Jim Leonhard is going to hit the market. He's coming off a knee injury. I love his play at safety though. Could be a great addition while the young guys learn the defense.
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
quote:"Hopefully, in the next few weeks, I get some workouts and get a contract," Leonhard recently told WEAU-TV in his native Wisconsin. "The knee is feeling great and I'm ready to go. I'm getting antsy. Football is around the corner and I don't have a team ... I know I'm going to be playing football somewhere this season. I just have to figure out where."
Didn't know he was from WI. Just 29 but coming off major knee surgery. He'd be interesting indeed to look at. Was a very good player prior to going down from the few Jets games I saw.
This discussion got started faster than I thought it would.
I personally thought Leonhard would never make it in the NFL, but he far exceeded my expectations. At times he was capable of making some pretty big plays with the Ravens and Jets, he's probably an above average safety when healthy. That said, he's not young so it's hard to say how he might recover from a knee injury. He's not the type of guy that TT seems to go after (older and injured).
He went after Anthony Smith. Twice. I can't believe Leonhard is any worse than Smith. I would put the chance at Leonhard winding up in GB at less than 50/50, but I wouldn't think he'd be expensive for whoever signs him, and he knows the 3/4 pretty well.
If he wants to smell a ring he'd better sign with us fast.
Unfortunately, "fast" is not Leonhard's forte, although he would bring smarts and experience
Not sure if its true, but I saw him listed with a 4.63 time in the 40 at the combine 7 years ago...by comparison - 270 lb OLB Nick Perry is faster than him and ran a 4.58
Now, two horrific leg injuries later he will be called upon to cover WR's and TE's and his former team decided they could do better elsewhere
Sounds like another visit to Peprah-town to me... and oft-injured 29 year olds really don't fit the GB modus operandi anyway
MD Jennings and McMillian under the tutelage of Darren Perry should be better options for GB, maybe not right away, but by the time December rolls around
The Packers are working very hard to add speed & athleticism to the defense...and the days of grabbing a crafty old safety like Eugene Robinson are over IMO
Regarding Jeron McMillian: "We like his versatility," Perry said. "He can play either safety position. That's important because in our scheme, we're looking for safeties who can play in deep zone or at the line of scrimmage."
Not sure if its true, but I saw him listed with a 4.63 time in the 40 at the combine 7 years ago...by comparison - 270 lb OLB Nick Perry is faster than him and ran a 4.58
Now, two horrific leg injuries later he will be called upon to cover WR's and TE's and his former team decided they could do better elsewhere
Sounds like another visit to Peprah-town to me... and oft-injured 29 year olds really don't fit the GB modus operandi anyway
MD Jennings and McMillian under the tutelage of Darren Perry should be better options for GB, maybe not right away, but by the time December rolls around
The Packers are working very hard to add speed & athleticism to the defense...and the days of grabbing a crafty old safety like Eugene Robinson are over IMO
Regarding Jeron McMillian: "We like his versatility," Perry said. "He can play either safety position. That's important because in our scheme, we're looking for safeties who can play in deep zone or at the line of scrimmage."
When I see quotes like that from Perry ...
I'm so frickin excited to see the defense play, I could spit !!
Is it time, is it time yet? I'm ready for the Pack D to explode !!
I'm so frickin excited to see the defense play, I could spit !!
Is it time, is it time yet? I'm ready for the Pack D to explode !!
quote:Originally posted by Satori:
all the things he said two posts above mine
Word.
You don't need to be a speed demon to play S. You gotta be smart, assignment sure and tackle well. You can do a lot worse than Leonhard IMO in that regard.
He does need to play some special teams, though. He's not some superstar that you keep off them. I'd believe at this point his only chance at making the team is beating out Peprah who is also 29 but not injured and has a however many year head start on Leonhard in knowing the defense and only makes 840K.
I'd hate signing Leonhard even more because of the snaps it takes away from the young guys during training camp. They need every rep they can get.
I'd hate signing Leonhard even more because of the snaps it takes away from the young guys during training camp. They need every rep they can get.
speaking of Anthony Smith...
retired at age 28.
http://profootballtalk.nbcspor...h-retires-at-age-28/
retired at age 28.
http://profootballtalk.nbcspor...h-retires-at-age-28/
Jim Leonhard at 29 would have beaten LeRoy Butler when he was 29 in a foot race.
Bring him in TT. Won't cost anything if he is not on the roster on Opening Weekend.
Bring him in TT. Won't cost anything if he is not on the roster on Opening Weekend.
I was hoping GB would have picked him up when he came first came out. He never looked like anything special on the field but the guy was always around the ball and was a pretty good return guy too. Agree with Ammo, no harm in seeing what he has to offer.
Opinions vary, but OK, let's forget the footrace
Leonhard is only 5'8" tall weighs 188 lbs and has amassed all of 6 INTs in his 7 year CAREER....so what are his redeeming qualities ?
The guy GB is trying to upgrade, Charlie Peprah, had 5 INTs in a single season... playing on a less than stellar defense with minimal pass rush
I don't understand the fascination with a small, slow, unproductive safety with no more upside to his game.
If the Packers bring him in, I'll gladly eat crow , but if you've been paying attention to how this front office operates, you'd probably take a different view
Titmfatied was spot on, it makes little sense to take valuable TC reps away from an ascending player... and give them to a guy who is too small to cover a TE, too slow to cover a WR and too little to be a force blitzing or stuffing the run.
Our starting safety opposite Burnett will probably be MD Jennings or Jeron McMillian; and sometimes Charles Woodson. GB had multiple chances to grab another better FA safety but they passed - and I am guessing they will pass on Leonhard too
.
Leonhard is only 5'8" tall weighs 188 lbs and has amassed all of 6 INTs in his 7 year CAREER....so what are his redeeming qualities ?
The guy GB is trying to upgrade, Charlie Peprah, had 5 INTs in a single season... playing on a less than stellar defense with minimal pass rush
I don't understand the fascination with a small, slow, unproductive safety with no more upside to his game.
If the Packers bring him in, I'll gladly eat crow , but if you've been paying attention to how this front office operates, you'd probably take a different view
Titmfatied was spot on, it makes little sense to take valuable TC reps away from an ascending player... and give them to a guy who is too small to cover a TE, too slow to cover a WR and too little to be a force blitzing or stuffing the run.
Our starting safety opposite Burnett will probably be MD Jennings or Jeron McMillian; and sometimes Charles Woodson. GB had multiple chances to grab another better FA safety but they passed - and I am guessing they will pass on Leonhard too
.
quote:Leonhard is only 5'8" tall weighs 188 lbs and has amassed all of 6 INTs in his 7 year CAREER....so what are his redeeming qualities ?
He played at Wisconsin.
Leonhard wasn't just some UW player. Rex Ryan, a guy that knows more about defense than any swingin' dick on this board thought enough of him to start him in Baltimore and then bring him with him to New York. The kid could really play, and excelled at the cerebral part of the game. Was also a very underrated athlete.
But I'd be surprised if Thompson was interested. They obviously have the roster filled and the don't fully know the roles everyone will fill. Not yet anyway. Jim will hopefully get a gig though- kids a helluva player when he's healthy. Knowing the Bears are always looking for S help I sure hope he doesn't wind up there. Or Minny. Ugh...
But I'd be surprised if Thompson was interested. They obviously have the roster filled and the don't fully know the roles everyone will fill. Not yet anyway. Jim will hopefully get a gig though- kids a helluva player when he's healthy. Knowing the Bears are always looking for S help I sure hope he doesn't wind up there. Or Minny. Ugh...
quote:
Rex Ryan, a guy that knows more about defense than any swingin' dick on this board thought enough of him to start him in Baltimore and then bring him with him to New York.
Rex also thought so much of Leonhard's current abilities that he picked 4 other guys to play safety this year in NYJ...
And why do you suppose Rex made that choice given his superior defensive knowledges ?
This is turning into a fun part time hobby for me, holding down The Legend of Jim Leonhard
I wish him well wherever he ends up in 2012
Oh, he's damaged goods now no question. And the string of injuries is definitely buyer beware.
I'm just refuting the idea that he wasn't that good a player. When I see "he only has 7 career ints" or his 40 time was slow, that's the impression I get. Jim Leonhard was a damn good player, but unfortunately it seems injuries have derailed his career. But he's a guy to root for- walk on, undrafted, and lots of naysayers. All he ever did was perform at a high level.
I'm just refuting the idea that he wasn't that good a player. When I see "he only has 7 career ints" or his 40 time was slow, that's the impression I get. Jim Leonhard was a damn good player, but unfortunately it seems injuries have derailed his career. But he's a guy to root for- walk on, undrafted, and lots of naysayers. All he ever did was perform at a high level.
quote:Originally posted by Fedya:
He played at Wisconsin.
Good enough for me!
quote:Originally posted by Music City:
Leonhard wasn't just some UW player. Rex Ryan, a guy that knows more about defense than any swingin' dick on this board thought enough of him to start him in Baltimore and then bring him with him to New York. The kid could really play, and excelled at the cerebral part of the game. Was also a very underrated athlete.
But I'd be surprised if Thompson was interested. They obviously have the roster filled and the don't fully know the roles everyone will fill. Not yet anyway. Jim will hopefully get a gig though- kids a helluva player when he's healthy. Knowing the Bears are always looking for S help I sure hope he doesn't wind up there. Or Minny. Ugh...
rex Ryan was bad enough but then you had to bring in some ridiculous dick???
Does Leonhard have any cartilage left???