OWINGS MILLS — The hard-hitting Landry brothers are about to display their competitive streak in a much larger venue than their parents’ backyard.
Dawan Landry, the Baltimore Ravens’ rugged safety, and his little brother, LaRon Landry, the Washington Redskins’ first-round pick who’s already starting as a rookie alongside Pro Bowl safety Sean Taylor, are taking their sibling rivalry to a higher level tonight in a preseason game at FedEx Field.
Growing up in Ama, La. — population 1,285 — in St. Charles Parish on the west bank of the mighty Mississippi river, the Landry brothers used to put on boxing gloves to settle their brotherly disputes.
"Growing up, we were always competitive in everything we did," Dawan Landry said this week at the Ravens’ training complex. "We had a lot of fights, brawls, things like that, and I think it shows with the way we are as adults right now."
Those boxing gloves didn’t always stay on with occasional bare-knuckled fights breaking out. Could another encounter unfold on an NFL stage even though both players play defense?
"We may be out there on the same special teams," Dawan Landry said. "Who knows? No, I don’t try to measure my performance as opposed to his. I just try to learn from my mistakes and try to help him as he learns from his mistakes also."
The Landry brothers didn’t always see eye to eye as teammates at Hahnville High School, where Dawan Landry was the quarterback prior to heading off to Georgia Tech and moving to safety, where he was an all-rookie selection last year and led all NFL rookies last season with five interceptions.
LaRon Landry, who eventually took over for Dawan as the starting quarterback, stayed close to home after high school and developed into an All-American safety at LSU who was drafted sixth overall this April.
"We were always competitive, talking trash and thinks like that," Dawan Landry said. "Just boys."
The Landry family will have a heavy presence in Landover tonight with proud parents Frank Landry and Rhonda Landry attending along with several other relatives.
"I can’t wait to see them," Dawan Landry said. "This is going to be so much fun."
It’s debatable on who’s the better player, even though LaRon Landry is regarded as a more talented overall prospect as a consensus All-American who received a five-year contract with a $41.5 million maximum value contract that included $17.5 million in guaranteed money.
"Depends on who you ask," Dawan Landry said. "I say him. He’s accomplished a lot. I’m just proud of him as an older brother. I’m a fan."
INJURY UPDATE: Defensive tackle Haloti Ngata is unlikely to play tonight due to a swollen knee even though he practiced this week.
"We’re not going to put Haloti at risk, certainly not now," Ravens coach Brian Billick said.
Rookie outside linebacker Antwan Barnes (sprained ankle) said he will be a game-time decision.
"I’m going to give it a try, but I know they want me to play a lot against Atlanta next week," Barnes said.
Definitely out of the lineup: cornerback Samari Rolle (sprained ankle), wide receiver Mark Clayton (sprained ankle), running back P.J. Daniels (hamstring), tight end Daniel Wilcox (ankle sprain) and offensive tackle Steve Edwards (knee surgery).
Offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden (turf toe) and linebackers Dan Cody (knee surgery) and Mike Smith (shoulder surgery) remain on the physically unable to perform list.
MULTI-TASKING: Offensive guard Chris Chester returns to the starting lineup at right guard after sitting out last week with a sprained foot. Chester is juggling two positions, also lining up as the backup to center Mike Flynn with the second team.
"I think I’m doing pretty well," Chester said. "You can get kind of twisted up and confused when you go from guard to center and playing both of those positions, but I think I’ve done a pretty good job of staying focused. No preference at all. I do what they tell me to do."
REDSKINS INACTIVES: With starter Jason Campbell out with a knee injury, Todd Collins will get the start ahead of Mark Brunell. Redskins coach Joe Gibbs has already ruled out running back Clinton Portis (knee), linebacker Marcus Washington (elbow) and offensive tackle Chris Samuels (knee). Offensive guards Todd Wade (shoulder) and Randy Thomas (knee, elbow) are questionable.
Aaron Wilson covers the Baltimore Ravens for the Carroll County Times and the Annapolis Capital.
