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LB Arrington faces Redskins for first time

Oct 3, 2006 - 11:16 PM Washington (2-2) at NY Giants (1-2) Sunday 1:00 pm EDT

EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (Ticker) -- Linebacker LaVar Arrington was no longer wanted by the Washington Redskins. On Sunday, he gets a chance to haunt them.

The offseason signing of Arrington by the New York Giants adds even more spice to the matchup of NFC East rivals.

A three-time Pro Bowler with the Redskins, Arrington never quite fit into Washington's defensive scheme under coordinator Gregg Williams, totaling 55 tackles and one sack in 17 games over the last two seasons. In the previous two years, Arrington totaled 17 sacks and 144 tackles.

A combination of injuries and his propensity to freelance in Washington's defensive system caused Arrington to fall out of favor with Redskins coach Joe Gibbs and Williams. Arrington underwent arthroscopic surgery twice on his right knee in a 20-month period of 2004 and 2005.

That didn't seem to bother Giants general manager Ernie Accorsi, who signed Arrington to an incentive-laden seven-year deal worth $49 million.

The Miami Dolphins and Jacksonville Jaguars had also expressed interest in Arrington, who wanted to remain in the NFC East so he could play against the Redskins twice a year.

But Arrington was bothered by soreness in his right knee during training camp and has not recorded a sack or forced a fumble in three games with the Giants. He ranks eighth on the team with 12 tackles.

Middle linebacker Antonio Pierce, another former Redskin, leads the Giants with 28 tackles. However, the Giants have allowed 92 points in three games.

Last October 30, the Giants posted an emotional 36-0 victory here over Washington. The game was played just two days after the funeral of Wellington Mara and the Giants paid quite a tribute to their late owner.

New York held the Redskins to seven first downs and limited Mark Brunell to 11 completions for 65 yards. Tiki Barber rushed for 206 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries

Tight end Jeremy Shockey had a 10-yard touchdown catch and Jay Feely made five field goals for the Giants, who dominated from start to finish and outgained Washington, 386-125. New York forced four turnovers and recorded five sacks.

The rematch on December 24 at the nation's capital was a different story. Santana Moss, who had just four catches for 34 yards in the first meeting, caught touchdown passes of 17, 59 and 72 yards as the Redskins rolled to a 35-20 win.

Clinton Portis rushed for 108 yards on 27 carries, including a 19-yard touchdown. Portis also connected with tight end Chris Cooley on a 17-yard scoring play on a halfback option in the second quarter.

Meanwhile, the Redskins managed to limit Barber to 80 yards on the ground. Eli Manning threw for 244 yards with an interception.

Last week, Moss matched his career high with three touchdown catches, the last one a 68-yarder in overtime, as the Redskins defeated Jacksonville, 36-30.

Facing his former team for the first time, Brunell passed for 329 yards. The previous week, Brunell set a single-game record with 22 consecutive completions in a win at Houston.

Washington has scored 67 points in its last two games under new offensive coordinator Al Saunders after managing just 26 points in the first two.

Redskins defensive end Phillip Daniels had a sack and an interception in the win over Jacksonville.

The Giants are coming off a bye.