Bucs Sign Brian Leonard; Will He Replace Blount?
April 1st, 2013
The Rutgers running back/fullback who starred in Ray Rice’s shadow, Brian Leonard, will wear a Bucs uniform, so reports beat writer Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times.
Leonard was a second-round pick of the Rams in 2007, and he was used there as a complement to Steven Jackson before getting traded to the Bengals in 2009. Leonard, 29, is versatile. He has 113 career catches and 174 carries with just one fumble. He’s been a third-down back, a fullback, and a short-yardage back.
Joe wonders whether the New Schiano Order is preparing to oust LeGarrette Blount. However, Joe suspects D.J. Ware’s roster spot is far more vulnerable.
April 1st, 2013 at 4:28 pm
I’m thinking he might replace Lorig, can anyone else see that ?
April 1st, 2013 at 4:32 pm
No. Lorig is in the final year of his contract and is too valuable on special teams.
April 1st, 2013 at 4:34 pm
Oh hell yeah! the “Leonard Leap” is now in Tampa.
This is a good pick up. Leonard is not flashy, but a hard nosed football player.
Good pick up.
April 1st, 2013 at 4:35 pm
I like this signing only because I don’t want Lorig as our only fullback.
April 1st, 2013 at 4:35 pm
I dunno. I think Lorig has managed to beat out any competition thrown his way thus far and he had a really good moments this past season.
And I feel sorry for Blount. After the good times he gave us, we managed to put his career down this low.
April 1st, 2013 at 4:40 pm
What has happened to Michael Smith?
April 1st, 2013 at 4:41 pm
This guy has 0 touchdowns in his six years in the league…………Great signing Rock star has dom ever heard of signing players of need? Im so confused and really frustrated right now i just can’t believe we haven’t signed a CB makes 0 sense
April 1st, 2013 at 4:45 pm
CanadianBucsFan Says:
April 1st, 2013 at 4:28 pm
I’m thinking he might replace Lorig, can anyone else see that ?
______________________________________________________
Short answer, …NO!…. long answer, NO!, Lorig had a phenomenal year creating holes for the Dougernaut.
He’ll compete with Ware for 3rd down and short yardage duties.
April 1st, 2013 at 4:47 pm
will he wear #40?
April 1st, 2013 at 4:51 pm
NO One wears A-Train’s #! Book it.
April 1st, 2013 at 4:56 pm
Yet another free agent signing… stevekay, happy yet?
April 1st, 2013 at 5:06 pm
I just don’t get people that don’t understand when a team signs for depth. Its funny to me. Certian players are added for depth and potential. Part of building a good solid team is the signings of guys like the Crabtrees of the world. Great football players that add solid depth to a team. People need to settle down and quit getting all B-hurt over free agency. I mean come on they went out and signed the best possible DB in free agency… The Bucs got Revis in the bag no doubt about it, I mean come on already we all know this is pretty much a done deal. Its gonna happen. I would say 99%. The owner wants him traded… The bucs HAVE to get a corner. Bucs are the only team that can afford him darn near and in need of a CB that badly.
So they will add Revis no doubt and then they still have Wright who is better than any CB in FA for the most part. I think he may get it together with Goldson his friend and mentor here. So who else they gonna get thats worth much that you cant get in the draft? NOBODY. SO get Revis and draft a CB resign Barber for the nickel CB and restructure Wright and they are good. Heck maybe even take a flyer on the Honey Badger in the late rounds if they like what they heard form him. I would but I dunno if Schiano would want to go through that after Talib.
April 1st, 2013 at 5:22 pm
So perplexing. We have dougie fresh, just re signed blount, still have lorig. What does it all mean?! !
April 1st, 2013 at 5:25 pm
@canadianbuc,
Chill, it’s April. I promise you we will have CB’s on our roster for the first game of the season. Our roster is far from complete. We haven’t even had the draft yet!
April 1st, 2013 at 5:28 pm
Doug Martin shouldn’t be a liability(Pass Protection)
So we can release or Trade:
Ware
Blount
Draft
Christine Michael(4th Round)
Kerwynn Williams(6th Round)
Let Loriq & Leonard battle it out for a roster spot(Competition)
(RB Debt Chart)
Doug Martin
Christine Michael
Kerwynn Williams
Michael Smith
FB ?????
Michael Smith & Kerwynn Williams can battle it out 2 see who’s the better RB/KR this year.
April 1st, 2013 at 5:40 pm
Ogletree, Crabtree, Landri, Selvie, Leonard! Who me nervous? I just asked my wife if she would hold my hand to help me get my finger up my nose. Other than that, I’m doing fine over here!
April 1st, 2013 at 5:40 pm
Depth and Competition. I like what Dom and Coach have done over the past week with these players. They still have the Draft and rookie FA’s so they should be taking a good team to Camp. Revis, maybe C Palmer too. I think they may end up with Blount in the Revis trade to the Jets. I’m pretty stoked with the Draft just weeks away. Also want to see if Dakota Watson is ready to step up.
You never have too much Ammo.
April 1st, 2013 at 5:52 pm
The More & More I think about it…That #13 draft slot is; probably gonna get a lot of attention..Trade back(Not once but maybe twice)
With the way our Salary cap plays out the Next few years. We need to add quality young prospects at quite a few key positions as soon as possible.
April 1st, 2013 at 5:58 pm
Looks like Schiano and Dominik are bringing in that competition they spoke of for certain positions. Although these players may provide some competition, and keep the competition level up, none of these signings are out-right good enough to supplant any of the incumbents, except maybe Crabtree.
April 1st, 2013 at 5:59 pm
The more I look at film of this Kid QB Matt Scott from Arizona. The more I wish this kid was Buc. He would make a good addition to the team, and great back up for Josh.
April 1st, 2013 at 6:03 pm
I kinda like this guy;old-school….I agree w/ Joe; Ware’s days may be numbered; that crucia drop he had late in the season was a killer–he ís sposed to be a third-down back.
April 1st, 2013 at 6:05 pm
Why are you so hot to get rid of blunt, he is a great backup 16 games Is a lot not to miss any
April 1st, 2013 at 6:10 pm
CanadianBucFan — Stick to something you understand like Curling
April 1st, 2013 at 6:17 pm
Anyone who knows shiano and has been coached by him is Buc material.this signee just shows that shiano did what he set out to do, bring in a Lil competition.i like it.either Blount or Brian Leonard will be forced to step up
April 1st, 2013 at 6:32 pm
@tmaxcon
What a crappy thing to say!! It’s like asking you to stop dating your sister
April 1st, 2013 at 6:32 pm
238,
You expect playoffs next year?
Myron Lewis still our CB?
April 1st, 2013 at 6:41 pm
I really hope for SteveK’s sake we cut Myron Lewis. I’m afraid each day he’s on the roster, his blood pressure goes up a little more.
April 1st, 2013 at 6:41 pm
she’s my half sister and she has a trust fund
April 1st, 2013 at 6:45 pm
Tmaxcon
That a good one Lol!
April 1st, 2013 at 7:06 pm
John Skelton was just released
April 1st, 2013 at 7:08 pm
Honestly DjoshFreeman, I doubt Blount ever gets a fair shake at competition.
April 1st, 2013 at 7:09 pm
He would make a live Camp arm…Just saying
April 1st, 2013 at 7:26 pm
guys who can play multiple positions like Brian are a good commodity to have. I can see him playing a little bit of RB and FB during the course of next season. plus its good insurance in case Lorig goes down. to put it simply he is our knew Earnest Graham.
April 1st, 2013 at 7:26 pm
* new Earnest Graham
April 1st, 2013 at 7:53 pm
LOL Hawaian! 🙂
Thanks for looking out, but it is a laughable point now. I don’t dislike Myron. I just despise our CB situation, couple it with the available salary cap, and it is maddening.
I have T-B-A in getting Revis. Too me, it is Revis or bust at this point.
April 1st, 2013 at 7:55 pm
We should trade back as much as possible, and with each pick take a BPA.
We are bound to hit on 2 or 3 of them, and they will all be bargains. 🙂
April 1st, 2013 at 8:04 pm
Question: How many players can the bucs CURRENTLY roster (as in today) & when are they allowed to increase the squad roster for training camp. Anybody know that ?
April 1st, 2013 at 8:23 pm
@SteveK,
Yeah, I’m with you. I’m not worried about the salary cap, because I’m under the understanding that we have to spend most of it anyway. As Rick Stroud said today on NFL Network, we are just kind of waiting on Revis for that. I have yet to read one article that believes we won’t get Revis. But damn it would feel better if we could either get him or don’t get him, like yesterday. The waiting game is agonizing.
April 1st, 2013 at 8:28 pm
BucsFan007,
Last year NFL teams were allowed 90 players before mandatory cut down dates. I assume it will be the same this year. I don’t know what data you’re trying to assemble, but if you go to Buccaneers.com and literally count the roster, add 8 for the draft, then subtract from 90, you can roughly determine the number of additional FAs and UDFAs that can added to the roster. The 8 draft picks assumes no shenanigans like trading back or giving up picks for Revis or additional picks for trading Blount, etc lol. Hope this helps!
April 1st, 2013 at 8:41 pm
PROJ. ROUND 3-4
(Christine Michael) Texas A&M 5-10 220
-40 yds: 4.43
-Vertical Jump: 43.00
-Broad Jump: 125
– Shuttle: 4.02
-Cone: 6.69
-Bench Reps: 27
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCVqxFeWFoU
PROJ. ROUND 5-6
(Kerwynn Williams) RB Utah State 5-8 195
-40 yds: 4.44
-Vertical Jump: 35.00
-Broad Jump: 118
– Shuttle: 4.15
-Cone: 7.15
-Bench Reps: 17
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1p12_k9Etw
PROJ. UFA
Rex Burkhead Nebraska 5-10 214
-40 yds: 4.65
-Vertical Jump: 39.00
-Broad Jump: 125
– Shuttle: 4.09
-Cone: 6.85
-Bench Reps: 21
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnxHQ2dhMF8
April 1st, 2013 at 8:47 pm
Apologize for the links Joe
April 1st, 2013 at 8:52 pm
PROJ. ROUND 3-4
(Christine Michael) Texas A&M 5-10 220
-40 yds: 4.43
-Vertical Jump: 43.00
-Broad Jump: 125
– Shuttle: 4.02
-Cone: 6.69
-Bench Reps: 27
PROJ. ROUND 5-6
(Kerwynn Williams) RB Utah State 5-8 195
-40 yds: 4.44
-Vertical Jump: 35.00
-Broad Jump: 118
– Shuttle: 4.15
-Cone: 7.15
-Bench Reps: 17
PROJ. UFA
Rex Burkhead Nebraska 5-10 214
-40 yds: 4.65
-Vertical Jump: 39.00
-Broad Jump: 125
– Shuttle: 4.09
-Cone: 6.85
-Bench Reps: 21
April 1st, 2013 at 8:53 pm
Finally! A Tim Tebow trade rumor involving the Buccaneers. Joe… you owe us this one. Article please. 🙂
” KFFL
) There are four teams that could be potential targets for the New York Jets to attempt to trade QB Tim Tebow
to, according to Rich Cimini of ESPN New York. According to Cimini, the teams in need of a backup quarterback are the Seattle Seahawks, the Chicago Bears, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Cimini points out that the Seahawks could be a long shot because head coach Pete Carroll
called Tebow a major distraction for Jets QB Mark Sanchez.”
April 1st, 2013 at 9:07 pm
Please don’t, there is no substance in that besides Cimini saying the Bucs need a backup.
April 1st, 2013 at 9:13 pm
Um… is there ever substance to a JBF blog entry?
He writes 5-7 a day, 365 days a year, do you really think that one article about the Bucs trading Tebow would go against his story criteria? I mean he already has 37 articles about Revis.
I would love to hear the reactions towards Tebow. It would be comical.
April 1st, 2013 at 9:20 pm
John Skelton isn’t a live arm at all. Honestly would rather have Tebow and I want absolutely no part of Tebow.
April 1st, 2013 at 9:23 pm
All this depth is amazing, if anyone of the starters go down, I feel really good about all this cheap depth, NOT. Forget about corner, when are the Bucs gonna sign some talent, perhaps somebody who could start on an NFL team other than the Bucs, Obviously not talking about Gholdson…
April 1st, 2013 at 9:30 pm
Blount will be part of the Revis deal, count on it.
April 1st, 2013 at 9:48 pm
Have a feeling we will get Palmer as our backup QB, he wants to be here and he holds a lot of power with that fat contract that AZ wants him to renegotiate. I’d love to see the Raiders have to cut him because he won’t budge and we swoop in and sign him 🙂
April 1st, 2013 at 9:51 pm
Bucs need Palmer. Agreed.
April 1st, 2013 at 9:59 pm
Ah man redskins signed deangello hall. Ahhh let’s freak out cuz we didnt sign him. Ahhh Heyward-Bay got signed too. Panic mode panic mode!… So that’s what that’s like to be one of those kinda fans.
April 1st, 2013 at 10:10 pm
^^^^^ lol. spot on.
April 1st, 2013 at 10:11 pm
I also don’t see Blount in a Buc uniform this fall b/c we’re not going to use him like he needs to be used. …as a featured back. What we need is for someone to come in on 4th and 1 and GET the first down…or a goal line situation and Blount’s proven he can’t be that guy. It’s sad but we need to trade him to bring somebody in that can be that guy. Good luck to Blount, thanks for the spark in the beginning, better luck on your next team… :/
April 1st, 2013 at 10:25 pm
You mean 3rd and 1. Freeman is our 4th and 1 back.
April 1st, 2013 at 10:53 pm
238:: Um… is there ever substance to a JBF blog entry?
If you don’t like Joe’s articles, why are you still here? Most of. Us really appreciate Joe’s dedication to keep this blog fresh and stimulating.
April 1st, 2013 at 10:55 pm
4’th and 1…… Tebow time.
April 1st, 2013 at 11:03 pm
Rest In Peace-Mr. Jack Pardee
http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/college-sports/texas-aggies/20130401-former-texas-am-standout-nfl-coach-jack-pardee-dies.ece
April 1st, 2013 at 11:25 pm
With this new rule were running backs cant lead with there helment ,I think no one will use running backs anymore.I know they will but this is the worst rule ever ,also we will see no one getting close to the rushing record ever again.
April 1st, 2013 at 11:28 pm
BigMacAttack Says:
April 1st, 2013 at 5:40 pm
“Also want to see if Dakota (sic) Watson is ready to step up.”
–Me too!!! That kid moves like a predatory cat!
April 1st, 2013 at 11:28 pm
nice warm body move but no way in hell he’ll beat out Lorig.
April 1st, 2013 at 11:56 pm
This isn’t even a depth signing. He’s a training camp body, nothing more.
Blount has 3 times more yards in 3 seasons than this guy has in 6 years.