Buzz: Could Jim Leonhard Play?
Manish Mehta of the Star-Ledger tweeted and the Notorious Ohm wrote in the NYDN that Jim Leonhard was in fact practicing for the media today.
S Jim Leonhard, though, was practicing with a cast on his thumb. So we’ll see what Rex Ryan says about the possibility of him playing on Sunday. I’ll hit you guys up later.
Ryan seemed to hint at it yesterday in his press conference, so that Leonhard might play would be a big boost for the Jets and the team’s plan for Wes Welker. Leonhard still might not start, but having him available would be a big plus for this team. For sure, there’s no way he would field punts with three screws in his hand, and a cast over top of it.
Is this a strategic feint by Ryan to get Belichick overthinking? It seems out of character for him to do so … that’s more a Mangini type thing. Ryan doesn’t exactly strike me as someone full of guile.
Shout out to Mike D. who gave me the heads up.
16 Responses to Buzz: Could Jim Leonhard Play?
-
Brendan says:
And in his hybrid LB/DB role where he covers the TE, RB, or slot receiver. He is versatile, which Rex covets, and he certainly showed his versatility in the first game against the Pats.
-
Electric Ham says:
I think hes playing… he was able to play last week right after he broke it… they will put an air cast on him
-
Harris52ChampionshipDefense says:
He’s a tough guy for sure if he’s even considering playing with all that stuff in his hand. Agree with Ronnie, need him out there so Smith can blitz. Even if his ability to tackle will be limited, he’d still be an asset.
-
Don’t sell Ryan short on the guile department — he talks about “lining up and banging heads” but a lot of his blitz and coverage packages are predicated on disguising exactly where the pressure is coming from and who will be bringing it.
I also remember after the first game and we got a sense of how good the defense might be, especially after a less-than-impressive exhibition season — I seem to remember a presser where Ryan was saying how they had pretty much kept everything under wraps until the real season.
I know Rex likes to play the simple blue-collar football coach part, but his defenses are anything but just lining straight up and banging heads.
-
Harvlis says:
The Jets can barely make a tackle, as is. How effective can he be with one hand. Sorry guys, I think you put Eric Smith in there and let Leonhard heal up.
-
greg sec 130 says:
I wonder how much of Jim deciding to push this has to do with the Rex speech, TJ speech and 41 players coming to practice on the off day.
-
Zartan says:
Sanchez progress has been stunted. I dont think the jets are ready for a healthy Pats team. Its their turn to beat up on us when we’re hurtin. That said, is a one handed Leonard better that Smith?
I know that coaches like Rex are D- minded but i hate that they are beating into Marks head not to make mistakes. I dont think he goes out there wanting to give the ball away. I also think smash mouth football is throwing the ball up n down the field and you cant do anything to stop it. The good teams play smash mouth football and come out n play offense. Not chicken ball where you are scared to dare to be great.
-
Davo says:
Well, the way you “stop” Welker is to limit his YAC, and you don’t do that with broken body parts…
-
Andy says:
Hey I have to admire Leonhard. I say if he feels he can play and he gets the ok then go for it. Most people think this is a do or die game for the Jets anyway. I think Leonard realizes how much the team needs him and the improtance of this game. Why not bring out all the guns? If the Jets lose, then everyone will say their season and playoff chances are done. If they win…we live to fight another day.
-
Johnny Reefer says:
I dont care if we lose every game after this.
but we have to win sunday. if we don’t ohh baby, i’m gonna hate it.
-
ps. that because everyone i personally know is a pats fan.
-
Have E Smith on the field on 1st and 2nd downs and then have Leonhard come in on passing downs. He is valuable in the passing game.
Having in on the field only helps us…..
-
(Russian accent)
If he plays, he plays.
-
cmonleon says:
itd be gerat for our coverage, prly no picks tho. i would be worried about tackling but he usually just dives at peoples legs anyway.
We need Leonard to play vs the Pats because that will allow us to us Eric Smith more on blitzes where he excelled against Brady the 1st time around.