Yep. I should have mentioned it also wouldn't surprise me to see him flame out yet again. I'll be quite disappointed, though, if the new CS can't get anything out of him.
So you don't think you'd see a lot of balls come your way playing opposite Rhodes and Revis? You think teams would attack that side of the field more? And I've only seen L-Dub consistently take returning punts for us in the season. Maybe another player has stepped in here and there, but everyone knows L-Dub is our only punt returner for the season. So I don't know where the rest of these "good punt returners" are that you speak of.
Rhodes bitched about the fact that he didn't have a guy playing next to him that could be trusted so he wasn't able to make big plays because of that. Well Ed Reed had a HUGE year with Leonhard playing next to him ... so... that's my thought process on that.
Ed Reed has had huge years regardless of who's playing against him. He is an all-time great free safety who has played beside a slew of guys. Leonhard is awfully small for a safety. I realize he is a good punt returner, but as is evidenced by Leonhard, you can find those guys anywhere. Personally, I'd rather see us pursue the Cleveland Browns Sean Jones, a player similar to Rhodes who would be a major upgrade at the safety position. -X-
My thought process is this. If he's good enough for the Ravens, he's good enough for us. And if Ryan thinks he's good enough and brings him over, then I'm certainly not going to argue with Rex Ryan on a matter of defense regarding a player he knows very very well. I know the guy is short, but thats fine, Bob Sanders is short, and it doesn't seem to affect his play.
I'd like to see us bring in Leonhard for a couple of reasons. He knows Ryan's system so it would help with the transition for the secondary. He's a beat on punt returns and if we want to include Leon in the running game more then it would be a good idea to get him out of at least one of the return slots and Leonhard has proven to be a better PR anyway. Lastly, Leonhard's a better option than anyone currently on the roster at playing single-high in the safety position without wasting Kerry Rhodes' talents, and if you remember Kerry Rhodes' comments earlier this week you probably realize that he's getting annoyed at having to play single-high. Leonhard doesn't give up too many TDs so putting him up there would allow Rhodes to play closer to the line where he makes all of his big plays. As for keeping Elam, I say do it. He'd be the perfect back-up to Rhodes. He's essentially the same player without the Rhodes' coverage skills and he's just as good at the blitz and probably a bigger hitter.
(Sorry to go way back to this) What more incentive do you need as a top ten pick in the NFL to play your heart out? Sorry , but I see Gholston gone , maybe after next season , but gone.
...and to be quite honest, he's a 5'9 little white guy playing among the beasts of the NFL...New York fans would embrace him (given he plays well) the same way we embraced Wayne Chrebet. He was us down there, playing his heart out, when he had no business being on that field given his size.
That never really crossed my mind for some reason... I guess I've already kinda forgotten about the little engine that could... my main thing is that if he's good enough to play along side Ed Reed, he's good enough to play along side Rhodes.
that was a half a joke. i just think he is a little over hyped right now because he had a couple good games and more people were watching. i dont think his skill set is fantastic nor that he would really make a big difference. i think he has become cool to want. not that he will really add anything but he is the next hot thing so everyone is talking about him.
Jesus Christ. Way to raise pointless arguments. You're right. I should have said "good punt returner", not "good punt returners". Sorry for that ever so important pluralization. Leon is a good punt returner. Of course, that extra yard on average that Leonhard brings to the game is a huge key. Could he get better with a full season of return duties? Sure. As of right now, though, not much of a difference. As far as the prior statement, my point was this: the post prior to mine commented that Leonhard always seemed to be around the ball. In that defense, he'd better be. I'd say Ed Reed currently scares the hell out of opposing OCs a lot more than Kerry Rhodes does. It would also be difficult for the ball to go opposite Rhodes AND Revis consistently, since they often played on opposite sides of the field. Which side of the field are you arguing teams attack more? As I said, I'd be all in favor of bringing Leonhard in IF he can come cheaply. I just don't see a lateral move from Eric Smith to him. Leonhard had a good season and he'll command a decent number. It'll cost money to bring him in, which we currently don't have. Even if we manage to free up space, we have more pressing needs. I wouldn't be disappointed to have him around, but if it costs us a chance at a guy like Terrell Suggs, I'll be disappointed.
Oh, if we're arguing for the sake of arguing, Dwight Lowery does have some punt return experience and had a PR for a TD in the preseason. You could make a case for him creating the plural "good punt returners".
i say sign him and keep elam as well, im wondering how elam will grow with our new coaching staff, he got beat quite a bit, but did improve since 07, and elam is a hard hitter.
I too think we should sign Leonhard and keep Elam as his backup... A big advantage of having Leonhard on the team (except the fact that I think he's a good F player) is that we would have a guy who knows Rex way of working from day 1. Plus he's not going to be that expensive is he? One question, don't you think Lowery would play well as a Free Safety? And what do you think of Nic Harris coming from the draft (as a SS)? Bye!
i think lowery could play saftey well, but i've not given up on him yet to grow and be a good corner opposite revis.
