Tribe looking at Lackey?
July 30, 2014Cavs only team engaged in Love trade talks?
July 31, 2014Jim Leonhard announced on Twitter that he has signed with the Cleveland Browns. He has played in nine NFL seasons with the Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets, and Denver Broncos. He is 31-years old and played college football at the University of Wisconsin. He is very familiar with Mike Pettine’s defense because of his multiple years playing in his system with the Ravens, Jets, and Bills. Last season under Pettine, he started seven of the 16 games he played in. He had 41 tackles, six passes defended, and four interceptions, a career high for Leonhard.
He is expected to compete with Tashaun Gipson at the free safety spot. Gipson will most likely win the job, but Leonhard will definitely play his fair share of snaps. Leonhard is a smart and experienced safety who still has ability to make plays on defense. He will be a good teacher to Gipson and the younger safeties. His experience with Pettine’s defense gives him the chance to catch up faster and be a real threat to play this season. This addition gives the Browns’ safety position more experience and depth.
It's official, I just signed my 8th NFL contract to become a part of the Cleveland Browns. #dawgpound
— Jim Leonhard (@jimleonhard) July 30, 2014
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(Photo by: Rick Stewart/Getty Images North America)
13 Comments
I suppose I have to see the contract details first, but this bodes well for the youngsters in the secondary. Good old Jackson may have been past his prime but the defense over-performed around him. We saw it more that once. I am all for signing veteran leaders if the price is right. Leonhard has special teams experience, played against the run well, and his injury bug (plagued him for a few seasons straight) is a few years in the rear view mirror.
nice
Veteran depth with a familiarity with the head coach’s strategies. Never a bad thing.
I used to hate this guy when he was a Badger….and I hated him more as a Raven. But it was a “I hate you” which meant “You are good”.
I don’t think this speaks well for how Gipson and Poyer have looked at FS thus far.
I was hoping Gipson would make the same improvement this year, that he made last year.
I don’t think this affects Gipson at all. He’s an up and coming player and will likely start. What this affects most is our ability to insert an experienced player in case Gipson or Whitner have to miss some time.
we could have signed Leonard at any point. that we did on the first off-day of training camp means that Pettine doesn’t like something he sees at the S position. it could be Gipson, it could be Poyer. but, there is something where he felt the need to request an old friend be signed IMO.
Totally agree Steve-o. I’m good with our starting safeties, but the depth was not good. This signing really adds depth and experience. As far as waiting until now to sign, I wouldn’t be surprised if Leonhard didn’t just want to miss the first few days of training camp – especially considering the injury history and familiarity with the defensive scheme.
Totally agree Steve-o. I’m good with our starting safeties, but the depth was not good. This signing really adds depth and experience. As far as waiting until now to sign, I wouldn’t be surprised if Leonhard didn’t just want to miss the first few days of training camp – especially considering the injury history and familiarity with the defensive scheme.
I’m not sure what to make of it, but in 2012 he signed with the Broncos in September. In 2013, he signed with the Bills in August. So I guess in 2015 he might finally make it to June?
Seems like a good guy. Small town boy done good.
http://www.wqow.com/story/22830980/2013/07/13/jim-leonhard-football-skills-camp
He is a good guy and a player I have always respected as he’s made the most of what he has (not the biggest or fastest guy, but still makes an impact).
This looks like a depth/special teams signing to me. Whitner and Gipson are the starters. I’m interested to see what this Poyer can do in exhibition games.