"I can take it up to another level": here's a scary thought: after making the Pro Bowl in just his second season, the linebacker says he's only scratching the surface of what he can do - Interview: LaVar Arrington

Football Digest, April, 2002 by Tom Worgo

IS THE WASHINGTON REDSKINS' LaVar Arrington destined to become the next great linebacker to wear No. 56?

No. 56 is to linebackers what No. 32 is to running backs. NFL linebacking greats Lawrence Taylor (New York Giants), Thomas Hollywood Henderson (Dallas Cowboys), and Joe Schmidt (Detroit Lions) all wore 56.

Now it belongs to Arrington.

In his second season in 2001, the 23-year-old Arrington emerged as one of the league's top defensive players. "I think he can be so much better than he is now," Washington cornerback Champ Bailey says. "He plays as well as the best, but I think he can be the best of all time. Just wait until next year when he is really, really comfortable."

Arrington, the second pick overall of the 2000 draft out of Penn State, was placed in an unfamiliar position as a rookie, lining up over the tight end. In 2001, however, Marty Schottenheimer and his staff used Arrington the right way, playing him off the ball. The results were a berth in the Pro Bowl and on FOOTBALL DIGEST's All-Pro Second Team.

Arrington led the Redskins in tackles, intercepted three passes, and recovered two fumbles. And he did all of this despite having to play through a shoulder injury, a sprained knee, a concussion, and a sprained ankle.

More important than the individual accomplishments, however, Arrington made the impact play of the Redskins' season, returning an interception 67 yards for a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers on October 21. That play sparked a come-from-behind 17-14 victory, the first of five straight wins after the team got off to a dismal 0-5 start. The Redskins were one of the league's hottest teams down the stretch, winning eight of their final 11 games to finish 8-8 and set the stage for what could be a big season in 2002.

And if the Redskins do rise to the league's upper echelon in 2002, you can be sure that Arrington will be at the center of it all. "He could be a treasure for this organization because there are not many like him," Schottenheimer says. Adds Bailey, "He is a playmaker, and he can do just about anything. He can cover a tight end or a receiver, pick off a pass, and sack a quarterback."

FOOTBALL DIGEST sat down with Arrington at the end of the 2001 season, just before mercurial Redskins owner Daniel Snyder fired Marty Schottenheimer and replaced him with Steve Spurrier. There's is little doubt that Spurrier--unbelievably, the fourth head coach Arrington has had in Washington in his short career--will be happy with what he finds at outside linebacker.

FOOTBALL DIGEST: Why do your wear No. 56?

LAVAR ARRINGTON: I picked the number because there is a long line of 56s that have done well in the NFL. I am good friends with Hollywood Henderson. It's not that I picked the number so much because of Lawrence Taylor.

FD: What was your reaction when you found out you had been voted into the Pro Bowl?

LA: It was the highlight of my season, but I feel I can take it up to another level. It is really a cool feeling making the Pro Bowl. I was surprised. I know it's a politically driven election; I didn't know that I would get it. I didn't get my hopes up too high. I really appreciate that, and I am flattered. There are so many who try to make it there for so long and it doesn't happen. You always want to have a sense of accomplishment. Making the Pro Bowl is always a goal, and you really like to reach that goal. It's certainly nice to get it. I felt I had a solid year.

FD: And you did so despite a spate of injuries.

LA: The pain isn't going to slow me. Basically, nothing can keep me out of the lineup. I did miss a game because my MCL was really bad. You do what you have to do. I just don't look at pain the same way I think other people look at it. I look at what my father went through: He hurt both his legs in Vietnam. I just don't see certain things holding me back from doing the things I want to accomplish. If pain is involved and unless it really is something that I just can't function with, I will play.

FD: Did you enjoy being moved around more this year as opposed to your role in 2000?

LA: The scheme really fit me this year. I think the scheme was designed for linebackers. They put me in a position where I can dictate things on our side of the ball. I would like to rush the passer a little more. This year they took me off the ball quite a bit.

The difference from last year to this year is my exclusive duties [in 2000] were to line up over the tight end. Having those types of duties, I didn't have any type of opportunity to create or do anything that would be a big play. I was kind of in traffic from the start of the play. [In 2001] they gave me a chance to read and react. It's like I played in college. I am naturally good at doing that.

FD: That play you made against Carolina seemed to turn the season around.

LA: I really didn't think that much of it. I don't deserve credit for turning things around. I think the improvement by each player made the change. It wasn't one play--it just seems like sometimes I do things that people peg as that type of play. I didn't think it was that big of deal when I leaped over the line of scrimmage in college. It seems like there are plays I do, and people take them and run with them.