It's tough to top Terrell Owens in
anything. On the field, off the field, in front of the cameras, in front of a microphone,
you name it. T.O. demands attention, and, because everybody seems to love a juicy
NFL controversy in this age, he usually gets it.
The fact that Bill Parcells, Jerry Jones and the demonstrative Dallas Cowboys were brave
enough to acquire Owens this offseason only adds to his allure. America's Team and one of
the most arrogant yet dominant athletes in recent memory seem to be a perfect fit - at
least until all of the Texas-sized egos take over in Big D.
But while some analysts and bettors are busy this summer pondering whether or not Owens
can return the Cowboys to the franchise's glory days, perhaps the most important
acquisition in the NFC East is floating along unnoticed.
"It was clear to us," Giants general manager Ernie Accorsi said, "that we
needed an impact player on defense. LaVar Arrington is that."
And then some.
Arrington, a three-time Pro Bowl linebacker who fell out of favor with the Redskins, could
be the final piece to Coach Tom Coughlin's championship puzzle.
The Giants - who went 11-5 last season and won the NFC East only to get thrashed by
Carolina, 23-0, in the first round of the playoffs - allowed too many big plays
defensively last season and haven't had a game-changing linebacker since Lawrence Taylor
retired in 1993.
But that all turned last month, when Big Blue pounced on Arrington, who gladly signed a
seven-year, $49 million deal to get out of Washington.
"He's going to give you big-play ability," said Giants linebacker Antonio
Pierce, who played with Arrington in Washington. "That's what he is. He's like a
basketball player that looks for the last shot of the game. He's looking for that knockout
hit."
Which is exactly what the Giants need. New York, with Eli Manning - in his second full
season as the starter - being supported by Tiki Barber, Plaxico Burress and Jeremy
Shockey, should be among the league leaders on offense.
But it's clear the Giants need to get stops. They need those elusive three-and-outs,
especially in a division where they'll go up against Owens twice.
Simply put, it wasn't difficult to score on Big Blue last season. Just ask the Chargers
and Redskins, who combined for 80 points in their wins against New York."I think he's a shot in the arm for the whole team,"
Coughlin said of Arrington. "He is a guy who has great enthusiasm. He enjoys what he
is doing. He shares with others his enjoyment. He can be verbal, he can be challenging. I
think, as I said, that you definitely notice he is in the building."
Coughlin is not alone in the excitement.
"Nobody is going to be in the right position all the time on the football
field," said Giants linebacker Brandon Short, who played with Arrington at Penn
State. "But what matters is you make plays. And the guy makes plays."
Arrington, who battled injuries and had five different coaches - Joe Gibbs, Steve
Spurrier, Marty Schottenheimer, Terry Robiskie and Norv Turner - in Washington, has 398
tackles and 22.5 sacks in six NFL seasons.
"I'm exciting to watch, lot of energy," Arrington
said. "I'm gonna dive to make a play. Not gonna worry about getting hurt because I
don't want to lose my contract. You're going to see all-out, straight aggression. The same
aggression people would love to take out during the week at their job that they can't
really do."
That's music to Coughlin's ears, seeing his team was already built to make the postseason,
but perhaps not the long haul. And this is an important season for the veteran coach,
considering his history in the third year of a stop.
In his third season at Boston College, the Eagles went 9-3, to a bowl game and finished
No. 13 in the nation. In his third season in Jacksonville, the Jaguars went 11-5 and
landed in the AFC playoffs.
So, it's clear Coughlin has a history to live up to. And
now he has a little help at linebacker to get him there.
"Arrington has energized some of the guys in the
offseason," Coughlin said. "It has become very competitive, and I look forward
to that transcending over to the field."
So, too, might some eager bettors on WagerWeb.com, who might just be interested in the
Giants winning the NFC.
And beyond. |
