Please don't say Eric Smith, guy is a decent backup and thats all. He proved he's too slow to start last season. He's atrocious in coverage. That said, I'm really pulling for the 2 rookies to earn a starting spot. Bush and Allen have to have more upside than Eric Smith. Allen is actually the guy I see starting eventually, him being 6'2 210, and from the SEC. Wouldn't mind bringing back Ihedigbo either he's a free agent.
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#2
Irish Jet
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#3
RyanBe_Tweetin
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Posted 01 May 2012 - 11:30 PM
Please don't say Eric Smith, guy is a decent backup and thats all. He proved he's too slow to start last season. He's atrocious in coverage. That said, I'm really pulling for the 2 rookies to earn a starting spot. Bush and Allen have to have more upside than Eric Smith. Allen is actually the guy I see starting eventually, him being 6'2 210, and from the SEC. Wouldn't mind bringing back Ihedigbo either he's a free agent.
Eric Smith
#12
Villain The Foe
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Posted 02 May 2012 - 09:30 PM
I wouldn't mind having that happen. Bring Smith in to replace Leonhard and running downs?
Yup. You have your pick of Smith or Allen on running downs. You have your pick of Allen or Bush to cover TE's (which was Allens specialty in college along with helping out in the run game).
Not getting Barron wasnt that bad when we picked up Landry in FA, Leonhards coming back and you now have smith back as a situational Safety along with two other safeties that can help you both in the run game and TE coverage.
However, if Landry gets hurt we're in immediate trouble. Its a risk im glad the jets are taking because if he's able to play a full season he's without question one of the better safeties in the game.
#13
Ryno the Jet
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Posted 02 May 2012 - 09:38 PM
.
However, if Landry gets hurt we're in immediate trouble. Its a risk im glad the jets are taking because if he's able to play a full season he's without question one of the better safeties in the game.
I think they will survive if Landry or Leonhard get hurt, but not both. I think they will carry five safeties because of Landry and Leaonhard's injury history.
#14
Villain The Foe
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Posted 02 May 2012 - 09:57 PM
You may be right, but I wouldnt like to find out! lol.I think they will survive if Landry or Leonhard get hurt, but not both. I think they will carry five safeties because of Landry and Leaonhard's injury history.
#16
Ryno the Jet
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Posted 03 May 2012 - 11:39 AM
does anyone have proof leonard is coming back? His leg was ripped up 2x he could be done.
Jim Leonhard says Jets return possible as he rehabs from patellar tendon tear
Published: Saturday, April 14, 2012, 2:21 PM Updated: Saturday, April 14, 2012, 9:50 PM
By Jenny Vrentas/The Star-Ledger
Andrew Mills/The Star-LedgerJim Leonhard said he'll "no doubt" be ready for training camp after his season-ending patellar tendon tear.
LAKE GROVE, N.Y. -- Jim Leonhard patiently signed Jets jerseys, photos and mini-helmets at a Long Island Verizon store this afternoon, while the line of fans repeatedly asked one big question: Will the veteran safety be back with the Jets in 2012?
"There’s still a very good possibility it could be the best situation for me," Leonhard said in an interview before the appearance, to promote Verizon's contest for customers to announce a pick at the NFL Draft. "You never know. Things could change in the next two weeks with the draft; things could be better here, better there. It’s just hard to try to predict the future, and that’s been the hardest part."
Leonhard, a free agent after his three-year contract with the Jets expired, is in a holding pattern right now as he continues to rehab a season-ending patellar tendon tear sustained in Week 14 last season. He has "no doubt" he'll be ready for training camp in August, but he said he needs to progress further in his rehab before it would be worthwhile to approach interested teams about workouts or visits. He's "getting close" to that point, he added.
So far, Leonhard said he and his representatives have had "good conversations" with the Jets, and other teams have also expressed interest, though he declined to name how many or which ones. He has been mentally evaluating different situations, systems and coaches.
"But a lot of it is just wait and see," Leonhard said. "Obviously we'd love at any point for a team to come out and make a really strong offer, but for all intents and purposes, it's probably not going to happen until they know where I'm at."
The Jets have just two experienced safeties on their roster, Eric Smith and LaRon Landry, and need to continue to bolster the position. When healthy, Leonhard could fill the role of the "center fielder" they still need.
Leonhard stopped by the facility right before free agency began, which also coincided with his 12-week check-up after surgery, and said he has been in touch with coach Rex Ryan and secondary coach Dennis Thurman. After signing Landry in free agency, Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum told reporters the team had not "shut the door" on bringing Leonhard back.
"There's definitely still a spot," Leonhard said. "Knowing this defense and how it works, you honestly can never have too many safeties; we're not opposed to having three to four on the field at the same time. It's not something where once they signed (Landry), we said our future is definitely elsewhere. You never know. I know Rex, and I know the defensive staff. I know the defense is a great fit for me, it's just when the time comes, is it going to be the right situation?"
The 29-year-old said he is making good progress and has received positive feedback from the doctors. He is rehabbing at the University of Wisconsin, his alma mater, and the nearby Sport & Spine Clinic. But he admitted this rehab is more difficult than coming back from the fractured tibia that ended his 2010 season, because the healing of bones is more black and white.
Leonhard combated swelling the first few weeks after surgery and was in "don't mess it up" mode. But about a month ago, he was given medical clearance to begin pushing his rehab and has not had any setbacks since. About two weeks ago, he began jumping and running with the assistance of the Alter-G anti-gravity treadmill, which allows users to run at lower than their body weight.
Leonhard has not yet been cleared to run on ground. The rest of his timeline is uncertain, he said, because there is a high degree of variability in recovery times with this injury. Depending on if he is back with the Jets or with a new team could also affect his availability in offseason work, he added. He would need less reps in the familiar Jets defense.
"I always heal quickly, so I don’t feel like I'm going to have any issues coming back this year," Leonhard said. "I'm just excited for the next month and a half, and to hopefully be where I want to be."
Jenny Vrentas: jvrentas@starledger.com; twitter.com/JennyVrentas
© 2012 NJ.com. All rights reserved.
#17
Jetsfan80
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Posted 03 May 2012 - 11:40 AM
does anyone have proof leonard is coming back? His leg was ripped up 2x he could be done.
No one has proof of that, just as no one has proof as to when Terrell Suggs will be back. But Leonhard said he'd be back in August, so I'll trust that. Beyond that it's just a matter of the Jets WANTING him back.
sheesh, I'm a doosh.
#19
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Posted 03 May 2012 - 12:21 PM
No way the jets start 2 unhealthy Safeties in Leonhard and Landry. Leonhard is a goner, 2 knee surgeries the past 2 seasons. Its time to move on and upgrade even if it is with a more athletic taller rookie. (Allen/Bush)
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