RB -- Brian Leonard
- Thread starter Don Wassall
- Start date
oops Rice did get injured... with minutes left in the game Leonard got all the rest of carries and did a better job, statistically speaking. he finished the hame with 8 carries for 35 yards (4.4 average as opposed to Rice's 3.5 average) and added two catches for 33 yards.
if Rice is out (which i doubt since he walked off the field without help) Leonard will obviously see more action in next game(s)
Leonard Leap!Edited by: backrow
if Rice is out (which i doubt since he walked off the field without help) Leonard will obviously see more action in next game(s)
Leonard Leap!Edited by: backrow
Colonel_Reb
Hall of Famer
According to ESPN, Brian got 7 carries for 35, or a 5 yard average and 3 catches for 31 yards. I have noticed that ESPN's stats move around a little from time to time, so you may be correct. Team-mate Clark Harris had 2 catches for 18 yards.
lumsdenpower
Mentor
OK NOW i'm bad..I will pray for a injury to rice..sorry god..but leonard need to put big game of 150yards for a good draft...
BonnieBlue
Newbie
Ray Rice is an overrated back. Yes, he's productive, but Rutgers offense is built for him. He's decent at finding holes but does not create much for himself. He's never used as a receiver, partly for this reason, I'm sure. The back for UConn did a much better job of creating his own yardage. Rice has the luxury of having a pretty effective blocking fullback. Contrast that with Leonard who NEVER has another back clearing the way for him. When Rice is out of the game and Leonard is the lone back, who do you think is getting the ball? Defenses know this, yet he still picks up yards.
I've seen Leonard play several times, but was still impressed with his speed on Sunday night.
What an unfair waste of talent. Leonard plays a key role in building the program, and when Rutgers finally start succeeding he's forced into a secondary role.
I've seen Leonard play several times, but was still impressed with his speed on Sunday night.
What an unfair waste of talent. Leonard plays a key role in building the program, and when Rutgers finally start succeeding he's forced into a secondary role.
Leonardfan
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BonnieBlue said:
I agree with everything you stated Bonnie. Did you see how they had 11 guys in the box at the end of the game and Leonard still got 6-7 yards. Thats brute power and I really hope the team that drafts him lets him use his ability.
white lightning
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He needs to force the nfl to play him at running back.It's hard for a kid to demand that though because they just want to acheive their dream of making millions and playing on Sundays.Maybe some team will give him a long look at more than just a blocker.
white is right
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Does anybody have a clue on the injury to Rice? Even a deep thigh bruise, could slow him down and open the door to Leonard being the feature back he deserves to be in his senior season.Edited by: white is right
he twisted his ankle, and then after taping it, he fell on it, with a big d-lineman on top of him, twisting it further... he did get up and walked off without help though. if he could give Leonard two or three weeks, just so he can show enough to have even a slight chance of being a runner in the NFL... i am not giving up on number 23, he has loads of talent and ability and i am pretty sure that he will get some touches in NFL
Rice says he isn't going to miss any games, but if he does will Leonard then step in as the feature back, or will Schiano force him to split carries with a black tailback or even continue mainly blocking for Rice's backup?
added to Draft Daddy today:
New York Jets fans message to front office: Draft Rutgers fullback/running back Brian Leonard.
DD.com Comment: Sounds like a great idea to us. First, Leonard is adored by the New York area media and fans. He'll be accepted with open arms by Jets fans -- even as a running back. Secondly, assuming "smallish" Jets rookie Leon Washington continues to show he's a starting caliber N.F.L. tailback, Leonard would be a perfect compliment in order to form a "Thunder & Lightning" backfield, reminiscent of Warrick Dunn and Mike Alstott in Tampa.
Not only can Leonard block extremely well for Washington, but the Jets can lineup a backup fullback or tight end in the backfield with Brian and use him as a power running back about 15 times a game. This would take some of the running burden off Washington.
We don't want to make a habit of linking threads from message boards, but we know some of the posters at this site and their inside knowledge is insane. The poster known as "Rutgers Jets Fan" has contributed at DD.com and knows several very prominent members of the Scarlett Knights football team. His feelings on Leonard -- and all the Rutgers players -- are always worthy of our attention. Matter of fact, when the media was asking whether Leonard would stay in school or enter the N.F.L. Draft after the 2005 season, RJF told us in absolute terms that Leonard would never leave early, because he loved his experience at Rutgers so much. He was correct.
New York Jets fans message to front office: Draft Rutgers fullback/running back Brian Leonard.
DD.com Comment: Sounds like a great idea to us. First, Leonard is adored by the New York area media and fans. He'll be accepted with open arms by Jets fans -- even as a running back. Secondly, assuming "smallish" Jets rookie Leon Washington continues to show he's a starting caliber N.F.L. tailback, Leonard would be a perfect compliment in order to form a "Thunder & Lightning" backfield, reminiscent of Warrick Dunn and Mike Alstott in Tampa.
Not only can Leonard block extremely well for Washington, but the Jets can lineup a backup fullback or tight end in the backfield with Brian and use him as a power running back about 15 times a game. This would take some of the running burden off Washington.
We don't want to make a habit of linking threads from message boards, but we know some of the posters at this site and their inside knowledge is insane. The poster known as "Rutgers Jets Fan" has contributed at DD.com and knows several very prominent members of the Scarlett Knights football team. His feelings on Leonard -- and all the Rutgers players -- are always worthy of our attention. Matter of fact, when the media was asking whether Leonard would stay in school or enter the N.F.L. Draft after the 2005 season, RJF told us in absolute terms that Leonard would never leave early, because he loved his experience at Rutgers so much. He was correct.
wow, these fans actually love him 
it's good to see a white players receiving so much praise! some doubted his speed but apparently he run 4.47 as a sophomore and 4.5 this preseason, i am sure he can shave some time off and go below 4.5 again!
it's good to see a white players receiving so much praise! some doubted his speed but apparently he run 4.47 as a sophomore and 4.5 this preseason, i am sure he can shave some time off and go below 4.5 again!
white is right
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All they have to do is look up what Jacobs has done for the Giants. There is plenty of work for a power back if a team wants to use him....Edited by: white is rightbackrow said:wow, these fans actually love him
lumsdenpower
Mentor
Don Wassall said:
that seem too beautiful
Don Wassall said:
I was wondering the very same thing. Having years of knowledge of the caste system I would bet that he will be splitting carries and/or continue playing his racially correct role of blocking fullback. After all, what was the orginal reason for reducing his role without any knowledge of the sophomore Rice's ability? Even with knowing that Rice is talented why feature him now causing him to enter the draft earlier. Rice will not make it to his senior year - fact - so why play him over a proven senior?
The orginal reason for reducing his role will still be there with or without Rice. Seriously, how many teams give the lion's share of runs to a white RB? Answer: NONE in division I.
If Leonard runs under a 4.5 he will be getting handoffs in the NFL. If he doesn't then he'll be regulated to Alstott, pre-Gruden, status. Also I'm surprised by reading the JETS fan forum how many white fans are actually not loathing Leonard. Instead their giving him positive reviews and seem to be intrigued by his great running and receiving ability. Usually white fans will just denounce a white college RB to automatic FB status when it comes time for the NFL but these Jets fans are acutally wanting Leonard ot run the ball and not just block.
white lightning
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I'm not sure if Brian gets a chance even if he runs a 4.3 in the 40!The NFL just doesn't believe that a white running back is capable of being a star running back.Call it speed,fluid hips,stamina,health,or just the flat our stereotypes.Leonard can be an excellent back if given the chance.I just wish he would have left after last season.Let's hope he hasn't killed what little chance is left.Good luck to him.I do believe that Rutgers being undefeated is at least helping him to get a little more exposure.They need to give him a few more touches the rest of the season to boost his status for the draft.It is the least that they could do!
Colonel_Reb
Hall of Famer
Since when does what the fans want make any difference? For all we know, this might be a small group of fans, and I doubt whether the NFL powers will do anything other than draft the guy because of the fans, if that. How much he plays depends only on the coaches.
oh man... Brian's song is on again... "great block by Leonard", "he's so humble", "he's a great team player"...
f**k you Schiano and ESPN is all i am going to say.
Leonard's stats: 4 runs for 16 yards and 2 catches for 31 yard, including a huge 26 yard catch and run that moved Rutgers into field goal range in 4th quarter with a game on the line.
Rutgers won in the upset thus ending Louisville hopes for unbeaten season... 28-25 with one missed FG getting called back for false start... Ito made it on the second try and completed Rutgers comeback from 25-7...Edited by: backrow
f**k you Schiano and ESPN is all i am going to say.
Leonard's stats: 4 runs for 16 yards and 2 catches for 31 yard, including a huge 26 yard catch and run that moved Rutgers into field goal range in 4th quarter with a game on the line.
Rutgers won in the upset thus ending Louisville hopes for unbeaten season... 28-25 with one missed FG getting called back for false start... Ito made it on the second try and completed Rutgers comeback from 25-7...Edited by: backrow
Man, you'd think three years of giving his all to Rutgers would mean something, particularly when it comes to a kid that had four yet years to give.
Now that Rutgers and Greg Schiano have had their moment in the sun, I hope they sink back into the mire.
Now that Rutgers and Greg Schiano have had their moment in the sun, I hope they sink back into the mire.
Animalmuther0
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This link will likely sicken most of us. Leonards gone from gridiron hero to pogey-bait. I'm really quite disgusted with his capitulation.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/the_bonus/11/0 2/rutgers.leonard/index.html
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/the_bonus/11/0 2/rutgers.leonard/index.html