Ravens wary of being raided by Jets February 21, 2009 Another day at the scouting combine in Indy. Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome was at the podium today, and naturally he was asked about the impending free agency of linebackers Ray Lewis and Bart Scott. As I've written in recent days, the Jets are interested in both players. He also discussed the prospect of being raided by the Jets in free agency, now that former Ravens D.C Rex Ryan is coaching the Jets. The highlights from Newsome: ? He said he's in "active negotiations" with Lewis, Scott, LB Terrell Suggs (franchise tag) and C Jason Brown. Newsome said he doesn't expect to re-sign S Jim Leonhard, who, barring something weird, probably will sign with the Jets. The Jets love him as a complement to Kerry Rhodes. They also love his punt- and kick-returning ability. ? Newsome sounded like he was making a recruiting pitch to Lewis, who appears poised to hit the open market for the first time. "He realizes where our football team is right now in that we have Joe (Flacco) and we can continue to contend in our division," said Newsome, perhaps mentioning his young franchise QB because he knows the Jets don't have one. "We can try to get Ray to another Super Bowl. Those things are in place ... The other thing Ray can appreciate is the line we have in front of him, which allows him to make plays." But Newsome added that "economics always play a big part in it." I've said this before: I think the Jets would be nuts to sign Lewis, who will be 34 by the start of the '09 season. Scott would be a much better option. They also like a couple of the young ILBs on their roster, namely Jason Trusnik and Kenwin Cummings.? Newsome said he's braced for the possibility of losing players to the Jets and Browns, whose new GM, George Kokinos, is a former Ravens personnel director. "We're aware of that," he said. "They have a vast knowledge of our players." ? Let me throw out another free-agent possibility - Ravens PK Matt Stover. He's older than dirt (40) and has lost some distance, but he's still very accurate. Currently, the Jets don't have a kicker under contract, as Jay Feely and Mike Nugent are headed to free agency. From what I hear, I don't think the Jets are keen on re-signing Nugent. Not sure about Feely yet. *** http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/jets/ That's great. I would love to see Trusnik and Cummings get a chance. Cummings was a tackling machine in preseason.
I hope we don't overpay for Leonhard if we do sign him. He'd be smart to stick with the coach that helped him become a success.
Based on his play with the Ravens he can, but we don't know how much of that was him being a product of their system. We could sign him and then have him compete for the starting spot with someone we draft. Eric Smith should be cut, so either way we could use depth with a rookie: Rhodes/Leonhard/Rookie/Elam would be nice; although if Leonhard is a legit starter, then we may not even need to draft a rookie.
He seems to have a nose for the ball, and seems to be able to read plays very well. He isn't very fast, but he strikes me as one of those "football player" types coaches like to talk about. He is a pretty big hitter. I think he is better than anything we have now, excepting for Rhodes. Sounds like Ozzie is going to do all he can to keep Scott too, but I don't see how they can tag Suggs, sign Lewis and still have enough cap to keep Scott. Besides that, The Ravens have a couple of good young LB's that can replace Scott. Taveris Gooden should be able to step in for the Ravens.
In other words, Leonhard actually plays the way that Tangini thought that Eric Smith would after they drafted him. Dump Smith ASAP.
As far as I'm concerned, Ed Reed's stellar year is a major bullet point on Jim Leonhard's resume. Leonhard doesn't need to be a playmaker; he needs to be a role player who frees up Kerry Rhodes to make plays.
Hmm...sounds like perhaps the Ravens won't throw as much cash at Scott if they like the young ILBs. I'd love to have someone Scott's age back there with Harris. I'm definitely of the camp that believes Lewis is too old to start over here, despite the obvious effect of his leadership. As far as Leonhard, he'd be a great addition if he comes cheaply. The question is what kind of effect this past season's success has had on his value.
From 05 to 07 Leonhard was on the Bills and played a minimum of 10 games a season during that stretch. So he played on a division rival we played twice a year and you don't remember him, that's cuz he sucks. Three years with the Bills he had 2 INTs, 3 PBUs an zero forced fumbles and sacks. In one regular season with the Ravens he had 1 sack, 1 INT and 6 PBUs. So why all the hype? Because he played great during the Ravens 08 playoff run and thats all people remember about him. I bet most of the people who want Leonhard on the Jets don't even know he used to play for the Bills, and never watched any of BAL's 08 regular season games. Guy is short, 5'8'' and has average stats. His mobility is only impressive if you compare him to normal sized safeties.
This is the only year Reed played with Leonhard and Reed has other good years, like every one he's played so far and Leonhard had three crap years before playing with Ed Reed. So maybe Leonhard should be on Reed's resume.
Leonhard is better than anything we have. Is he a system guy? I hope so since we will have the same system. He will not brake the bank and he fills a huge need for us opening up possibilities for the draft and the rest of FA...no brainer.
Punt and kick returning ability? Leon Washington? He would be useless in terms of punt and kick returning ability?
Well for starters if Brad Smith is cut, we need a lead man for Leon, on KR. Also I just don't think Leon is as good a punt returner as he is a KR. Not saying Leonhard would or should replace him, but i just think we could get an elite PR man back there scary shit could happen.
If the Jets want to increase Leon's role in the running game they would be smart to limit him in the return game to save him for the carries. Why wear down our best HB when we can get someone who will, frankly, do better as a PR?
