Could Sauders make Leonard the next Cooley?

[39thebeast]

Saunders helped make Chris Cooley the arguably the best H-back in the NFL. Leonard isn't as big, but he has similar skill sets. Do you think Saunders could mold this guy into a great h-back because personally i don't think he has been used the wrong way under Linny.

[Keenum]

I think he could do something like that. Maybe not the H-back type, but more of a receiving threat and maybe making the best use of his athletic running ability.

[Mooselini]

well in all honesty, everyone has been used wrong under linehan...

but i wouldnt mind seeing Leonard used as what we drafted him for. It'd be really nice to have a good two back system.

[PHAT-MONEY]

It appears as if antonio Pittman is our 2nd back. Personaly, I had a discussion last year about thinking garrett wolfe would be the better back, But now that we have AP, I am starting to like this a little more.

[Nick]

As I understand it, the H-back position is defined as a hybrid between a fullback and a tight end. I don't think that describes Brian Leonard, who really is more of a hybrid between a running back and a full back. I think if you're looking for a player on the Rams' roster that would have the best chance to be used in that Cooley H-back role, it may be Joe Klopfenstein. It seemed as if Linehan started to do this last season, probably in large part because of a lack of a true fullback.

[chiguy]

I'm not convinced that we have our back-up running back. Pittman is an intriguing player, but he didn't show that much. Leonard might be that guy, but the coaches seemed to lose interest (faith?) in having him in that role by the end of the season. It will be interesting to see what Saunders does with this situation.

Nick, I hope you're right about Klopfenstein. He's a better receiver than blocker yet, inexplicably, all we did was use him as a blocker last year. Some of that is due to McMichael, but it seems kind of a waste not to ever give Klopfenstein the ball...its an under utilization of what he does well.

[RebelYell]

Pittman showed nothing because he was running behind a horrible offensive line with horrible guards, an ancient center and a right tackle who was picked off the NFL scrap heap. I think he did a pretty good job.

I would look at Brian Lenard as being more of a Centers type of receiving threat out of the back field. He's an amazing third down back because he can block, he can catch the ball and he has enough size to run up the middle. I still think he is our #2 RB.

[chiguy]

Pittman showed nothing because he was running behind a horrible offensive line with horrible guards, an ancient center and a right tackle who was picked off the NFL scrap heap. I think he did a pretty good job.

I hate when people do this (no offense). Yes, he *might* show something behind a better line. But that is at best a hope, not a certainty. Given that he's shown nothing, I'd much rather see us bring in some competition for him or have Leonard and him battle it out than to have us assume it was because the line was banged up. That's the kind of thinking that's gotten this franchise into tons of problems over the years.

I would look at Brian Lenard as being more of a Centers type of receiving threat out of the back field. He's an amazing third down back because he can block, he can catch the ball and he has enough size to run up the middle. I still think he is our #2 RB.

He isn't big enough to be a full time fullback like Centers could do. Other than that, sure.

[moloch41]

He might not have the size, but he's a heck of a reciever and a good blocker. I think he could be used in the H-Back spot.

[AvengerRam]

I'd like to see Leonard become the next Kevin Faulk - a guy who's nearly automatic on short passes on 3rd and 5.

[bruce4life]

well in all honesty, everyone has been used wrong under linehan...

but i wouldnt mind seeing Leonard used as what we drafted him for. It'd be really nice to have a good two back system.

well said... with saunders calling the shots hopefully we will be using players like they are suppose to.

[RealRam]

As for Leonard being the next Cooley, no -- that is just too long of a stretch (size and TE system). As you said, 39, Leonard isn't as big.

However, he is a proven receiver and will surely [okay, okay, 'OUGHT TO'] thrive under Saunders either as a #2 RB or as a 3rd down specialist. ...I still have high hopes for this second year man and still believe he was a real find in last year's draft.

All the best to BL. And Pittman!

[rams 24/7]

The reason LEONARD doesn't have the size is because he lost nearly 15lbs for the the combine. If needed, he will gain it back for the role they want him in I'm sure.

[MauiRam]

He isn't big enough to be a full time fullback like Centers could do. Other than that, sure.

Just for the record, Centers was listed at 6'-0" and 225 lbs when he came onto the league. Brian Leonard came in at 6'-1" and 226 lbs. Nearly identical with Brian a tad bigger. Leonard will have an entire off season to get stronger, and hopefully gain a clearer idea of his role for the 2008 season. When Brian's college coach asked him to bulk up and play fullback, it was no problem for him, and he was able to maintain his weight (approximately 240 lbs) throughout the season. He lost the weight intentionally prior to entering the draft in order to run a quicker 40 time. (4.52 seconds) His 28 reps of 225 lbs wasn't too shabby either.

Obviously he isn't ever going to be the lead blocking battering ram that James Hodgins was, but he can still be effective as a blocker. Al Saunders should be able to take advantage of his considerale receiving skills as well. The real question is: Can Saunders utilize his skills effectively? I think he will .. Al used Chris Cooley effectively, no reason to think he won't find the right matchups for Brian Leonard.

Brian*Leonard, RB, Rutgers - 2007 NFL Draft Scout Profile, Powered by The SportsXchange

[RealRam]

The reason LEONARD doesn't have the size is because he lost nearly 15lbs for the the combine. If needed, he will gain it back for the role they want him in I'm sure.

24/7, not sure what you're referring to as Leonard having the size. What 30thebeast had mentioned was BL's size (6-1, 225 / 235) in terms of comparing him to Chris Cooley (6-3, 250).

The differential between these two players, IMO, could certainly be considered for the TE / HB position that Cooley is playing successfully with the Redskins. ...Similar to the role that Ernie Conwell (6-3, 255) used to fulfill very well as part of the GSOT. Leonard may simply not have that element.

Nevertheless, as I stated earlier, BL does exceed as a receiver so I think that, under Saunders, there is definitely the potential for maximizing this RB's skills and thus add another caliber size to the Rams offense.

And that's what has me excited for both him and our running game! :bash: