The Redskins have run it more early in camp than in previous years. Some of that is timing; they’ll also work on playing off the receivers as camp unfolds. Some of it is by design.

“That’s what [secondary coach Jerry Gray] says he wants us to do,” corner Fred Smoot said. “Me, Shawn [Springs] and Carlos, we excel on that.”

Taylor’s presence, if his play hasn’t declined, should force quarterbacks to throw faster. If he and fellow end Andre Carter produce a quality rush, it allows the coaches to keep more in coverage. If a receiver breaks free off the line, there might not be many openings to find.

And Landry’s speed and range downfield enables receivers to take more chances. Landry will line up mostly at free safety this season, as he did once Sean Taylor was hurt, and later slain, last season.

Landry quickly showed he had similar range. That meant corners could play tighter, knowing they had another safety they could trust.

“I don’t have to play it safe,” Smoot said. “I can do the things I want to do and take the things I study and learn and actually take a chance. It’s a corner’s luxury to have a roof over your head and a floor too.”

And it’s a defense’s luxury to play this way.

“It’s very difficult to beat a team that can play man coverages,” Redskins coach Jim Zorn said. “There’s a lot more they can stop. It’s not something we can play 100 percent of the time, but we do have the talent to really press. It’s the toughest thing to defeat, but it’s the best thing you can do on defense.”