Redskins Training Camp Day Twenty-Three - Landry Would Be Handy

In case it's not obvious from this picture we need LaRon like real bad

Monday 11 August 2008

LaRon Landry needs to get better and get back. He has been suffering from a hamstring pull since July 23rd or 24th, depending in your account. He was already out of the morning practice on the 24th, and said it would only be a day or two. Now it has been 19 days.

The team is right to take care with LaRon, he is a key part of the defense, this team is built to win now and as promising and the other young players are, it would be a bad thing for the team to have to depend upon them for a significant part of the season. At this point it is still too early to tell whether LaRon will play against the Jets on Saturday.

After Sean Taylor died LaRon moved to free safety from strong safety, his side to side speed and hitting ability gave teams pause in throwing deep at the end of the season and LaRon did his best Sean Taylor impersonation in the Redskins 35-14 playoff loss to the Seahawks in January, making two fourth quarter interceptions, the Redskins certainly did not lose that game because of LaRon.


In Defensive Line Acres defensive end Erasmus James was activated from the PUP list yesterday and participated in drills with teammates for the first time today (op. cit.), he is quote itching unquote to get out there, by this point I assume that is not his scars that are causing the discomfort. The Redskins traded a conditional 2009 seventh round pick to the Vikings for Erasmus back in May, Erasmus was originally a first round pick by Minnesota in 2005, he tore his ACL and sprained the MCL in his left knee in 2006 and was unable to regain form in 2007. Even prior to the injury it appeared as though Erasmus was on his way to being a disappointment unworthy of his draft spot. If Erasmus does not make the Redskins final roster then the trade is void and the Redskins keep their draft pick. Rich Tandler at Real Redskins breaks down the numbers at defensive end if the Redskins are going to keep five ends on the roster: there are six now, Andre Carter and Jason Taylor are in, Demetric Evans is the experienced backup, leaving second year Chris Wilson, rookie Rob Jackson and Erasmus fighting for two spots. My bet is Erasmus has nothing in the tank and is the odd man out. Defensive end Kevin Huntley was released to make room for Erasmus yet somehow the Redskins still have a slot open and may re sign defensive end Dorian Smith, signed in June and released in July (ibid.).


In Receiver Estates Devin Thomas may get some plays in the Jets game after being out almost three weeks with a hammy (ibid.).


In Lackey Announcerburg Larry Michael blew out his left MCL, he likely will not miss a game.


Matt Terl at the ORB (Official Redskins Blog) was on the field for morning practice: Devin Thomas, Alfred Fincher, Justin Tryon, Maurice Mann, Ethan Albright. Outstanding Redskins links for the day from Matt, nice to know Matt does not just sit around on his ass all day following players, execs and techies: Heath Shuler for VP, principles of the west coast offense and in the where have you heard this story department, Sports Illustrated cover accusing the Redskins of trying to buy a Super Bowl... in 19 and 76! Also from Matt, the Redskins players have some fly rides, so do random peeps that adorn their wheels with the burgundy and gold; now with 100% more Colt Brennan number 15 University of Hawaii jerseys. Finally Matt has the honorable mentions in his photo contest, I tell you there are so many good images on this blog I'll be mining them for Curly R for years.

Rich Tandler on Jason Campbell and the real value of meaningless preseason action: it is easier to stay sharp than to get sharp. And late to the party though he may be, Rich is starting to come around on Marcus Mason. Hey Skin Patrol don't hurt your neck nodding in agreement.

Matt at Burgundy Army wakes up long enough for a Redskins preseason good news bad news post. Nine whole posts in August, slow down there boy you may sprain something.

Blogger Chris Cooley, proving that football players are not small bore minds incapable of complex thought goes into some detail on the incredible pastimes in which Redskins players engage to wile away the apparently copious amounts of free time in training camp: crosswords, sodoku, pool, video games. I guess maybe that's when Chris could do some blogging, that's what I do with most of my free time.

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Redskins transactions of note

Released: veteran defensive end Kevin Huntley, to make room for defensive end Erasmus James, activated yesterday from the physically unable to perform list.

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Offensive line coach Joe Bugel, a man that has been associated with the Redskins since Joe Gibbs came to town in 1981, has departed the team for the immediate term to be with his daughter Holly in Arizona, she has been stricken with bone cancer. Mike Wise profiled Holly and Joe Bugel in July. In his absence offensive coordinator Sherm Smith and tight ends coach Rennie Simmons will share offensive line coaching duties (op. cit.).



LaRon Landry hitting Kellen Clemens as he throws from last year's regular season game: Getty Images from here.