Leonhard Leaves NY Without A Deal I just spoke with a source who informed me that free agent safety Jim Leonhard, who was in New York visiting with the Jets over the weekend, has left without signing a contract. Leonhard started 13 regular season games for the Ravens last year, including three starts in the post-season. The four-year veteran, who has also drawn considerable interest from Philadelphia after the departure of safety Brian Dawkins, was hoping to reach an agreement with the Jets and head coach Rex Ryan?Leonhard?s defensive coordinator in Baltimore. http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/2009/03/leonhard-leaves-ny-without-a-deal/
From Rotoworld: Free agent S Jim Leonhard has reportedly left the Jets' facility without a contract. Leonhard was in New York all weekend, but the Jets won't overpay the 5'8/185-pounder. The Eagles have a need at free safety and could enter the mix.
This is far from being the end of the world. I never understood why everyone had such a hard-on for Leonhard in the first place. I'm willing to bet that 90% of this board had never even heard of the guy before this offseason.
I agree I think the thoughts were ooh he played for Rex Ryan and the Ravens lets sign him. Im sure theres a back-up plan in place. No worries.
Im upset but Im not that upset I dont think he is that much of a game changer as people give him credit for..looks like we are looking for our next FS through the draft
If there was ever a situation where the Jets front office should know what someone is worth, this is it. It sounds like he was hoping to be overpaid because of his familiarity with Ryan's schemes, and it didn't happen. If he can get more elsewhere, then more power to him. Is it at all surprising to anyone that the Ravens themselves don't seem to be in the mix for him?
They have Landry and Reed though, who are both beasts. Only reason why people know who Leonhard is, is because Landry got hurt last year.
And don't forget that just because he left NY without inking doesn't mean he won't be back. I don't blame him for trying to get the most amount of money, I think all of us would be doing the same thing. The longer the free agency period goes on, the less players demand.
i dont think its a big loss. im more afraid we were going to over pay him. Im not devastated he didn't sign yet. I like him and a def upgrade, but at what price?
ahhhh fuck him. Im getting more fed up with these "superstars" who think all the money in the world belongs to them. To be honest with you, if I was making that much money, that extra few bucks would make less of a difference to me than the actual team I am playing on. It would make sense for leonhard to come to the jets soley because of rex ryan. Let him go make more money and be mediocre somewhere else, because hopefully thats what he does if he doesnt come to the jets.
Good for Tanny...just because you want someone, it doesn't mean you should overpay. We have more than one need still and Leonhard wasn't going to make or break this team. It would have been nice, but whatever. Who knows, maybe the fact that we're not spending this money on Leonhard means that the Jets will look into bringing in Cutler...
