LaRon Landry getting rave reviews

[JPFair]

By Jonah Schuman, USA TODAY
LANDOVER, Md. — Less than one month into training camp, it has become clear to the Washington Redskins that safety LaRon Landry thinks more like a veteran than a 22-year-old rookie.
Never was his maturity more evident than on a first-quarter, first-down play in last week's preseason loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Right before the snap, Landry crept to the line of scrimmage and slid to the right. It left him in perfect position to challenge oncoming Steelers ballcarrier Willie Parker. Landry took down Parker's lead blocker at the knees, and the tailback disappeared behind a tidal wave of Redskins.

It was almost as if Landry had been in the Steelers' huddle.

And while his teammates celebrated the one-yard loss, Landry, as if he had made the play a thousand times before, hopped up and walked directly over to fellow safety Sean Taylor for a brief post-play critique.

"All those guys really helped me out with formation recognition," Landry said of the teammates encouraging his development. "They coach me up after every play. Cornerbacks too. The whole secondary took me in with open arms."

Landry, a 6-0, 213-pound safety out of LSU with a reputation as a playmaker and a big hitter, has taken an all-business approach to his first NFL season, and it's paying dividends.

"My whole attitude is 'take it one day at a time,' " he said. "Working on the little things, whether it's technique, communication, formation recognition. I work on every little thing."

FIND MORE STORIES IN: NFL | Williams | Pittsburgh Steelers | Redskins | Draft | Safety | Sean Taylor
Despite a three-day holdout at the start of training camp, the sixth-overall pick in this year's draft has had little trouble adapting to the speed of the pro game.

Landry has started both of the Redskins' preseason games, and has helped solidify a defense that has yet to give up a touchdown. His rapid adjustment has caught the eye of his coaches.

"It would be hard for anybody to do better than LaRon's done since he's been here," Redskins coach Joe Gibbs said. "In the offseason he was all professional. He is dead serious about football. He's very, very conscientious. I think he's worked extremely hard."

Perhaps the most meaningful praise Landry has earned in his month-long career came from Redskins assistant head coach-defense Gregg Williams, who said the safety has had little problem making pre-snap calls and adjustments — something with which rookies at all positions struggle.

"He is more than sharp enough, more than vocal enough," Williams told reporters last week. "He has had to do that in his career, anyway. He was the guy that was looked upon to do that [at LSU] so he can surely handle it."

The coaching staff has also been impressed with how Landry has handled the pressure of being thrust into the preseason starting lineup.

"We threw him right in there," said Gibbs. "I think he's getting a real battle test here. He's only a rookie, but I can sure tell you this: I like everything that we know about him and that we're seeing him do."

Williams attributes much of the rookie's smooth transition to his work ethic. Landry attended every OTA practice and meeting in the offseason, and the results are apparent on the field.

"He put himself in a position so that everyone felt comfortable around him," Williams said. "The opportunities he has had have caused his teammates to notice that the team plays better when he is in there. He has built trust in a lot of people."

Landry — who could have come out of school after his junior year — earned All-America honors as a senior at LSU and notched 74 tackles along with three interceptions. He said the extra year in the Tigers' pro-style defense helped to an extent, but nothing compares with the NFL.

"It's a whole different ballgame," he said. "There are probably some rookies that didn't have that experience of playing in an NFL defense when they were in college, that probably made a better transition than me."

Landry knows his preseason success does not automatically translate into a spot with the first-team defense. Especially since Williams seldom starts first-year players in the season's opening weeks. Consider that he sat future Pro Bowlers Keith Bulluck and Taylor as rookies.

While Landry would like to be in the starting lineup for the Redskins' Sept. 9 opener against Miami, he remains occupied with improving his skills and the play of a Washington defense that ranked 31st in 2006.

"It would be good to step up and start with these veteran guys on the defense, but it's the preseason," he said. "The season hasn't come yet, and I don't know. [My focus is] just getting better and helping my team win. Whatever coach Gibbs and coach Gregg Williams want me to do, I'm going to do."

[JPFair]

This safety tandem is going to be as good as any duo in the league. Landry is an absolute beast!!!

[Irn-Bru]

I am so glad that we drafted Landry, even if it meant leaving some defensive linemen on the board. (Maybe in future year's we'll have a 2nd or 3rd round pick to use on them.) I am very much of the "draft the best player available" school of thought, and Landry is a great example of how that can pay off.

[ChrisHanburger]

This safety tandem is going to be as good as any duo in the league. Landry is an absolute beast!!!

I am so excited about watching these guys this season. Get your highlight reels warmed up and ready to go!!

[Mursilis]

I was a bit lukewarm on this pick initially, but this kid clear has skills and fills a need on this team, so I can't wait to see him play.

By Jonah Schuman, USA TODAY
Landry knows his preseason success does not automatically translate into a spot with the first-team defense. Especially since Williams seldom starts first-year players in the season's opening weeks. Consider that he sat future Pro Bowlers Keith Bulluck and Taylor as rookies.

I hope Williams starts Landry against Miami if he's ready, and doesn't sit him just to prove a point about keeping rookies humble or something.

[Irn-Bru]

I hope Williams starts Landry against Miami if he's ready, and doesn't sit him just to prove a point about keeping rookies humble or something.

Absent injuries, I would fully expect Williams to start Landry, based on the talk that I'm hearing from the coaches. Even Taylor may have started in his rookie year, save his legal troubles and skipping workouts. But if anyone is a candidate to break that unspoken rule, Landry is it.

I'd be willing to be that, again, without injuries, he'll be in the starting lineup for week one.

[Mursilis]

I hope Williams starts Landry against Miami if he's ready, and doesn't sit him just to prove a point about keeping rookies humble or something.

Absent injuries, I would fully expect Williams to start Landry, based on the talk that I'm hearing from the coaches. Even Taylor may have started in his rookie year, save his legal troubles and skipping workouts. But if anyone is a candidate to break that unspoken rule, Landry is it.

I'd be willing to be that, again, without injuries, he'll be in the starting lineup for week one.

Seems like he should be. Who else is competing for that spot? Stoutmire? Prielouea? I can't imagine they'd actually beat him out.

[JPFair]

I hope Williams starts Landry against Miami if he's ready, and doesn't sit him just to prove a point about keeping rookies humble or something.

Absent injuries, I would fully expect Williams to start Landry, based on the talk that I'm hearing from the coaches. Even Taylor may have started in his rookie year, save his legal troubles and skipping workouts. But if anyone is a candidate to break that unspoken rule, Landry is it.

I'd be willing to be that, again, without injuries, he'll be in the starting lineup for week one.

I agree completely. Landry seems to have a maturity beyond his years, and I think he has the right mental attitude that Williams can not, nor will not, ignore. Williams more than likely was instrumental in drafting this guy, and I think he's everything they thought he was, and then some. Of course, he's got a lot to prove, but I think he's up to the task.

[Chris Luva Luva]

I like how the defense has welcomed him in and his relationship with Taylor. I think this group needs to stay together at all costs.

[Irn-Bru]

Seems like he should be. Who else is competing for that spot? Stoutmire? Prielouea? I can't imagine they'd actually beat him out.

Prioleau is behind him on the depth chart. I agree that if he takes the job from Landry on day one, it won't be because he won it out – after all, Landry is the one that has been practicing with the first team all of this time.

I think we can rest assured of three things: (1) Landry will start in week one; (2) He will join Taylor in the secondary; (3) Heads will roll.

[BernieSki]

When we drafted Sean Taylor it was said that he could redefine the safety position, as good as he is I do not think he has done that. I do think that LaRon Landry may be the one who redefines the position. One thing for sure is we are going to have one hell of a nasty safety tandem this year.

[Mursilis]

Seems like he should be. Who else is competing for that spot? Stoutmire? Prielouea? I can't imagine they'd actually beat him out.

Prioleau is behind him on the depth chart. I agree that if he takes the job from Landry on day one, it won't be because he won it out – after all, Landry is the one that has been practicing with the first team all of this time.

I think we can rest assured of three things: (1) Landry will start in week one; (2) He will join Taylor in the secondary; (3) Heads will roll.

Can't wait to see it.

[terpsez11]

I hope Williams starts Landry against Miami if he's ready, and doesn't sit him just to prove a point about keeping rookies humble or something.

Absent injuries, I would fully expect Williams to start Landry, based on the talk that I'm hearing from the coaches. Even Taylor may have started in his rookie year, save his legal troubles and skipping workouts. But if anyone is a candidate to break that unspoken rule, Landry is it.

I'd be willing to be that, again, without injuries, he'll be in the starting lineup for week one.

I agree completely. Landry seems to have a maturity beyond his years, and I think he has the right mental attitude that Williams can not, nor will not, ignore. Williams more than likely was instrumental in drafting this guy, and I think he's everything they thought he was, and then some. Of course, he's got a lot to prove, but I think he's up to the task.

I caught a great article on Yahoo about Ryan Clark..he was saying he's known Landry for a good while and said he knows Landry will have a big impact in Washington..

Ryan is a good reference in my book..and I wouldn't be surprised to see him back in burgundy and gold some day..if we had resigned him instead of over-reaching on Archuletta..we wouldn't have Landry today..

[Mursilis]

When we drafted Sean Taylor it was said that he could redefine the safety position, as good as he is I do not think he has done that. I do think that LaRon Landry may be the one who redefines the position. One thing for sure is we are going to have one hell of a nasty safety tandem this year.

All that "redefine the position" talk is usually just hype. This isn't a complaint against Taylor, Landry, or anyone else - I have no quarrel with them; it's more a complaint against the hype machine. Many players are absolutely great at their position, but they do not 'redefine it'.

[BnGhog]

When we drafted Sean Taylor it was said that he could redefine the safety position, as good as he is I do not think he has done that. I do think that LaRon Landry may be the one who redefines the position. One thing for sure is we are going to have one hell of a nasty safety tandem this year.

I for sure think the tandem will redefine safeties in the NFL. These two kinds of safeties have'nt been seen before on the same D.

I hope GW really takes that into his gameplan. Maybe even do some tweeks, some things no other D would be able to do.

I'm sure with the skills there, there are things that we could do that hasn't been thought of before on a Defense. If this happens, we could be seeing the redefinement of a new Cover 2 emerge.

[Chris Luva Luva]

When we drafted Sean Taylor it was said that he could redefine the safety position, as good as he is I do not think he has done that.

Reed, Troy, Dawkin and Sharper haven't redefined the position either. The last person to do that was Lott and these guys are just part of that mold.

I don't expect Landry to redefine anything...

I do expect him to rearrange some teeth...

[BnGhog]

Yeah, buuuut.

no one has seen the likes of Reed and Troy on the same D.

Or like Dawkin and Troy.

Or for that matter, Taylor and Landry.

[BnGhog]

Or Spring, Rodgers, Fletcher, Carter, and Taylor and Landry.

Not to mention, Washington and Rocky..... Plus Smooooot at times.

[BnGhog]

Im getting excited thinking about, and yes Im talking to myself it seems.

But come on, thats like haveing
Troy, Dawkin, An almost Champ, and a mini Urlacker.

you got to get excited about that.

[Chris Luva Luva]

I'm saying I don't expect him to. I'm not placing an unrealistic expectation on Landry. I don't expect him to get 20 picks in his 1st season.

I know he'll be a great player and any/all accomplishments that he gets are just icing on the cake.

[JPFair]

OH MY GAWWWWWWDD!!! I just had a terrible nightmare!!!! In my nightmare, I dreamed that we still had Adam Archuleta and we didn't get LeRon Landry!!!

Oh my God!! Somebody PLEASE tell me it was just a dream!!!!!

[tribeofjudah]

OH MY GAWWWWWWDD!!! I just had a terrible nightmare!!!! In my nightmare, I dreamed that we still had Adam Archuleta and we didn't get LeRon Landry!!!

Oh my God!! Somebody PLEASE tell me it was just a dream!!!!!

Well he does have dreeeeeeaaaamy eyes, according to one source...hehehe

[Countertrey]

OH MY GAWWWWWWDD!!! I just had a terrible nightmare!!!! In my nightmare, I dreamed that we still had Adam Archuleta and we didn't get LeRon Landry!!!

Oh my God!! Somebody PLEASE tell me it was just a dream!!!!!

Well he does have dreeeeeeaaaamy eyes, according to one source...hehehe

Must be true... I mean, it IS on the internet... eh, Fios?

[Fios]

OH MY GAWWWWWWDD!!! I just had a terrible nightmare!!!! In my nightmare, I dreamed that we still had Adam Archuleta and we didn't get LeRon Landry!!!

Oh my God!! Somebody PLEASE tell me it was just a dream!!!!!

Well he does have dreeeeeeaaaamy eyes, according to one source...hehehe

Must be true... I mean, it IS on the internet... eh, Fios?

ALL THINGS ON THE INTERNETS ARE INHERENTLY TRUE, MUCH LIKE CEREAL BOXES

[SkinsJock]

I think that Taylor will be a lot better player because of Landry. I also think we are very lucky to have both these guys and fully expect them to be a valuable part of our defense for many years to come. I predict that Taylor will still make everybody realize that he is one of the best to ever play this position but I also predict that Landry will become a defensive leader on this team.

Taylor might prove to be a little better player but I think that Landry's leadership potential will make him more valuable to our defense.



i think we are begining to see why our coaches and FO did not make too many defensive moves to add players to the line as we all felt they should.