ASHBURN, Va. - LaVar Arrington knew he was close to being his old self again when he nearly applied a "Penn State sack" last Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Arrington, who played for the Nittany Lions in college, habitually made the sports highlights by leapfrogging a blocker en route to nailing a quarterback - otherwise known as a "Penn State sack."
Arrington, who left college after his junior year and was chosen by the Washington Redskins second in the 2000 draft, almost pulled it off when he hurdled Jacksonville running back Fred Taylor and nearly pulled down quarterback Mark Brunell.
Although Brunell threw the ball before he could be sacked, Arrington had his best game of the season with a sack, a forced fumble and eight solo tackles. That effort could be a hint of things to come for Arrington.
"It's coming along," Arrington said. "I'm figuring it out. Like I told you earlier, it just takes time to learn something new."
Arrington, 6 feet 3, 247 pounds, who is best known for jarring sacks that knocked former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman out of the game and nearly ended Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre's NFL record for most consecutive starts, is tied for second in the league with eight sacks (Carolina Panthers rookie Julius Peppers is first with 10).
Arrington also leads the team in tackles for losses with five and is third in total tackles with 61 and pass breakups with six.
With those numbers, it's difficult to imagine that Arrington - who enjoyed his first trip to the Pro Bowl last season - struggled from the outset.
Yes, there was No. 56 over-pursuing the quarterback as a running back rushed through the area Arrington had just vacated. There was Arrington getting just 20 tackles and two sacks in his first four games.
And there was Arrington venting to the media about picking up Marvin Lewis' new system after the former Ravens defensive coordinator chastised the linebacker's stagnant play.
His eruption after the team's loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Sept. 22 was uncharacteristic of a player who usually chooses to let his actions do the talking.
Part of the anger stemmed from his demand for perfection.
Arrington, who is playing with a small protective cast over his bruised right hand, tapes up both hands to confuse opposing blockers. But the tape restricts his grip and hampers Arrington's tackling. He must wrap his arms around ball carriers and use his leverage to bring them to the ground - a technique that has led to missed tackles and a healthy dose of self-criticism.
Linebackers coach George Edwards said it is Arrington's drive to be the best that endears him to the coaching staff.
"That's the reason you love to coach him," Edwards said. "He is a perfectionist, and he wants to go out and be successful. I think that has helped him in his adjustment within the scheme."
Another factor has been the transition to his third defensive system in as many years. After learning the schemes of Ray Rhodes in 2000 and Kurt Schottenheimer in 2001, Arrington is returning to square one as a blitzing linebacker in a role Lewis made successful for Peter Boulware when the two were together with the Ravens.
"This is my third season playing in a different system," Arrington said. "I have to be patient. I have to know how to adjust. I have to know how to adapt. That's been my whole existence in my career. It's just something I have to deal with."
Lewis said he is not surprised by Arrington's resurgence. In fact, Lewis said he expected it.
"He's doing no different than what we thought he would do the whole time," he said. "He'll keep getting better, and I think that's part of the process."
Next for Redskins
Matchup:Redskins (4-5) vs. New York Giants (5-4)
Site:Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J.
When:Sunday, 1 p.m.
TV/Radio:Chs. 45, 5/WNAV (1430 AM), WJFK (106.7 FM)
Line:Giants by 3 1/2