LaRon Landry Returns to Redskins, Next Stop: Super Bowl

Thank God. LaRon Landry has returned to the Redskins' loving bosom. Search and rescue teams have been called off because Landry, who missed voluntary workouts last week and didn't return calls or texts from head coach Jim Zorn, showed up for work today. Disaster averted.

Last Thursday, Zorn told reporters that Landry's absence was "disappointing to his teammates as well" although "I fully expect him to be ready in training camp and go hard and have a great year."

Totally agree with that last bit, but I'm pretty sure Landry's teammates aren't losing sleep over him skipping organized team activities. You know, because unlike most of us who write about this stuff, the guys who actually play football for a living seem to understand that veteran starters familiar with the scheme aren't really missing much during the shorts and t-shirts portion of the summer schedule.

Take Chris Cooley, for example, who talked about Landry's absence on John Thompson's radio show earlier this week. Via the Sports Bog:

"Well, I think it means different things to different players," [Cooley] said. "And I know that sounds funny. But if I don't show up obviously it's gonna be in the media and it's gonna be discussed, but I'm not getting released from the team and I'm probably not putting my position in jeopardy at all. Obviously for the young guys and anyone drafted and anyone coming up trying to earn a spot, it's not voluntary. This is one of your only chances to show coaches what you can do, show coaches that you're a dependable person, and so young guys get a lot out of this work.

"A lot's been made out of LaRon Landry missing, and I don't think that's as big a deal [among] our players and in our locker room as it's been made in the media. We all know LaRon's in great shape, and we know two days into training camp that he'll come back and no one will remember that he missed. So I think a lot of the voluntary word depend on what your role actually is on the team."

So to recap: it's June, training camps are still six weeks off, and unless you're the Jets (OTA Super Bowl champs!), this time of year doesn't make or break the upcoming season.

That said, if the Redskins should happen to win the Super Bowl, we'll all look back on this Thursday in mid-June, knowingly nod our heads and quietly agree that Landry's decision to join his teammates was the difference. If only somebody had explained that to Dan Snyder a decade ago.