Laron Landry = Lavar?
 

Dirty 30 is a guy that I wish I could like more. I know he is coming off an injury & he was playing lights out last year beforehand. But the 2nd half TD incident w/London in his face sunday really made me think about his overall approach to the game. Something's been wrong w/this defense the last couple weeks, I wonder if he's part of the problem.

He is great at making big hits, but if you watch him take on blockers he usually takes himself out of the play. His coverage issues have been talked about by us quite a bit.

Is Laron our present day Lavar? A big hitter but undisciplined? Is he a Shanahan guy? I'm actually wondering if the staff feels he's worth investing in beyond his current deal.

Re: Laron Landry = Lavar?
 

[quote=freddyg12;854875]Dirty 30 is a guy that I wish I could like more. I know he is coming off an injury & he was playing lights out last year beforehand. But the 2nd half TD incident w/London in his face sunday really made me think about his overall approach to the game. Something's been wrong w/this defense the last couple weeks, I wonder if he's part of the problem.

He is great at making big hits, but if you watch him take on blockers he usually takes himself out of the play. His coverage issues have been talked about by us quite a bit.

Is Laron our present day Lavar? A big hitter but undisciplined? Is he a Shanahan guy? I'm actually wondering if the staff feels he's worth investing in beyond his current deal.[/quote]

Yeah he's wildly inconsistent, talks way too much ish, is borderline dirty, and the years keep passing while we wait for him to be an elite safety. I don't think he's really healthy right now, but aside from the first half of last year, we have yet to see him rise to the level we hoped for when we made him a top 10 pick.

All that said, I still think we'll re-sign him. Our secondary is doggy doo doo. I know he's a liability in coverage at times, but the back 4 is worse without him.

Re: Laron Landry = Lavar?
 

i think landrys best and quietest year was when he was assigned to be the lone deep guy who covered sideline to sideline.

i think atogwe was brought in to take over that duty and allow landry to play closer to the line.

i think atogwes absence has been a big problem.

i think landry needs to improve to be that all around beast we hoped from him but even with his certain limitations, he still one of the few younger core pieces we have.

Re: Laron Landry = Lavar?
 

There are guys on this defense that are playing worse then Dirty 30.
CB's Barnes and Wilson have played worse. Orakpo has been playing just to get sacks and forgets his gap responsibility in the run game. It has killed us on numerous occasions. Rookie Kerrigan is playing better thatn Orakpo and is our most consistent OLB by far. I think these three (Barnes, Wilson and Orakpo) have played worse than Landry.

Re: Laron Landry = Lavar?
 

My biggest complaint about Landry has nothing to do with LL himself but with Redskins management. My complaint is that we could have drafted Adrian Peterson instead in the 2007 draft. AP was one of the greatest college RBs that I have seen. I wanted him badly for the Skins, but n-o-o-o-o-o!

Re: Laron Landry = Lavar?
 

The defensive backs on this team appear to continue to have communication issues, and the Landry incident on Sunday is just another proof of this. Actually lack of communication seems to be an issue that has plagued our secondary for a long time. It seems to me that the coaching staff has always depended on the pass rush as a way to improve the secondary. However, Haslett and the DBs coach need to find a way to fix this communication issue so the secondary is effective when the pass rush fails.

This is why I am critical of people that go on auto-b*tch mode and focus on one guy when something bad happens. There are plenty of situation where just one guy screwed up, but often time when there has been breakdowns in our coverage it's because there was no communication between two players (example: when Buchannon left Doughty one-on-one with Andre Johnson last year in the Texans game).

Re: Laron Landry = Lavar?
 

[quote=Ruhskins;854889]The defensive backs on this team appear to continue to have communication issues, and the Landry incident on Sunday is just another proof of this. Actually lack of communication seems to be an issue that has plagued our secondary for a long time. It seems to me that the coaching staff has always depended on the pass rush as a way to improve the secondary. However, Haslett and the DBs coach need to find a way to fix this communication issue so the secondary is effective when the pass rush fails.

This is why I am critical of people that go on [B]auto-b*tch mode and focus on one guy when something bad happens[/B]. There are plenty of situation where just one guy screwed up, but often time when there has been breakdowns in our coverage it's because there was no communication between two players (example: when Buchannon left Doughty one-on-one with Andre Johnson last year in the Texans game).[/quote]

Don't know if that's directed at me, I can see how it appears I'm blaming Landry for a bigger problem. When coaches look to address a problem, personel is obviously a major part, so I'm just pointing out that LL may be part of the problem, not the whole problem itself.

That said, Fletcher does not often single someone out so visibly. In fact, I can't recall a game in which he appeared SO pissed off at another player. That likely means that this is a recurring problem & he is taking it upon himself to single out LL.

Miscommunication in the secondary will always occur throughout any season, even w/great defenses. Players will misread plays. The problem is compounded by players, like Lavar, that continually freelance out of the system. That 1 player's attitude & play can snowball on a team. I'm just wondering if some of that is happening on this D w/Landry.

Re: Laron Landry = Lavar?
 

Amazing what a few losses in row will do to players reputations. LL isn't playing any worse or better than he usually does. This D has struggled the last few games, and certain areas are suffering more than others. THe run D has looked pretty bad lately, and his job (primarily) is to help along the line of scrimmage. Its not all one guy, this team D has been bad all together recently. Barnes is horrlbe, and the corners have been giving up some plays, which I think LL is pressing a bit on all aspects of the D. Trying to do too much at the line, which is hurthing the coverage. THe corners are struggling and Atogwe being injured for a couple of games also hurts. I think once they get into a groove, 30 & 20 will be just fine. LL is a beast of a talent, and is a pretty damn good safety.

Lets not call out one guy when the whole damn D is struggling

Re: Laron Landry = Lavar?
 

[quote=freddyg12;854875]Dirty 30 is a guy that I wish I could like more. I know he is coming off an injury & he was playing lights out last year beforehand. But the 2nd half TD incident w/London in his face sunday really made me think about his overall approach to the game. Something's been wrong w/this defense the last couple weeks, I wonder if he's part of the problem.

He is great at making big hits, but if you watch him take on blockers he usually takes himself out of the play. His coverage issues have been talked about by us quite a bit.

Is Laron our present day Lavar? A big hitter but undisciplined? Is he a Shanahan guy? I'm actually wondering if the staff feels he's worth investing in beyond his current deal.[/quote]



He talks trash after the other team is up 14 points and just got a first down. Total dumbchiz. Other than that he hasn't been the same since since Brandon Jacobs steamrolled him and knocked him into next week a few years ago. He is good trade bait for Andrew Luck.

Re: Laron Landry = Lavar?
 

Laron is a very solid player, I hope we bring him back with a reasonable contract.

Re: Laron Landry = Lavar?
 

[quote=#56fanatic;854898]Amazing what a few losses in row will do to players reputations. LL isn't playing any worse or better than he usually does. This D has struggled the last few games, and certain areas are suffering more than others. THe run D has looked pretty bad lately, and his job (primarily) is to help along the line of scrimmage. Its not all one guy, this team D has been bad all together recently. Barnes is horrlbe, and the corners have been giving up some plays, which I think LL is pressing a bit on all aspects of the D. Trying to do too much at the line, which is hurthing the coverage. THe corners are struggling and Atogwe being injured for a couple of games also hurts. I think once they get into a groove, 30 & 20 will be just fine. LL is a beast of a talent, and is a pretty damn good safety.

[B]Lets not call out one guy when the whole damn D is struggling[/B][/quote]

I agree. Seems a little too nit-picky to me to start singling out individuals when the unit as a whole is struggling and needs to pick it up. Seems like whenever the D struggles it's always Hall or Landry's fault.

Re: Laron Landry = Lavar?
 

[quote=freddyg12;854897]Don't know if that's directed at me, I can see how it appears I'm blaming Landry for a bigger problem. When coaches look to address a problem, personel is obviously a major part, so I'm just pointing out that LL may be part of the problem, not the whole problem itself.

That said, [B]Fletcher does not often single someone out so visibly. In fact, I can't recall a game in which he appeared SO pissed off at another player. [/B]That likely means that this is a recurring problem & he is taking it upon himself to single out LL.

Miscommunication in the secondary will always occur throughout any season, even w/great defenses. Players will misread plays. The problem is compounded by players, like Lavar, that continually freelance out of the system. That 1 player's attitude & play can snowball on a team. I'm just wondering if some of that is happening on this D w/Landry.[/quote]

It also might mean Fletcher expects more from LL then some of the other players.
Shit rolls down hill, owner to coaches, coaches to team leaders, leaders to rest of the players. While LL is not the team leader Fletcher is, LL's level of play is expected to be top level and he is expected to one of the leaders of the secondary. A unit that happens to be under performing. I do not think Landry is the problem. Fletch is frustrated.
There are guys playing a lot worse than Landry and you do not see them getting screamed at in public.
The expectation level is higher for a Flech and LL. That is all.

Re: Laron Landry = Lavar?
 

[quote=Ruhskins;854889]The defensive backs on this team appear to continue to have communication issues, and the Landry incident on Sunday is just another proof of this. Actually lack of communication seems to be an issue that has plagued our secondary for a long time. It seems to me that the coaching staff has always depended on the pass rush as a way to improve the secondary. However, Haslett and the DBs coach need to find a way to fix this communication issue so the secondary is effective when the pass rush fails.
[/quote]


Yeah i agree with all of this. Although it doesnt seem like just a lack of communication i think its also a major lack of trust. I think the freelancing LL does is encouraged by Hasslet, but im sure it is controlled so that the secondary knows when LL migth do it. Maybe LL is freelancing when hes not susposed to?

OJ out is also defintely hurting us. And i agree with Defensewin, Orapko is definetly having problems picking up the run. He appears to have trouble knowing his assignements.

Re: Laron Landry = Lavar?
 

[quote=freddyg12;854875]Dirty 30 is a guy that I wish I could like more. I know he is coming off an injury & he was playing lights out last year beforehand. But the 2nd half TD incident w/London in his face sunday really made me think about his overall approach to the game. Something's been wrong w/this defense the last couple weeks, I wonder if he's part of the problem.

He is great at making big hits, but if you watch him take on blockers he usually takes himself out of the play. His coverage issues have been talked about by us quite a bit.

Is Laron our present day Lavar? A big hitter but undisciplined? Is he a Shanahan guy? I'm actually wondering if the staff feels he's worth investing in beyond his current deal.[/quote]

You're dead on. LL should be a great player but for whatever reason isn't.

Re: Laron Landry = Lavar?
 

[quote=skinsfan69;854909]You're dead on. LL should be a great player but for whatever reason isn't.[/quote]

Totally correct. REED DOUGHTY is more of a solid player.

Re: Laron Landry = Lavar?
 

I wonder what our situation would be right now had we gone with Bruce Allen's preferred choice and taken Eric Berry instead of Trent Williams

Re: Laron Landry = Lavar?
 

[quote=GMScud;854878]Yeah he's wildly inconsistent, talks way too much ish, is borderline dirty, and the years keep passing while we wait for him to be an elite safety. I don't think he's really healthy right now, but aside from the first half of last year, we have yet to see him rise to the level we hoped for when we made him a top 10 pick.

[B]All that said, I still think we'll re-sign him. Our secondary is doggy doo doo. I know he's a liability in coverage at times, but the back 4 is worse without him[/B].[/quote]

To make matters worse, we don't have anyone who is really good at coverage. LL would be fine if we had at least one really good coverage corner. As it is, our coverage is pretty much smoke and mirrors with everyone back there needing to work perfectly together. We can play a defense to his strengths b/c we have no one to make up for his weaknesses.

As Matty said, however, the blame for our D isn't LL's issues - it's the lack of one really good cover guy.

Re: Laron Landry = Lavar?
 

LaRon is a LB who's fast, just like Polamalu. He's good and worth investing in.

Re: Laron Landry = Lavar?
 

[quote=Sonny9TD;854913]Totally correct. REED DOUGHTY is more of a solid player.[/quote]

there goes the neighborhood

Re: Laron Landry = Lavar?
 

[quote=mattyk;854930]there goes the neighborhood[/quote]

lol

Re: Laron Landry = Lavar?
 

[quote=Mattyk;854930]there goes the neighborhood[/quote]

"There goes the neighborhood". Funny.

You must like Laron's big muscles. Or is it the way he flies thru the air with a swing and a miss? But big muscles are impressive to some. Reed can tackle better than Laron. Laron should be more solid. He has the tools. But he hasn't proved it. He sure talks a good game after the other team gets a first down and we are behind big time and he happens to be in on the tackle. There is a reason Reed is on the team playing. He has heart and doesn't talk stupid chit at the wrong time. See link below for Laron's solid play.



[url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/315459-washington-redskins-laron-landry-needs-to-learn-how-to-tackle]Washington Redskins' LaRon Landry Needs to Learn How to Tackle | Bleacher Report[/url]

Re: Laron Landry = Lavar?
 

[quote=JoeRedskin;854921]To make matters worse, we don't have anyone who is really good at coverage. LL would be fine if we had at least one really good coverage corner. As it is, our coverage is pretty much smoke and mirrors with everyone back there needing to work perfectly together. We can play a defense to his strengths b/c we have no one to make up for his weaknesses.

As Matty said, however, the blame for our D isn't LL's issues - it's the lack of one really good cover guy.[/quote]

He didn't say that you did. You're just kissing tail. And the reason for the defense woes is not the lack of one good cover guy. That's the reason we can't stop the run? It's a lack of discipline. Just ask London Fletcher after chewing out Laron. LOL

Re: Laron Landry = Lavar?
 

[quote=freddyg12;854897]Don't know if that's directed at me, I can see how it appears I'm blaming Landry for a bigger problem. When coaches look to address a problem, personel is obviously a major part, so I'm just pointing out that LL may be part of the problem, not the whole problem itself.[/quote]

It really wasn't, because this is the first time this season I hear a complaint about Landry. I think though that it is a concern when a player like Landry (who is supposed to be our best player on defense) is faltering. I always hear people during games complain about either Doughty or Hall, and feel that they are the only ones screwing up. When it seems that the entire defensive backs unit is having issues, and not just one guy.

Re: Laron Landry = Lavar?
 

[quote=Ruhskins;854942]It really wasn't, because this is the first time this season I hear a complaint about Landry. I think though that it is a concern when a player like Landry (who is supposed to be our best player on defense) is faltering. I always hear people during games complain about either Doughty or Hall, and feel that they are the only ones screwing up. When it seems that the entire defensive backs unit is having issues, and not just one guy.[/quote]

As someone mentioned earlier, the expectation is greater of LL. I agree w/that & that makes sense since each player has his a different contract & thus different level of investment from the team.

I'm not just [I]complaining[/I] about LL per se as much as I am questioning his overall value & impact. If all we do is say, this guy (e.g. Landry) is better than that guy (e.g. Barnes), there's not much interesting to debate. I'm posing the question as to whether LL is affecting the unit's chemistry. I don't know, but take a look at our results since his return.

Re: Laron Landry = Lavar?
 

[quote=Sonny9TD;854941]He didn't say that you did. You're just kissing tail. And the reason for the defense woes is not the lack of one good cover guy. That's the reason we get ran on? LOL[/quote]

I kiss nobody's tail. Matty's quote was:

[quote=Mattyk;854902]I agree. Seems a little too nit-picky to me to start singling out individuals when the unit as a whole is struggling and needs to pick it up. Seems like whenever the D struggles it's always Hall or Landry's fault.[/quote]

Which indicated to me that he was not blaming LL at this point, which I agree with and with which my statement was entirely consistent.

[quote=JoeRedskin;854921]As Matty said, however, [B]the blame for our D isn't LL's issues - it's the lack of one really good cover guy[/B].[/quote]

I should have clarified that I was speaking of the passing D - but, yes, as to that, I think that having one true cover corner would radically improve the rest of our pass defense. Right now, in our pass D, we can't take any one receiver - whether it be a WR, RB or TE - out of the game by assigning a single person to cover them. This isn't applicable to just the league's top receivers, I would suggest it is applicable to every team's top receiver. In light of that, Landry, whose coverage is based on athleticism and closing speed as opposed to anticipation and ball awareness, is forced into playing away from his strengths.

Re: Laron Landry = Lavar?
 

[quote=freddyg12;854947]As someone mentioned earlier, the expectation is greater of LL. I agree w/that & that makes sense since each player has his a different contract & thus different level of investment from the team.

I'm not just [I]complaining[/I] about LL per se as much as I am questioning his overall value & impact. If all we do is say, this guy (e.g. Landry) is better than that guy (e.g. Barnes), there's not much interesting to debate. I'm posing the question as to whether LL is affecting the unit's chemistry. I don't know, but take a look at our results since his return.[/quote]

Not that I know everything but good point.

Re: Laron Landry = Lavar?
 

I should have clarified that I was speaking of the passing D - but, yes, as to that, I think that having one true cover corner would radically improve the rest of our pass defense. Right now, in our pass D, we can't take any one receiver - whether it be a WR, RB or TE - out of the game by assigning a single person to cover them. This isn't applicable to just the league's top receivers, I would suggest it is applicable to every team's top receiver. In light of that, Landry, whose coverage is based on athleticism and closing speed as opposed to anticipation and ball awareness, is forced into playing away from his strengths.[/QUOTE]

You make some good points there.

Re: Laron Landry = Lavar?
 

[quote=Sonny9TD;854913]Totally correct. REED DOUGHTY is more of a solid player.[/quote]

Let's not go overboard.

Re: Laron Landry = Lavar?
 

[quote=Sonny9TD;854913]Totally correct. REED DOUGHTY is more of a solid player.[/quote]

Holy Crap! You're serious. I thought you were joking with the Reed Doughty sh**. LOLOLOL

Reed Doughty is a great guy and certainly gives it his all. I love the guy. Unfortunately, his "all" is about 75% of LL's "Just barely trying". RD is simply LL with out LL's speed. RD has zero ball skills, his anticipation is about the same as LL and he simply doesn't have the speed to make up ground like LL does.

He may have better technique at times but, if you are suggesting that RD should start ahead of LL - well, that's just crazy talk. LL has his faults, but LL and his warts are better than RD at the top of his game. RD, great guy that he is, is a back up on this or any other team.

Re: Laron Landry = Lavar?
 

[quote=skinsfan69;854953]Let's not go overboard.[/quote]

Do you really think Laron is playing better? Seriously

Re: Laron Landry = Lavar?
 

[quote=Sonny9TD;854940]"There goes the neighborhood". Funny.

You must like Laron's big muscles. Or is it the way he flies thru the air with a swing and a miss? But big muscles are impressive to some. Reed can tackle better than Laron. Laron should be more solid. He has the tools. But he hasn't proved it. He sure talks a good game after the other team gets a first down and we are behind big time and he happens to be in on the tackle. There is a reason Reed is on the team playing. He has heart and doesn't talk stupid chit at the wrong time. See link below for Laron's solid play.



[URL="http://bleacherreport.com/articles/315459-washington-redskins-laron-landry-needs-to-learn-how-to-tackle"]Washington Redskins' LaRon Landry Needs to Learn How to Tackle | Bleacher Report[/URL][/quote]

Honestly, there is some truth to this. If you look at the way Reed tackles it's actually picture perfect.

Re: Laron Landry = Lavar?
 

[quote=JoeRedskin;854954]Holy Crap! You're serious. I thought you were joking with the Reed Doughty sh**. LOLOLOL

Reed Doughty is a great guy and certainly gives it his all. I love the guy. Unfortunately, his "all" is about 75% of LL's "Just barely trying". RD is simply LL with out LL's speed. RD has zero ball skills, his anticipation is about the same as LL and he simply doesn't have the speed to make up ground like LL does.

He may have better technique at times but, if you are suggesting that RD should start ahead of LL - well, that's just crazy talk. LL has his faults, but LL and his warts are better than RD at the top of his game. RD, great guy that he is, is a back up on this or any other team.[/quote]

You say that because LL is faster? He is faster I'll give you that.

Re: Laron Landry = Lavar?
 

[quote=skinsfan69;854956]Honestly, there is some truth to this. If you look at the way Reed tackles it's actually picture perfect.[/quote]

Thanks for being bold enough to say so. I respect that.

Re: Laron Landry = Lavar?
 

I do not think Landry and Arrington are similar at all.

Both are excellent natural athletes and both play defense. I think the similarity ends there.

Arrington was a guy who [B]could play [/B]the defense called - - but often [B]would not play [/B]the defense called. He chose to "free-lance" and that sometimes got him in the wrong place giving up a big play. The coaches - - most specifically Gregg Williams - - disliked that refusal on Arrington's part to be part of a team defense and that caused the rift that sent Arrington out of town.

Landry is different. Landry [B]does not "free-lance"[/B]. Landry simply has only one tool in his tool box. Remember the old saying:
[INDENT][B]When holding a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.[/B][/INDENT]
Landry [B]can only [/B]deliver a huge bone-rattling hit to an offensive player - - if in fact he can get to that player before the whistle or before that player crosses the goal line with the ball in hand. He [B]cannot cover [/B]any NFL caliber WR or TE; [B]it is not that he chooses to do something else; he cannot do that.[/B] We have seen his inability to do that on the field for almost five years and it is not getting any better.

Landry ought not be compared to Arrington. And most certainly, his name should never be in the same discussion with Troy Polamalu's. Polamalu can deliver big hits but Polamalu can also cover, defend passes and intercept passes.

Landry is going to expect a payday at the end of this season that is commensurate with what the Redskins pay for players who are recognized in the NFL. Translation:
[INDENT][B]He is gonna want guaranteed money and not just a little of it.[/B][/INDENT]
The personnel decision(s) surrounding the retention or the jettisoning of Laron Landry in the next offseason by Bruce Allen and Mike Shanahan will be very important in terms of the things they need to do to revamp the team for next year and the year after that.

Re: Laron Landry = Lavar?
 

Funny how losing makes some folks hate players smh.. I don't like how he talks trash but he's a top 10 safety in the NFL that would start on any team in the league

Re: Laron Landry = Lavar?
 

Having not studied their form, I will concede - for arguments sake - that Reed is the better tackler. A poor tackler with poor coverage skills but with speed can at least get to receiver to have a shot at recovering from his mistake. A good tackler with poor coverage skills who is also slow has no chance to recover from his mistakes. Make no mistake about it. It's not just that LL is faster, it's that RD is just plain slow.

At this level, speed makes a huge difference and covers for lots of other defiencies. LL has it, RD doesn't.

Re: Laron Landry = Lavar?
 

[quote=sportscurmudgeon;854961]I do not think Landry and Arrington are similar at all.

Both are excellent natural athletes and both play defense. I think the similarity ends there.

Arrington was a guy who [B]could play [/B]the defense called - - but often [B]would not play [/B]the defense called. He chose to "free-lance" and that sometimes got him in the wrong place giving up a big play. The coaches - - most specifically Gregg Williams - - disliked that refusal on Arrington's part to be part of a team defense and that caused the rift that sent Arrington out of town.

Landry is different. Landry [B]does not "free-lance"[/B]. Landry simply has only one tool in his tool box. Remember the old saying:
[INDENT][B]When holding a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.[/B][/INDENT]
Landry [B]can only [/B]deliver a huge bone-rattling hit to an offensive player - - if in fact he can get to that player before the whistle or before that player crosses the goal line with the ball in hand. He [B]cannot cover [/B]any NFL caliber WR or TE; [B]it is not that he chooses to do something else; he cannot do that.[/B] We have seen his inability to do that on the field for almost five years and it is not getting any better.

Landry ought not be compared to Arrington. And most certainly, his name should never be in the same discussion with Troy Polamalu's. Polamalu can deliver big hits but Polamalu can also cover, defend passes and intercept passes.

Landry is going to expect a payday at the end of this season that is commensurate with what the Redskins pay for players who are recognized in the NFL. Translation:
[INDENT][B]He is gonna want guaranteed money and not just a little of it.[/B][/INDENT]
The personnel decision(s) surrounding the retention or the jettisoning of Laron Landry in the next offseason by Bruce Allen and Mike Shanahan will be very important in terms of the things they need to do to revamp the team for next year and the year after that.[/quote]

Yup. Well said.

Re: Laron Landry = Lavar?
 

[quote=skinsfaninok;854963]Funny how losing makes some folks hate players smh.. I don't like how he talks trash but he's a top 10 safety in the NFL that would start on any team in the league[/quote]

If you're talking about the original post of this thread, I'm not sure "hate" is appropriate

Re: Laron Landry = Lavar?
 

[quote=sportscurmudgeon;854961]I do not think Landry and Arrington are similar at all.

Both are excellent natural athletes and both play defense. I think the similarity ends there.

Arrington was a guy who [B]could play [/B]the defense called - - but often [B]would not play [/B]the defense called. He chose to "free-lance" and that sometimes got him in the wrong place giving up a big play. The coaches - - most specifically Gregg Williams - - disliked that refusal on Arrington's part to be part of a team defense and that caused the rift that sent Arrington out of town.

Landry is different. Landry [B]does not "free-lance"[/B]. Landry simply has only one tool in his tool box. Remember the old saying: [INDENT][B]When holding a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.[/B]
[/INDENT]Landry [B]can only [/B]deliver a huge bone-rattling hit to an offensive player - - if in fact he can get to that player before the whistle or before that player crosses the goal line with the ball in hand. He [B]cannot cover [/B]any NFL caliber WR or TE; [B]it is not that he chooses to do something else; he cannot do that.[/B] We have seen his inability to do that on the field for almost five years and it is not getting any better.

Landry ought not be compared to Arrington. And most certainly, his name should never be in the same discussion with Troy Polamalu's. Polamalu can deliver big hits but Polamalu can also cover, defend passes and intercept passes.

Landry is going to expect a payday at the end of this season that is commensurate with what the Redskins pay for players who are recognized in the NFL. Translation: [INDENT][B]He is gonna want guaranteed money and not just a little of it.[/B]
[/INDENT]The personnel decision(s) surrounding the retention or the jettisoning of Laron Landry in the next offseason by Bruce Allen and Mike Shanahan will be very important in terms of the things they need to do to revamp the team for next year and the year after that.[/quote]

Your assumption is that LL is not "free-lancing." I don't know whether he is or not, but in creating the thread I was at least posing that question, so thanks for a thoughtful reply.

It may be a fine line between "free-lancing" and simply consistently misreading plays. Lavar would bite hard on every play fake it seemed, was that free lancing or simply a consistent failure to see the ball & read the play? That may be what Fletch was upset about.

Another similarity; Lavar couldn't shed blocks. LL takes on blockers like they have the ball sometimes, puts his body into them w/a hit, basically takes himself out of the play.

Re: Laron Landry = Lavar?
 

[quote=JoeRedskin;854966]Having not studied their form, I will concede - for arguments sake - that Reed is the better tackler. A poor tackler with poor coverage skills but with speed can at least get to receiver to have a shot at recovering from his mistake. A good tackler with poor coverage skills who is also slow has no chance to recover from his mistakes. Make no mistake about it. It's not just that LL is faster, it's that RD is just plain slow.

At this level, speed makes a huge difference and covers for lots of other defiencies. LL has it, RD doesn't.[/quote]

While there is still value he should be traded for OL or QB before everyone knows he is inconsistent at best. It would be nice if he would play to his potential but I don't see it happening if it hasn't happened yet. But maybe he can. Maybe. It would be nice if he learned to tackle and make some plays. My opinion. It would be nice to be wrong because he can change a game with his talent. It just ain't happening.