On paper, Jim Leonhard is not the ideal starting FS. He's short, small and injury prone. But as Jets fans we know that he is a tremendous asset because he is smart enough to always be in the right place and he knows how to make plays. Plus we don't have any other FSs on the roster. That being said, assuming he is healthy in the next few months, will other teams realize Leonhard's worth? Will he have multiple offers from teams or will he fall into our laps and land a veteran minimum contract? If other teams don't show interest, I would be ecstatic to get a mostly-healthy Leohnard back at a bargain deal. However, if other teams realize his worth and up the ante, it might not be worth it since we don't have that much cap space and we already have 6 safeties on our roster. Thoughts?
I could definitely see that as well. I know all fans look at these things through their team's perspective, but Belichick rates intelligence above all else when evaluating players. This year's draft class was, according to the pundits, very thin at the safety position. If Leonard is healthy, and given that several teams are thin at that position, I would guess he'll get multiple offers. You've also got to see what happens through training camps, if he's still unsigned. An injury or two could mean his phone will start ringing off the hook.
In case you guys missed it Jim Leonhard suffered a very serious injury the second in 2 years. I doubt he plays anywhere this year. Amazing how Leonhards injuries are overlooked yet nobody wants to touch less injured Braylon Edwards.
^^^ Yup, did not realize that... I wasn't sure what his status was, but googled it and found this article. Doesn't sound good. http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/05/22/palladino-bell-tolls-for-jets-warrior-jim-leonhard/ Whatever hopes he had, however, were all but dashed yesterday when the Jets confirmed they had signed former Dolphin safety Yeremiah Bell. So now, unless something truly unexpected happens, it appears Leonhard’s Jets career is already over and done. Even if he does recover from his surgery in time to be of any use in the 2012 season, it will have to be in somebody else’s uniform.
This right here. Belicheck doesn't need all stars at db. He just needs people who aren't a liability and who wont account for mental errors. Jim leonhard fits this bill. Plus he also gets someone who knows how rex thinks. And although this defense will have different looks from the last 3 years, coaches usually don't change all their terminology on the fly and he would be an asset to a weak set of dbs in NE. McCourty will bounce back IMO. I don't think he was as good as his rookie year indicated. But I know he's not nearly as bad as he was last year. Plus he'd be good insurance if that guy they reached for can only contribute on special teams this yr
If this is in reference to Jets fans, I think people feel more comfortable about the receiving corps, which looks like it has talent, health, depth, than the safeties we signed and drafted that seems to be more lacking in those categories. I'm concerned about having space for 6 safeties on a 53 man roster. I know little about balancing an NFL roster, though.
I think the Jets would be smart to bring him back, but I don't see them going into the season with 6 safeties. Maybe they want to try and wait until after week 1?
Question to those who wouldn't want to sign him: 1. If the Patriots got Leonhard would you be worried? 2. If you said "yes," I think that means we need him (if he's healthy.) Obviously you shouldn't base a signing out of fear that another team wants him, but we are very thin at the FS position too... so we have our answer. 7 Safeties is a lot, but Leonhard is better than nearly all of them. We can always cut someone.
Luckily your opinion is moot and unfounded; possibly on all counts. The Jets have their ideal X, Y, Z receivers of the future already in place. Stephen Hill could and should mature into that true #1 within a couple short years besides. In the words of Ricky Gervais: "you're talking shit." Keeping a healthy Leonhard out of BB's hands is certainly a strong consideration for the Jets organization. Just as removing any threat of Eric Smith playing defense is. I believe they will monitor Jim's recovery while evaluating the new rookies and vets to decide on a game time decision about Leonhard. They probably won't do it, but I wouldn't mind gambling on Jim while cutting Eric Smith if the rookies showed enough potential. Landry/Bell/Leonhard/Rookie might actually threaten being an above average unit. While the same could be said with Smith instead, I think you're one achilles injury away from disaster with the latter.
Would you really consider Jim injury prone though? Obviously it is tough to come back from two straight season ending injuries, but they were both weird plays.
The NYJETS have a loose cannon WR as their supposed #1, who is #2? Kerley looked good but is he our #2? Whos the rest Turner and a bunch of rookies that look awful dam good on paper. I know what Braylon Edwards can do and has done here, you should too. :up: Jim Leonhard healthy hell yes, Jim Leonhard brittle and broken hell no.
