Jim Leonhard
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| No. 36 New York Jets | |
| Safety / Punt returner | |
| Personal information | |
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| Date of birth: October 27, 1982 | |
| Place of birth: Ladysmith, Wisconsin | |
| Height: 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) | Weight: 188 lb (85 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College: Wisconsin | |
| Undrafted in 2005 | |
| Debuted in 2005 for the Buffalo Bills | |
| Career history | |
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| Roster status: Injured Reserve | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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| Career NFL statistics as of Week 14, 2011 | |
| Tackles | 326 |
| Sacks | 3.5 |
| INTs | 6 |
| Passes defensed | 24 |
| Forced Fumbles | 2 |
| Stats at NFL.com | |
James Andrew "Jim" Leonhard (born October 27, 1982) is an American football safety for the New York Jets of the National Football League. He was originally signed by the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent in 2005. Leohnard has also played for the Baltimore Ravens. He played college football at the University of Wisconsin.
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[edit] High school
Leonhard played his high school football at Flambeau High School in Tony, Wisconsin where he was the starting quarterback and strong safety. During his freshman year in high school, the Flambeau Falcons won the Wisconsin state championship in football. Leonhard was a team captain in his junior and senior seasons, the same seasons in which he was a first team All-State performer. He was also named team MVP in his senior year.
[edit] College career
Leonhard was a walk-on football player at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, having received no Division 1-A scholarship offers out of high school. He was not awarded a scholarship until his senior year, despite the fact that he had been a regular starting safety before that season and had already been named All-Big Ten (twice). Noted for his speed, leaping ability, and sure tackling, he totaled 21 interceptions (tied with Jamar Fletcher for the most in school history) and made 281 tackles (21st in team history). He was regarded as one of the best collegiate punt returners in the nation and held the Big Ten Conference career punt return yardage record with 1,347 yards until Michigan's Steve Breaston eclipsed his mark in 2006.
[edit] Professional career
[edit] Buffalo Bills
Leonhard was the only undrafted rookie on the 53-man opening day roster for the 2005 Bills, playing in ten games. In 2006, he played in 15 games for the Bills and received his first career start, his only one that season, on December 10. Noted for his small size (5'8" and 190 pounds), Leonhard was re-signed to the Buffalo Bills when they placed fellow Wisconsin alumnus Troy Vincent on the injured reserve list on September 13, 2006 after being waived 11 days earlier. In the 2007 season, Leonhard stepped in for injured starter Ko Simpson and recorded 13 tackles on opening day against the Denver Broncos. He would go on to record 51 tackles for the team despite being hampered by a calf injury halfway through the season. He was the team's sixth leading tackler. He also recorded 32 yards on two kickoff returns 36 yards on 4 punt returns and two interceptions for the season.
[edit] Baltimore Ravens
On April 28, 2008, Leonhard signed with the Baltimore Ravens. He started in 13 of 16 games played in the regular season, replacing the injured Dawan Landry. Leonhard set career-high marks with 85 tackles and one sack to go along with an interception, which he returned for a TD against the Cincinnati Bengals.[1] In his first two NFL playoff games, Leonhard recorded one interception with a 20-yard return, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, a half-sack, one pass deflected, 11 tackles, and a 29-yard punt return. In addition, his pass-rush pressure on Titans quarterback Kerry Collins in the divisional playoff game helped cause a key interception deep in Ravens territory.[2]
[edit] New York Jets
On March 3, 2009, Leonhard signed with the New York Jets, reuniting him with former Ravens defensive coordinator and now Jets head coach Rex Ryan.[3] Terms are $6 million for 3 years with $1 million guaranteed.[4] On Draft Day 2009, the Jets traded away the incumbent starter, Abram Elam, guaranteeing Leonhard his spot in the starting roster for the upcoming season.
On December 3, 2010, Leonhard broke his tibia in a collision with wide receiver Patrick Turner during practice. Leonhard underwent surgery the same night and was placed on injured reserve the following day.[5] On December 11, 2011, Leonhard tore his patellar tendon in his right knee while intercepting quarterback Tyler Palko of the Kansas City Chiefs. An MRI revealed the injury that will require surgery and cause Leonhard to miss the rest of the season, including any playoff games.[6]
[edit] References
- ^ "Clayton's Two TDs Helps Ravens Cruise Past Bengals". Associated Press. 2008-11-30. http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/8863436. Retrieved 2008-12-01.
- ^ Ordine, Bill (2009-01-11). "Leonhard's Play Leads to 3 Turnovers". Baltimore Sun. http://mobile.baltimoresun.com/inf/infomo;JSESSIONID=FD89CD1EC2C6D2F79BF8.3671?view=sports_item&feed:a=balt_sun_5min&feed:c=sports&feed:i=44462234&nopaging=1. Retrieved 2009-09-13.
- ^ "Twofer: Leonhard Signs, Richardson Re-Ups". New York Jets. 2009-03-03. http://www.newyorkjets.com/news/articles/show/2882-twofer-leonhard-signs-richardson-re-ups. Retrieved 2009-09-13.[dead link]
- ^ Boland, Erik (2009-03-04). "Jets' Leonhard: From College Walk-on to Big Bucks". Newsday. http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets-leonhard-from-college-walk-on-to-big-bucks-1.896325. Retrieved 2009-09-13.
- ^ Cimini, Rich (December 4, 2010). "Season over for Jets' Jim Leonhard". ESPN. Archived from the original on December 4, 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5ujcGScu6. Retrieved December 4, 2010.
- ^ Cimini, Rich (December 12, 2011). "It's official: Leonhard on IR". ESPN. Archived from the original on December 13, 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/63uNUq1Ep. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
