LSU's Landry among new breed of NFL safeties

By D. ORLANDO LEDBETTER
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 04/22/07

Growing up, LaRon Landry's favorite football player was Ronnie Lott, the former hard-hitting safety.

"I grew up trying to emulate him," Landry said. "I liked his style of play. He's physical and very tough."

Landry, from Metairie, La., has tapes and DVDs of Lott, who was known for his toughness and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000 after a career with the San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Raiders and New York Jets.

Landry's studies were not wasted. After a spectacular four-year career at Louisiana State, Landry will likely be the first defensive back selected in the NFL draft on Saturday and could be taken by the Falcons, who have the eighth pick overall. The Falcons have needs at several defensive positions, with safety a top concern. They acquired Lawyer Milloy and Chris Crocker to play the safety positions last season but would like to move Crocker to nickel back this season.

Landry heads up a deep group of safeties that includes Florida's Reggie Nelson and Miami's Brandon Meriweather.

"It probably is not as deep at corner, but there are some good safeties," Tennessee Titans general manager Mike Reinfeldt said. "Also, safety is a position where you may not have to take a player as high. I think there are more intangibles that come into the equation."

Landry, the younger brother of former Georgia Tech safety Dawan Landry, has dazzled NFL personnel officials with his ability to play both safety positions and adroitly cover tight ends and wide receivers.

"In college, sometimes we lined up at right and left safety," Landry said. "I played a little bit of strong, but it [depended] on where we lined up. Me and our strong safety [Jessie Daniels] had that communication and knew each other's assignments. So I think I can play strong or free. It doesn't matter."

Dawan Landry was a fifth-round pick by Baltimore last season and had a solid rookie season.

"I have an older brother, too, Derik," Landry said. "He played defensive end at Vanderbilt. So it's always been competitive in the household growing up. I always had to have self motivation."

With several NFL teams playing the Tampa Bay 2-deep zone defense, an emphasis almost leaguewide has been placed on the safety position. Teams noticed how much the Indianapolis defense improved last season upon the return of safety Bob Sanders during its Super Bowl run.

"Tampa 2 allows the safeties to be more playmakers than the corners," Baltimore Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome said. "So I think that has impacted that aspect of the game. Now those guys are given more of an opportunity to be involved in making plays."

Tennessee coach Jeff Fisher said, "Safety play in this league is essential. I think the league has redefined the position."

The Tampa 2 style, which aims to funnel action to the middle of the field, has created a hybrid safety/cornerback position.

"It's hard to play 11-on-11 with the tight ends that are in this game, if you don't have a safety that can cover . . . with the [Tony] Gonzalezes, the [Antonio] Gateses, the [Todd] Heaps, the [Kellen] Winslows, the [Jason] Wittens, the [Alge] Crumplers, if you think you can put a linebacker on those guys for 60 plays in a game you're going to be in trouble," Newsome said.

Landry understands the duties of the redefined safety position.

"[There are] very few safeties out there that can cover and play down in the box," Landry said. "You find very few safeties that can do both. I guess that's why it's become a glamour position."

Nelson fits the bill, too. He's a big hitter who can cover tight ends. He played free safety at Coffeyville (Kan.) Junior College.

"The safeties in the NFL are really big," Nelson said. "Some teams say they'll play me at corner or free safety. Either way, I'm pretty sure I'll fit in somewhere."

Nelson, who visited the Falcons on April 12 and 13, played cornerback for Florida in last spring's practice before being moved to safety.

Meriweather was involved in Miami's nasty brawl with Florida International. With the league placing a premium on character, his draft status will likely be affected.

"I think it's one of the better years, in terms of depth at the position," Fisher said.