Jets won't re-sign Jim Leonhard

Gas2No99 · 07-18-2012, 08:32 PM

Jets won't re-sign Jim Leonhard

By @$$H0L3 ESPN Jets beat writer.

Free-agent safety Jim Leonhard, a Rex Ryan favorite who galvanized the New York Jets' secondary for three seasons, won't be back with the team.

After revamping the safety position in the offseason, the Jets have decided not to re-sign Leonhard, according to league sources.

Leonhard, 29, is recovering from major knee surgery, but still hopes to play this season. The injury occurred last Dec. 11 -- a torn patellar tendon -- a devastating blow for a player in the final year of his contract.

As much as they admire Leonhard, the Jets signed two free agents, LaRon Landry and Yeremiah Bell, formerly of the Washington Redskins and Miami Dolphins, respectively. They retained veteran Eric Smith and drafted two safeties, Josh Bush and Antonio Allen, making Leonhard expendable. Even so, there was speculation that he'd back.

Leonhard could return if there's an injury at safety, but the Jets' plan is to move ahead without the popular defender, who called the signals for Ryan's secondary.

"Hopefully, in the next few weeks, I get some workouts and get a contract," Leonhard recently told a TV station in his native Wisconsin. "The knee is feeling great and I'm ready to go. I'm getting antsy. Football is around the corner and I don't have a team ... I know I'm going to be playing football somewhere this season. I just have to figure out where."

Leonhard finished the last two seasons on injured reserve, so there are questions about his durability. In December, 2010, he suffered a horrific broken leg in practice, requiring surgery. He made a comeback, started 13 games last season and finished fifth on the team in tackles.

With Leonhard out of the lineup, there was a noticeable drop off in the Jets' secondary play.

Gas2No99 · 07-18-2012, 08:34 PM

Seems like PURE typical unfounded speculation by Semen-i, but I think it does confirm what we all believe to be evident barring a catastrophic injury

rextilleon · 07-18-2012, 08:42 PM

If its true, its a good thing. He was obviously finished before the injury. Now he should retire.

sg3 · 07-18-2012, 08:43 PM

Sounds like Semen-i cant get anybody to talk to him about anything yet needs to file some crap on the local Espn site to try and get the few dozen hits they need to keep the dump afloat so he just made up sh1t again

Sent from my SGH-T679 using Tapatalk 2

Apache 51 · 07-18-2012, 08:44 PM

I was impressed when he made it back from the injury prior to this one, rock on crazy white boy.

Astoria · 07-18-2012, 09:10 PM

Is the Doom and Gloom last sentence really necessary? This is exactly why Holmes has beef with Semen-I and the rest of his ilk. It's blatant trolling, hoping to get hits on the lame comments section below the article.

If it's deemed necessary to compare the defense with Leonhard in and out of the lineup, you do so in the body of the article, and preferably have some...you know, actual statistics to back it up. There's no reason to end the article with that.

Stick to reporting the facts, we don't need your amateurish analysis, dick.

JetsNeedNewton · 07-18-2012, 10:15 PM

Hello New England... bank on it.

FijiJet · 07-18-2012, 10:22 PM

Crappy article written by the queer queen of crapheads.

That said, it does seem that the ship has sailed. If only one could transplant Leonhard's mind into Landry's body. And also a mental upgrade for genius Smith on taking proper angles in defence

rextilleon · 07-18-2012, 10:50 PM

Just announced on SNY that he isn't coming back--you owe the reporter an apology.

Astoria · 07-18-2012, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rextilleon

Just announced on SNY that he isn't coming back--you owe the reporter an apology.

What reporter? Semen eye is not much more than a Dear Abby style gossipist. SNY is not much better. I'm glad they have the same sources.

JetsCrazey · 07-18-2012, 11:15 PM

Leonhard is going to test the market. But he may not have any takers for a starting job at this point.

I find it hard to believe Rex wouldn't push Tanny to sign him at a backup's salary if there are no takers.

Bonhomme Richard · 07-18-2012, 11:46 PM

I didn't realize he was only 29. I would have definitely thought he was like 34.

Sucks for him, he's a smart player. Not the fastest or the best but a natural leader. I hope he finds a team not located in New England.

SAR I · 07-18-2012, 11:47 PM

Oh God, no. Who will Eric Smith walk in quicksand with now?

SAR I

Ruby2 · 07-19-2012, 12:20 AM

Good.

He is a decent backup at best now. We should aim higher.

JetsNeedNewton · 07-19-2012, 12:20 AM

Not fast, can't hit, never on the play????? Thank god we are rid of that lazy slacking 'tard. Worse, he conned the statiticians into thinking he was 5th in tackles with only 13 games played. But you can't fool the einstiens on this board Leonhard, they know the real story.

The gomers on this board are worse than mehta sometimes.

So long Jim, some of us appreciated you, don't forget those longjohns in NE and we don't blame you a bit for going. Looks like bending over for the big green weenie isn't just a Corps experience anymore.

Rexipus Rex · 07-19-2012, 12:32 AM

Not surprising news.

For starter's, that's a pretty rough injury to bounce back from...not quite the hell of an Achilles tear, but I think the success rate of recovering from the patella tendon surgery is less than an ACL.

More importantly, the Jets already have three locks at the position -- Bell, Landry, and Smith. Hopefully one of Bush/Allen is good enough to warrant some PT this year, but I think at worst you'll see one guy make the final 53 and the other get sent to the practice squad. I don't know if we'll carry 5 safeties.

NY2FLDWC85 · 07-19-2012, 12:39 AM

I thought the world of Jim Leonhard during the 2009 season, but that was 3 years ago. As of right now (here in 2012), he's on the verge of turning 30 (October), and after consecutive years of season ending injuries; he's a shell of what he once was. During the 2010 season, Leonhard fractured his tibia in which required season ending surgery (that same night). Then, last year, Leonhard suffered a torn patellar tendon in the right knee, which also required season ending surgery. For an undersized safety who never had the greatest athletic ability and/or speed/quickness to begin with (to say the least) none of this spells out a player worth re-signing. It was time for Jim Leonhard to go.

We all know about Bell and Landry as our (potential) starters, but a true sleeper could become Antonio Allen out of South Carolina. Kid is not only physically talented, but also has SEC college experience. Anxious to see him take the field come preseason, because Antonio Allen's style of play reminds me of a clone of Kerry Rhodes (Before Rhodes turned into a lazy/twittering player).

As a fan of this franchise, I'd much rather see our coaching staff take our chances with a 6'1", 210 pound rookie, who's only 23 years of age, especially when in comparison to a 29 year old Safety who's coming off consecutive season ending injuries in which required surgery, not to mention a safety who's undersized to begin with at 5'8'', 188 lbs.

I loved the overall heart that Leonhard played the game with, I enjoyed his football IQ and/or leadership ability, but at the end of the day? He's a shell of what he once was. Our coaching staff (I believe) made the right decision. It was time to move on.

jetstream23 · 07-19-2012, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ruby2

Good.

He is a decent backup at best now. We should aim higher.

We should. But did we? Landry...Bell...keeping Smith....two mid/late round draft picks?

Not sure I see a Safety better than Leonhard in that list. Of course Jim's health/durability is a concern, but not much more of a concern than Landry's.

Dirtstar · 07-19-2012, 01:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jetstream23

We should. But did we? Landry...Bell...keeping Smith....two mid/late round draft picks?

Not sure I see a Safety better than Leonhard in that list. Of course Jim's health/durability is a concern, but not much more of a concern than Landry's.

I think Rube-y was referring to getting taller safeties?

seriously though, Leonhard was mostly awful last season, a completely different player than what he was prior to his leg injury in 2010. I can't imagine that he got any better after blowing out his knee.

jeT.MAC · 07-19-2012, 01:54 AM

Coach Leonhard n da makN's meet!!!

07-18-2012, 08:32 PM	#1
Gas2No99 Patiently waiting for disappointment once again All League Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: 245-A Posts: 2,938	Jets won't re-sign Jim Leonhard Jets won't re-sign Jim Leonhard By @$$H0L3 ESPN Jets beat writer. Free-agent safety Jim Leonhard, a Rex Ryan favorite who galvanized the New York Jets' secondary for three seasons, won't be back with the team. After revamping the safety position in the offseason, the Jets have decided not to re-sign Leonhard, according to league sources. Leonhard, 29, is recovering from major knee surgery, but still hopes to play this season. The injury occurred last Dec. 11 -- a torn patellar tendon -- a devastating blow for a player in the final year of his contract. As much as they admire Leonhard, the Jets signed two free agents, LaRon Landry and Yeremiah Bell, formerly of the Washington Redskins and Miami Dolphins, respectively. They retained veteran Eric Smith and drafted two safeties, Josh Bush and Antonio Allen, making Leonhard expendable. Even so, there was speculation that he'd back. Leonhard could return if there's an injury at safety, but the Jets' plan is to move ahead without the popular defender, who called the signals for Ryan's secondary. "Hopefully, in the next few weeks, I get some workouts and get a contract," Leonhard recently told a TV station in his native Wisconsin. "The knee is feeling great and I'm ready to go. I'm getting antsy. Football is around the corner and I don't have a team ... I know I'm going to be playing football somewhere this season. I just have to figure out where." Leonhard finished the last two seasons on injured reserve, so there are questions about his durability. In December, 2010, he suffered a horrific broken leg in practice, requiring surgery. He made a comeback, started 13 games last season and finished fifth on the team in tackles. With Leonhard out of the lineup, there was a noticeable drop off in the Jets' secondary play.

07-18-2012, 08:34 PM	#2
Gas2No99 Patiently waiting for disappointment once again All League Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: 245-A Posts: 2,938	Seems like PURE typical unfounded speculation by Semen-i, but I think it does confirm what we all believe to be evident barring a catastrophic injury

07-18-2012, 08:42 PM	#3
rextilleon Is Itzdik the Man? All League Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4,650	If its true, its a good thing. He was obviously finished before the injury. Now he should retire.

07-18-2012, 08:43 PM	#4
sg3 REX AND THE I-MAN - BACK ON TRACK Jets Insider VIP Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: The Big Apple, USA Posts: 20,376	Sounds like Semen-i cant get anybody to talk to him about anything yet needs to file some crap on the local Espn site to try and get the few dozen hits they need to keep the dump afloat so he just made up sh1t again Sent from my SGH-T679 using Tapatalk 2

07-18-2012, 08:44 PM	#5
Apache 51 Let's Kill them all......... Hall Of Fame Join Date: May 2009 Location: In Morris Co.,N.J.,at the right end of a Browning 12 gauge Posts: 12,636	I was impressed when he made it back from the injury prior to this one, rock on crazy white boy.

07-18-2012, 09:10 PM	#6
Astoria Bababa basketball, gimme gimme gimme the ball because I'm gonna dunk it Veteran Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 1,747	Is the Doom and Gloom last sentence really necessary? This is exactly why Holmes has beef with Semen-I and the rest of his ilk. It's blatant trolling, hoping to get hits on the lame comments section below the article. If it's deemed necessary to compare the defense with Leonhard in and out of the lineup, you do so in the body of the article, and preferably have some...you know, actual statistics to back it up. There's no reason to end the article with that. Stick to reporting the facts, we don't need your amateurish analysis, dick.

07-18-2012, 10:15 PM	#7
JetsNeedNewton Jets Insider VIP Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 1,688	Hello New England... bank on it.

07-18-2012, 10:22 PM	#8
FijiJet waiting for our pass rush thunderbolt All League Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 3,437	Crappy article written by the queer queen of crapheads. That said, it does seem that the ship has sailed. If only one could transplant Leonhard's mind into Landry's body. And also a mental upgrade for genius Smith on taking proper angles in defence

07-18-2012, 10:50 PM	#9
rextilleon Is Itzdik the Man? All League Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4,650	Just announced on SNY that he isn't coming back--you owe the reporter an apology.

07-18-2012, 11:15 PM	#11
JetsCrazey All League Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 2,664	Leonhard is going to test the market. But he may not have any takers for a starting job at this point. I find it hard to believe Rex wouldn't push Tanny to sign him at a backup's salary if there are no takers.

07-18-2012, 11:46 PM	#12
Bonhomme Richard Board Moderator Jets Insider VIP Charter JI Member Join Date: May 1999 Posts: 4,095	I didn't realize he was only 29. I would have definitely thought he was like 34. Sucks for him, he's a smart player. Not the fastest or the best but a natural leader. I hope he finds a team not located in New England.

07-18-2012, 11:47 PM	#13
SAR I is excitedly looking forward to December22, the last home game, The Rexecution Jets Insider VIP Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 38,695	Oh God, no. Who will Eric Smith walk in quicksand with now? SAR I

07-19-2012, 12:20 AM	#14
Ruby2 Patron and Grapefruit Juice Bitchess!!! Hall Of Fame Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Jerseystrong Posts: 17,025	Good. He is a decent backup at best now. We should aim higher.

07-19-2012, 12:32 AM	#16
Rexipus Rex Mo' money Veteran Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: E'Ville Posts: 1,200	Not surprising news. For starter's, that's a pretty rough injury to bounce back from...not quite the hell of an Achilles tear, but I think the success rate of recovering from the patella tendon surgery is less than an ACL. More importantly, the Jets already have three locks at the position -- Bell, Landry, and Smith. Hopefully one of Bush/Allen is good enough to warrant some PT this year, but I think at worst you'll see one guy make the final 53 and the other get sent to the practice squad. I don't know if we'll carry 5 safeties.

07-19-2012, 12:39 AM	#17
NY2FLDWC85 Banned Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Florida Posts: 898	I thought the world of Jim Leonhard during the 2009 season, but that was 3 years ago. As of right now (here in 2012), he's on the verge of turning 30 (October), and after consecutive years of season ending injuries; he's a shell of what he once was. During the 2010 season, Leonhard fractured his tibia in which required season ending surgery (that same night). Then, last year, Leonhard suffered a torn patellar tendon in the right knee, which also required season ending surgery. For an undersized safety who never had the greatest athletic ability and/or speed/quickness to begin with (to say the least) none of this spells out a player worth re-signing. It was time for Jim Leonhard to go. We all know about Bell and Landry as our (potential) starters, but a true sleeper could become Antonio Allen out of South Carolina. Kid is not only physically talented, but also has SEC college experience. Anxious to see him take the field come preseason, because Antonio Allen's style of play reminds me of a clone of Kerry Rhodes (Before Rhodes turned into a lazy/twittering player). As a fan of this franchise, I'd much rather see our coaching staff take our chances with a 6'1", 210 pound rookie, who's only 23 years of age, especially when in comparison to a 29 year old Safety who's coming off consecutive season ending injuries in which required surgery, not to mention a safety who's undersized to begin with at 5'8'', 188 lbs. I loved the overall heart that Leonhard played the game with, I enjoyed his football IQ and/or leadership ability, but at the end of the day? He's a shell of what he once was. Our coaching staff (I believe) made the right decision. It was time to move on.

07-19-2012, 01:54 AM	#20
jeT.MAC All Pro Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 5,516	Coach Leonhard n da makN's meet!!!