Safety LaRon Landry, Washington’s top draft choice, remained unsigned as the Redskins opened training camp yesterday. Landry, the sixth pick overall, became Washington’s first holdout since quarterback Patrick Ramsey’s 16-day absence in 2002.
“Everybody’s working hard and I think it’s getting close,” coach Joe Gibbs said. “I would be disappointed if it went more than a couple of days. The agents are real leery [of completing a deal] unless everyone is signed ahead of them.”
Landry’s agent, Joel Segal, didn’t return a phone call.
Only two of the five players drafted ahead of Landry, offensive tackle Joe Thomas (third) and defensive end Gaines Adams (fourth), have signed. Two other top 10 picks defensive end Jamaal Anderson (eighth) and receiver Ted Ginn Jr. (ninth) also are under contract.
“I understand the importance of being in camp but on the flip side, I’ve been in his position as a top-10 pick and I wanted my money, too,” said Redskins cornerback Shawn Springs, the third choice in the 1997 draft. “Hindsight being 20-20, I would have liked to have been in camp, but then again, I enjoyed the money I got. I didn’t show up until the last preseason game. It affects you because you have to jell, know the system and everybody has to get used to playing with you.”
Landry’s absence didn’t cause a big stir because it was just one practice and because assistant head coach Gregg Williams likes to keep even the most highly touted rookies as backups, at least at the start of the season. Safety Sean Taylor, the fifth selection in 2004, didn’t start until the fourth game. Cornerback Carlos Rogers, the ninth pick in 2005, started the third game only because veteran Walt Harris was hurt.
Pierson Prioleau, who was supposed to start in 2006 before suffering a season-ending knee injury on the opening kickoff, opened camp at strong safety alongside holdover free safety Sean Taylor. Omar Stoutmire and Vernon Fox, who each started at least six games at safety last season, also could press for playing time at safety this summer.
Bradford in the mix
Receiver Corey Bradford was in uniform a day after signing on Thursday. Bradford, 31, has 215 catches for 3,346 yards and 25 touchdowns in nine years with Green Bay, Houston and Detroit. However, he caught just 14 passes in nine games last year for the Lions and had worked out only for Jacksonville since becoming a free agent in March. That is until the Redskins called and asked him to try out on Thursday.
“At this point, I didn’t think anyone would call for another couple of weeks, but you never know when they’re going to call you, so the one mistake you can’t make is not being ready when they call,” Bradford said. “The offense is basically the same one we ran in Detroit so that helps. The last three years, I feel like I’ve been sitting on the shelf collecting dust. I can still run by people.”
Santana Moss is a sure starter, but the other receiving jobs aren’t set after disappointing 2006 seasons from highly paid wideouts Brandon Lloyd and Antwaan Randle El.
Thomas takes it easy
Guard Randy Thomas, who had arthroscopic knee surgery on June 13, didn’t participate in team drills.
“I have to be smart about it and take my time with it,” Thomas said. “It’s based on how I feel. I don’t want to come back and have a setback.”
Will Whitticker, who filled in for Thomas during minicamp last month, continued to take his place with the starters.
Backup offensive tackle Calvin Armstrong was shaken up late in the practice but wasn’t listed on the injury report.
Back on the field
Moss, who missed most of the spring with an ailing hip flexor, was back yesterday and said he felt fine. So did quarterback Mark Brunell, who was permitted to let loose with his left arm for the first time since having shoulder surgery Jan. 8.
Defensive ends Phillip Daniels and Renaldo Wynn, limited in June’s minicamp with wrist and elbow injuries, respectively, also were cleared for full practice. So was rookie end Justin Hickman, who missed almost the entire spring with a balky knee.
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