Arrington: Springs’ comments ‘stupid’

THE WASHINGTON TIMES

LaVar Arrington had a few words of his own for his former teammates and coaches on the Washington Redskins.

Redskins cornerback Shawn Springs and linebackers coach Dale Lindsey each said on Wednesday that Arrington, now with the New York Giants, didn’t know his own team’s defensive scheme when he played in Washington.

Arrington, speaking with reporters in New York yesterday, called Springs’ remarks “stupid” and “snide” and dismissed comments by Lindsey.

“I’m not going to get caught up in any personal battles,” said Arrington, who will face his former teammates when the Giants and Redskins meet on Sunday. “Shawn Springs, all he really did for himself is show himself to Redskins fans. That’s stupid, to even make a comment like that, to be honest. … For two seconds, I got bothered by it. I had some very interesting thoughts about it and thought about saying [something], but it’s not worth it.

“You get some guys that feel like they know a whole lot of things, and maybe he was one of those guys who feels like he knows a whole lot. I don’t even know that he’s playing, so why would you make a snide remark and you’re not even having anything to do with the outcome of the game?”

Lindsey was asked Wednesday how much Arrington could help the Giants against his old team. Lindsey quipped, “None. He didn’t know anything when he was here. What makes you think he’ll know something up there?”

Arrington, who returned to practice yesterday after his regular Wednesday off, shrugged off the not-so-kind words from Lindsey as well as the kinder ones from Redskins coach Joe Gibbs.

“He’s extremely complimentary and he has another coach sitting there saying I didn’t know anything,” Arrington said. “But I really could care less. The last time I checked, Joe Gibbs and Dale Lindsey aren’t putting on the pads and having anything to do with the game physically so it doesn’t mean anything to me what they say.”

— Ryan O’Halloran