Rutgers FB Brian Leonard Definitely A "Mangini Guy"

[Section 227, Row 5]

I know he was mentioned the other day, but check out this article in today's Star-Ledger on Brian Leonard. He'd definitely fit the category of a "Mangini Guy:"

Leonard Wins "Academic" Heisman
Wednesday, December 06, 2006

Rutgers fullback Brian Leonard added another highlight to his memorable season last night when he was awarded the prestigious Draddy Trophy at The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame's 49th Annual Awards Dinner in New York.

The Draddy Trophy, known as the "academic" Heisman, recognizes an individual for combined academic success, football performance and exemplary community leadership. In addition to a 24-inch, 25-pound bronze trophy, Leonard receives a $25,000 postgraduate scholarship. A total of $320,000 was awarded to Leonard and the other 16 finalists, who each received $18,000 scholarships.

"We are proud to bestow this honor on Brian Leonard," said NFF President Steven J. Hatchell in presenting the 17th annual Draddy Trophy. "He represents an unbelievable group. Brian joins an elite group of past recipients who serve as the perfect role models for all young players to emulate."

Leonard, whose performance this season helped lead Rutgers to a 10-2 record and a date in the Texas Bowl against Kansas State on Dec. 28 in Houston, also remained a role model off the field, both academically and in serving the community.

A Labor and Employment Relations major, Leonard has earned Academic All-Conference honors three times and a spot on the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District First Team in 2005.

Leonard twice earned First Team All-America honors by Pro Football Weekly. A two-time First Team All-Conference selection, Leonard has amassed 2,731 rushing yards and 1,862 receiving yards during his career. A 2006 team captain, he was instrumental in teammate Ray Rice's superb season.

Leonard has participated in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life walk and Read Across America. A volunteer in the opening ceremonies of the New Jersey Special Olympics, he has traveled to several local hospitals to visit with children and hand out gifts. Leonard also serves as a speaker for high school athletics events and football camps. He becomes Rutgers' sixth National Scholar-Athlete, the first since Nathaniel Jones in 2003.

Launched in 1959, the NFF scholar-athlete program became the first initiative in history to credit a player for both academic and athletic accomplishments. The centerpiece to the NFF's scholar-athlete program, which has awarded $8.3 million to 678 top athletes, the Draddy Trophy, first awarded in 1990, honors Manhattan College quarterback and former NFF Chairman Vincent dePaul Draddy.

Candidates must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of eligibility, have a grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, have outstanding football ability as a first-team player and have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship.

The Texas Bowl between Rutgers and Kansas State will be telecast on the NFL Network. Because many homes don't have access to that channel, the Big East Conference has said it is negotiating to also broadcast the game in the New York metropolitan area on "free TV."

Tickets to the game are available online (RutgersBowl.com), by phone (866-445-GORU) and in person at the Rutgers ticket office. Tickets are priced at $75, $50, $35 and $25. Tickets will be free to any Rutgers student who goes to the ticket office and shows his ID. They may be picked up at the game at Reliant Stadium.

[nico002]

I dont get the love affair with rugters on this and other Jet forums.

You didnt go there. Its the New York Jets.

[Section 227, Row 5]

It was mentioned the other day by someone (Baamf?) that the Jets might have mentioned Leonard as someone they have an eye on.... or so the rumor went. I was merely pointing out that with Leonard's acedemic accolades accompanying the physical play of this guy, he's definitely someone the Jets might be interested in come April.

We need a running attack and to do that we need blocking. I'm not sure Askew is the man and it's very possible we might consider Leonard, that's all.

Sorry if it irritates you.

[Khan]

Some people went there, and it's not like there are many great college teams in the NJ-NY area...at least not since Syracuse years ago.

[Scikotic]

i live in california...i applied to Rutgers and got in, and if it werent for my living setup out in jersey, i would have for sure went there...rutgers is a great school

[dabrowsk1]

It was mentioned the other day by someone (Baamf?) that the Jets might have mentioned Leonard as someone they have an eye on.... or so the rumor went. I was merely pointing out that with Leonard's acedemic accolades accompanying the physical play of this guy, he's definitely someone the Jets might be interested in come April.

We need a running attack and to do that we need blocking. I'm not sure Askew is the man and it's very possible we might consider Leonard, that's all.

Sorry if it irritates you.

A good FB is hard to come by in todays NFL. Seattle and SD have GREAT blocking FBs which is why their run games are so formidable. Askew is not the answer, so all I want to know is if he can block. If he can block, I say take a run at him.

[JetsIn2004]

7th round, no sooner.

[silent scream]

3rd rounder, no later.

[JetsIn2004]

3rd rounder, no later.

Don't pull a muscle reaching that far.

[Italian Seafood]

I'd love it. Of course I've been hoping the Knicks would take some of my Seton Hall guys for years now and that never happens, so I'm not holding my breath. They did bring Andre Barrett in for summer ball a couple years ago.

[JoeJet]

Mel Kiper, ESPN, has him going in the 2nd round...

[Green Hurricane]

7th round, no sooner.

Do you mean that the Jets should not draft a Fullback before the seventh round, or that Leonard as a player is no better than a seventh rounder?

[JoeJet]

2007 NFL Draft Fullback Rankings


1. Brian Leonard Rutgers 6-2 234
2. Cory Anderson Tennessee 6-2 273
3. Dante Rosario (TE) Oregon 6-3 244
4. Jesse Allen Virginia Tech 6-0 249
5. Bryson Davis Mississippi St. 6-1 266
6. LeRon McClain Alabama 6-0 253
7. Desmond Williams Oregon 6-1 261
8. Tim Castille Alabama 5-11 227
9. Dane Todd Nebraska 5-11 235
10. Ryan Kock Iowa St. 6-2 244

[James Hasty]

3rd rounder, no later.

cough Askew cough.

No FBs on day one of the draft!

[Mantana Soss]

I dont get the love affair with rutgers on this and other Jet forums.

You didnt go there. Its the New York Jets.

It's a big school that caters to many Jets fans.
And don't tell me I don't go there, because I do :)

[Section 227, Row 5]

I went to a college in the midwest. My son went to Rutgers and has a good job working for Merrill Lynch. Very good school... and cheap too (cheaper, let's put it that way), for NJ residents!

[soh_vet]

"I dont get the love affair with rutgers on this and other Jet forums.
You didnt go there. Its the New York Jets."

Alot of Jets fans live in NJ or Metro Area. You could pretty much get to rutgers within an ~hour no matter where you live in the vincinity. It is the biggest D1 football in the NY Metro area. Syracuse, BC, Temple and UConn might as well be in Montana.

I cheer for Rutgers because my school is DIAA in football. Should I not cheer for a 1A football team cause i didn't go to school there? Of course not. So I root for Rutgers. I root for them because they are the closest school to me (just like Seton Hall Basketball, although, my school was D1, just NEC conference). besides, my brother went there too.

years ago, i was an ND fan till i realized how stupid it was to cheer for a team because you were of Irish decent. I have not allegiance or ties to that school, so F ND. (no offense to those who are fans)

[silent scream]

cough Askew cough.

No FBs on day one of the draft!

Well, he wouldn't be a FB in the true sense, more of an H-back/TE. Hell he would be a better RB then anyone we currently have.

It would be a better 3rd round pick then a slow ass LB.

[gmay8]

leonard would be a perfect fit for this team. i started the "draft brian leonard" topic last week, and i agree with it more now than ever. he's an offensive weapon in every sense of the word... can catch, can run, can block, he's smart, he's deceptively fast for his size, i would take him in the late 2nd early 3rd round in a heartbeat. if we dont' take him, i guarantee someone else does... he doesn't have a snowballs shot in hell of lasting past the 3rd/4th round.

[Section 227, Row 5]

leonard would be a perfect fit for this team. i started the "draft brian leonard" topic last week, and i agree with it more now than ever. he's an offensive weapon in every sense of the word... can catch, can run, can block, he's smart, he's deceptively fast for his size, i would take him in the late 2nd early 3rd round in a heartbeat. if we dont' take him, i guarantee someone else does... he doesn't have a snowballs shot in hell of lasting past the 3rd/4th round.

Was that you who started that thread? I couldn't think of who it was.

Well, he sounds like a great FB. I have to admit I haven't focused on him though. Still, late 2nd or early 3rd is pretty high. We're going to need a legit RB too, and an honest-to-goodness Corner, not to mention some more pass-rushing help on the the D-line, etc., etc. But we DO have that Redskins 2nd Rounder... Hmmm....

[JetsIn2004]

Do you mean that the Jets should not draft a Fullback before the seventh round, or that Leonard as a player is no better than a seventh rounder?

Both... Im not greatly impressed with Leonard.. never was.

[JetsIn2004]

Guys who say Leonard is a perfect fit for this team have absolutely no idea what they are talking about. Schottenheimer wants a big blocking fullback. Look at the fullbacks he picked up off WW, and how he uses Ryan as a FB. Look at San Diego... That's the model he wants.

[KOZ]

Was that you who started that thread? I couldn't think of who it was.

Well, he sounds like a great FB. I have to admit I haven't focused on him though. Still, late 2nd or early 3rd is pretty high. We're going to need a legit RB too, and an honest-to-goodness Corner, not to mention some more pass-rushing help on the the D-line, etc., etc. But we DO have that Redskins 2nd Rounder... Hmmm....


Oh God the other 2nd round pick used on a FB? Shoot me now! I'm willing to look at FB only after the more pressing needs of DE, OLB, CB, RB and OG and OT have been addressed.

We've got no business picking a FB on the first day.

[Italian Seafood]

You take the best guy that fits your team. If you draft by position you often wind up with lesser players.

[silent scream]

Guys who say Leonard is a perfect fit for this team have absolutely no idea what they are talking about. Schottenheimer wants a big blocking fullback. Look at the fullbacks he picked up off WW, and how he uses Ryan as a FB. Look at San Diego... That's the model he wants.

That may be true, but that doesn't mean he won't be a hell of an offensive weapon for some other team. He has 2nd-3rd round talent and everyone seems to realize that but you.

[Section 227, Row 5]

I really want a Brandon Jacobs clone. That would make my draft. I'd alternate Jacobs and Washington and that would be a kick-ass running attack.

[GWjet]

[QUOTE=silent scream;376575]Well, he wouldn't be a FB in the true sense, more of an H-back/TE. Hell he would be a better RB then anyone we currently have.

Kind of like Chris Cooley from the Redskins

[Green Hurricane]

Both... Im not greatly impressed with Leonard.. never was.

What's not to like about him? He's a great blocker, has terrific hands, tremendous athletic ability and speed, and has handled multiple roles on an offense. You can say he's not a fit for the team, or it's dumb to draft a FB before the second day all you want, but I can't see how you wouldn't be impressed with him.

[PRPitbull]

What's not to like about him? He's a great blocker, has terrific hands, tremendous athletic ability and speed, and has handled multiple roles on an offense. You can say he's not a fit for the team, or it's dumb to draft a FB before the second day all you want, but I can't see how you wouldn't be impressed with him.

Im agreeing with you GH and this response isnt targeted towards you.

They see the word "Fullback" and write the guy off, regardless of how productive he is and how much he brings to the table. Even though with this 1 draft pick we can knock off HB, TE, and FB from our draft needs, what does it matter, hes a "Fullback."

btw, Jerome Bettis was a FB in college, how did that work out for him?

now i wait for the post saying that the FB is a dying breed anyway....

[Coach K]

Im agreeing with you GH and this response isnt targeted towards you.

They see the word "Fullback" and write the guy off, regardless of how productive he is and how much he brings to the table. Even though with this 1 draft pick we can knock off HB, TE, and FB from our draft needs, what does it matter, hes a "Fullback."

btw, Jerome Bettis was a FB in college, how did that work out for him?

now i wait for the post saying that the FB is a dying breed anyway....

i think leonard is worth a 3rd rd pick. but he'll be gone by then. but to compare him to Bettis? Bettis played the competition of Notre Dame at about 20 lbs heavier.

I think Leonard will be a great player, hes got all the tools and can block/run/catch. My earlier point is though, how big of a role does the FB have in our scheme? I said there doesnt seem to be much use for FB in our offense aside from blocking, being that we use multiple WR sets and motion to create open passing lanes. And the scheme is a derivative of SD where the best blocking FB in the game plays, but as I said is only used for blocking.

Now maybe the reason FB doesnt have a big role is because of the lack of faith the staff has in Askew? I find it hard to believe Askew(whos best skill set is running the ball) would not see some carries by now out of the FB spot.

I'm not saying Leonard couldnt perform in the same versatile way in our offense. I just dont think anything besides blocking would be asked of him. Regardless, if he was available in the 3rd rd (which he wont be) I'd take him.

Only way I would take him with our late 2nd rd pick was if a BPA at a position we truly need looked like a lackluster option.

Basically I'm saying I dont know how interested the Jets would even be in him. :breakdance:

[AtlantaJet]

If he's still there in the 4th the Jets will most certainly take him, there is a chance they'd take him in 3rd (better pick than Schlegal and Smith!) if they are happy with their 1st and second round picks.

[SOWELLisGOD]

brian leonard can suck it, ive said it 10000 times, im sick of all these rutgers bandwagon fans jerkin off to brian leonard....spending a first day draft pick on him is a waste

[penny10jet]

He is easily a first day pick...easily. He would be perfect to block in front of Leon or Houston. I've watched all Rutger's games and the guy picks up blitzing linebackers like no other. It would give Chad a half second extra every time he steps back in the pocket which is huge. Fullback will become the "new" tight end. It's going to be the next glory position in the league.

[baamf]

brian leonard can suck it, ive said it 10000 times, im sick of all these rutgers bandwagon fans jerkin off to brian leonard....spending a first day draft pick on him is a waste:lol: Tell us how you really feel....

[JetsIn2004]

That may be true, but that doesn't mean he won't be a hell of an offensive weapon for some other team. He has 2nd-3rd round talent and everyone seems to realize that but you.

No way I'd take him before round 7. I could be dead wrong, and I certainly do not watch all of RUs games, but what I saw over the last couple years was an invisible player against good teams. Granted, the team determined RIce is a better player (he is, by far), but Leonard did nothing. How people think he has 2nd or 3rd round talent is beyond me. I'd be upset if we took him before round 7.

[JetsIn2004]

He is easily a first day pick...easily. He would be perfect to block in front of Leon or Houston. I've watched all Rutger's games and the guy picks up blitzing linebackers like no other. It would give Chad a half second extra every time he steps back in the pocket which is huge. Fullback will become the "new" tight end. It's going to be the next glory position in the league.

2nd round on a blitz pickup guy.. My god... Bradway, is that you?

[BonScott]

I want a new FB starting next year, Ryan has played ok I've had it with Askew. But no first day pick on a FB. Maybe Pociask could be groomed at that position.

[xjets2002x]

The Jets don't need Brian Leonard. I loved Phillip Rivers as a player, but the Jets didn't need a quarterback when he came out of college.

This team has far more needs than fullback. Fullback should always be last priority.

Now, as it regards Rutgers, I would not at all be opposed to the Jets expending a draft pick on Clark Harris, who might bring a bit more to the table over the middle than Chris Baker.

-X-

[gmay8]

brian leonard can suck it, ive said it 10000 times, im sick of all these rutgers bandwagon fans jerkin off to brian leonard....spending a first day draft pick on him is a waste

i'm the furthest thing from a "bandwagon" rutgers fans, as i've had season tickets for the past 6 years.
regardless... leonard will be a 1st day pick, and is a lot more than a fullback..
in response to the clark harris comment, i couldn't disagree more... speakign of people who have disappeared, he did nothign this year, and is very overrated.. drops a lot of catchable balls.

[PRPitbull]

No way I'd take him before round 7. I could be dead wrong, and I certainly do not watch all of RUs games, but what I saw over the last couple years was an invisible player against good teams. Granted, the team determined RIce is a better player (he is, by far), but Leonard did nothing. How people think he has 2nd or 3rd round talent is beyond me. I'd be upset if we took him before round 7.

and what games against good teams would that be?

[Khan]

Clark Harris dropped key passes in clutch situations. He is NOT someone I'd want on the Jets, aren't we too used to guys like that? However Leonard has done enough to warrant retirement of his jersey talks and he gave up primary rushing duties to a top 5 runningback in the nation, and of course blocked for him.

It's going to be a shame if he becomes the perennial pro-bowler at FB in the league and then everyone compares it to passing on Ed Reed for Bryan Thomas, compared to whoever we may pick with that second 2nd round pick.

[Tight]

and what games against good teams would that be?

Yes , i'd like to know also.

[TheCoolerGlennFoley]

Could someone please enlighten me as to how he's a great blocker? Before this year he was the primary runner, a guy other people blocked for. Now because of the emergence of Rice he's playing up back but even then he's used as more of a receiver. You rarely see him as a lead blocker up the middle. In the right system he may in fact become a Pro Bowler but that wouldn't happen with Schottenheimer's offense. When looking at prospective fullbacks, think Lorenzo Neal and Mack Strong, not Richie or Mike Anderson.

[Green Hurricane]

Could someone please enlighten me as to how he's a great blocker? Before this year he was the primary runner, a guy other people blocked for. Now because of the emergence of Rice he's playing up back but even then he's used as more of a receiver. You rarely see him as a lead blocker up the middle. In the right system he may in fact become a Pro Bowler but that wouldn't happen with Schottenheimer's offense. When looking at prospective fullbacks, think Lorenzo Neal and Mack Strong, not Richie or Mike Anderson.

I've seen almost every down of Rutgers football this year, Brian Leonard was terrific as a blocking back for Ray Rice. Do you think that Leonard was going out for passes on Rice's runs? Of course he wasn't, he had a clear and visible impact in the running attack.

[Sean Ryan]

I've seen almost every down of Rutgers football this year, Brian Leonard was terrific as a blocking back for Ray Rice. Do you think that Leonard was going out for passes on Rice's runs? Of course he wasn't, he had a clear and visible impact in the running attack.

^ what he said

but i still dont think hes 1-2 round and maybe not 3rd round material

[All Star]

I've seen almost every down of Rutgers football this year, Brian Leonard was terrific as a blocking back for Ray Rice. Do you think that Leonard was going out for passes on Rice's runs? Of course he wasn't, he had a clear and visible impact in the running attack.

Exactly. how could Rice run for so many yards if Leonard was a horrible blocker?

[Tight]

Im curious to know why is this guy a fullback, now I just read something on another site and it seems true.

This kid is not slow, shows he can run, why is he a fullback ?

Is it because he's white ?

Now im being serious cause I just cant see why a guy of his talent level is being put to a position of less use.

One more thing, this kid needs to stop that jumping shi* it wont rock in the NFL.

[BCWhite]

This guy won't be a typical fullback in the NFL, he will be an H-Back (hybrid Fullback and Tight End). Like Chris Cooley of the Redskins. The Redskins utilize the H-Back, the Jets do not. The H-back is asked to block, pass protect, and run receiving routes from multiple sets. The H-back can line up in the backfield, on the line, or is put into motion. On one play, he may be asked to serve as lead blocker for the tailback. The next, he may be sprinting 15 yards downfield to catch a pass. While I agree that Leonard has loads of talent and I am a homebody (our hometowns are 30 minutes apart), I don't think we will draft him on day 1. He has day 1 talent and will be gone on day 1. The team that does draft him will have considerable talent at the position and a threat that other teams will have to wargame for.

[PRPitbull]

Im curious to know why is this guy a fullback, now I just read something on another site and it seems true.

This kid is not slow, shows he can run, why is he a fullback ?

Is it because he's white ?

Now im being serious cause I just cant see why a guy of his talent level is being put to a position of less use.

One more thing, this kid needs to stop that jumping shi* it wont rock in the NFL.

its just a label. 3 out of his 4 yrs at Rutgers he was the leading rusher and/or receiver. He played more fullback last year due to Ray Rice's emergence, but all that does is add another notch to his belt. We knew he was a great runner and receiver allready, and last season he showed he was a good blocker. He has the talent to play HB, FB, and TE, and thats all i care about. People throw a titty tantrum when they read we should draft Brian Leonard FB, not knowing hes so much more. All they see is the "FB" label being taken in the 2nd rd and start crying . We didnt draft Brad Smith QB to play QB. If we draft Leonard, its not just so he can be a FB exclusively. I wish i could compare him to somebody, but there really isnt any body to compare him to. He brings more to the table than Mike Alstott did coming out of college, and thats saying alot. BTW, Alstott was a early 2nd rd pick, so people need to can it about not drafting him in the 2nd.

[PRPitbull]

This guy won't be a typical fullback in the NFL, he will be an H-Back (hybrid Fullback and Tight End). Like Chris Cooley of the Redskins. The Redskins utilize the H-Back, the Jets do not. The H-back is asked to block, pass protect, and run receiving routes from multiple sets. The H-back can line up in the backfield, on the line, or is put into motion. On one play, he may be asked to serve as lead blocker for the tailback. The next, he may be sprinting 15 yards downfield to catch a pass. While I agree that Leonard has loads of talent and I am a homebody (our hometowns are 30 minutes apart), I don't think we will draft him on day 1. He has day 1 talent and will be gone on day 1. The team that does draft him will have considerable talent at the position and a threat that other teams will have to wargame for.

He'll be better than Cooley because he can actually run like a running back. Cooley cant do that.

[Gubernaculum]

I think he'd be great for this offense- I haven't watched him enough to get a good grasp of how good a blocker he is, but we all saw what Anderson/Sowell did with Chad around. Those guys weren't half the athletes that Leonard is either. Having a versatile player like Leonard screams of a Mangini player.

If his blocking is fine, I'm ready to go.

[Martin&theJETS]

i know leonard is good in all but look at askew. he was a waste of a 2nd round pick. if we can get loeanard 3-4 round then i am all for it.

[PRPitbull]

i know leonard is good in all but look at askew. he was a waste of a 2nd round pick. if we can get loeanard 3-4 round then i am all for it.

Askew isnt nowhere near as good as Leonard. All because Askew turned out to be bust has nothing to do with Leonard as a player. Dewayne Robertson hasnt turned out to be anywhere near what we expected of him especially him being a top 4 pick, does that mean we shouldnt draft Okoye or Alan Branch in the 1st if they fell to us? How bout Bryan Thomas? Hes played well this season but wasnt what we expected early on. Does that mean we should avoid any DE/OLB hybrids in the 1st this year? We shouldnt draft Woodley then?

[SonofDinger]

i know leonard is good in all but look at askew. he was a waste of a 2nd round pick. if we can get loeanard 3-4 round then i am all for it.

Askew was a 3rd round pick

[mangini4life]

I think the combine will put a lot of Leonard doubters to rest. I imagine he will run in the 4.5's like a bunch of other '2nd round' RB prospects such as Michael Bush and Kenny Irons. Oh, and he can block and catch better than both of those guys.

Does anyone remember BJ Askew's 40-time?

[GiantsFanMan]

You can tell so many people have hardly ever seen BL play. They are just seeing FB and thinking "FB is useless!!". BL is a shit load more then just a guard in the backfield. He will be a great pass catcher coming out of the backfield for Chad who loves to dump the ball off and he can do something with it after he catches it. He is also a good enough running to be used in short yardage and to spell any HB. Hell there even talk of him being a HB. Then to top it all off he is a great leader and a good blocker. There no way he last past the 2nd round.