Brian Leonard

Brian Leonard (born February 3, 1984 from Gouverneur, New York) is an American football running back for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Rutgers.

College career

In 2006, Leonard started the season being promoted as a Heisman Trophy candidate. A video clip of Leonard, concluding with the slogan "Leonard for Heisman," was aired on the NBC Astrovision screen in New York City’s Times Square. Despite being acknowledged as a Heisman candidate, Leonard elected to take on a diminished role as a blocker and allow Ray Rice to become a star. He was also named starting fullback on the 2007 Senior Bowl North Squad, where he finished with 16 yards rushing and 13 yards receiving, 3rd overall on the team in total yardage.

"He's a very, very underrated player...he's the best running back I've played against since I've been in college." (This includes Kevin Jones, Julius Jones, Walter Reyes and Darius Walker) "That combination of power and speed is amazing. Some of the runs he makes in the open field, he can cut like a tailback. He jumps over safeties when they try and cut him, but then he runs over linebackers and defensive linemen. His combination of power and speed just makes him the best at what he does."

- Former Pitt and current Washington Redskins LB H.B. Blades on Brian Leonard

School records

In the Rutgers record books, Leonard finished his career ranked fourth all-time rushing yards (2,775), fourth all-time rushing touchdowns (32), sixth all-time receiving yards (1,864), first all-time receptions (207), tied for fourth all-time receiving touchdowns (13), second all-time all-purpose yards (4,639), first all-time combined touchdowns (45), and first all-time career points scored (272).

Awards

• 2006 National Football Foundation Draddy Trophy
• First-Team Pro Football Weekly All-American 2004
• First-Team Pro Football Weekly All-American 2005
• First-Team Pro Football Weekly, ESPN.com, and Scout.com All-American 2006
• First-Team All-Big East 2004 and 2005, Second-Team All-Big East 2006
• Freshman All-American 2003
• College Football News Big East Freshman of the Year 2003
• 2006 ARA Sportsmanship Award

He graduated with a degree in labor studies.

Professional career

NFL Draft prospect

As an NFL prospect, Leonard was targeted by almost every draft expert and website to be the top fullback (as well as one of the higher-ranked halfbacks) and most likely will be playing a hybrid halfback / fullback / H-Back position in the pros. Leonard was projected as a day one selection, as high as the first round. Since 1990, only three fullbacks have been chosen in the first round, including Tommy Vardell in 1992 and William Floyd in 1993. ESPN compared Leonard to Jaguars' back Greg Jones in their pre-draft speculations. At the 2007 NFL Combine Leonard was timed at 4.49 in the 40 yard dash, which is exceptionally fast for a fullback and above average for a running back; also, bench pressed 225 lbs 28 times (most of any running back). NFL Network's Mike Mayock had Leonard ranked as the #4 running back in the draft. SportingNews says of Leonard that he was "misused as a traditional fullback... would prosper in a one-back set..."

Pre-draft measureables

(* represents NFL Combine)

St. Louis Rams

On April 28, 2007, Leonard was selected by the St. Louis Rams in the second round with the 52nd overall pick of the 2007 NFL Draft. Leonard signed a four-year, $2.8 million contract on July 24, 2007, that includes $1.55 million in guaranteed money. Coach Scott Linehan decided to use Leonard as a fullback, running back, and a special third-down back, in relief of Steven Jackson. Linehan also stated that Leonard would see 15-20 snaps per game.^[1] In rookie training camps, Leonard was one of only two running backs, the other being Brad Lau. “We only have two backs right now so I am running in single back and halfback so I will be the running back unless we get another running back in here,” Leonard said. “It’s nice to get the reps, but it is tiring.”^[2] Leonard ran for the Rams first touchdown of the year against the Minnesota Vikings in preseason on August 10, 2007.^[3] He had his first 100-yard rushing game, typically a milestone amongst running backs, on October 7, 2007 at home against the Arizona Cardinals.

Leonard underwent surgery on both his shoulders after the season.

Cincinnati Bengals

Leonard was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals on May 7, 2009 for defensive tackle Orien Harris.^[4]

Over the course of 2009 season, Leonard hasn't seen much rushing action because the team is using Cedric Benson as their primary running back and has also signed Larry Johnson, limiting the number of Leonard's rushing attempts. However, he has often been targeted on third- and fourth down passing plays and has made several key conversions for the Bengals. For example, on September 27th in a game against the defending Super Bowl Champions Pittsburgh Steelers, Leonard caught a pass from Carson Palmer on 4th down, converting for the first down with 31 seconds left, extending the eventual winning drive. On December 27th, he recorded an eight yard reception in a 3rd-and-7 situation to keep what would eventually be the game winning drive against the Kansas City Chiefs alive.

Personal life

Leonard has been active in the community, especially doing considerable work with children. In 2006, Peter King wrote an article in Sports Illustrated selecting Leonard as his personal candidate for Sportsman of the Year, due to Leonard's on- and off-field accomplishments.

In an interview, Brian Leonard claimed that his favorite St. Louis Cardinals player is Albert Pujols, but that being from New York, he still remains primarily a Yankees' fan. ^[5]

Following the death of his Bengals teammate Chris Henry, Leonard resolved to dedicate the rest of his season to the memory of his fallen teammate. Leonard has decided to take it upon himself to act as a father figure for Henry's children.

References

External links