Eagles bring back Landri
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Eagles bring back Landri
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
The Eagles signed defensive tackle Derek Landri, a key contributor down the stretch last season, to a one-year contract, the team announced Monday.
In 12 games Landri recorded 43 tackles, eight tackles for loss, two sacks and a blocked field goal.
Despite a strong season, Landri did not get the long-term deal he sought in free agency. The Eagles added the former Carolina Panther last training camp, but he was cut before the first game. After Antonio Dixon tore his triceps, however, the Eagles brought Landri back in early October.
Landri, during a conference call, said that he actually had an offer from the Eagles for longer than one year two weeks ago, but that it fell through when left tackle Jason Peters ruptured his Achilles tendon on March 27.
"I actually didn't think I was going to be back" with the Eagles, Landri said. "But both sides had cools heads and we ended up getting something done."
Landri, 28, was asked if there were any hard feelings when the Eagles had to pull their initial offer.
"You can't let something like that pull you down," Landri said. "But don't believe for a second I won't be using that as fuel for the way I play football."
Landri's playing time in defensive line coach Jim Washburn's defensive tackle rotation seemed to increase with each game. As a result, Trevor Laws saw less action. The signing of Landri makes it all but certain that Laws' days with the Eagles are over.
The Eagles now have five defensive tackles under contract -- starters Cullen Jenkins and Mike Patterson, Landri, Dixon and Cedric Thornton. Patterson had surgery on his brain to correct an AVM this off-season. He is expected to make a full recovery by the start of training camp.
"We were the defensive line in the NFL last year," Landri said. "I think we have the potential to be better than what we did last year."
Despite the numbers, the Eagles should still be in the market to take a defensive tackle high in the draft with Jenkins 31 and Patterson 29 before the start of the season. They have brought LSU defensive tackle Michael Brockers and Memphis defensive tackle Dontari Poe in for visits. Mississippi State's Fletcher Cox is also believed to be on the Eagles' radar.
Landri said he wasn't concerned about how he might fit in the rotation if the Eagles did in fact select a defensive tackle early in the draft.
"I'm a ball player, not a worrier or a business guy right now," Landri said. "Maybe after I'm done playing football I'll worry about business and where everything fits in."
- I guess you can say the same thing about Marsh as Jarrett. I'm thinking Bell will give them a vet to team up with Allen. This year should tell what they actually have back there. No loss of OTAs, no lack of traing camp excuses, no injury excuses.
Hanson HAS been a good soldier, not sold on DRC...WAAAAY too soft. Can't have both corners and a safety that are afraid to hit. Was impressed by 9ers DBs in that they would tackle.
First choice DT, then CB, LB and WR. Big DT can help cover up a bad secondary so still leaning that way.— tpizza 
Aren't we, like, 10-20 million under the cap?!?! How does the deal w/ the offensive tackle(s) in any way impact the defensive tackle "budget"? Is that some fancy (i.e.., fantasy) Howie/Joe math?— Wry Philly Guy- We are now in position to take the much talked about[hardly ever done] "Best Available Player".— Ernie Garman
- @jimmyjamandjames:
Sounds like you swallowed some of that jimmyjam.(and that's my trailer trash statement for today.)— buenavista - If Trevor Laws is gone (and should be) there's another bust of a high pick on the defensive side of the ball. Way to go Front Office Staff (Andy & Howie, and a little former GM Tom Heckert), way to pick those "high motor" guys who just can't play. In 57 career regular season games, he had 45 tackles, 12 assists and 5 sacks. Are you kidding me? What a stiff, another second round pick that was a total waste.
- Smart move to bring back landri. Great motor always near the football. Reminds me of a younger Justin Smith with the 49ers. My Top Draft Picks according to need in RD1. Mark Barron S,Michael FLoyd WR,Fletcher Cox DT. On offense well we didnt make the playoffs so its safe to say we need to re-evaluate our current receivers. Floyd has the potential to become our number 1 receiver but if we can find a solid TE i would be okay with that too. Barron could be the next Dawkins. I just hope the eagles dont trade down because im sure a lot of teams will want that #15 pick.— Yes_General
- BC LB at #1. DT,Devon Still looks to drop to the second rd. He is first rd talent but the position depth in the draft is pushing him back.— chham57
- Good move. I like Landri. They have to have numbers at this position with Patterson's injury.— armchairGM
- I'm not impressed. I don't think the Eagles get enough production out of the Tackle positions, granted that Jenkins brought the heat last year and Patterson elevated his game a bit, but not since Jerome Brown was at Tackle has the Eagles lined up a suitable Tackle in my humble opinion.
I suggest that we draft the absolute best Tackle available, someone that commands constant double teams and who is more than capable of collapsing the pocket. Before Jenkins, that's not fire power the Eagles had up front.
Good Tackles who get the best production can not play every down, there has to be a solid rotation to keep the Bulls Fresh.— Dexter - Great move! Everything is really falling in to place.— ej610
- Signing Landri should make it pretty tempting to go in another direction at pick 15. But even if they go with the "best player available" it probably will be a DT. If I had to choose between Fletcher Cox and Mark Barron, I take Cox.— MrMiles1
I'm glad he's back. Never got why they let him go in the first place. He was better than a lot of those guys- Cox seems to have a lot of upside, so Andy and Howie will probably look elsewhere. Barron is a risk because he's more of a hammer than a ball hawk, and he's a safety, so he's out. On second thought, Andy might select him to be a defensive end! Janoris Jenkins was born to be a Bengal - a playa w/ "issues". I'm lovin' the speculators dropping posts. If Reid wasn't convinced he's a superior football mind, he could probably learn a thing or two.— gnarlyscuzz
- Just have to love it when people call the eagles and their fans low lifes. It shows how classy you are dude. I liike this signing he playedwellfor us last season and made a better impact than Laws did last season. Still think we need to dradft a huge DT! GO EAGLES— srcdaddy1216
- Fool's Gold...remember those words.— hunglikeaton
