the ability to change a game with a big play, but he said he hasn’t received his due. It hasn’t helped that the Redskins over the years have constantly changed everything around him. He goes into this season with his fifth defensive coordinator in five years and two new starting linebackers next to him.
“I believe that if I had an opportunity to be in a system and stay in a system and be comfortable within it, who knows how good I could be. I know I’m not getting any younger,” said Arrington, 26. “If it’s going to happen, it’s got to happen soon.”
Pennington Jets’ only veteran QB
Chad Pennington has yet to start for an entire season, but all of a sudden he is a grizzled veteran compared to the other quarterbacks on the New York Jets’ roster.
With Vinny Testaverde gone, Pennington, 28, has become the elder statesman around camp. Brooks Bollinger and Ricky Ray are learning behind him and have less experience than Pennington, who has 21 career starts.
“Being called the veteran quarterback with younger guys underneath me is a weird feeling,” Pennington said. “I’ve always felt like I was the young guy. It’s a different role for me but at the same time everything will be OK.”
Bollinger, a sixth-round pick last season, will likely be the No. 2 quarterback. He has never played in an NFL game. Ray also has never played in an NFL game, having signed with the Jets after playing in the Canadian Football League last season.
Around the league
The Arizona Cardinals released center Pete Kendall, less than three weeks after new coach Dennis Green installed the eight-year veteran as a starter. Kendall, a former first-round pick by the Seahawks, started 13 games for Arizona last season… . One day after re-injuring his surgically repaired back, Rams offensive tackle Kyle Turley is leaving training camp to get further tests, and he’s concerned the situation could mark the end of his career… . Receiver Roy Williams agreed to a five-year contract with the Lions. The seventh overall pick in the draft out of Texas will begin practicing today.