The player zinged him and then tried to backpedal; perhaps he was joking. The coach zinged him and was glad he did. And it was clear on Dale Lindsey’s part: He wasn’t looking for a laugh.
When asked what help Giants linebacker LaVar Arrington could provide about the Redskins’ defense, Lindsey replied, “None. He didn’t know anything when he was here, what makes you think he’ll know something up there?’’
After saying, “I shouldn’t have said that,’’ Lindsey a few moments later said he was just being honest.
Earlier in the day, corner Shawn Springs said, “I don’t think LaVar knew all the defenses when he was here.’’
And thus begins Arrington-faces-his-old team week. Arrington, who is scheduled to speak to the New York media today, had a contentious relationship with Lindsey, which is partly why he’s no longer in Washington. However, when asked by CBSSportsline.com earlier this summer which coach he would not want to play for, Arrington replied, ‘’Joe Gibbs.’’
Linebacker Marcus Washington was jokingly asked if Arrington and Lindsey would embrace before the game, he said, laughing, “I’m sure they’ll have flowers and candies for each other.’’
One reason Arrington signed with New York was the opportunity to play Washington twice a year. Once considered the face of the franchise here, he’s now just another player with the Giants, albeit a motivated one.
“He was here every day for four months for offseason workouts,’’ said Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce, who played with Arrington in Washington. “When I was in Washington for four years, I never saw that. There’s a new energy level. He’s not down like he was the last two years.’’
Earlier this season, Arrington said, “For the first time in my career — and I’ve said this many times — I have such great confidence in the defense. When you have that confidence it gives you a whole lot of hope.”
But Arrington also isn’t making big plays in New York. He ranks eighth on the Giants with 12 tackles. He has no sacks and, so far, is not blitzing nearly as much as he did in Washington.
‘‘He is never like, ‘Hey, I’m going to do my own thing. I have to make plays,’’’ said Giants linebackers coach Bill Sheridan. ‘‘We are not disappointed.’’
Pierce said Arrington is not yet the same player because of his knee injuries. He also said Arrington has tried to be calm this week.
“I never said he wasn’t going to be amped,’’ Pierce said. ‘’I expect this to be his breakout game.’’
Week 5 Notes
» Wide receiver Santana Moss was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week Wednesday after catching three touchdown passes in Sunday’s win over Jacksonville. Moss caught a 68-yarder in overtime, making a leaping catch and avoiding a collision with the safety. Moss also caught touchdown passes of 55 and 8 yards. He finished with four receptions for 138 yards. It’s the third time Moss has won the award in his 20 regular-season games with Washington.
The one disappointment for Moss: His younger brother, New York Giants rookie receiver Sinorice Moss, will not play Sunday because of a quad injury that has bothered him since training camp started. Santana Moss had talked about how much he was looking forward to playing against his brother.
» Redskins defensive tackle Joe Salave’a, who missed the past two games with a strained calf, returned to practice Wednesday and took most of the repetitions. He’s listed as probable. Cornerback Shawn Springs (groin) did not officially rule himself out, but did not practice Wednesday and remains listed as doubtful. Linebacker Marcus Washington did not practice; coaches wanted him to take the day off. Meanwhile, left guard Derrick Dockery missed practice toattend the funeral of his mother-in-law.
» Antwaan Randle El is averaging only 7.2 yards per punt return, with a long of 15. He’s optimistic that a big one is coming, however. “It may not look like it, but we’re so close,” he said. “It’s just a matter of getting that one block or making that one guy miss. It’s coming.”
