Low-Mileage Leonard Shows His Value
August 9th, 2013
Selected in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft to backup/complement Steven Jackson in St. Louis, Bucs running back Brian Leonard then moved to the Bengals in 2009, when Cedric Benson began his first of three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.
One could make a case that Leonard never had much of a shot to get carries. But Greg Schiano talked earlier this summer about how Leonard’s low mileage on his body, but plenty of experience, is a good thing. Leonard is fresh after four years as a third-down back in Cincinnati. And Schiano, who coached Leonard at Rutgers, trusts him.
Leonard showed Bucs fans last night that he’s got some spark to his game. Leonard had a punishing, extra-effort short yardage gain, one that would have made one of Leonard’s boyhood heroes, Mike Alstott, proud. Also, Leonard showed versatility in blocking and out of the backfield. He finished with six carries for 23 yards, including a 13-yard gain.
If nothing else, Leonard looks to be a major upgrade to D.J. Ware, last season’s third-down back.
Listen to Leonard below, audio via WDAE-AM 620 and the Buccaneers Radio Network.
August 9th, 2013 at 11:42 am
49ers signed wright….
they should get some kind of penalty for pulling this $hit.
maybe we get a 2nd round pick? that was some dirty sanchez crap there.
August 9th, 2013 at 11:43 am
Yah I like this guy. Any update on the Hillis injury yet Joe?
August 9th, 2013 at 11:49 am
No major alarms on Bucs RB Peyton Hillis after a scare tonight when he took a shot to the leg. Belief is it’s just a bruise.
per mike garafalo
August 9th, 2013 at 11:54 am
Leonard’s like Ogletree — you know exactly what you’re going to get, and you’re going to get it. No surprises, no gimmicks, just solid football. We need guys like this on our roster that provide actual depth, especially given the workhorses they’re playing behind. Hope Leonard sticks.
August 9th, 2013 at 11:54 am
Seems like Leonard is a good fit here,we don’t really want another specialty back, just a solid three tool guy to ease the load on Martin.
In Schiano’s mind, trust means rock solid blitz protection and no fumbles. The running yardage is secondary.
August 9th, 2013 at 11:59 am
Leonard looks like a grinder, a guy that fights for extra yardage. An Alstott-type back. Don’t take that the wrong way like some of you like to do. I did not mean he reminds me of Alstott.
August 9th, 2013 at 12:06 pm
he needs to get him some truck sized shoulder pads with a spoiler on the back to look like Alstott.
but he does kinda run like him, minus 20lbs, but the pads and spoiler could fix that.
August 9th, 2013 at 12:16 pm
@robert
I brought that up then when they said Wright didn’t pass their physical. I asked then if they could be sanctioned or forced to give us that draft pick if they picked him up later. I agree with you, that’s some bush league bullcrap.
August 9th, 2013 at 12:21 pm
you can bet Dom is complaining to the league I would think. and he probably already unfriended them on FB 🙂
August 9th, 2013 at 1:15 pm
Why not start him at the fb as well as the 3rd down back
August 9th, 2013 at 1:49 pm
Hope him and Hillis both stick…imagine them both in the backfield in a two back set on third down….both can run, both can catch, both can pass block, both have experience as run blocking FBs….you just couldn’t defend it!
August 11th, 2013 at 11:16 am
Uk_Buc, totally agree about being hard to defend with both of them in the back field