At first, it was all about the potential of the pairing. When LaRon Landry was drafted by the Redskins in 2007, it seemed as if he and Sean Taylor would transform the safety position. Landry, who signed a one-year deal with the New York Jets on Monday, would allow Taylor to play his more natural spot of free safety, giving the Redskins a headhunter and a playmaker. In only nine games together, it was obvious the pairing could become something special. And it gave the Redskins’ defense something that would put it ahead of the curve: safeties with speed. It would allow the Redskins to match up well with offenses that went no-huddle or used empty backfield sets — they would not have to sub in an extra cornerback and could remain in base coverage.
But then Taylor was murdered, and we were left to wonder how good they could have become. Those who coached these two still wonder the same thing.
Still, Landry had enough talent to blossom on his own. Some analysts said he perhaps did not have All-Pro talent like Taylor, but he did have Pro Bowl ability. Finally, three years after Taylor’s death, we saw what Landry could become when defensive coordinator Jim Haslett moved him closer to the line.
After eight games, Landry was in the running for defensive player of the year. But then injuries hit. And then they hit again. And then every time coaches were asked about him returning, the No. 1 thing they would talk about was his health. They couldn’t trust that he would stay healthy.
So now he’s gone, with just memories of what might have been.
– John Keim
