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Commanders sign sixth pick in draft, LSU's Landry
By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com
Updated: July 30, 2007, 10:09 AM ET
Working all through the day Sunday, the Washington Commanders were finally able to strike an agreement early Monday morning with first-round choice LaRon Landry of LSU, the sixth player selected overall in this year's draft.
Unsigned First-Round Picks
No. Team Player
1. Raiders, JaMarcus Russell, QB
2. Lions, Calvin Johnson, WR
5. Cardinals, Levi Brown, T
14. Jets, Darrelle Revis, CB
22. Browns, Brady Quinn, QB
23. Chiefs, Dwayne Bowe, WR
25. Panthers, Jon Beason, LB
Now that all NFL training camps are open for business, coaches will tell you these absent rookies are falling behind in their programs by the minute.
The deal, negotiated by agent Joel Segal, came just shy of 1 a.m. Monday, and will be signed later in the day after both sides review the final document.
The five-year contract has a maximum value of $41.5 million and it includes $17.5 million in guarantees.
A four-time all-SEC defender, Landry was universally regarded as the top safety in the 2007 draft and among the best prospects at the position in the last several years. He is one of only a handful of safeties ever chosen among the top 10 players in the modern-era draft, and joins teammate Sean Taylor, the Commanders' top pick in 2004, in that distinction.
In Washington's scheme, Landry will play strong safety and allow Taylor to concentrate on the free safety spot. Over his first three seasons, Taylor has lined up at both safety spots, but the arrangement devised by coordinator Gregg Williams should benefit both players.
It will keep Landry close to the line of scrimmage, where he makes a lot of plays, and free Taylor for more coverage responsibilities.
Landry is a physical player with a solid frame (6 feet-¾ inches, 213 pounds) who hits with authority. He possesses good coverage skills, but will have to improve his hands at the NFL level. Timed at 4.35 seconds in the 40-yard dash, and with a vertical jump of 37½ inches, Landry is a superb athlete.
His older brother, Dawan Landry, is a second-year safety in Baltimore, and started 14 games for the Ravens as a rookie in 2006.
A rare four-year starter at LSU, where he appeared in 52 games for his career, Landry posted 315 tackles, 16 tackles for losses, 12 interceptions, 22 passes defensed, eight sacks, two forced fumbles and two blocked punts.
Senior writer Len Pasquarelli covers the NFL for ESPN.com
By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com
Updated: July 30, 2007, 10:09 AM ET
Working all through the day Sunday, the Washington Commanders were finally able to strike an agreement early Monday morning with first-round choice LaRon Landry of LSU, the sixth player selected overall in this year's draft.
Unsigned First-Round Picks
No. Team Player
1. Raiders, JaMarcus Russell, QB
2. Lions, Calvin Johnson, WR
5. Cardinals, Levi Brown, T
14. Jets, Darrelle Revis, CB
22. Browns, Brady Quinn, QB
23. Chiefs, Dwayne Bowe, WR
25. Panthers, Jon Beason, LB
Now that all NFL training camps are open for business, coaches will tell you these absent rookies are falling behind in their programs by the minute.
The deal, negotiated by agent Joel Segal, came just shy of 1 a.m. Monday, and will be signed later in the day after both sides review the final document.
The five-year contract has a maximum value of $41.5 million and it includes $17.5 million in guarantees.
A four-time all-SEC defender, Landry was universally regarded as the top safety in the 2007 draft and among the best prospects at the position in the last several years. He is one of only a handful of safeties ever chosen among the top 10 players in the modern-era draft, and joins teammate Sean Taylor, the Commanders' top pick in 2004, in that distinction.
In Washington's scheme, Landry will play strong safety and allow Taylor to concentrate on the free safety spot. Over his first three seasons, Taylor has lined up at both safety spots, but the arrangement devised by coordinator Gregg Williams should benefit both players.
It will keep Landry close to the line of scrimmage, where he makes a lot of plays, and free Taylor for more coverage responsibilities.
Landry is a physical player with a solid frame (6 feet-¾ inches, 213 pounds) who hits with authority. He possesses good coverage skills, but will have to improve his hands at the NFL level. Timed at 4.35 seconds in the 40-yard dash, and with a vertical jump of 37½ inches, Landry is a superb athlete.
His older brother, Dawan Landry, is a second-year safety in Baltimore, and started 14 games for the Ravens as a rookie in 2006.
A rare four-year starter at LSU, where he appeared in 52 games for his career, Landry posted 315 tackles, 16 tackles for losses, 12 interceptions, 22 passes defensed, eight sacks, two forced fumbles and two blocked punts.
Senior writer Len Pasquarelli covers the NFL for ESPN.com
