Last weekend, as the Redskins began training camp, LaRon Landry was in Baton Rouge, La., working out with his former LSU teammates. He stayed in contact with his agent in contract negotiations with the Redskins' front office.
By Sunday evening, he was anxious to begin his NFL career. He was anxious to get into training camp.
On Monday morning, Landry and the Redskins had a deal in place. He got on a flight to Ashburn, Va., to join his teammates at training camp.
"The whole time I was out, I was ready to play football," Landry said.
Landry signed his contract on Tuesday morning, and finally the deal was official. His arrival at training camp on Tuesday afternoon ended a six-practice holdout for the Redskins' top draft pick. Washington selected the LSU star with the sixth overall pick in the NFL Draft.
How long will it take for him to get up to speed?
"It will take a couple of practices, but I'll be getting into the playbook, and everything should be back to normal," he said.
Like every defensive rookie before him, Landry worked through a series of up-downs during Tuesday's practice. It's a tradition that Gregg Williams has had for years, designed to build toughness and camaraderie among teammates.
With the up-downs out of the way, Landry saw plenty of action in his first practice, working along-side fellow safety Sean Taylor during 11-on-11 work.
Landry called his first training practice "rough."
"Being out there, doing all of the football drills, it was pretty hard," Landry said. "This morning, I came in and did my conditioning test, which I passed.
"But getting back into football activities like backpedaling, breaking on the ball, and change-of-pace--it was somewhat difficult. But as practice went on, I got into the flow."
Safeties coach Steve Jackson was impressed with Landry's first day, though.
"It's rare that a guy can come in on the first day and take as many reps as he did and want more," Jackson said. "He wanted more."
Added Jackson: "He's not that far behind. We've had six practices worth of installs and he fit right in."
Landry has no expectations on earning a starting job, saying only that he'll let "Coach Gibbs determine what I do."
But Landry is expected to eventually start at strong safety, opposite Taylor at free safety.
Landry has the physical skills to start right away. That would best two other recent Redskins draft picks: Taylor, who made his first start in Week 3 of the 2004 season, and Carlos Rogers, who made his first start in Week 4 of the 2005 season.
"I'm not here to compete with my teammates--we're here to work together," Landry replied. "I just want to get out there and help the team. I am my own person, and I'm ready to help my team any way I can."
