According to Levy, we will not use a traditional FB on offense

[bluv]

These means that we basically will be going with a singleback offense, replacing the FB with a TE. I have been waiting for this transition for the past 3-4 seasons; finally we have an OFFENSIVE IDENTITY! I've always felt we need to find a versatile personell group that can produce in both the run and pass. The offense had been so predictable as whenever Shelton was on the field we always ran the ball. Even if we passed with a 2 back set, he wasn't a threat in the passing game and factor in the TE's weren't either making us easy to stop: double team our #1 WR. We didn't have the O-line to dominate the LOS and push people off the ball so we were always bring in extra receivers on 3rd down making us predictable once again for the D knows it can just pin it's ears back and go after the QB. I think a singleback offense is less predictable; at least on 1st and 2nd downs the same personell group will be on the field. In a way, I wish we had kept Willis for I think he would have better success running stretch plays and cutback runs rather than following a FB up into the whole. If Everett can finally get healthy and play like the player we expected him to be or we draft a diamond in the rough TE we just might have something to look forward to on offense next year.

[CJPearl2]

Welcome Brian Leonard.

[bluv]

Welcome Brian Leonard.

Maybe; could be a diamond in the rough if he is picked up in the later rounds. I can also see the TE from Delaware State being a Buffalo Bill as well. I'm hoping we with the 1st 3 picks we draft Willis in the 1st, a big projected 1st rnd WR who falls (hopefully Jarret, Rice, or Bowe) and a RB in the 3rd. I think then at other positions if 2nd and 3rd players develop and step their game up we could suprise some folks next year. The fact that we will have some offensive familiarlity next year will be a big plus.

[ndirish1978]

Leonard is a 2nd rd pick

[Lothar]

Maybe; could be a diamond in the rough if he is picked up in the later rounds. I can also see the TE from Delaware State being a Buffalo Bill as well. I'm hoping we with the 1st 3 picks we draft Willis in the 1st, a big projected 1st rnd WR who falls (hopefully Jarret, Rice, or Bowe) and a RB in the 3rd. I think then at other positions if 2nd and 3rd players develop and step their game up we could suprise some folks next year. The fact that we will have some offensive familiarlity next year will be a big plus.

Late round? I've seen several mocks with him going in the 1st - to Indy or even the Pats.

 

Frankly, he's the only back I'd like in the 2nd round - assuming Lynch and AP are gone. The fact that Modrak spent time extolling his praises makes me think they wouldn't pick him ... almost too obvious.

[UConn James]

You know, whenever I hear the line of reasoning of 'We're going to flout common perception and instead of getting a fulltime starter at Position X, we're looking for a player who'd more blah blah blah. We think we have someone on the roster who plays third-string at Position Y who can do it; he'll learn the job in two weeks of camp.... while he's also learning his other position' I get this shiver up my spine. You just hope this doesn't come back to bite you in the 6.

 

And, might I add, people speculate about where FBs will go in the draft, they speculate where RBs go in the draft. They are usually wrong, and especially recently FBs aren't selected until the 5th round despite some teams blowing smoke. FB/RB tweeners like Leonard have an even tougher row to hoe, being certainly neither one nor the other.

[Acantha]

Late round? I've seen several mocks with him going in the 1st - to Indy or even the Pats.

 

Frankly, he's the only back I'd like in the 2nd round - assuming Lynch and AP are gone. The fact that Modrak spent time extolling his praises makes me think they wouldn't pick him ... almost too obvious.

Before seeing that on BB.com today I was a big Leonard fan and thought there was 0% chance the Bills picked him up. After hearing about what the offensive philosophy will be, I bump that up to about 5%.

 

I still don't think they decide to go that way, but he would really add a whole new dynamic to our offense, especially if we aren't going to have a traditional FB on the team. He would never be considered a feature back, but he'd be perfect for almost any team committed to RBBC, especially one that wants to use their RB's in the passing game to open up their offense like we will.

[bluv]

Frankly, he's the only back I'd like in the 2nd round - assuming Lynch and AP are gone.

I'd have no issues with the Bills draftig Pittman in the 2nd; even though I'd rather see WR's Jarrett or Rice if available!

[freester]

These means that we basically will be going with a singleback offense, replacing the FB with a TE. I have been waiting for this transition for the past 3-4 seasons; finally we have an OFFENSIVE IDENTITY! I've always felt we need to find a versatile personell group that can produce in both the run and pass. The offense had been so predictable as whenever Shelton was on the field we always ran the ball. Even if we passed with a 2 back set, he wasn't a threat in the passing game and factor in the TE's weren't either making us easy to stop: double team our #1 WR. We didn't have the O-line to dominate the LOS and push people off the ball so we were always bring in extra receivers on 3rd down making us predictable once again for the D knows it can just pin it's ears back and go after the QB. I think a singleback offense is less predictable; at least on 1st and 2nd downs the same personell group will be on the field. In a way, I wish we had kept Willis for I think he would have better success running stretch plays and cutback runs rather than following a FB up into the whole. If Everett can finally get healthy and play like the player we expected him to be or we draft a diamond in the rough TE we just might have something to look forward to on offense next year.

what Levy is saying is that we are going to draft another TE high(zack miller) and play 2 TE offense which is what fairchild wants to play. Everett and Neufeld are not locks to make the roster.

[Lori]

You know, whenever I hear the line of reasoning of 'We're going to flout common perception and instead of getting a fulltime starter at Position X, we're looking for a player who'd more blah blah blah. We think we have someone on the roster who plays third-string at Position Y who can do it; he'll learn the job in two weeks of camp.... while he's also learning his other position' I get this shiver up my spine. You just hope this doesn't come back to bite you in the 6.

True, that. I seem to recall that the Sheldon Jackson-to-FB experiment didn't work so well...

[bluv]

what Levy is saying is that we are going to draft another TE high(zack miller) and play 2 TE offense which is what fairchild wants to play. Everett and Neufeld are not locks to make the roster.

Let's hope not. I'd rather see other needs addressed before TE, especially in a weak draft for TE. The TE's on this roster should be adequate enough next year if the additions to the O-line prove to be sufficient.

[The Cincinnati Kid]

I'd have no issues with the Bills draftig Pittman in the 2nd; even though I'd rather see WR's Jarrett or Rice if available!

 

 

I have a problem with Pittman...she is thief. Anyway, the word from Marv that he is not taking a fullback was great news. I dont understand all the hype about a guy who was only good enough to start on Rutgers (who were not anything worth watching until last year) for only a year. If we really want a guy from Rutgers, lets wait a year and grab up the real running threat from that University Ray Rice. I dont want some fullback hybrid that works hard. He is a great guy and tough guy but he isnt worth a second or even a third round pick IMO.

[BuffaloBilliever]

I could've sworn the Patriots had Patrick Pass... he's a damn good Fullback, I see no reason for them taking a FB first roung.

[Steely Dan]

I think Leonard would be a great pick;

 

While the fullback position has evolved over the years, Leonard's hard-nosed, aggressive style is reminiscent to that of former Green Bay Packers great, Jim Taylor. Not since Purdue's Mike Alstott (1991-95) has a collegiate fullback been able to determine an outcome of a game on such a consistent basis as Leonard did throughout his career. Whether breaking free for a long run, powering his way into the end zone in goal-line situations, providing a devastating block for halfback sensation Ray Rice or making the clutch catch in traffic, Leonard is the type of player defenses always need to account for.

 

Leonard was a standout running back and linebacker at Gouverneur High School (New York), where he led the team to a 9-1 record and the Class B Section X championship as a senior. He was a two-time all-state selection and the Watertown Daily Times Athlete of the Year, in addition to being named All-Northern Conference Most Valuable Player three times. He closed out his career as the state of New York's all-time scoring leader with 696 points, totaling 107 touchdowns while rushing for 5,854 yards.

 

As a senior, Leonard rushed for 2,398 yards on 234 carries (10.2 avg) and 47 touchdowns, adding seven two-point conversions; he also caught 23 passes for 529 yards and produced nine consecutive 200-yard rushing games that year. As a linebacker, he recorded 64 tackles, including 41 solo stops, one sack and two interceptions. He rushed for 354 yards and four touchdowns in the Wildcats' 28-22 win over Ogdensburg Free Academy in the title game and scored eight touchdowns in the Wildcats' victory over Cornwall High.

 

Leonard was also a standout basketball player. He garnered First-Team All-League recognition and Prep Star All-American honors. In track, he competed in the 100- and 200-meter dashes and the long jump. He posted impressive wins in both the 100 and 200 at the Section VII/X Track and Field Championships. Leonard was a four-time honor roll student.

 

The younger brother of former Scarlet Knight linebacker Nate Leonard (1999-2001), Leonard enrolled at Rutgers in 2002 and spent the year as a halfback on the scout team while his brother served as a graduate assistant.

 

Brian Leonard exploded onto the collegiate scene in 2003, earning Freshman All-American honors as he was also named Big East Conference Freshman of the Year. He started 10 of 12 games at halfback, leading the team in rushing with 880 yards and nine touchdowns on 213 carries (4.1-yard average). He also led the Scarlet Knights with 53 receptions for 488 yards (9.2 avg) and five scores. He ranked fifth in the Big East with an average of 114.0 all-purpose yards per game and scored 84 points. He also had two solo tackles and a fumble recovery.

 

Leonard shifted to fullback in 2004, earning Pro Football Weekly All-American honors. The first-team All-Big East Conference pick missed the Syracuse game with a leg bruise, but he still led the conference with an average of 125.0 all-purpose yards per game. He led the team with 199 carries for 732 yards (3.7 avg) and seven touchdowns and ranked second on the squad with 61 catches for 518 yards (8.5 avg) and two scores to finish with 54 points. Leonard also had three tackles (two solos).

 

In 2005, Leonard was again named to Pro Football Weekly's All-American team, in addition to picking up All-Big East Conference accolades. Taking on a more traditional fullback role with the arrival of halfback Raymell Rice, Leonard still finished second on the team with 173 rushes for 740 yards (4.3 avg) and 11 touchdowns. He led Rutgers with 55 receptions for 568 yards (10.3 avg) and six scores. His average of 8.5 points scored per game ranked fourth in the Big East while his average of 4.58 catches per game ranked second. He scored a career-high 102 points and averaged 109.0 all-purpose yards per game.

 

As a senior, Leonard was again named a First-Team All-American and landed on the All-Big East Conference second-team. He was used more as a blocker, producing 14 touchdown-producing blocks. He carried 93 times for a career-low 427 yards (4.6 avg) and five touchdowns. He caught 38 passes for 294 yards (7.7 avg) and totaled 667 all-purpose yards with 30 total points and two solo tackles.

 

In 47 games at Rutgers, Leonard started 45 times. He holds the Big East record with at least one reception in 47 games. He holds the school record with 207 career receptions, on which he gained 1,868 yards (9.0 avg) and scored 13 touchdowns. He rushed 678 times for 2,779 yards (4.1 avg) and 32 scores. He holds the school record with 272 points scored and recorded seven tackles (six solos) and a fumble recovery. Leonard holds the Rutgers record with 5,961 all-purpose yards, averaging 129.59 yards per game.

 

 

 

 

 

Analysis

 

 

Positives: Solidly built with above-average strength, thick thighs and calves, good bubble, tight waist, broad shoulders and good arm-muscle definition...Has excellent speed for his position, showing the upper-body strength and leg drive to create and maintain a rush lane as a lead blocker...Has a good short area burst through the creases and the change-of-direction agility to make the initial tackler miss...Shows the plant-and-drive agility to make precise cuts...Has very good balance and body control throughout his stride, demonstrating fluid flexibility and quickness getting to top acceleration...Has good vision to locate and neutralize the blitz and an excellent feel for the soft spots in the zone, consistently getting there, to make the underneath catch...Comes out of his stance quickly and with good urgency, running at the proper pad level with legs churning to push the pile...Has the quickness to explode through the holes and the cutback agility to make the initial tackler miss...Generates the speed to pull away from linebackers and safeties after the catch and is quick enough in his stride to be a valid deep threat...Has the loose hips to elude and makes sharp cuts to separate in his patterns...Displays good field vision, showing patience setting up his blocks when carrying the ball...Alert to stunts and blitzes, showing good slide to neutralize edge rushers...Has the strong base and balance to bounce off of tacklers and maintain his stride...Bruising runner between the tackles with the loose hips to change direction quickly...Picks up his feet nicely to get through traffic and is nimble enough to redirect and cut back outside when the inside hole is clogged...With his sharp cutting agility and burst, Leonard has had good success separating after the catch...Holds the ball secure to his chest when running inside and in the outside hand when turning the corner...Shows very good hands on toss plays and, even when he gets erect in his stance, he is conscious of protecting the ball...Has the speed to separate after the catch and the power to obliterate the smaller defender that tries to get in his path...Is especially effective on swing and middle screens, flat and wheel routes...Has good hip snap maintaining blocking position to protect the pocket and shows urgency facing up...Good cut blocker who shows alertness picking up the blitz.

 

Negatives: When he gets too erect in his stance, he will lose some base and get pushed back through the rush lane...While Leonard has had success bouncing outside to gain yardage in the past, he was used mostly on runs between the tackles as a senior...Seems to have the speed to get outside, make the cut and turn it up the field, but he tends to lose his body lean and get too high in his stance, leaving his feet exposed for shoestring tackles...Runs with good forward lean between tackles, but must learn to keep the same pad level on cuts to the perimeter...Effective lead blocker, but despite his strength as a runner, he fails to generate much pop on contact with his hands...Flashes good speed cutting on the edge, but must generate a stronger kick-out and hand technique in attempts to sustain.

 

Compares To: JUSTIN GRIFFITH, Atlanta Falcons (Mississippi State)...Leonard is not the physically imposing blocker Tampa Bay's Mike Alstott is but, like Griffith, he generates excellent quickness out of his stance, precise cutback agility and natural hands to be a legitimate receiving threat. He made strides as a lead blocker, but might be best utilized as a halfback in a one-back offense.

 

He's compared to Griffith because Griffith is a FB but I see Leonard far more as RB.