LaRon Landry is probably the happiest defender in camp

LaRon Landry is probably the happiest defender in camp. Landry is being used closer to the line of scrimmage this season, much as he was for half of his rookie year in '07. Landry can be more aggressive in the new scheme and should be a factor against the run and on the blitz. The past two years, his job was mainly to stop big plays deep.

The Redskins on Monday released third-year quarterback Colt Brennan, a fan favorite who had hoped for a long career in Washington.

"I was totally surprised," Brennan said in a phone interview shortly after leaving Redskins Park. "I actually was walking off the field today and someone asked, 'How'd you do today?' I said I had a good day."

Brennan struggled in training camp and the Redskins acquired quarterback John Beck from the Baltimore Ravens for cornerback Doug Dutch earlier Monday. Brennan, however, said the Redskins' decision was based on their strong interest in Beck.

"To be honest with you, it was never a situation with me playing and how I did," Brennan said. "It was basically that they always had a real strong interest in John Beck."

"They told me they think I can play," he added, "So they just wanted to give me an opportunity to catch on somewhere."

Brennan hurt his left hip during the final 2009 preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The team put him on the season-ending injured reserve list and he underwent surgery. Brennan had surgery on his right hip before his rookie year.

Brennan had base salaries of $295,000 in 2008 and $385,000 last season. Although he became a fan favorite after his productive rookie debut in the 2008 Hall of Fame game, he has never appeared in a regular season game.

The former University of Hawaii standout quickly achieved cult status after LaRon Landry he went 9 of 10 for 123 yards and two touchdowns in a 30-16 victory over the Indianapolis Colts in Canton, Ohio, when the Colts were playing many rookies on defense.

If Brennan clears waivers in the next 24 hours, he would be free to sign with any team. "It's definitely a bummer because . . . I definitely love the area, and I can't say enough about how good the fans have been to me," he said.

Third-year free safety Kareem Moore had two interceptions in three plays Monday during the morning session at Redskins Park.

Moore, who has worked with the first-team defense since organized team activities, made a nice catch on a deep ball quarterback Donovan McNabb intended for wide receiver Joey Galloway. He then caught a pass McNabb threw to tight end Chris Cooley.

"Just trying to play the defense, to make plays," Moore said as he jogged off the field to lift weights. "Don't try to be too aggressive, man. Just when they come, just make them."

Considered the only true free safety on the roster, Moore, 25, is expected to start alongside strong safety LaRon Landry. The Redskins did not move Landry, who played free safety the past two seasons, to strong safety to create more playing time for Moore, but Moore is taking advantage of the opening, the team says.

"Kareem is a true free safety," said safeties coach Steve Jackson. "He was drafted to play free safety, and what happened was he was stuck behind LaRon."