jimster Posted August 14, 2007 Share Posted August 14, 2007 LaRon Landry Bucks Redskins Trend, on Fast Track to Start Opening Day http://sports.iwon.com/news/08142007/v0951.html Aug 14, 3:03 PM (ET) Email this Story By JOSEPH WHITE ASHBURN, Va. (AP) -When LaRon Landry was 5 years old, he used a fake ID to play football with an older team. With that kind of fast-track mentality, it's no surprise he has accomplished what Sean Taylor and Carlos Rogers couldn't - worked his way into the starting lineup during his rookie training camp with the Washington Redskins. Landry's combination of speed and savvy earned the No. 6 overall draft pick from LSU the coveted spot with the first-team defense during the first week of practice. He started at strong safety in Saturday night's exhibition opener against Tennessee, and there's little doubt he will still have the job when the regular season opens Sept. 9. "He's come in, he's learned what he's had to do," cornerback Fred Smoot said. "We've got to put him out there. We've got to have him." Landry's rapid development bodes well for a defense that struggled to make big plays last year. Landry and free safety Taylor have the makings to form a strong, fast and fearless tandem for years to come. Fearless? That's Landry all right. It goes back to the boxing duels he had as a youngster with his older brother, Dawan, who now plays for the Baltimore Ravens. "They used to go at it every day," said Landry's father, Frank Landry. "When they were 3 or 4 years old, they used to battle over small things, a video game or sneakers or a shirt. When they were about 4 or 5, I said 'If y'all are going to fight, y'all fight with some boxing gloves."' Then came the time for LaRon to play football, even though he was a year too young. He joined a team for ages 6-to-8, taking advantage of the fact that one of the boys who signed up decided not to play. "There was a leftover ID," LaRon said. "And my dad was the coach, so I just took the ID." And there's the story about the time the boys were riding home in the back of a truck on the way home from practice. An older kid dared LaRon "to jump out of the back of the truck like Superman." So he did. "I thought I was going to land on my feet, but I went face first. My face was all messed up," said LaRon, who then required a trip to the dentist. After all those adventures, breaking Redskins assistant coach Gregg Williams' taboo about rookies seems easy. Just a year ago, Williams lectured reporters on his policy of forcing newcomers - even high draft picks - to earn their stripes because they were no longer playing college "intramurals." Williams cited Jevon Kearse, Nate Clements, Keith Bulluck, Taylor and Rogers as examples of rookies he had coached who weren't given starting jobs right away. Taylor, Washington's No. 5 overall pick three years ago, didn't start until the third game of the regular season. Rogers, drafted No. 9 two years ago, also started in his third game - and then only because of an injury to Walt Harris. So what has made Williams change his mind? What's so different about Landry? Williams said Landry got a head start playing in a pro style defense at LSU, then was able to attend all 20 of the Redskins spring practices after getting drafted. Landry also has stayed healthy - avoiding the muscle strains and pulls that rookies often get in the days of a rigorous NFL camp - and has shown a good early grasp of the play book. His only setback was a contract holdout that forced him to miss the first six practices of training camp, but he made up for the lost time in a hurry. "He put himself in a position where everybody felt comfortable around him," Williams said. "His teammates said, 'Hey, Gregg, we're better when he's in here.' The acceptance of him into the group is part of the growing process of a young player. He has built trust in a lot of people." Landry remains modest when asked about his rapid rise. In a symbolic move that confirmed the obvious, the Redskins moved him ahead of Pierson Prioleau on the depth chart this week, but he's not crowing about it. "I still have a lot to learn," Landry said. "On this level, it's a whole different ballgame. It's a lot faster. I'm out here with 10-, 15-year vets." ^ Notes: First-year DL Lorenzo Alexander has earned a new nickname - "Scarface" - following his bloody, no-helmet tackle of scrambling Titans QB Tim Rattay during Saturday's game. Alexander lost his helmet shedding a block before pursuing Rattay, then collided with safety Reed Doughty while making the tackle. The gashes across the right side of Alexander's face and chin required six stitches. "My mom's just happy I have all my teeth," Alexander said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maximus71 Posted August 14, 2007 Share Posted August 14, 2007 He is starting because he is a better player than any of the back ups we have... It has nothing to do that he is smarter than ST... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vinnick Posted August 14, 2007 Share Posted August 14, 2007 That was a fun read. thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scuppajones Posted August 14, 2007 Share Posted August 14, 2007 Good article. I can't wait until week 1 to see this defense in action against dinosaur Trent Green. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveP666 Posted August 14, 2007 Share Posted August 14, 2007 Just hope the D can gel a little. Laron, being a rookie, will be picked on by the better QBs of the league. If he can get a few picks and sacks, he might get the early respect we need. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeronimobrat Posted August 14, 2007 Share Posted August 14, 2007 Wasn't partial of this article discussed in the Post awhile ago? Anyway, good read! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leonard Washington Posted August 14, 2007 Share Posted August 14, 2007 Wasn't partial of this article discussed in the Post awhile ago?Anyway, good read! it seems like LL is following ST's lead and not talking too much to the media. or maybe he's just trying to learn his position before he starts giving extended interviews. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedskinzOwnU Posted August 14, 2007 Share Posted August 14, 2007 Good article. I can't wait until week 1 to see this defense in action against dinosaur Trent Green. I can't argue with that. We had better really dominate Miami or I won't be satisfied. Trent Green is one of the main reasons that I think we will win week 1. Then again, Brad Johnson did beat us last year - so I guess I can't bank on that. But, if we lose to Miami like we lost to Minnesota last year in week 1, it will probably be a similar season in many respects... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rdsknfan Posted August 14, 2007 Share Posted August 14, 2007 Good article. I can't wait until week 1 to see this defense in action against dinosaur Trent Green. Amen to that!!! :helmet: :logo: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commander Adama Posted August 14, 2007 Share Posted August 14, 2007 Good find Jimster! Was a very good read. Oh and go Scarface! Good heart on that play Alexander "Scarface"! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IrepDC Posted August 14, 2007 Share Posted August 14, 2007 That's great to hear! The fact that he's already earned this much respect, to be the projected starter come week 1, tells me that he is going to have a great career. The list of rookies that GW has decided NOT to start is amazing. Landry potentially can be better than them all, even ST. I hope we can keep this safety combo together for a loooong time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheLongshot Posted August 14, 2007 Share Posted August 14, 2007 He is starting because he is a better player than any of the back ups we have... It has nothing to do that he is smarter than ST... You mean Andre Lott was better than Sean Taylor when he was drafted? Jason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MEANDWARF Posted August 14, 2007 Share Posted August 14, 2007 Excited about our dee. Can't wait for the season to start. The only thing we need is another de pass rusher to complement AC. AC came on strong toward the end of the season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jnhay Posted August 14, 2007 Share Posted August 14, 2007 He is starting because he is a better player than any of the back ups we have... It has nothing to do that he is smarter than ST... Huh? So was Taylor. He just didn't grasp the defense as quick obviously. The article explains why. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InsaneBoost Posted August 14, 2007 Share Posted August 14, 2007 Great Article, can't wait till the 18th! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbnva Posted August 14, 2007 Share Posted August 14, 2007 Area 51 IN FULL EFFECT! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjfootballer Posted August 14, 2007 Share Posted August 14, 2007 Loved the blitz he layed on kerry Collins. I'll like that all year long. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
REDSKINZ-RIDEORDIE Posted August 14, 2007 Share Posted August 14, 2007 I LOVE IT!!!!!!!! Letz go LaRon!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonMagicJuan Posted August 14, 2007 Share Posted August 14, 2007 great article....love the fact thats he just starting and we dont have to cheer his name and watch him in the 2nd half of preseason games! gotta love that hit he made on Collins, i just wish it was on Vince!! sigh... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrredskinDgreen Posted August 14, 2007 Share Posted August 14, 2007 I love it. ST and LL are gonna be fun to watch. I think most would agree that Landry's hit on Collins was the most entertaining moment of that 1st preseason game. He deserves to start. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gart Monk Posted August 14, 2007 Share Posted August 14, 2007 It was a good hit on Collins only to be trumped by Frost's hit on the punt returner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bossman_SKins Posted August 14, 2007 Share Posted August 14, 2007 in st's defense, we have sucky backups for the ss spot. when st came in andre lott had been doing a good job in camp and the first couple of games Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
isle-hawg Posted August 14, 2007 Share Posted August 14, 2007 Nice read, I didn't know he was officially the starter on the official depth chart and didn't believe it till I looked it up. Either GW thinks LL is a beast or he has learned a thing or two about sitting better (rookie) talent. I don't care either way, just happy LL will be opening the season for us as a starter with ST. Area 51 yeah baby! :logo: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zazzaro703 Posted August 14, 2007 Share Posted August 14, 2007 Good article. I can't wait until week 1 to see this defense in action against dinosaur Trent Green. I agree. If he lays the wood on Trent Green like he did to Kerry Collins, that could be it for Trent Green. Not that i wish ill towards anyone in the league, but its kind of hard to not want/like watching ST and now landry lay someone out with one of those bone crunching tackles. Although with the way Trent Green looked in his first preseason game, i think id like to see him play the entire game. I dont think he has fully recovered from the shot he took last year and is probably still a little gun shy. Well who wouldnt be after taking a shot like that and being out for several weeks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vzotsky Posted August 14, 2007 Share Posted August 14, 2007 Why was LL able to attend all 20 spring practices, but couldn't even show up at training camp until a contract was in place? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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