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Who Does Tim Walton Have On Speed Dial?

The St. Louis Rams newly acquired Defensive Coordinator - Tim Walton - knows a few safeties that might help to shore up the secondary in 2013. He’s even got them on speed dial!

By Brandon Bate
Nick Laham



Free Agent Option #1: LaRon Landry

The relationship between Tim Walton and LaRon Landry was short, yet fruitful. Walton joined the LSU Tigers in 2003, where he served as defensive backs coach to, then freshman, LaRon Landry. The Tigers went on to win the SEC Title that year. They also happened to win the BCS National Championship.

For Walton, the short stint quickly earned him name recognition. The LSU Defense ranked in the top three in a few major statistical categories that season: total defense (first, 252.0 yards per game), scoring defense (first, 11.0 ppg), pass efficiency defense (second, 89.8 rating).

Landry played in 14 games during the Tigers’ Championship run, while starting in 10. He led the team in tackles that season [80, 3.5 for loss], had a pair of INT’s, and a blocked field goal. His stellar freshman season earned him the following honors:

2003 First-Team Freshman All-American (Football Writer’s Association, Collegefootballnews.com)
2003 Second-Team All-SEC (AP)
2003 Freshman All-SEC (SEC Coaches, Knoxville News-Sentinel, The Sporting News)

 A ball-hawking safety, he is not. The sixth overall selection from the 2007 NFL Draft has tallied only six INT’s in his young career. If you know anything about LaRon, though, you know that what he lacks in that statistical category, he makes up for in bone-crunching hits. Check out this hit on Laurent Robinson from 2011. Would you like to see him stick Victor Cruz? Here you go! In his only season with the Jets - 2012 - Landry was selected to the Pro Bowl [as a non-alternate].

It’s been some time since Walton and Landry have shared a sideline. At least he’s still on speed dial!

Free Agent Option #2: Louis Delmas

Perhaps a more recently number dialed up would be that of Detroit Lions Free Agent Safety Louis Delmas. Walton joined the Lions in 2009, again as a secondary coach, and again in the first year of a young safety's career. Delmas, who just escaped the 1st round of the 2009 draft [33rd overall] would head to Detroit and was asked by Walton to immediately contribute as a starter; playing in 15 games that season.

Delmas’ rookie year was one of his best. He had a career-high 94 tackles, 2 INT’s, and scored the only touchdown of his NFL career. He was awarded NFL All-Rookie Team honors in 2009. He was selected as a Pro-Bowl alternate in 2010 and 2011.

However, Delmas may be the odd man out in Detroit. His injury concerns are potentially the reason that the Lions have asked for a visit with Buffalo Bills FA Safety George Wilson. Delmas, who has dealt with knee injuries, has only been able to compete in 19 games over the last two seasons. He doesn’t like being called ‘injury prone’ though.

Louis Delmas Highlight Film (via YourNFLExpert)

Tim Walton has barely had enough time get comfortable at his new desk, but there’s work to be done in the Rams secondary heading into 2013. Quintin Mikell is going to cost the Rams a pretty penny to retain, and Craig Dahl is…well…Craig Dahl. The 2013 NFL Draft is loaded with talent at Safety, but he doesn’t have any of them on speed dial.


For always up-to-the-minute St. Louis Rams news visit Turf Show Times. Follow @TurfShowTimes. Follow Brandon Bate at @NoPlanB_

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