FanHouse LaVar Arrington

It was a surprise when the Bills drafted Penn State defensive end Aaron Maybin 11th overall in the April draft (especially since Pro Bowl left tackle Jason Peters had been recently shipped to Philadelphia and there was a gaping hole along the offensive line). Less surprising, perhaps, is that, two weeks into training camp, Maybin still remains unsigned.

It happens every August: the draft's top 10-15 picks play hurry up and wait while their agents work through contract details, making sure that, say, the 11th selection doesn't get a bigger signing bonus than the player chosen just ahead of him. It becomes tedious and frustrating for fans and rookies, and it doesn't take long for the accusations to fly. Usually in the direction of a 20-something kid just out of college suddenly thrust into the spotlight.

Everyone makes mistakes. But when those mistakes are magnified by intense scrutiny of the NFL draft, well, they become much more embarrassing than, say, my typical Friday morning, mustard-stain-on-khakis incident.

Which is why the NFL FanHouse braintrust got together to determine who is the biggest bust for each NFL team. They're not listed in terms of stupidity -- they're all stupid relative to a team's total draft performance. Meaning, of course, some teams "bust" is much different than another organization's; we did it this way to avoid just linking you to DetroitLions.com.

Instead, we're putting it in current draft order, sans trades, and allowing this list to serve as a reminder of each's team's ability to properly execute a fail. The "bust factor" was based primarily on three things: statistical production (or lack thereof), position in the draft and other available options during that year's draft.

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Retired Redskins linebacker LaVar Arrington emerged from obscurity this week when he called former head coach/local savior/Jesus' right-hand man Joe Gibbs a coward, and suggested the only reason the Hall of Famer returned to the sidelines was to promote his NASCAR hobby.

Predictably, Redskins fans were unimpressed, and running back Clinton Portis, Arrington's former teammate, appeared on Michael Irvin's radio show to support Gibbs. Yesterday, Arrington, restaurateur and local television personality, was a guest on The Best Damn Sports Show Period to clarify his Gibbs-related comments.

If you don't have two-and-a-half minutes to watch the YouTubes, here's the CliffsNotes: LaVar admits that calling Gibbs a "coward" might've been a bit much. "Coward-like" is probably more appropriate.

Whatever you think of Arrington, he makes a fine point: Gibbs came back to clean up Lil' Danny's mess, except that after he had "all the key components in place," Gibbs left, and his alleged successor, Gregg Williams, got canned, which, as the Sports Bog's Dan Steinberg writes, "undermined the whole 'stability' mantra of Gibbs II."

Of course, Williams is having is own troubles trying to coordinate up the Jaguars defense, and Jim Zorn has been a pleasant surprise over the first half of the season, so maybe stability is overrated.

via Le Bog Sportif

Last week, former Redskins linebacker LaVar Arrington unloaded on Hall of Fame head coach, NASCAR sugar daddy, and all-round swell guy Joe Gibbs. Arrington called Gibbs a "coward" and suggested the only reason he returned to coaching in 2004 was to pimp his racing team.

Predictably, just about everybody sided with Gibbs, and now that list includes current Redskins running back and former Arrington teammate Clinton Portis.

Portis appeared on Michael Irvin's radio show and offered this (via the Sports Bog):

This is a few days old, but still worth the read. The Redskins' second-overall pick in the 2000 draft, linebacker LaVar Arrington, is still recovering from a near-fatal motorcycle accident that pretty much ended his NFL career. A career, by the way, that sandwiched glimpses of athletic brilliance around stints on the pine for various non-athletic reasons.

In this New York Daily News piece, Arrington recounts the accident, talks about his NFL career, and discusses his future. One of the most intriguing revelations -- other than Arrington dropping more than 30 pounds since leaving the game -- are his thoughts on Washington owner Dan Snyder:

"I hate the way that Dan Snyder and Joe Gibbs handled [my last few year's in Washington]," says Arrington, who settled [a contract] dispute with Snyder and surrendered $2 million to get out of his contract in 2006. "So I don't have a liking for them particularly. I made three Pro Bowls under crazy circumstances. People wouldn't even know how complicated it is to be a Washington Redskin. I am not a mudslinger so I won't get into details of it."

Arrington then adds: "I will be a successful businessman based on probably 85% of the things I have learned from Daniel Snyder..." So The Danny may not be much of an NFL owner, but there's no disputing his non-football business acumen.

Arrington comes across as a thoughtful, interesting dude. I don't know what it is with professional football players and motorcycles, but credit to Arrington for seemingly learning a big lesson, and getting on with his life.

Wow, now that I'm a bit older, I forgot how much fun a good game of Simon Says can be, especially when it involves several NFL players and B-list celebrities. Take a look at this hilarious video, courtesy of scotch connoisseur and DC heartthrob, Unsilent Majority, of KSK fame:

Come on guys, you should never be too shy for a hug!

Former New York Giants and Washington Redskins linebacker LaVar Arrington was finally released from the hospital yesterday. The three-time Pro Bowler had spent a little over two weeks recovering from injuries suffered during a June 18th motorcycle crash near the D.C. Beltway and Route 50.

"He's doing much better," said Arrington's attorney, Rosalyn Pugh. "I won't say he's 100 per cent, but he's doing better."

Unfortunately for Arrington, he will now have to limp into court and pay a fine for operating a motorcycle without a proper license, as well as failure to control speed to avoid a collision. The two tickets will cost Arrington about $500 and result in six points on his license.

As a result of the crash, Arrington suffered a significant gash in his leg and a broken bone in his right forearm.

Thankfully for him and his family, he was wearing a helmet that probably saved his life.

Previously on FanHouse:
LaVar Arrington Improving After Crash
Motorcycles and the NFL Do Not Mix
Linebacker LaVar Arrington Seriously Injured in Motorcycle Crash

Former New York Giants and Washington Redskins linebacker LaVar Arrington is reportedly doing a lot better after a horrific motorcycle crash on Monday morning and could be released from the hospital as early as today.

Although previous reports indicated that he had broken his leg and suffered some head trauma, that was not the case. However, he did suffer a large laceration on his leg that forced the doctors to put him in a cast.

"He has some bruises, but his head is fine," Poston said. "He's up there cracking jokes and being himself. He's doing great, all of his vital signs are good. They want to keep him as a precaution, and he's not going to be able to walk for a while, but he's doing well."

This is all great news. The situation seemed significantly worse in the early moments, and while it's still not great, this most recent report is much more encouraging.

I once had the pleasure of meeting Arrington in New York and I must say, he's a hell of a person. He's extremely friendly, has a great sense of humor and you can tell that he just loves life. So naturally, I, along with many other fans, players and coaches, am very happy to hear that he's doing better.

Hog Heaven: LaVar Should Retire a Redskin

According to Washington Post writer Jason La Canfora, several sources have indicated that free agent linebacker Lavar Arrington will retire despite earlier reports that he planned to play this coming season.

Arrington's knee issues have been well documented but there was brief hope that he'd be able to overcome them. Apparently the offseason has not gone to plan and either Arrington has lost the desire to play or he realizes he'll never be healthy enough to play. My guess would be the latter because Arrington never lacked the desire to win or the fire to perform.

Although he only played a few games in blue, I can honestly say I feel bad for him. Despite the reputation he had coming out of Washington, he always seemed like a team player in New York. He was good with the media, great with the fans and had a fantastic sense of humor.

I certainly wish Arrington the best of luck moving forward and hope he does well for himself somewhere; a TV career perhaps?

Previously on Fanhouse:
LaVar Arrington Wants to Play in 2007
Lavar Arrington: 'I May Just Retire'
Giants Release Arrington, Petitgout and Emmons
Giants Arrington Says Rehab is 'Ahead of Schedule'
Arrington Ruptures Achilles; Out for Season

Let's see.The Redskins traded some draft picks, including first rounders to move up in the draft to select Auburn QB Jason Campbell. He joined a roster with Mark Brunell who had just signed a serious contract though people felt he was washed up after losing his job to a new guy named Byron Leftwich. Competing for the starting position with Brunell was supposed to be the future in Patrick Ramsey, another first round QB waiting patiently for his chance to shine.

And then Brunell began his decline last year after the Giants game (when Ramsey came in and secured the win), and Brunell is continuing his deterioration through last week. Yet Campbell still rides the pine. And Campbell's not slated as Brunell's backup (sorta). If Brunell goes down in a game, Todd Collins hands the clipboard to Campbell and gets to play a little football (and essentially prove why he's a career backup).

Ummm, this is confusing.

I believe in Joe Gibbs. If he decided to coach DC United (the soccer team), I'd put money that they'd win the championship within three years and Freddy Adu would be MVP of the league and the championship. If Gibbs says he's resting Portis for the long season instead of risking any aggravation to his sore shoulder, well, I'll zip my lip and take his word on it. If Gibbs says let LaVar Arrington, Fred Smoot, Antonio Pierce, Laveranues Coles, Ryan Clark and even Patrick Ramsey go that we'll be okay, I'll suck it up and invest some faith in the decision.

But trading away the draft picks and future QB of Washington for someone just to give him a front row seat to the implosion of potentially the NFL's most explosive offense is just a decision that's hard for me to understand.

Now I'm not suggesting Campbell should absolutely be starting next week in Houston. But is he having a hard time learning Al Saunders' playbook (like Mark Brunell)? I'll buy that. Is he having a hard time figuring out the difference between cover two and eight in the box (like Mark Brunell)? I'll take my chances. Is Jason Campbell simply not the QB we thought we were getting (like Mark Brunell)? I'll tolerate the mistakes.

If anything, quit sounding so confident Mark Brunell will lead us to the Super Bowl! If he does, I won't complain, but right about now, hearing how good he performed under pressure in a 27-10 beating to Dallas of all teams makes me start questioning the decision-making process that once brought three Lombardi Trophies to Redskins Park.

If Mark Brunell can't convince anyone that he should still be the starting QB, someone else please educate me before I start assuming that Jason Campbell is riding the pine because he plays like Mark Brunell.