FanHouse DanSnyder

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.

So, why did a team who ranked fourth in the NFL in total defense draft a defensive player in the first round?

Because Brian Orakpo fell to the 13th pick, was one of the most versatile defensive players in the draft, and improves an area where the Redskins were lacking. Defensive coordinator Greg Blache doesn't blitz, but that doesn't mean the Redskins couldn't use some pressure on the quarterback. That's (presumably, though we can't really be sure with Vinny Cerrato and Dan Snyder at the helm) why they coughed up a second-round draft pick for Jason Taylor. With injuries hampering Taylor, the Redskins managed only a paltry 24 sacks.

Enter Orakpo.

After 10 seasons and 123 NFL starts, right tackle Jon Jansen has been shown the door by the Washington Redskins. Jansen, a 6-foot-6 305-pound 33-year-old, was drafted in the second round of the 1999 draft by the Redskins out of Michigan. He became an immediate starter and put together a solid career in Washington.

Via press release from owner Dan Snyder Friday, the Redskins notified the media that they will move on. The full press release follows:

Although it's tough for some fans and media (looks in mirror) to turn the page on the Redskins' "Anybody But Jason" offseason tour, the guy caught in the middle, Jason Campbell, has done just that. Unlike Jay Cutler, who bellyached his way out of Denver, Campbell (save one moment of weakness) has said all the right things. He's moved on -- even if we haven't -- and is looking toward the 2009 season.

Detractors like to point out that Campbell isn't consistent (or smart) enough to be an NFL starter, but they often leave out an important little fact: he's played in three different offenses in five seasons.

Redskins owner Dan Snyder (no relation) likes to brag about how the Washington Redskins' waiting list for season tickets is over 200,000 people strong. If a local Washington paper is correct, though, that list is either a figment of Snyder's imagination or has dwindled all the way down to less than zero.

Apparently, the Redskins have gone to direct mail in soliciting Washington area folks, in an attempt to provide fans with the "once in a lifetime opportunity" of having up to eight tickets per game. The best part is, these mailing aren't even going to people from the waiting list (I mean, how could they if it's fictional?).

Who moved to the head of the NFL class during the draft? Find out with FanHouse's team-by-team 2009 Draft Grades.

When I anointed Brian Orakpo as the ideal pick for the Washington Redskins in the first round of the draft, I sort of assumed they'd do something about the offensive line later in the draft. You see, heading into the offseason, the Redskins really had one glaring issue: The sack ratio. They allowed 38 -- in a division full of pass-rushing fiends -- and only accrued 24 themselves. I'm aware that Greg Blache's defensive scheme doesn't chase the passer, but pressuring him with a front four means that's less time the coverage has to do their job. Orakpo helps take care of that with his outside push.

The FanHouse Podcast: Because bloggers are much sexier on the phone.

Kevin Blackistone -- one of FanHouse's featured columnists -- has far too many accolades for me to mention here. The important thing is that he hit up the 'HouseCast this week to talk about, well, everything. And if that's too general for you, then you have problems. But then fortunately, we're not just bloggers, we're therapists, so here you go: we chat about the Redskins' draft, the problems that owners like Dan Snyder, Al Davis and George Shinn (to name a few) are dealing with right now, Michael Jordan's inability to run a basketball team, Mike Tyson's ear-chomping skills, the Ricky Hatton-Manny Pacquiao fight this weekend in Vegas and Barack Obama's first 100 days. Yes, it's awesome.

Despite weeks of pre-draft speculation and misdirection, the Redskins stayed put at No. 13 and addressed one of their biggest offseason needs -- landing a pass-rush specialist -- instead of chasing after their next franchise quarterback.

Brian Orakpo and common sense won out over Mark Sanchez and man crushes. Sort of. As it turns out, the Redskins did try to trade up for Sanchez but were outbid by the Jets.

"We made a couple of calls, but it was too expensive," Redskins Executive Vice President of Football Operations Vinny Cerrato said Saturday night. Which confirms what most of us already knew: the 'Skins don't think Jason Campbell is the long-term answer. Their run at Jay Cutler last month, and Sanchez last week, confirms as much,

Last year, the Chiefs put together one of the most impressive two-day draft showings I can remember. Glenn Dorsey, Branden Albert, Brandon Flowers, and Jamaal Charles -- all taken in the first three rounds -- saw significant playing time as rookies, and fifth-round defensive back Brandon Carr started every game. (Worth pointing out: the Chiefs might try to move Dorsey.)

It wasn't enough to save Herman Edwards' job; after taking the Chiefs to the playoffs in 2006, he only managed six wins the last two seasons. But new general manager Scott Pioli and new head coach Todd Haley have plenty of young talent to rebuild the team, and in March, they traded for their franchise quarterback: former Patriots backup Matt Cassel who, according to NFL Network's Mike Lombardi, just signed a six-year, $36 million deal. Not Matthew Stafford money, but it'll keep him comfortable.

Redskins owner Dan Snyder wants to make it clear: he ain't trading the 2010 first-round pick for a chance to move up in this year's draft. That could mean Snyder doesn't think enough of Mark Sanchez to mortgage the franchise's future and get him. Or, more likely, the 'Skins won't part with their '10 first-rounder, but every other pick is on the table.

We'll know for sure in about six hours, but in the meantime, here's the latest: depending on who you believe, Washington is interested in addressing a legitimate need with the 13th selection. Or they're still trying to maneuver their way up the draft board to take Sanchez.