Rumor: Eagles interested in Jim Leonhard?

by JasonB on Mar 1, 2009 12:00 PM EST in News Comment 61 comments

The National Football Post is reporting the former Raven S Jim Leonhard is receiving strong interest from the Eagles.

I just spoke with a source who told me that free agent safety Jim Leonhard, who is flying to New York to visit with the Jets tomorrow, has received strong interest from both Philadelphia and Denver as well.

The four-year year veteran from Wisconsin started thirteen regular season games for the Ravens last season, including three starts in the post-season. Leonhard can also be a factor in the kick return game, which may increase his market value

Leonhard, 26 y/o, started 13 games at strong safety for the Ravens last year but can play either safety position. It is expected that the Jets, now coached by former Raven DC Rex Ryan, are the favorites to land his signature.

Of course, there always the very real possibility that is nothing more than an agent trying to drum up a market for his client. As of now the Eagles have no official visits planned.

		Sacks		Interceptions			Tackles
	G	Sacks	YdsL	Int	Yds	IntTD	Solo	Ast	Total
2008 - Jim Leonhard	16	1.0	7	1	35	0	54	14	68

[Note by JasonB, 03/01/09 8:56 PM EST ] There's some fresh news on the Leonhard front. Word is that he has left the Jets without a contract and should meet with the Eagles tomorrow.

I will amend that, though not in a way Jets fans will necessarily like. Matt Bowen over at Nationalfootballpost reports that Leonhard left Florham Park without a contract. There's competition for Leonhard as he's likely to visit with the Eagles. Though travel in this weather might make that tough.

We'll keep an eye on this.

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seems like a promising player

if only as a backup and special teams player. i doubt he would be in signed as a starter seeing as he’s only 5’ 8." but has shown promising ability to make plays in baltimore:

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/football/bal-sp.2ravensside11jan11,0,2442412.story

especially important is his work as punt returner. just like westbrook, as desean gains a greater role on the offense, he can’t risk injury out on special teams.

by bsencore on Mar 1, 2009 12:16 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

what is with denver trying to sign every free agent safety out there?

by eagleyosh on Mar 1, 2009 12:20 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

and Running back

E-A-G-L-E-S EAGLES!!!

by Joe_D on Mar 1, 2009 1:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Just like New England

McDaniels wants a large stable of Running Backs.

He’s going to try to the build the team the same way. The list of RB’s the Pats have had over the past few seasons is quite lengthy. Still perplexed why Maroney’s in the dog house. That guy would be a stud if featured. Unfortunately for him he has to share the touches with Faulk, Morris, Jordan, Evans and now Fred Taylor.

by andyreidswaistline on Mar 2, 2009 9:21 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

i feel like they may be really good this year

they seem to be trying to sign every FREE AGENT in general

i know if they make the superbowl against any team but the Eagles I will be cheerin for them now

by Manoovi on Mar 1, 2009 4:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Why would trying to sign every FA make them a really good team?

That RARELY is a recipe for success.

E-A-G-L-E-S EAGLES!!!

by Joe_D on Mar 1, 2009 4:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yep

It’s the draft more than anything. We’ve made some splashes over the years in free agency but we’ve been selective and rarely overpaid. I think it;s a formula that works.

by MRPH on Mar 1, 2009 4:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You can't make this point enough

Steelers, Colts, Patriots … Eagles, Giants, Ravens … they all build through the draft, accentuate with free agency, lock up young players but don’t overpay for old ones.

These are basically your model franchises right now.

Too bad one of these kids is still doing his own thing :angry:

by D3Keith on Mar 1, 2009 6:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The Free agents they are signing are not exactly the top shelf…

Bleeding Green Nation - Philadelphia Eagles Blog

by JasonB on Mar 1, 2009 7:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Nope, not at all.

E-A-G-L-E-S EAGLES!!!

by Joe_D on Mar 1, 2009 10:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Every time I watched the Ravens this year he was making plays. He is obviously not Dawkins but I think he would make a great fit for our now hurting secondary. Andy needs to pull the trigger on this one since they screwed up the safety situation yesterday.

by matt8604 on Mar 1, 2009 12:38 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

What?

Now hurting secondary? Cmon i love Dawkins too, but he was basically a linebacker by season’s end.

by AshburnAlley on Mar 1, 2009 5:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

NO THANKS

I do not want this guy his stats show nothing special. If it were up to me i try to get jermaine phillips from tampa or just give demps a shot at the job

by FrankieFresh on Mar 1, 2009 12:48 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I agree.

He’s no superstar (and certainly no Dawkins). Plus, we’d have to pay him big bucks since he’s somehow a hot commodity.

I like Demps/Ikewongnu with a potential draft pick mixing up the FS position.

by cybourgeoisie on Mar 1, 2009 1:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Don't know much about him...

…but any defensive player from the Ravens sounds good.

by ajay on Mar 1, 2009 1:18 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

he's a stiff

the second poor man’s coming of timmy hauck. or was that sean considine.

LONG LIVE MIKE ZORDICH.

actually, maybe that’s not fair…he seems more speedy than considine….

but man, I wish we had Michael Lewis.

by damonmoore43 on Mar 1, 2009 1:26 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

What??!

Is that because he’s white? He’s nothing like Tim Hauck or Sean Considine. Sean Considine was nothing like Tim Hauck either.

There’s a reason Leonhard’s in high demand. He’s high effort, hard hitting, athletic, and a developing ballhawk. He’s a good, good safety.

by Alon on Mar 1, 2009 1:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

mike lewis was pretty sweet.

he was a better tackler than most of the linebackers we had.

by snowhill82 on Mar 3, 2009 2:25 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I actually kind of liked him when I saw him play

He seemed like he was around the ball the two Ravens games I saw this year. He also returned punts.

If I remember correctly, the Ravens seemed to spell him quite a bit. He isn’t big at all (5’8" 186 lbs) so that could be a concern.

by Baron Dainer Von Tresvant on Mar 1, 2009 1:29 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Pass on Leonhard...

And although I am just as upset as everyone else regarding Dawkins’ farewell, we will need to look forward…. and draft Sean Smith out of Utah. 6’ 4" 212 lbs, ran a 4.5 at the combine. Athletic man with the size out secondary currently lacks. My wish list: Smith and an OT in Rd 1, WR in Rd 2 (Iglesias, Howard-Bey, ie someone with some height and preferrably speed, too) and RB Rashad Jennings (6’ 1" 235) out of Liberty in Rd 3. Then use later rounds to fill in some O-line prospects, TE, etc. Any thoughts??

by Scotty Laf on Mar 1, 2009 1:58 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

We need...

…two safeties. So even if we draft your boy Smith we’d need another one.

by ajay on Mar 1, 2009 2:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

What's wrong w/ Quintin Mikell?

by Alon on Mar 1, 2009 4:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Because we need 4 safeties to complete a roster

We only have two.

E-A-G-L-E-S EAGLES!!!

by Joe_D on Mar 1, 2009 4:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

We only have Mikell and Demps

We lost Considine and Dawkins.

by ajay on Mar 1, 2009 4:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Whatever happened to Ikewgonuo?

And not to mention our old friend J.R. Reed?

by Alon on Mar 1, 2009 8:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Ikewgonuo’s been rehabbing. I assume he’ll be our dime backer this year.
Reed is on the Jets.

by andyreidswaistline on Mar 1, 2009 11:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

HAHAHA bro i love ur name and picture

http://www.libertyballers.com/

by Remis on Mar 1, 2009 11:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

consider them both new permanent fixtures to this site

by andyreidswaistline on Mar 2, 2009 9:24 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Jack is a corner

I feel pretty positive about the corner situation for the Eagles. Samuel, Sheldon Brown, Joselio Hanson are a good trio. Jack Ikegwuonu is a guy that could develop. The Eagles are hoping they got a bargain for a guy that was injured. Though, I love this story and picture for Jack:

http://www.profootballtalk.com/2008/11/13/unveiling-the-bong-and-coke-photo/

Trae Williams could be another one of those Al Harris/Rod Hood/Joselio Hanson guys that they picked up as an undrafted free agent who develops into a nice player.

by Baron Dainer Von Tresvant on Mar 2, 2009 9:28 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

he sounds good

bring in a guy to compete with demps

by NickPampani on Mar 1, 2009 3:14 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

he’s being looked at by a few others right now as well. i really doubt he is looking to compete anywhere.

by GreenInBaltimore on Mar 1, 2009 4:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I like the idea

We have an open spot, so long as we dont sign him for starter money, I like the idea of open competition. Demps looked promising, but not enough so to just give him the job. And besides He can help in the return game, which is a bonus every team is looking for

by blt5050 on Mar 1, 2009 3:20 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

The image of Demps tripping behind Fitz in the NFC CG burns but he certainly has potential to be a nice player.

by andyreidswaistline on Mar 2, 2009 9:26 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The feeling I get

is that they liked what they saw in Demps last year and it will be his job to lose. I would think that they will bring someone in to push Demps and provide depth at the least. I would think Leonhard will look for a starting job somewhere before settling on a reserve role. I don’t think that the FO will bring Leonhard in as the anointed starter. At the very least he will be told he has to compete for the job.

by MRPH on Mar 1, 2009 3:39 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I agree with that 100%.

Also, we can stop saying “he won’t be like Dawkins.” I think we all know whoever the next guy is won’t be anything like him.

Plenty of teams have lost very talented players and done fine the next season (Giants losing Tiki, then winning the Super Bowl the next season comes to mind)

by D3Keith on Mar 1, 2009 6:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

but Tiki

wasnt the heart and soul of there team

To me the Eagles are like that girlfriend that pisses u off, then u hate her, but the next morning you wake up and remember that thing u love so much about her

by XxBleedGreen5xX on Mar 1, 2009 6:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You're right about that

most guys in the locker room couldn’t stand Tiki. That said, Strahan was basically our Dawkins, and we did pretty good this year w/o him, at least until Plaxigate.

by cjmulrain on Mar 1, 2009 9:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

nobody we get will be like dawk

were just gunna have to settle for somebody thats not as good as dawkins was so stop sayin these guys arent as good it doesnt matter nobody will be

by bclancy15 on Mar 1, 2009 4:04 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

not sure i agree with you. He’s certainly on the backside of his career, and still very very good of course….we’ll miss brian dawkins the person more than brian dawkins the football player, i believe. i love the guy, but i’m not so sure that we cant fill the void ON the field.

by GreenInBaltimore on Mar 1, 2009 4:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

100% Agree. Goost post

E-A-G-L-E-S EAGLES!!!

by Joe_D on Mar 1, 2009 4:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The Dawk of 5 years ago, I agree. The Dawk of today, not sure about that.

by MRPH on Mar 1, 2009 4:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, sorry to repeat ...

… They won’t be “like” Dawk.

We should be able to find an FS that can play and have a defense about as good as it was last season.

by D3Keith on Mar 1, 2009 6:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I am telling you guys, he would be a great pick up

I am a huge Ravens fan and this would be an amazing signing for you guys. He did wonders here in Baltimore for us when Dawan Landry went down with a season ending neck injury. Do not be fooled by his size, he is definitely not afraid of throwing his body out there. One of the best athletes that the Ravens saw next year and will do anything you guys need him to.

I would suggest picking him up and not let Rex Ryan take him.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Mar 1, 2009 5:44 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

While I question this guy might’ve been a product of the environment – the dude managed to stand out on his own more than a handful of times this season. Not too mention the environment here can sometimes be almost as friendly to someone in his position.

We have so much money under the cap – that FO should be going after the best options in FA to fill one or two of our holes prior to the draft.

Leonhard makes sense.

by andyreidswaistline on Mar 1, 2009 11:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

1. There’s no point for you to come on here.
2. I seem to recall Big Ben getting dropped about 10+ times last time “The real PA team” paid a visit to the Linc. So….if the Eagles are pathetic where does that put the Steelers exactly?

by Nah_Roots on Mar 1, 2009 6:14 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Ignore those dudes

Probably just a Cowboys fan pretending to like the Steelers so he can have a leg to stand on.

by D3Keith on Mar 1, 2009 6:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Pretending to like the steelers??

Who the hell would want to like that shitty team? All those fans are just stupid pretenders. Hate shittsburgh so much

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Mar 1, 2009 7:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

what's JR Reed doing these days?

lol

Looking Mean in Kelly Green

by goodfella46er on Mar 1, 2009 6:32 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Fighting Towel Dispensers in McDonalds now

He has moved on from sheets

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Mar 1, 2009 7:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

He's on the Jets

Not exactly sure they know they picked him up though

by andyreidswaistline on Mar 2, 2009 9:30 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I like Leonhard. He’s super athletic and is constantly around the ball. I saw quite a few Ravens games and was rather impressed. Posters above described him as “stiff”, which I think is completely false. He would be a good pickup, for sure.

by Walcott on Mar 1, 2009 7:57 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Here’s the simple truth. He’s a solid player and has experience in a complex defense… Weather we pick him up to start, or to play behind Mikell or Demps, he’s in a much better position to give us quality play over any rookie we will draft. Also, he’s probably the best FA left. I have to look at this objectively and say that it would be a solid signing at this point.

"I tried to run him over but Eli had his big boy pads on and he kind of stopped me from getting in the end zone. The next time I’ll try to jump over his head.’’ - Asante Samuel

by foos05 on Mar 1, 2009 8:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

You think he's the best Safety?

I’ve heard others say it’s Phillips.

by ajay on Mar 1, 2009 9:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

IMO, it’s a toss up between the two… i like him more because of his experience in the Raven’s system… very complex D… should be able to learn ours quickly

"I tried to run him over but Eli had his big boy pads on and he kind of stopped me from getting in the end zone. The next time I’ll try to jump over his head.’’ - Asante Samuel

by foos05 on Mar 2, 2009 7:50 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

The Ravens secondary is always good.

by ajay on Mar 2, 2009 9:37 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think Leonhard gets the nod, if for nothing else, then being younger.

by andyreidswaistline on Mar 2, 2009 9:31 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

too small

the guy is a shrimp, we can’t have a 5’8" FS out there trying to cover fitzgerald

by fitzy first on Mar 2, 2009 10:48 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, because Quintin Mikell is a loooooot taller at 5-10.

by Walcott on Mar 2, 2009 2:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

he is small...

but the guy has blazing speed. decent tackler.

by snowhill82 on Mar 3, 2009 2:27 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

4th on our team in total tackles this year

Only behind our 3 stand out linebackers, Lewis, Scott, and Suggs. Pretty good for a 5’8" white boy. I am tellin ya guys, you cannot go wrong with this little fire cracker here. I need to see him play on a good team and not go to freaking Detroit or something.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Mar 3, 2009 10:06 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs