Brian Leonard: From a Rutgers fan

[HUbison]

The fact that the Rams drafted BL tells me that they do envision BL to be able to fill in for SJ so they can reduce his number of carries and keep him around longer.

I think we all agree with that one. While he didn't get the 350 carries as you said, he did run the ball more than I would like to see. If Leonard can get 40-50 carries and take Jackson's carries to just south of 300, I'll be a happy man.

[Rambos]

youtube.com/watch?v=dERlwhfbvZw


Here is a new one. Very cool.

Welcome to the Rams!

[itsguud]

I said before the draft that a FB was what I wanted and we landed the best one available... I am EXTREMELY happy with this pick-up. I can't wait to see Leneord on the field in front of Jackson. Whos getting the ball? Is it going through the middle... or through the middle?

[theodus69]

I was in and out on Sat & Sun during the draft. When I heard we got a FB I was in shock.
I called my buddy who was a bit more up on the day and he said at that piont there was 2 players on the board he would pick
Leonard was one of them! I'm good with the pick.

[RUJohnny99]

Hmm, RUJohnny99, I tried your link (espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2180594) but it comes back from ESPN saying "File Not Found" [?]...

sorry, that should be

sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2180594

A cut too much off when it wouldn't let me hyperlink.

[mikhal5569]

(I would like to apologies in advance for this following post, but I just couldn't resist) As I was watching those videos of Brian doing the "Leonard Leap." I couldn't help hope that the kind people at EA would throw the move into the upcoming J. Madden game as some sort of player exclusive. Pretty cool idea heh? (I know don't answer that, BUT once again many apologies on any person or person who may have been offended by the following post. etc, etc.)

[smizzhfx]

Hahah Mikhal, I like your thinking. I would like to see Madden get more exclusive with certain players.. (i.e rusing moves, endzone dances/celebrations/etc.)

Imagine leaping over someones head while rushing with B. Leonard or doing the "Lights Out" dance after getting a huge sack with Shawne Merriman.

Oh the possibilities...

[RUJohnny99]

Problem is, he's not jumping over Syracuse & Louisville safeties in the NFL. The defense will be a lot smarter & quicker, and he will be brought down in a thud trying to do it against the practice squad.

BL took 3 & 4 guys to bring him down. I'd rather focus on that than on his leaping ability.

[kman]

thanks king high for expressing the same sentiment i have been doing as well..i am from jersey, i am a rutgers alumni and a diehard rams fan..this pick was my dream pick, needless to say, and you guys will not be disappointed..as i wrote in previous post, the reason he came to rutgers in first place was b/c his older bro, torn his knee up senior year in high school, and the only school not to pull back its scholarship offer to his bro was rutgers..years later he remebered that loyalty and came to rutgers when he easily could have gone to a higher profile school..come on, the guy is the definaition of heart and loyalty! and hes got crazy skills to boot! as king high said He is NOT like alstott..much, much faster..

[RealRam]

Problem is, he's not jumping over Syracuse & Louisville safeties in the NFL. The defense will be a lot smarter & quicker, and he will be brought down in a thud trying to do it against the practice squad.

BL took 3 & 4 guys to bring him down. I'd rather focus on that than on his leaping ability.

Well said, RUJ99! Very good point. I think we can all rest assured that the Rams coaches will calm Leonard down from the leaping legacy he left at Rutgers.

This is the NFL and although he may still find his share of opportunities to hurdle defenders in spectacular and productive fashion, emphasis -- or, focus, as you said -- must be put into a more conventional RB style. Nevertheless, I think Leonard will manage to succeed, gradually, positively succeed. He's got Steven Jackson to go to war with.

Maybe BL will face a defender anticipating a Leonard leap and instead ... with a quick fake, a spin around and an adrenalin-filled "GOTCHA!" ...run ahead for good yardage. DO IT!


Thanks for the link correction. Good read. High expectations, for sure! :r

sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2180594

That combination of power and speed is amazing... "Some of the runs he makes in the open field, he can cut like a tailback."

[Raze]

TBH as soon as his name was called I thought it was a good pick

a good back-up for Jackson and could even replace Hedgecock

hit two birds with one stone with Leonard

[HUbison]

could even replace Hedgecock

As I said elsewhere, I just don't see him as a replacement for Hedgecock. Hedge is a lead blocker....that's not what Leonard was brought here to do.

[z.nrd]

As I said elsewhere, I just don't see him as a replacement for Hedgecock. Hedge is a lead blocker....that's not what Leonard was brought here to do.

Exactly.

Leonard replaces both Davis and Fisher (and Leonard can do the assigned role each one of those 2 had). He also spells Jackson more than either Davis or Fisher did.

[keith m. klink]

i myself , jaw-drop , eye's -rolled , and i almost threw my pizza at the t.v. . i was shocked that TIM CROWDER , wasn't selected. i was so sure he would be the guy . as the draft hit the second day and i saw how the rams put this together. i realized that the rams got a 1st round pick in the middle of the 2nd rd . this is a beautiful insurance policy to JACKSON in the case of injury , but more the case of lessoning the burden and punishment . i can see leonard getting 100 - carries for about 400-450 yards , 20= catches , and a good 5-6 TD's this year . so thanks for the present NEW JERSEY. and welcome to RAMSLAND.

[RealRam]

As I said elsewhere, I just don't see him as a replacement for Hedgecock. Hedge is a lead blocker....that's not what Leonard was brought here to do.

Exactly.

Leonard replaces both Davis and Fisher (and Leonard can do the assigned role each one of those 2 had). He also spells Jackson more than either Davis or Fisher did. -- Z.nrd

Me too! Me too!

May 01.
Hedgecock [to be gone]. Maybe ...if Brian plays FB.

May 01.
As you said, that could be a "maybe" but I seriously doubt Leonard will become a FB with the Rams though he may at times be used as such on specially designed plays.

I would still like to see big Mad Madison as our main FB specialist. I wouldn't expect for him to be gone at all (true, one never knows for sure). In fact, I believe he is now more of a weapon with Jackson and Leonard as 1-2 RBs. -- RealRam.