This guy opened up hole after hole for for Rice. He also can catch and run with the ball. He would be the type of FB that we need to make the running game excell.
I dont think we would take him the mid-1st round, which is where our pick would be. But if he's there in 2nd, go for it.
he should be there in the 2nd or early 3rd but if we need to trade up to get him in the late 2nd or top of the 3rd I think it is a no brainer. He is the total package as a FB.
I was really surprised at how well he could block, both in run blocking and pass protection. I knew he was an excellent runner, but im blown away at how complete he is. He would make an excellent h-back. Lord knows we could use a good fullback/tight end. I say burn the 2nd rounder we got from the skins on him
Hopefully Ray Rice will be one of those great backs that slips til the late 1st, so we can pick him up in a couple years too...
o you mean like the kinda fullback jerald sowell was? come on, this guy is a 3rd rounder...the spend a 2nd on a lead blocker who will touch the ball MAYBE 5 times a game? the fullback is almost a dead position in the NFL these days...everyone needs to calm down...the guy is a great player, but just because he is a local star who has made some spectacular plays, everyone wants brian leonard....there is no need to draft a fullback when we cannot stop the run or pressure the quarterback im tired of hearing "draft leonard"...i'll take him if he is around in the SECOND DAY
Brian Lenord with his runnning, blocking, pass catching ability, no way he makes it to the thrid round. late 1st, 2nd round a would bet on.
As I've said before, I'd love the Giants to grab him just to see teams try to stop two animals like him and Jacobs on any down.
So you are saying Sowell was useless? If you think of him as just a fullback than it would be a horrible pick, if you think of him as a power running back with very good catching ability, who could also block and we utilize him a lot in the offense, then the pick is as good as any
I heard Mel Kiper this morning on mike and mike say that he wont last later then the second round and compaired him to Frank Wycheck as far as his ability to be an H-back. He also said that he will be a dominate lead blocker in the running game. He will be a great FB/TE in the NFL, he would have been drafted first day or early 4th if he came out last year.
I was supremely pissed when the Jets drafted BJ Askew in the 3rd round a couple years back. Having said that, I wouldn't mind so much if Leonard gets drafted in the 2nd/3rd round. Alot of that has to do with homer-ism, but he does fit the mold of Mangini's drafting philosophy (unselfish, versatile, and hard-working players). Only problem is that the Jets need serious help on multiple positions, and especially on defense. Even though BJ blows, the FB position isn't very high on the priority list. Still, it'd be awesome seeing Leonard in Green and White.
Ah yes...but under a different management system. Fullback is not a position that should be drafted on the first day of the draft. With the league migrating away from the position, plenty of quality players are available each year in FA not to mention that this would theoretically devalue them in the draft as well.
Schlegal and E Smith were drafted by current management. Those guys are special teamers so far that couldve been taking way later than they were drafted. Im not saying theyre not gonna grow, but we couldve done better with those picks. Brian Leonard isnt a typical fullback. He can catch out the backfield and run the ball 20 times a game. Hes not gonna be used solely as a blocker. Hes extremely productive where ever youre gonna line him up, whether thats FB, HB, or TE. This kid is versatile. Look at his numbers 2003: 213 att for 880 yds and 9tds 53 rec for 488 yds and 5 tds 2004: 199 att for 732 yds and 7 tds 61 rec for 518 yds and 2 tds 2005: 173 att for 740 yds and 11 tds 55 rec for 568 yds and 6 tds 2006(so far): 57 att for 262 yds and 2 tds 27 rec for 245 yds and 0 tds these arent fullback numbers. When people were talking about him coming out last year, they were projecting him as a HB, not a fullback. They thought he could pull a Jerome Bettis. Imagine Leon Washington running a defense ragged and then we throw a change up and grind it out up the gut with Brian Leonard and Cedric Houston.
Like Pitbull said, the reason that Leonard would be so valuable with the Jets is because he could stay on the field every single down, whether its as a RB, FB, or TE. Hell, if it's shotgun, 3rd and long, he can stay in the backfield and block, or he can swing out for a pass, or he can motion out before a play and line up in the slot. He's done all of these with success. To me, he'd be a twice as important version of Patrick Pass for the Patriots. Interestingly enough, they just drafted two more players in a similar mold to Leonard (though less talented) in David Thomas and Garrett Mills. The FB position might be going away, but HBacks are starting to show some quality importance.
