Brian Leonard 23

[FootballDad]

Here is an update on Brian's injury, along with an article that I find to be amazing, considering how he has not been used to anything close to his potential during his time in the league or on the Bengals.


<H2 ="title">Report: A Brian Leonard Return Appears To Be "Promising AlthoughIncomplete" </H2>

by Josh Kirkendall on Aug 11, 2010 10:23 AM EDT in Injury

12 comments
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If you ask ten Bengals fans, most will agree that Brian Leonard is awesome. No, he's not the work horse that's Cedric Benson, nor is he the scat speed with Bernard Scott's speed. Leonard is just awesome. Leading all Bengals running backs with 30 receptions and 217 yards receiving, Leonard also recorded 19 third down receptions and even caught a direct snap on a punt, converting it for a first down against Denver. He converted a fourth-and-ten on the Bengals game-winning drive against the Pittsburgh Steelers by diving over the first down marker and recording a two-point conversion on a reception later that drive.


Leonard is awesome.


However, not awesome, is that Leonard's injury has caused some unrest at the team's running back position. With Leonard going through tests, the Bengals had to sign James Johnson on Tuesday after Cordera Eason suffered an injury in the same game. They were running out of bodies. Eason was put on Waived/Injured list and if he passes through waivers, he goes to the team's Injured Reserve.


That being said, there's optimism that Leonard's injury is far less severe than what was projected earlier in the week.
<BLOCKQUOTE>


Preliminary indications from the exams for third-down back Brian Leonard's injured foot looked to be promising although incomplete. It doesn't look like he'll need surgery and the hope is he'll miss only the first couple of games of the regular season. But that apparently isn't definitive and the club will have to see how he responds in the next few weeks.


Head coach Marvin Lewis wasn't (particularly helpful), maybe because nobody knows for sure.


"He's doing well," Lewis said when asked for an update.


When could Leonard be back?


"He's doing well," Lewis said.</BLOCKQUOTE>


While we're not saying that Leonard will be back tomorrow, the good news seems to be that his outlook appears much more brighter than it did earlier, giving you the feeling that there's some hope that the team's third-down ace could return a few weeks, or maybe a month, into the season.

 

[JReb1]

nor is he the scat speed with Bernard Scott's speed

I wonder what Scotts 40 time is because I believe Leonard ran a 4.4 which is pretty fast for a RB...

 

[snow]

nor is he the scat speed with Bernard Scott's speed

I wonder what Scotts 40 time is because I believe Leonard ran a 4.4 which is pretty fast for a RB...

Scott ran a 4.56 at the combine, Leonard ran a 4.49, and Leonard is about 25 to 30 pounds heavier.

 

[Don Wassall]

Yeah, but Brian has tight hips and an odd stride.

 

[Don Wassall]

Good news, especially because there were initial reports after his injurythat Leonard might be out for the season:

Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said in his Wednesday news conference that he expects running back <NOBR>Brian Leonard <OBR> (foot) and wide receiver <NOBR>Andre Caldwell <OBR> (groin) full go in practice after being inactive against New England.

http://www.bengals.com/news/article-1/Wednesday-notes--Leonard-Caldwell-back-Housh-entertains/97c019a9-ff8c-4a26-afe1-fb0a6d198f17

 

[whiteathlete33]

Don, the Bengals depth chart has Leonard as a backup fullback. I don't know if he'll get more than a few token carries here and there.

 

[Don Wassall]

Leonard may be listed asa backup fullback, but he's also the third down halfback. He was used as a halfback last year and I've yet to read anything saying he'll be used differently this year.

 

[whiteathlete33]

Then again, this depth chart shows him as the starting fullback.http://www.bengals.com/team/depth-chart.html I believe Dan Skuta will be the starting fullback for the season.

 

[Don Wassall]

There are dozens of depth charts, and rarely are two identical, andseldom do they reflect how players are used during a game and during a season.What's your point? If you think the Bengals have switched Leonard to fullback, do you have an article link?

 

[whiteathlete33]

I can't say whether or not he's been moved to fullback but there was plenty of talk about it a few years back. I sure hope that depth chart is incorrect and he stays as the third down back. I just find it extremely annoying that a white running back ends up being shown as a fullback on depth charts. You would never see a black running back of Leonard's size like Larry Johnson listed as a fullback on any depth chart. I wouldn't be surprised if the Bengals tell Leonard to bulk up to 250lbs in the future.

 

[Don Wassall]

Many players play more than one position, e.g., a guard is also a backup tackle or center; an OLB also plays ILB. Leonard is the third down tailback who also is the fullback or backup fullback. You know how it works; White RBs are always "tweeners." When Leonard was injured the media was quite emphatic about his value as the third down back. If you've seen nothing to contradict that, looking at one depth chart and claiming he's no longer going to be used at halfback is rather silly.

 

[ToughJ.Riggins]

Leonard might be the third down back (mostly used as a receiver). However, for CARRYING the football he is Cinci's third option behind Bernard "5 times arrested, 1 time Harlon Hill Trophy winner- much less explosive than two time Harlon Hill Trophy winner- class act Danny Woodhead" Scott. Now that's a long nickname.

 

[Don Wassall]

True, but at leastBrian carved out a niche last year that the team wants him to continue this year. He had 57 total touches for just over 300 yards, and more importantly converted some huge third and fourth down plays to help the Bengals win some games. And if Cedric Benson were to be injured, it's unlikely Scott could carry the featured back role by himself.

 

[white is right]

I can't say whether or not he's been moved to fullback but there was plenty of talk about it a few years back.  I sure hope that depth chart is incorrect and he stays as the third down back.  I just find it extremely annoying that a white running back ends up being shown as a fullback on depth charts.  You would never see a black running back of Leonard's size like Larry Johnson listed as a fullback on any depth chart. I wouldn't be surprised if the Bengals tell Leonard to bulk up to 250lbs in the future.

WA I think it's the reverse of Kuhn. Kuhn is the starting fullback and backup tailback for the Packers. You have a point about Larry Johnson who is rapidly fading to oblivion. I'm not sure he is humble or hungry enough to play fullback if he was asked to by Washington's management/coaching staff.

 

[Don Wassall]

Leonard feels ready










After his first day of sharply cutting on his mid-foot sprain, running back <NOBR>Brian Leonard reported no pain Thursday morning: "It was barely sore <OBR>
<NOBR>at all, so I feel like I'm ready to go and I'll be really effective."

http://www.bengals.com/news/article-1/Updates-Ravens-game-a-sellout-Leonard-feels-ready/d55d160a-f0af-4d76-944d-c799824d5755<OBR>Edited by: Don Wassall

 

[Don Wassall]

Bengals Tendered Running Back BrianLeonard









On Wednesday it was learned that the Bengals tendered restricted free agents cornerback Johnathan Joseph, linebacker Brandon Johnson and offensive guard Nate Livings. Let's add a fourth. According to Joe Reedy, the Bengals third down running back and 100-meter hurdler Brian Leonard also received a "tender at his original pick" -- the second round. That means if another team signs Leonard to an offer sheet and the Bengals refuse to match the offer, Cincinnati receives a second round draft pick for compensation.


But we can't stress this enough. Once there's a new collective bargaining agreement, tenders will likely be wiped out because most of the players with four and five years of experience will automatically become unrestricted free agents; the same rule before the uncapped year in 2010.
<A name=storyjump></A>

Leonard is a four-year veteran, spending the past two seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals. In 2010, Leonard rushed the football nine times for 61 yards rushing (42 yards on one play) and caught 20 passes for 137 yards receiving. He scored his first career touchdown last season during the Bengals 23-20 loss to the Cleveland Browns on October 3.


Durability is an issue for Leonard, having only played a full 16-game season once -- his rookie season with the St. Louis Rams. In 2010, Leonard missed five games with a foot sprain (first two games of the season), a thigh injury (the sixth game) and the final two games with an ankle injury.
http://www.cincyjungle.com/2011/3/3/2028089/bengals-tendered-running-back-brian-leonard

 

[warhawk46]

I really wish some team would give him the opportunity to carry a chunk of the load. I'm not sure if he could ever be a 1,000 yard back, as his vision isn't the greatest. But he should be catching 40 passes a season and getting around 100 carries or so as a prime 2nd-string and 3rd down stud.<div>
</div><div>Really hope he gets the opportunity soon!</div>

 

[DWFan]

http://twitter.com/#!/GeoffHobsonCin/status/96946871330799616

It looks like Leonard's back for two.

Edit: Sorry, this is the first time I've posted a Twitter link. Apparently after you load the link page you have to wait a minute for the "tweet".

 

[Tim Riggins]

He put a lick on Lions DB tonite! (after a Leonard Leap)

 

[Fundamentally sound]

Here is a short article on the possible suspension of Cedric Benson. Hopefully, Goodell does not drag his feet on this issue. It would great to see Leonard getting close to 10 carries a game or more.

Cedric Benson Suspension: Roger Goodell Suggests Decision Coming Soon Oct 04 5:00p by David Fucillo

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell told the NFL Network on Monday that he believes a decision will come soon as to Cedric Benson's three-game suspension. Benson was originally suspended two weeks ago for various violations of the league's personal conduct policy and immediately appealed the suspension. This joins in the farce that is the league's appeal process, which sees the commissioner's office hand down suspension and then hear appeals on those same suspensions.
For fantasy purposes, Benson owners are left a bit out in the dark as to when they'll lose him. Hopefully you're prepared with a backup running back, but if not, you might as well grab a backup option sooner rather than later because Benson will sit for some period of time.
If you're looking strictly at Bengals running backs, Bernard Scott and Brian Leonard are the two primary options. As it currently stands, Scott has rushed 13 times for 36 yards and Leonard has rushed six times for 51 yards. Leonard has been much more effective while Scott gets more of the carries. Scott likely will get the call when Benson finally sits, but Leonard could be the more intriguing option if Scott does not improve on his yards per carry.

 

[bigunreal]

With Benson finally serving a reduced, one game suspension, Leonard should be in for an expanded role this Sunday. However, earlier this week, the typically humbe player publicly said he "didn't expect" more carries.

Why would Leonard say that? Wouldn't any black RB at least say "I'm ready," if not "just give me the ball?" While both Benson and backup Scott have struggled mightily this season, Leonard is averaging over 7 yards per carry. If the coaches were really interested in the best players playing, it's pretty obvious just which back has earned a bigger role in the offense.

 

[white defensive back]

There was an HBO special called " Hard Knocks " a couple of years ago. It was covering the Bengals that year.
What caught my attention was the fact that in a preseason game Brian Leonard had a nice 7 yard touchdown run where he juked a linebacker out of his pants. On the sideline one of Leonard's teamates who was black came up and said wow I didint know you people could move like that. Leonard's response simply stated was " Hey, white boys can cut".
Its bad enough the white on white self loathing we have in this country let alone these ignorant affeletes spew their racism all over the place. Leonard is probably a top 25 NFL rb if given the chance.

 

[Don Wassall]

Gee, a reporter who doesn't just regurgitate the usual propaganda:


Dave Wellman's MVP:
"Brian Leonard: It's hard to give out an MVP nod when you're on the wrong end of a 21-point loss, but I'll give a shout-out to RB Brian Leonard, who was the team's leading offensive weapon Saturday with 70 combined rushing and receiving yards on 9 touches. Overall, Leonard finished the year averging 5 yards a rush and 9.5 yards a catch, but got fewer than 40 touches in 13 games. In short, he was criminally underutilized in a year when his skill set meshed well with the new WCO offense and lead back Cedric Benson was garbage. Boo on the coaching staff."

• Brian Leonard was the only running back that I would pick in this game. He helped pick up a big first down or two and compared to Benson he looked like Arian Foster, who was unfortunately taking it to the Bengals defense at the time.

http://www.cincyjungle.com/2012/1/9/2694899/cincy-jungle-playoffs-mvp

 

[ToughJ.Riggins]

Brian Leonard's under use this year was criminal. Leonard had a great rushing YPC in limited use and had a good yards per catch as a receiver. Leonard looked great in the wildcard game.

I know it's a hard division to find running room in, but I've scouted Cedric Benson and Benson is a very average back amongst both 1st "AND 2nd TEAM RBs" in the NFL. Top this off with the fact that Benson is a thug. Bernard Scott has a thuggish past as well and had an abysmal year running the ball.

Memo to the NFL: All signs indicate that Leonard would do no worse (probably slightly better) than Benson as a runner. Leonard is a better receiver than Benson and is not a thug!...Wait, it was just reported that Marvin Lewis shredded my memo.

 

[Don Wassall]

Anyone but Brian Leonard:

Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer is confident that Bernard Scott will not be the Bengals' starter next season even with Cedric Benson expected to depart via free agency. Reedy cites "money and direction of offense" as reasons for Benson's expected exit. While the coaching staff wants to increase Scott's role, he's never been trusted to hold up to a starter's workload. The Bengals will pair him with an early-round rookie, free agent, or both.