No Apologies from LaRon Landry

September 16, 2012; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers running back Isaac Redman (33) carries the ball against New York Jets strong safety Yeremiah Bell (37) and free safety LaRon Landry (30) during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. The Pittsburgh Steelers won 27-10. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-US PRESSWIRE

We have talked about it over and over again, there is a new sheriff in town, and his name is LaRon Landry. Receivers of the league must be aware of where he is when the come across the middle. Say anything you want about this football player, but one thing is for sure, he can put a big hit on somebody that would rival any tackler in this league.

But, players that play with this type of aggressiveness sometimes make plays that are reckless. LaRon Landry is no exception. In yesterday’s game, Landry had two huge penalties, one late hit out of bounds, and the other a horse collar tackle later on, for 30 yards in penalties all by himself. But, does this make Landry have any regrets? No he does not.

“I’m going to continue to play the way I play,” he said after the game. “I’m going to look at the tape, critique myself and try not to put myself in a position like that again. I’m going to keep playing the way I play — I just have to be a little smarter. If he’s full-go, I’m going to try to my best to hit him and make the tackle,”

For the record, Landry didn’t agree with the horse collar call either:

“I didn’t really think I grabbed the guys shoulder pads,” Landry said. “My intention wasn’t to grab the guys’ shoulder pads.”

September 16, 2012; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan on the sidelines against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter at Heinz Field. The Pittsburgh Steelers won 27-10. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-US PRESSWIRE

Head coach Rex Ryan knows that Landry has to make sure his aggressiveness is within the limits of the rules:

“You love the way he plays, the kind of tempo he plays with,” Ryan said of Landry. “But you have to do it within the confinement of the rules, so I think that’s something we really have to look at. The one was a horse collar — I know he was trying to get the guy down and sometimes that happens.”

LaRon talked about a bigger problem on the day, third down. The defense allowed Pittsburgh to convert 8 out of 15 third downs, while the offense went 4-12 on third down.

“The team as a whole didn’t finish,” Landry said.

Yes, the team did nothing on third down, on either side of the football, which was a huge factor. You have to get off the field on third down on defense, and convert when you are on offense. But, Landry’s penalties were a big problem. As much as his big hits can turn the momentum in the Jets favor, the penalties turn the momentum in the other direction.

Play hard LaRon, but play smart. Please!

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