Jim Leonhard
 Leohnard in the 2012 NFL season. | |||||||||||||||
No. 35 Buffalo Bills | |||||||||||||||
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| Strong Safety / Return specialist | |||||||||||||||
Personal information | |||||||||||||||
| Date of birth: October 27, 1982 | |||||||||||||||
| Place of birth: Ladysmith, Wisconsin | |||||||||||||||
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Career information | |||||||||||||||
| High school: Tony (WI) Flambeau | |||||||||||||||
| College: Wisconsin | |||||||||||||||
| Undrafted in 2005 | |||||||||||||||
| Debuted in 2005 for the Buffalo Bills | |||||||||||||||
Career history
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| Roster status: Active | |||||||||||||||
Career highlights and awards
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Career NFL statistics as of 2013 | |||||||||||||||
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James Andrew "Jim" Leonhard (born October 27, 1982) is an American football strong safety and return specialist for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). He was signed by the Bills as an undrafted free agent in 2005 after playing college football at the University of Wisconsin.
Leonhard has also played for the Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets, and Denver Broncos.
High school
Leonhard played high school football at Flambeau High School in Tony, Wisconsin where he was the starting quarterback and strong safety. During his freshman year, 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.
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. He held the Big Ten Conference career punt return yardage record with 1,347 yards until Michigan's Steve Breaston eclipsed his mark in 2006.
Professional career
Buffalo Bills (2005-2007)
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. 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 went 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.
Baltimore Ravens (2008)
On April 28, 2008, Leonhard signed with the Baltimore Ravens, where he started in 13 of 16 regular season games, replacing the injured Dawan Landry. He set career-high marks with 69 tackles and one sack to go along with one interception, which he returned for a TD against the Cincinnati Bengals.[1]
New York Jets (2009-2011)
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.[2] Terms are $6 million for 3 years with $1 million guaranteed.[3]
On December 3, 2010, Leonhard suffered a fractured tibia after a collision with wide receiver Patrick Turner during practice. Leonhard underwent surgery the same night and was ruled out for the rest of the 2010 season. During a game against the Kansas City Chiefs on December 11, 2011, Leonhard landed awkwardly after catching an interception thrown by Tyler Palko. Leonhard was carried off the field by a medical cart. A few days later, an MRI revealed that there was a torn patellar tendon in his right knee. As a result, Leonhard was eliminated for the rest of the 2011 season.[4]
Denver Broncos (2012)
On August 4, 2012, Leonhard agreed to a one-year deal with the Denver Broncos.[5]
New Orleans Saints (2013)
On April 8, 2013, Leonhard signed a one-year deal with the New Orleans Saints.[6] He was released on August 31, 2013.[7]
Buffalo Bills (2013-present)
Leonhard signed a contract with the Buffalo Bills on September 2, 2013, returning him to the club where he started his professional career.[8]
References
- ↑ "Clayton's Two TDs Helps Ravens Cruise Past Bengals". Associated Press. 2008-11-30. Retrieved 2008-12-01.
- ↑ "Twofer: Leonhard Signs, Richardson Re-Ups". New York Jets. 2009-03-03. Retrieved 2009-09-13.
- ↑ Boland, Erik (2009-03-04). "Jets' Leonhard: From College Walk-on to Big Bucks". Newsday. Retrieved 2009-09-13.
- ↑ Armstrong, Kevin (July 19, 2012). "NY Jets will let safety and Rex Ryan favorite Jim Leonhard go after back-to-back major knee injuries". The New York Daily News. Retrieved 19 July 2012.
- ↑ Wilson, Ryan (August 4, 2012). "Broncos, S Jim Leonhard agree to terms on 1-year deal". CBS Sports. Archived from the original on 4 August 2012. Retrieved 4 August 2012.
- ↑ Holder, Larry. (April 8, 2013). "New Orleans Saints sign veteran safety Jim Leonhard to one-year deal". Times-Picayune. Retrieved 8 April 2013.
- ↑ Florio, Mike (31 August 2013). "Saints part ways with Courtney Roby, Jim Leonhard". Pro Football Talk. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
- ↑ Rodak, Mike (2 September 2013). "Bills sign safety Jim Leonhard". ESPN. Retrieved 2 September 2013.