LaRon Landry let everyone know he was on the field for Saturday night’s 26-3 preseason loss to the Giants.
The new Jets safety drilled Victor Cruz coming across the middle and then intercepted an Eli Manning pass. The Jets brought in the 27-year-old on a one-year, $3.5 million contract to improve a position that was a problem last year.
Landry has been limited in training camp as the Jets try to manage his reps in order to keep him healthy. The muscle-bound monster drilled Cruz after a 21-yard gain in the first quarter. It will be interesting to see if Landry gets fined for the hit on which it looked like he may have led with his helmet. Landry said he led with his shoulder pads and does not expect to be fined.
Landry said Jets fans can expect more.
“They can expect better hits,” Landry said. “The ball didn’t come out, I didn’t get an interception, and he still caught the ball. It brought them closer to making a field goal when I could have stopped that drive. But I will fly around, and I will make plays.”
Landry then registered his first interception as a Jet, picking off a pass that Manning threw up for grabs.
“That was a positive,” Jets coach Rex Ryan said. “Hey, there’s one. You know what I was most impressed with? Not the interception or whatever and a couple of big hits and all that. It was the fact that he was dialing in on our defense. He’s starting to pick it up. You’re not worried about him mentally handling it. It’s just great to get him out there in extended time. He played a half today and that was great to see. He is an impact player.”
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It was a mixed bag for Mike Westhoff’s special teams. Aaron Maybin blocked a punt, but they had two killer penalties. Joe McKnight was flagged for roughing the kicker on a punt that kept a Giants drive going. Josh Baker then was flagged for holding on a kickoff return.
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Punter T.J. Conley had punts of 19 and 23 yards. As for the kicking competition, only Josh Brown got an attempt, hitting a 30-yard field goal in off the upright.
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The Jets were without WR Santonio Holmes (ribs/back), WR Jeremy Kerley (hamstring), S Eric Smith (knee), WR Chaz Schilens (ankle), NT Sione Po’uha (back), CB Ryan Steed (unknown), LB Ricky Sapp (ankle) and OT Dennis Landolt (knee).
brian.costello@nypost.com