Rex Ryan says LaRon Landry Brings Fear to the Defense

Sept. 9, 2012; E. Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets defensive back LaRon Landry (30) makes the tackle on Buffalo Bills tight end Lee Smith (85) at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Perlman/The Star-Ledger via US PRESSWIRE

LaRon Landry has changed the atmosphere, by himself, around this New York Jets defense. As seen in the picture, he has been throwing his body around, laying hits on everyone in his path. From the preseason against Victor Cruz, to last week against Fred Jackson, offensive players are learning quickly that coming into Landry’s area of the field is not the best idea they have ever had. “Dirty Thirty”, as LaRon was known as in Washington, will let you know that he is there.

Coach Ryan has noticed, feels he brings the fear factor to his defense. Here is what he had to say yesterday at his press conference when asked about the subject:

I think that’s pretty accurate. I really do. I think that’s a great description. When you think about it, I always look at it this way, I always want to draft as many guys or have as many guys on the team that you wouldn’t want your kid playing against. Jarret Johnson was a great example in Baltimore for years. I watched him in high school and I tried to recruit him, I was like oh man. I’d literally be like my kid isn’t playing this week. My kid has a hamstring this week. (joking) Literally, those are the guys that you really want to surround yourself with. I think you build both of these defenses, you’ve got Pittsburgh’s (defense) and the Jets, and they’re kind of built the same way. I don’t know if you want your kid going against Casey Hampton and against James Harrison, (LaMarr) Woodley, Troy Polamalu, or Ike Taylor. My kid is a receiver. I don’t want them going against Ike Taylor. If he is, he better be off the ball. (smiling) I don’t want him in his face. You certainly don’t want your kid going against Darrelle Revis. No chance. He’ll end up in the Gatorade. The teams are kind of built that way. It’s still tough, old-fashioned football, and I think that still wins on defense. You talk about (Landry) being (tough), there’s no question, and he certainly is that.

Aug 10, 2012; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis (42) runs with the ball against New York Jets safety LaRon Landry (30) and defensive tackle Mike DeVito (70) at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE

In his usual style, Rex Ryan had lofty comparision for Landry when asked who to liken his style of play to:

Yeah, both of the safeties did. I think, I’m going way back, I never saw this guy play, but in the video clips, Dick “Night Train” Lane, that would be a guy that has a physical presence. Some of those hits I saw him make. Wow. That would be the guy that I would compare him (Landry) to a little bit. He’s a physical presence, there’s no question about it. Yeremiah Bell is the same way. We have prepared those guys, and when Eric Smith gets healthy, we’d like to think we have three of the more physical safeties in this game. Another team that does is Pittsburgh, with Ryan Clark. I don’t think Clark gets the credit that he deserves. He’s an outstanding football player. I felt that way when he was in Washington. He was an excellent player, and obviously Troy (Polamalu).

For our younger readers, Dick “Night Train” Lane played for the Los Angeles Rams, Chicago Cardinals, and Detroit Lions over a career that spanned from 1952-1965. He was a seven time Pro Bowler, and a 6 Time All Pro. Like Landry, he was known for his physical tackling, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in the 1974 class.

July 29, 2012; Cortland, NY, USA; New York Jets defensive coordinator Mike Pettine prepares to call a defensive play during training camp at SUNY Cortland. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-US PRESSWIRE

When defensive coordinator Mike Pettine was asked to compare LaRon, he had a more recent comparison to make:

Ed Reed was very aggressive. He didn’t hit as hard, I mean, Ed will hit you, but Ed was a guy that when he’d diagnose a play, (he) would go and get it. And certainly, obviously, the guy we’re going against this weekend, (Troy) Polamalu, I would say is very similar. They key fast and when they see it, we use the phrase, “Shoot your gun,” just don’t hesitate. He’s one that both those guys are perfect examples of, they see it, they go get it, and the guys around them, they know that. The way that we play defense, the way that we run the ball, the way that we kind of build around guys, they have the freedom to do that knowing that they’re going to be backed up by the guys behind them.

As a Jets fan, there is no way not to love the play of LaRon Landry thus far. He has brought a physical factor to this team across the middle that they have not had in years. Guys know that if they come across the middle against the Jets defense, there is a new sheriff in town, and his name is LaRon Landry.

The Jets have always had difficulty against tight ends, and Big Ben loves his. Heath Miller will be a major factor on Sunday, and Landry, along with the Jets new look safety position will have its first major test.