Landri starting; more practice notes
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Landri starting; more practice notes
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- To think, Derek Landri didn't sign a contract until April. Now he’s the Eagles starting right defensive tackle.
Despite a strong 2011 season in which he led the Eagles with eight tackles for loss despite playing in only 12 games, Landri did not get any multi-year offers as a free agent tihs offseason. He kept holding out for one, but as time progressed he realized teams would be only willing to tender one year.
“I was mad as hell,” Landri, 28, said Saturday at training camp. “It was frustrating. It’s like one of those things, you can’t sit there and try to comprehend it. I got a chip on my shoulder for 31 other teams.”
The same thing essentially happened last year after the lockout. Landri had a strong 2010 for the Panthers. He started in all 16 games and recorded career-highs in tackles and sacks, but he had to wait a week before signing with the Eagles, who brought him in only after Mike Patterson suffered a seizure.
This year he arrived at camp on much better ground.
“Well, it’s always comfortable knowing the coaches know your name,” Landri said. “But at the same time the comfort stops there because you got to come out and produce.”
Landri started alongside Cullen Jenkins through most of the spring, but when the Eagles announced that Patterson would miss training camp and Andy Reid was asked who would replace him, the coach initially only mentioned Antonio Dixon.
But when the first team defense lined up for its first practice it was Landri that was in the middle. Defensive line coach Jim Washburn rotates his front four almost evenly so who starts isn’t necessarily a big thing. But Landri’s run-stopping skills may have him on the field in the Eagles’ base defense more than even Dixon, whose forte is also in stopping the run.
“When you’re an undersized guy nobody gives you credit for playing the run,” said the 6-foot-2, 290-pound Landri. “I think I’ve proved to everybody that I can play and now it’s time for me to rush the passer.”
-- Mat McBriar can’t practice with the Eagles until Wednesday, but he punted on his own today after the morning walkthrough at Lehigh. The Eagles signed McBriar on Wednesday, but he can’t practice with the team immediately because in the new collective bargaining agreement free agents signed off the street can’t practice for three days. McBriar had offseason surgery to remove a cyst from his right foot. He wore a brace around his left calf with a small tube that runs down into his shoe. He boomed most of his practice kicks and could give incumbent punter Chas Henry a run for a roster spot.
-- The Eagles need a backup center. Julian Vandervelde said he’s up for the job. Dallas Reynolds has been handling most of the backup center duties during the early portion of camp. But live hitting starts this afternoon and Vandervelde said he’ll be in there. “I worked on my snaps the whole offseason,” said Vandervelde, who has only played guard in college and the pros. “In terms of team periods yet I haven’t had a chance to get in there. … I know Dallas and I are going to be rotating in between that center and guard spot. Howard [Mudd] really wants me to start getting more and more reps there.”
-- Brent Celek attended the walkthrough but did not participate. The tight end sprained the MCL in his right knee on Thursday and should miss the next several days.
Washburn and Reid are stoned -- Landri will get buried on most plays because he is not big enough to play tackle in the nfl. To say he is a better run stuffer than the monstrous Dixon is a joke and a fraud. Another finess let's throw some fastballs at them ridiculous approach to a land acquisition game of violence and itimidation. This is nto a track meet or the ice capades. No wonder the Eagles are mired in mediocrity - how many times can the same failed fastball defensive approach be utilized? Why is it acceptable that our defenses always get pushed around and are never intimidating.— uts- He didn't get buried last year. I'd say he earned the right.
— phillychaos - Your head must've been buried in the mudd last year. He performed well. But, he'll only be sharing second line snaps with Dixon by week 3 or 4 when Patterson returns. The fifth DT is the least of anyone's concern.
— Pedro in Brazil 
Well, I'm happy Landri is signed and starting. He's a bruiser and underrated by the "experts" in the League. People should take notice of the Eagles' interior attack this year, thanks to Landri and Co. Go Eags!- UTS….YOU CLEARLY HAVE NOT WATCHED ANY GAMES! The guy can play and has shown more in limited time on the field then most of the other guys. He did it in Carolina too before the Eagles got him. Landri will be just fine with the 1's particularly since Washburn rotates and keeps the guys relatively fresh.— connorjr
- My post earlier this morning under the Desean vomits story by McLane points out exactly what is in this article about Landri getting the starting shot per Washburns choice. Keep Andy away from the defense. He has enough on his plate... and you can take that as you want it.— watsonmr
- WMR, agreed. But don't you think we are actually witnessing an evolution in Reid? He does seem to be listening more to his assistants. Maybe because he has a good bunch to listen too or maybe because he didn't trust the ex-coaches as much previously...whatever the reason, I like what I hear. Same evolution as far as his player selections too. Not ignoring LBs for starters which also indicates Asst. D coach input. Remember when RBs and WRs were also ignored? Yep, it took 13 years but maybe this is the new Reid?
I liked Landri last year too. Always around the ball and in the backfield. We get too hung up on girth for DTs. As long as they make plays who cares how big they are. John Randle comes to mind.— tpizza - just curious about the RB position comment. Ried started with Duce, but immediately grabbed Westy and Bucky. Once Westy was through he grabbed Shady. How is that ignoring the postion? You don't spend a 1st and 2nd round pick on those positions when you have Westy and Bucky...you spend it on the other bad positions. Now LBer is an obvious issue with high picks and poor trades. — Pedro in Brazil
- I was glad when they signed him again. I can't claim to be anything but a casual observer, he seems to make allot of plays last wyear.Doesn't matter who's starts though, not having Patterson , WON'T help. Hope he comes back soon, but safely— yourdaddy!
- This is a non issue. Whoever plays best will end up getting the most playing time.The Eagles have 4 good DT's without Patterson and Landri certainly did well with his playing time last year.— bradco
- As a female, I have to admit, I pay more attention to offense than defense. I know more about the O side than the D side in general and even I NOTICED Landri last year. Glad he's back in midnight green. If he plays a great as I know he can, I'm sure Howie will take care of him. GO EAGLES!— carmendmv
actually uta is on the right track. although Landri for an undersized guy definetely holds his own in the run well. but his overall point stands true as the EAgles have an entire FRONT LINE full of undersized guys. Its fine if you have 1 or 2 undersized guys that you like but when your ENTIRE LINE is weak and undersized and you get blown off the ball thats a problem. Landri is good for a 290 pounder though, and he was another teams late draft pick that beat out Andy's top pick. With drafting like that no wonder he has never won a superbowl.- You and UTS are just haters, if you looked at things like stats you'd realize you are misguided. Despite having no camp, a new DC and a bunch of new players, our D finished the season ranked 8th. We all want the No. 1 D and we all want 11 BDawks on the field but this is the NFL, be realistic and quit whining. Lemme guess...only child?
- lol, no. I dont know uts but it sounds like he just understands the game of football and knows Andys dumb system wont win a superbowl. Like I said, its simple. No team that calls over 60% passing has ever won a Superbowl. Andy calls about 65% passing every year. It wont win a superbowl, hasnt 13 times in 13 tries. Its simple.
- • No NFC team has won more games since 2000. The Eagles have won 20 more games since 2000 than the Giants, 35 more than the Cowboys, 46 more than the Redskins.
• The Eagles have won 41 percent of their games since 2000 against winning teams, the best record of any NFC team.
* Their 57-30-1 road record since 2000 is second-best in the NFL.
