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Redskins' Landry Longs for a Return to Health, and a Return to Action
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Down the stretch, opponents were reluctant to challenge Washington with deep balls, in part, because of Landry's range and hitting ability. By the end of the season, Landry, who had two interceptions in a 35-14 playoff loss to the Seattle Seahawks, was being compared favorably to Taylor.
"When Sean finally got it figured out, teams really couldn't throw on us at the beginning of last year," Jackson said. "Then when Prioleau and Reed got back there for those six quarters it was very different. When LaRon got back there, we were back to doing some of the same things we did with Sean. By the time LaRon finally figured it out totally, he could go out and get two interceptions in the playoff game. LaRon makes the quarterback throw the ball where we want the quarterback to throw the ball."
Coaches and teammates came to expect big plays from Landry, who also made some big mistakes as a rookie because of his aggressiveness. Williams and secondary coach Jerry Gray often counseled Landry -- who was called for roughing-the-passer and unsportsmanlike penalties -- to play in control.
"I only have one speed, and it's just an attitude that I have, but it's something that I need to work on and be a smarter about," Landry said. "It's all about being smart. I was taught the game and how to do things the right way, so it's up to me."
Doughty played well after the switch last season and is first on the depth chart at strong safety. "The way we ended the year is kind of the way were starting this year," Doughty said. "I'm where I am and LaRon is where he is."
Vernon Fox started in place of Landry in Washington's Hall of Fame game victory Aug. 3 over the Indianapolis Colts. Fox was not with the team Saturday because of personal reasons, so Shawn Springs opened at free safety.
Landry again expects to settle in smoothly at free safety when he returns. "When I made the transition when Sean got hurt, I just got real comfortable right away playing free safety," he said. "And I was both in college, so it really shouldn't matter" that he played strong safety longer last season.
His off-the-field transition, however, could take a while. At 23, Landry still is learning about the responsibility that accompanies his standing on the team. Scheduled to attend the team's Beach Blitz in May, Landry was a no-show, causing a stir on Internet message boards.
"For not showing up for the Beach Blitz, yeah, I heard about it," Landry said. "I had a lot going on. I had a lot of things to do, a lot of family things, and I was trying to take care of it while we had the time off. It wasn't that I didn't want to be a team guy or things of that nature.
"It's just that I had some personal things to do. I'm here to play football. I'm not here to please everybody. Football is my job, that's what I'm here to do, but in the midst of all that, I want to keep the fans happy. I want to be a team player."
