Looking forward
ALBANY, N.Y. – For about an hour, LaVar Arrington stood in front of his dormitory at the New York Giants training camp on Thursday and discussed topics ranging from the media, his intelligence, doubters, his scooter and room decorations.
Nothing was either out of bounds or uncomfortable for Arrington, who seemingly has found a home with the Giants after two unproductive season in Washington under Joe Gibbs.
“This is the best I have felt emotionally in a long, long time,” Arrington said after arriving at camp at the University at Albany. “I’m in the right state of mind, coming in to play football. I am excited about it. It’s something I haven’t felt in a long time. This is good. It’s a new beginning, a rebirth and I plan to make the most of it.”
The second pick overall in the 2000 draft and a Pro Bowl selection from 2001-03, Arrington saw his career slide the past two seasons. He was hurt in 2004 and fell into disfavor in 2005, starting only eight games. He paid $4.4 million to buy his way out of Washington, clearing the way for him to sign a $49 million, seven-year deal with the Giants as a free agent.
For now, all Arrington wants to do is provide a little energy and show everyone that he can be dependable.
“I have been fighting this whole bad rap thing about doing my own thing and not staying in schemes and everything,” he said. “People can say what they want to say, but I know how I feel about coaching and I know how I feel about my teammates. I think this a great bunch of guys and I just want to come in and add a spark and help the team win.”
Arrington doesn’t know what went wrong in Washington, but he feels that he didn’t get a fair shake in the media. He continues to have his problems.
Arrington was miffed at ESPN football analyst Merril Hoge for recent comments that the linebacker couldn’t learn the Redskins’ defense and that his only good season in Washington was when he played with his hand in the dirt as a defensive lineman.
The more Arrington talked, the easier it was to see his frustration and his resolve to play with a chip on his shoulder this season.
“To be honest, I am not limiting it to one team,” Arrington said. “I want to get everyone. Now I am going to try to share it with every single opponent we have this year. I don’t want to be prejudiced or show favoritism.”
The thing that has gone wrong so far with the Giants has been a flare-up of Achilles’ tendinitis. Arrington was bothered by it in minicamp in June and he did not run with his teammates on Thursday during a fitness test.
Giants middle linebacker Antonio Pierce expects big things from his former Washington teammate.
“I think with what happened to him in Washington, he’ll come over here more determined,” Pierce said. “I think it will help us overall as a team. I think it will help him. Sometimes you need a new change of scenery.”
Arrington actually did a little redecorating since arriving at camp to room with linebacker Brandon Short and placekicker Jay Feely. He went out and bought fragranced candles and soft toilet paper.
“I might grab some flowers on the way back from practice,” said Arrington, who brought an electric-powered scooter to camp for transportation.
“He’s got his little gadget, his little device,” Pierce said. “I don’t know how well (Tom) Coughlin will take to it. We’ll see.”
It also should be interesting to see how well Arrington fits in with the Giants once the talking stops and the season gets under way.