<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE ( Len Pasquarelli @ ESPN.com)</div><div class='quotemain'>In the past 20 years, there has never been an NFL draft in which safeties outnumbered cornerbacks selected in the first round, and not since 1991 has there been a year when as many safeties as cornerbacks were selected in the opening stanza.In the same two-decade stretch, first-round cornerbacks outnumbered safeties more than 2-to-1, 69-28. Only six times in that period has the first defensive back off the board been a safety and not a cornerback. There were nine drafts in the past 20 years in which only one safety was selected in the first round and three in which none were taken.Ten franchises in the past 20 years invested zero first-round choices each on the much overlooked safety position. Eighteen franchises have gone at least 10 years without tabbing a safety in the first round. The Philadelphia Eagles, at least in the modern-era draft, have never taken a safety in the first round.So, safety first, huh? Well, historically, that hasn't been the case in the draft.But the times are changing at safety, a spot that has re-emerged in recent years as a critical one for defensive coordinators leaguewide, and a position that definitely will continue its unmistakable resurgence of the past few years in this weekend's draft."You see defenses like the one in Pittsburgh, where everything that they do is keyed around [strong safety Troy] Polamalu, where he's the centerpiece, and you know the position really is an important one now," said Florida standout Reggie Nelson, one of the top safety prospects in the 2007 draft. "And look how important [Bob] Sanders was for the Colts in the playoffs, when he was healthy. There was a time, I guess, when the position was kind of disrespected, you know? But now, the way it seems, there are a lot of athletic safeties out there and people see how [crucial] it is to have one. Safeties are out of the shadows now."Prospects such as Nelson, Brandon Meriweather (Miami) and Michael Griffin (Texas) have all helped nudge the safety position toward center stage in the 2007 draft talent pool. But the spotlight will shine the brightest on LaRon Landry of LSU, who some scouts feel is the best defensive player period in this year's draft.Barring an upset of monumental proportions, Landry will be the first defensive back chosen Saturday, ahead of a group of fast but somewhat flawed cornerbacks, and should become only the ninth safety to be selected in the top 10 in the past 20 years.He is the kind of safety personnel directors and coaches might conjure up as a computer-generated image, but he's in real life and multidimensional, a prototype defender whose latent skills reflect the new job description for the safety position."To get a guy who's 200 pounds and can cover ... it's tough to find those guys," allowed Philadelphia general manager Tom Heckert.In Landry, consider one found.He started in 48 of 52 appearances at LSU and recorded 315 tackles, including 16 tackles for losses, eight sacks, 12 interceptions, 28 passes defensed and 2 forced fumbles. He also had a blocked field goal and a blocked punt. At the combine, Landry measured 6-feet-? and 213 pounds, ideal size for the position. He was clocked in the 40-yard sprint at a blazing 4.35 seconds, a better time than turned in by all but four of the 42 wide receivers and all but two of the 28 cornerbacks during the Indianapolis workouts.Landry had a 37?-inch vertical jump and a 10-foot, 3-inch long jump at the combine and improved those numbers to 38 inches and 10-6, respectively, at his pro day workout."He's like a Swiss Army knife," said Washington Redskins defensive coordinator Gregg Williams. "He can do a ton of things for you. And the more he does, the more you're going to find for him to do. He can be a special player." Landry's status mirrors the newfound respect for the safety position. If the projections hold to form, he will be the third safety in four years to be the initial defensive back off the draft board, joining Sean Taylor of Washington (No. 5 pick overall in 2004) and Michael Huff of Oakland (No. 7 in 2006) in that elite group. Since 2001, Dallas' Roy Williams (2002) and Donte Whitner of Buffalo (2006), both snatched up with the eighth overall selections in their respective draft years, are the other top-10 safeties.That's a pretty heady subset in which Landry finds himself. Then again, Landry is seeking even loftier company, it seems. Lofty like Hall of Fame status.The safety he most admires and has attempted to emulate is Ronnie Lott, one of the greatest interior secondary defenders of all time, and a player whose career Landry has arduously scrutinized on the video and DVD collection he has assembled. Plus, he has gotten a lot of advice from older brother Dawan Landry, a fifth-round choice of the Baltimore Ravens in 2006 who earned a starting job as a rookie.Dawan Landry, a former Georgia Tech standout, notched 69 tackles, 3 sacks, 5 interceptions and 6 passes defensed in his debut season and established a new league record for most money earned, $366,017, in the NFL's performance based pay program.Such versatility, obviously, is in the bloodlines. But the overall football skills demonstrated by LaRon Landry go way beyond just DNA."I've played free safety and strong safety, played like a linebacker, walked out and played the wide receiver in the slot, like a third [cornerback]," said Landry, a two-time All-SEC selection and one of the nation's most hotly recruited players coming out of high school. "I've been down 'in the box,' backed off in coverage, been in man and zone. And I did it in a big-time conference, at a big-time school and with national championships on the line. No bragging or anything, but there isn't a lot I haven't been asked to do."Which is good because, given the recent evolution of the safety position and the way it has been reconfigured, Landry and the other safety prospects in this year's draft are going to be asked to expand the job description further.The preponderance of Tampa 2-style defenses in the league has made it easier, Baltimore general manager Ozzie Newsome suggested, for young players such as Dawan Landry to contribute quickly at the NFL level. But the fact is that, ever so slowly, coordinators are diverging from the pure Tampa 2 looks, in part because of the enhanced coverage skills many young safeties bring to the league now.Every team covets an enforcer at the safety position, a guy who provides aggressiveness and run support skills, but locating a safety with cover abilities is absolutely golden. Such a guy allows coordinators to play more coverages without having to use situational substitutions. It's almost a must anymore to have a safety with at least a hint of cornerback characteristics. In this year's draft, Landry clearly embodies those skills more than any other prospect.The other top safeties are big hitters, but none comes close to Landry in coverage, and some of the others display too much stiffness. Still, it is a solid year for safeties, with excellent prospects such as Eric Weddle (Utah), Sabby Piscitelli (Oregon State), Aaron Rouse (Virginia Tech), John Wendling (Wyoming), Josh Gattis (Wake Forest) and Gerald Alexander (Boise State) buttressing a strong top group at the position.There are also a few cornerback prospects, such as Tanard Jackson of Syracuse and Fresno State's Marcus McCauley, that some teams project as better safeties at the NFL level. But there is, most scouts agree, only one Landry."Safety is definitely a position that's changed a lot the last few years, and keeps changing," Tennessee coach Jeff Fisher said. "Landry is a guy who can keep pushing the envelope."<span style="font-size:8pt;line-height:100%">LSU safety LaRon Landry is being called the best defensive player in the draft.</span></div>
I was just listening to his interviews and stuff and I must say, the guy is really funny, has a great attitude, shows good character, and is a pure Redskin.Here are some of his highlights from LSU:http://youtube.com/watch?v=Bip9KlMxd04http://youtube.com/watch?v=RvKaO78Ov2ITHE GUY WAS THE 4TH FASTEST PLAYER IN THIS YEAR'S DRAFT, AS A <u>SAFETY</u>.Let's get ready for some football.
he can be "poised" all he wants, but actions speak louder then words.and sorry, Gaines Adams, Okoye, Willis.Yeah, I donno, hes obviously the best safety in the draft, but best defensive player? not a chance, especially if you are looking for a front 7 guy.he can have a good attitude, be a good character, but that doesnt make a good player. and even if he ends up being the best safety in the history of the game(which he wont, because no one will ever be as good as Ronnie Lott) the Redskins still won't get to the playoffs.
Everyone knows he's the best defensive player in the draft, are you kidding me? He was a top 3/4 overall prospect.Being the best safety in college for 2 straight years isn't good?Guess who LaRon's idol was? RONNIE LOTT. He said he started watching him when he was 5.This same exact Redskins team was 1 game from the championship 2 years ago. Only difference this time around: better DB's and a much better QB.
ok, and maybe Ronnie Leaf's idol was Joe Montana, boy, idols do a helluv a lot for you. Pfft, come on man, once he proves himself on the NFL LEVEL, then ill buy into all the crap. and yes, i would argue against landry being the top defensive player in the draft, there's a reason another one went before him."Everyone knows he's the best defensive player in the draft"alright, ill hold you to that, because that's a bold-faced lie.i started watching steve young before i was 5, you think ill be as good as him one day because he was my idol?
pretty sure i already said it:actions speak louder then words kid.he can talk about wanting to be the next great safety, but he can talk all he wants, and that won't change anything.i really want to have a three-some one day, but just talking about it wont get it done. ive gotta go out and make it happen.
He hasn't said much other than that he wants to get out on the field and help our team any way he can A.S.A.P.He hasn't been boasting or bragging or comparing himself to NFL Secondary Gods...
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (The Punisher @ Apr 29 2007, 03:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I was just listening to his interviews and stuff and I must say, the guy is really funny, has a great attitude, shows good character, and is a pure Redskin.Here are some of his highlights from LSU:http://youtube.com/watch?v=Bip9KlMxd04http://youtube.com/watch?v=RvKaO78Ov2ITHE GUY WAS THE 4TH FASTEST PLAYER IN THIS YEAR'S DRAFT, AS A <u>SAFETY</u>.Let's get ready for some football.</div>Too bad that isnt true. I hate that players learn how to run the 40 perfectly while faster players dont and the slower ones run the better one. Landry, Houston, and Calvin all the same 40 trainer; coincidence that they all had amazin 40s? I dont think so.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (The Punisher @ May 1 2007, 11:31 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>^........... http://content.perspicuity.com/images/cartoons/prove.jpg</div>That he isnt close to bein the 4th fastest player in the Draft :ranting:
Landry sucks. You said the same shit about Archuleta, and where the fuck was he last year? Landry has no NFL exp, so what makes you think he can fill in for someone like Vincent or Archuleta? Nothing will come out of this except a younger player.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Capt. Comeback @ May 5 2007, 03:51 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Landry sucks.</div>I'm so keeping this quote until next year. The funny thing is, if we would've got Okoye or Anderson, you would've said they sucked and that we should've got Landry.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (The Punisher @ May 5 2007, 03:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Capt. Comeback @ May 5 2007, 03:51 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Landry sucks.</div>I'm so keeping this quote until next year. The funny thing is, if we would've got Okoye or Anderson, you would've said they sucked and that we should've got Landry.</div>I doubt he would have said that. But if you would've gotten Okoye or Anderson, you would be making all of these posts saying they are going to be the next great defensive lineman. You're biased as fuck.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Brooksie5 @ May 5 2007, 01:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (The Punisher @ May 5 2007, 03:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Capt. Comeback @ May 5 2007, 03:51 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Landry sucks.</div>I'm so keeping this quote until next year. The funny thing is, if we would've got Okoye or Anderson, you would've said they sucked and that we should've got Landry.</div>I doubt he would have said that. But if you would've gotten Okoye or Anderson, you would be making all of these posts saying they are going to be the next great defensive lineman. You're biased as fuck.</div>Dont remember Punisher sayin Landry was gonna be the next great S. And Mayock thought Landry was the best D player in the Draft and most polished of all except Calvin... I dont agree with that but Mayock knows a shitload more than I do. I personally always thought Landry was overrated, and still kinda do. But overrated doesnt mean a player isnt good, or even great. Landry wont suck though, next to that piece of shit Taylor I think he will do well.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (The Punisher @ May 5 2007, 03:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I'm so keeping this quote until next year. The funny thing is, if we would've got Okoye or Anderson, you would've said they sucked and that we should've got Landry.</div>Good, keep it dumbass.If you got Okoye or Anderson, I would have said the same thing because of exactly what Brooksie said. You can't control your retarded brain without saying the Redskins are amazing, or the players are amazing, but somehow they lose. You can't face the facts. Gibbs coaching career has declined, Saunders offense has been complete shit, and the players you call amazing maybe be mediocre with some exceptions. The only good and above players you have are Moss, Taylor, Portis, Fletcher-Baker, and that's essentially it. Don't fucking sit here and tell me that Campbell is the future of shit, don't tell me Betts is an amazing RB because he came in and ran pretty good last year. Pull your head out of your ass and realize you aren't going anywhere. You are in rebuild mode right now, no excuses or cuts to it. At least I can sit here and admit the Lions suck and are rebuilding. Well, we aren't rebuilding because we've never been good. More like recooperating from the abscence of Barry Sanders, but shit at least I can live up to the facts.
Yeah I never said anything about him in this thread... And we aren't in rebuilding mode. We were two wins from the SB in 2005, and had the same team last year (except with injuries and an old Brunell). Brooksie, Okoye is going to be the next great lineman.
for one of the only times in my life, i agree with capt. comeback.he basically saved me a crapload of typing. bravo. encore. the redskins are not good, and when campbell fails this next year, who again will be your QB of the future?i can finally start boasting about the 49ers because they are finally going to be competing for the division(or so it seems). the last couple of years, ive had to live with the fact that the 49ers have been one of the worse teams in the league. its not 2005 anymore with your 2 wins away from super bowl crap. brunell is gone, your players have gotten older and worse, and if clintin portis gets hurt again, once again, you guys will suck. and even if he does stay healthy, you guys will be mediocre.
