Ninth selection for Reed, first for Landry
It has become a tradition for former Destrehan star defensive back Ed Reed to make the AFC All-Pro team, and for the ninth time in his 11-year career, the wily veteran again was added to the roster.
Despite playing through some injuries and having to fight off possible suspensions and fines due to what the league determined were illegal hits, Reed again established himself as one of the NFL’s best defensive backs and a future NFL Hall of Famer.
Reed has intercepted 61 passes during his 11-year career and he is the active leader in passes picked off. He has also forced 11 fumbles during his career.
This season, Reed set a new NFL record for return yardage in a career and he now has 1,541 yards off of interception returns.
Reed was in on 58 tackles and was tied for a team high four interceptions in 2012.
Reed is used to being named to the All-Pro team, but for former Hahnville star quarterback/defensive back LaRon Landry, it was a new experience.
Twice Landry has been named as an alternate, but this year he made the AFC All-Pro squad just one year removed from suffering a serious Achilles tendon injury.
In his first season with the New York Jets, the hard-hitting Landry finished second on the team in total tackles with 99 and he had two interceptions.
The former All-SEC performer at LSU had played five seasons with the Washington Redskins before signing a one-year contract with the New York Jets.
New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan says that despite a disappointing season by the team, Landry has been a real force defensively.
“LaRon is everything we thought he would be when we signed him,” Ryan said. “He brought some swagger and toughness that I personally like and he has tremendous football instincts and he stayed healthy. I have always thought he was a terrific player, but could never stay healthy.”
Ryan said that the football gods finally smiled on Landry and that hopefully the Jets can resign him to a long-term deal.
“I am hopeful that we can come to terms on a long-term contract for him and have him back with us next year,” Ryan said. “He’s a real defensive force and a terrific player in run support and also in our pass coverage schemes.”
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