Brian Leonard 23

[Don Wassall]

At least M. Lewis is more fair than Lovie and Denny Green to whites, but he also seems to like thug players.

The highest grade the Bengals have received from Caste Football the past four years is an F+, so there's little to nothing to differentiate Lewis from Lovie Smith, Denny Green, Herm Edwards, and lots of white coaches.


But the drafting of Coffman and the signing of Leonard may indicate a slight change of philosophy as just about everyone figures Lewis will be gone if the Bengals are bad again in '09. But the main culprit behind the organization's love of black thugs is owner Mike Brown.

 

[backrow]

I don't like Leonard on the Bengals. It's a team full of black thugs. He'll be the white-boy outsider in a room full of gangbangers. I think his career is over. He won't be on the roster at the start of the season is my guess. (Unless he becomes a full time waterboy/mascot FB, blocking for the brothers and throwing his body around playing white special teams demon.)

that's bullsh*t man. can you try and be any more negative?
was he better off with Rams not even dressing up for some games?
they have Utecht, Coffman, Palmer...
they drafted Kilmer but injuries sidetracked his career, drafted Corey Lynch last year and their blacks are just as thuggish as any other majority black team. right now they have 25% of white players, so it's not like he will be the only white guy around there...
just the fact that they see him as a runningback is huge for me.

 

[green fire317]

I think the Bengals will be better than the Rams were. However i would have prefered him to go to Houston or Green Bay.

 

[sport historian]

At least M. Lewis is more fair than Lovie and Denny Green to whites, but he also seems to like thug players.

The highest grade the Bengals have received from Caste Football the past four years is an F+, so there's little to nothing to differentiate Lewis from Lovie Smith, Denny Green, Herm Edwards, and lots of white coaches.  


But the drafting of Coffman and the signing of Leonard may indicate a slight change of philosophy as just about everyone figures Lewis will be gone if the Bengals are bad again in '09.  But the main culprit behind the organization's love of black thugs is owner Mike Brown.

Mike Brown's father, Paul, liked to be known for preferring good character among his players. When coaching the Cleveland Browns (the team he created and was named for him), Paul Brown emphasized that the Browns signified excellence. He had some players who didn't fit this mold, but made an attempt to have players with a good persona. Mike Brown's love of thugs is a departure from his father's policy.

Paul Brown, in his 1979 book, went into some detail about this. He wrote that he didn't like players from California, either. Brown said that Californians would start wanting to be traded to a west coast team after a few years.

 

[whiteCB]

Paul Brown, in his 1979 book, went into some detail about this. He wrote that he didn't like players from California, either. Brown said that Californians would start wanting to be traded to a west coast team after a few years.

What's the name of this book historian? I am a big Paul Brown fan and this sounds like an interesting read.

 

[white is right]

Brown was considered ultra-conservative. I know Milt Campbell has stated that Brown cut him from the Browns active roster because Campbell married a white woman(in the late 50's). Campbell then went on to play in the CFL. Milt's words have to weighed though in context as he was also viewed as black radical in the late 60's and was followed by the FBI and he has alleged that black undercover agents tried to get him to commit criminal acts.

 

[backrow]

Brian was assigned number 40 instead of his traditional number 23 which was taken.

 

[celticdb15]

There still may be hope for Brian after all!

 

[dwid]

Brian was assigned number 40 instead of his traditional number 23 which was taken.

not to be negative but i have a bad feeling now. Numbers like 40 and 44 are usually meant for fullbacks.

 

[Don Wassall]

Brian was assigned number 40 instead of his traditional number 23 which was taken.

not to be negative but i have a bad feeling now. Numbers like 40 and 44 are usually meant for fullbacks.

Yep. It'll take the usual array of injuries for the stars to align in his favor as the "emergency" back. The upside is that he has a lot of talent to take advantage. Hopefully he'll begin the season asone of the rare fullbacks to be used a fair amount, like the way Peyton Hillis was before the Denver RB corps was wiped out, and shinein that role.

 

[sport historian]

Paul Brown, in his 1979 book, went into some detail about this. He wrote that he didn't like players from California, either. Brown said that Californians would start wanting to be traded to a west coast team after a few years.

What's the name of this book historian? I am a big Paul Brown fan and this sounds like an interesting read.

The book was titled, "PB: The Paul Brown Story," by Paul Brown with Jack Clary. It was published in 1979. You could find it through a library search or a used book service. Paul Brown goes into detail about his philosophy. There is a new biography of Brown in book stores now which I have not looked at.

 

[backrow]

i wouldn't read into the number thing too much, Alstott was one of his favourite players and since his 23 wasn't available he probably grabbed the next one that meant something to him.

plus, they clearly said they brought him in to play a runningback... number is irrelevant in that, regardless of what they end up doing and how much carries Brian actually gets. Darren Sproles wears a 43

 

[celticdb15]

i wouldn't read into the number thing too much, Alstott was one of his favourite players and since his 23 wasn't available he probably grabbed the next one that meant something to him.

plus, they clearly said they brought him in to play a runningback... number is irrelevant in that, regardless of what they end up doing and how much carries Brian actually gets. Darren Sproles wears a 43

Stephen Davis wore number 48 fo rthe Redskins and panthers and he had a pretty good career.

 

[Don Wassall]

Here's an article that actually treats Leonard asthe running back that he is and foresees a possible important role from him. And it's from Bleacher Report -- isn't that the site that has Dannythe writer that attacked Caste Football and weirdo trolls like Nevada/Jody and Texas Tech working with him?

Change a Comin': Bengals' OC Looks to Shake Up Play Calling

Bratkowski will also have some other options to depend on when Benson needs rest. It will be interesting to see how Bratkowski uses Brian Leonard. Leonard is expected to get a lot of playing time on third downs because he is considered a good blocker and a capable runner. Bratkowski could call for two back sets featuring Leonard with the thinking being that defenses won't be able to tell if he's in the game to run, block, or go out for pass.

If Bratkowski uses Leonard and Benson to pound the ball inside the tackles, he could use DeDe Dorsey as a change-of-pace back who can bounce the ball outside.

full article: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/186812-change-a-comin-bengals-oc-looks-to-shake-up-play-calling

 

[backrow]

so far it looks Brian is second on the depth chart (scroll down a bit)

 

[Thrashen]

Wow, 2 white starters...center Kyle Cook and QB Carson Palmer. Reminds me of the Saints, Cardinals, and Jaguars of a couple seasons ago.

It sucks that Palmer is still stuck on this crappy team. Chad Johnson has been acting like his usual loud-mouth self when doing media interviews of late. I'm sure the NFL network will be covering all the "training camp drama" associated with this child soon enough.

There is a 0% chance of them making the playoffs this year.

 

[StarWars]

2nd on the depth chart is not bad at all. Even without the first getting injuries, he might get some playing time.

 

[Synapse to synapse]

http://sports.yahoo.com/fantasy/nfl/news?slug=fantguru-positionbattles09

Here's a listing of some speculated position battles in the NFL. The Bengals have 4 viable options for the backup RB position, and all bias aside (as it should be), Leonard honestly seems the most proven and best fitting for the job. He's versatile, selfless, and from everything we've seen never pigeonholes himself or team. He's akin to being used as a FB, a RB, third down back, ST specialist, etc. etc. I know in the past, Kenny Watson has basically been a RB, and nothing else. Dede Dorsey and Bernard Scott are both rather unproven (Scott a rookie). Anyway, I really think it'll come down to Leonard versus Watson, with hopefully the more capable Leonard winning out.



Edited by: Synapse to synapse

 

[Don Wassall]

Given Cedric Benson's reputation as a bust and his repeated arrests, Leonard is in a good situation, even given how coal black the Bungals have become in recent years. An injury to Benson and Leonard might have a starting job -- or, miracle of miracles --- may take over the job during the season on merit alone if/when Benson resorts to his previous form.

This article mentions Joe Martinek at the end:


<H1>Former Rutgers running back Brian Leonard sees 'excellent opportunity' with Cincinnati Bengals</H1>


http://www.nj.com/rutgersfootball/index.ssf/2009/06/former_rutgers_running_back_br.html

 

[Thrashen]

When Benson was drafted 3rd overall out of Texas to the Bears a couple years back, it seemed as though he was Ricky Williams #2. He turned out to be nothing of the sort. He's never looked quick, or fast, or shown any heart.

Last year with the Bengals, he looked fat and plodding. Most jock-sniffers were suggesting Benson had made a "come back" last season. How does one 'come back' when you never produced in the first place? I suppose that's part of the mistique of being a black american athlete. You know you must suck if you're black (1st round pick)....and super-racist Lovie Smith still wants to get rid of you.

Gee, perhaps Lovie and the gang would have been better suited to keep Brock Forsey? Nah, he "looks like a water boy," after all.

Brian Leonard, on the other hand, is a raw athlete, known for his toughness, quickness, blocking, and innate ability to leap over defenders. Can you guys imagine tubby Benson ever doing that? The vast majority of NFL running backs arent athletic enough to do what Leonard does. Not even close.

 

[backrow]

another article mentioning Brian, this time from Bengals.com, according to them he's the favorite to be Benson's backup (and hopefully much more than that!)

excerpts from the article&gt;

BEST TRAINING CAMP BATTLE: Running back. Which two guys are going to back up Cedric Benson? The position has an NFL melting pot of candidates straight out of central casting that only Hard Knocks could love.

The savvy, dependable yet aging veteran (Kenny Watson). The blazing rookie saddled with a troubled past and small school resume (Bernard Scott). The third-year guy picked up in a spring trade with plenty of experience as a No. 2 (Brian Leonard). The fourth-year veteran who has flashed whenever he's been on the field but almost never has because of injury (DeDe Dorsey). Last year's college free agent coming off a December and spring in which he has only opened eyes (James Johnson). This year's college free agent faced with seemingly only a shot for the practice squad (Marlon Lucky).

But then, that may not be a bad deal for Lucky because Johnson used the practice squad to put himself in nice position for camp. After workouts were completed last month, there were some second thoughts rattling around that maybe he should have been activated earlier last season. Johnson has shown he can catch, is a willing blocker, and has a knack for finding some room.

But there is a long way to go. Given that Leonard is a second-round pick from '07 and has the most experience next to Watson, he has to be a favorite. Like Watson, he's viewed as a reliable, versatile guy that can catch, block and really help on third down. Watson's edge is his special teams experience. Leonard hasn't done much on teams, but his edge is his youth at six years younger than Watson.

Scott has been terrific on the field and quiet off it in showing tremendous burst on the perimeter and a penchant for getting through inside holes quickly. But his hands and blocking are raw. Problem is, if the Bengals cut him after he gets a lot of work in the preseason games they probably won't have a chance to develop him on the practice squad because someone figures to claim him off waivers.

That's what happened in 2006 when the Bengals signed Dorsey as a free agent out of a small school. He put up huge numbers in the preseason, but they weren't enamored with his command of the finer points without the ball. They released him on Cutdown Day and he ended up getting a Super Bowl ring with the Colts. The Bengals picked up Dorsey off waivers the next year, but he hasn't been able to put together a full healthy year since. With his ability to return kicks, he's an interesting guy to watch.

As for fullback, the prevailing opinion seems to be if Jeremi Johnson isn't ready physically for the first day of camp, he'll be cut.


i love the fact that Brian is clearly seen as a runningback and not a fullback!

 

[whiteCB]

If anyone has forgotten the Bengals will be the featured NFL team on this years HBO training camp series "Hard Knocks". It will be great to see a white guy running the rock on prime time cable tv. The battle for backup RB will have to be one of the "showcased" training camp battles that HBO loves to go in depth with every year (I've seen every episode they've made so I know how they like to tailor the show). Now what will be interesting is how HBO characterizes Leonard. Will they be stereotypical and paint him as the blue collar overachiever type who's lucky to be there or will they be fair and mention how athletic he is(spectacular combine #s) and portray him as an equal to the black RBs. I guess we'll just have to watch and find out.

 

[backrow]

guy jumps over defenders who sometimes are almost prone, there's only so much they can do trying to belittle his athleticism...

 

[green fire317]

i hate how there is a battle for the "back up running back"

 

[ToughJ.Riggins]

I agree, Leonard averaged 3.5 YPC in his first year. However, in his five games with 12 carries or more- three offensive line starters were out all 5 games, (four were out for one game) Mark Bulger missed two of those games and Isaac Bruce missed one game. How can you achieve great things as a "ROOKIE" in that situation? He still managed a 102 yard rushing game, against a good Cardinals D on 5.7 YPC as a rookie.

In four years- Cedric Benson has a 3.7 YPC career average, but only ran for 3.4 and 3.5 YPC his last two years. Benson has never had more than six TDs or rushed for more than 747 yards in a season. Cedric Benson has had much more time to show "potential", but has shown he isn't even mediocre.

The fact that Leonard isn't even in the running for Cincinnati starting RB is pure nonsense. Plus Leonard is more versatile- he's a better receiving threat.