Leonhard is actually a fantastic punt returner. He was fourth in punt return average last year. I'm actually kind of embarrassed I don't remember who our punt returner was last year. With Leonhard returning punts and Leon returning kicks, our special teams should be exciting. If we don't get solid QB production, special teams will be even more important. EDIT: I was looking at his post-season stats. In the regular season, he was 16th and averaged 11.6 yards per return. That's still pretty good. He'll be an upgrade over Leon and give him a breather.
Yeah, Leon handled the punt returns last year. But if Leon gets more touches this year it will be good to have a guy like Leonhard on board to split the return duties with so he isn't gassed.
He was the punt returner, but didn't excel at that nearly as much as he did with kick returns. Plus, I'm not so sure I want Leon on punt returns with the extra chance he could get hurt.
Little Jimmy can run back punts, and LW can return kicks and run the ball more than 4.75 times a game. He caught it out of the backfield for a 2.9 average a game. thats 7-8 times a game.... pathetic LW had double digit touches TWICE last year... WTF. How the fuck does the most explosive offensive player touch the ball 7 times a game??? retarded vaginas.
And Leonhard averaged 11.6 on 20 returns. It's really hard to get excited about punt returns. It just isn't the same as kickoff returns.
According to the Newark Star-Ledger: Jets coach Rex Ryan plans to pull Leon Washington off punt returns this season with an eye towards using him more at tailback. http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2009/03/new_jet_jim_leonhard_to_return.html
Jets coach Rex Ryan plans to pull Leon Washington off punt returns this season with an eye towards using him more at tailback. Washington, who's YPC average has leapfrogged from 4.3, to 5.0, to 5.9 in his first three seasons, is also being targeted for a contract extension. He won't take Thomas Jones' starting job, but a 60:40 carry split is possible.
Little Jimmy Leonhard was raised by a herd of llamas in Peru, until by freak accident, found himself on a Merchant Marine vessel bound for a port on a Lake Superior shore in Wisconsin. There he learned that he had the power to move objects with his mind, and also began an amazing career in cowchip carving.
IMO, I think returning punts is the single most difficult job in a football game and commands the utmost respect. Trying to field the ball cleanly while staring into the sun/lights while trying to keep a general idea of your whereabouts on the field and all the while having in the back of your mind those 200+ pound savages barrell-assing down the field trying to knock your head clean off your shoulders. I don't know how those guys do it. That's why it'll be good to have a guy like Leonhard around, who is very good at what he does.
That's a nice thing about him. He's short, easy to get lost behind the D-line. By the time they find him, it's too late. Watch Joe Thomas completely lose him until the last second.
