Jim Leonhard
Encyclopedia
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.
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.
, 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 returner
s 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.
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.
. 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
. 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.
, reuniting him with former Ravens defensive coordinator and now Jets head coach Rex Ryan
. Terms are $6 million for 3 years with $1 million guaranteed. 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.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
safety for the New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. He was originally signed by the Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
as an undrafted free agent in 2005. Leohnard has also played for the Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at the University of Wisconsin.
High school
Leonhard played his high school footballHigh school football
High school football, in North America, refers to the game of football as it is played in the United States and Canada. It ranks among the most popular interscholastic sports in both of these nations....
at Flambeau High School in Tony, Wisconsin
Tony, Wisconsin
Tony is a village in Rusk County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 105 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Tony is located at ....
where he was the starting quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
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.
College career
Leonhard was a walk-on football player at the University of Wisconsin–MadisonUniversity of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
, 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
Jamar Fletcher
Jamar Mondell Fletcher is an American football cornerback who is currently a free agent and lives in south Florida. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins 26th overall in the 2001 NFL Draft. He played college football at Wisconsin...
for the most in school history) and made 281 tackles (21st in team history). He was regarded as one of the best collegiate punt returner
Punt returner
Punt returner is a position on special teams in American football.-Description:The role of a punt returner is to catch the ball after it is punted and to give his team good field position by returning it. Before catching the punted ball, the returner must assess the situation on the field while...
s in the nation and held the Big Ten Conference
Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
career punt return yardage record with 1,347 yards until Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
's Steve Breaston
Steve Breaston
Steven William Breaston is an American football wide receiver and punt returner for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cardinals in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL Draft...
eclipsed his mark in 2006.
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 VincentTroy Vincent
Troy Darnell Vincent is a former Defensive Back for the Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles, Buffalo Bills and Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Dolphins with the 7th overall pick in the 1992 NFL Draft. He played college football at Wisconsin.Mr...
on the injured reserve
Injured reserve
The injured reserve list is a list of reserved players who are injured and unable to play for a period of time, used most prominently in the National Hockey League and National Football League . It is used because these leagues have a maximum number of players on the team roster, so placing a...
list on September 13, 2006 after being waived 11 days earlier. In the 2007 season, Leonhard stepped in for injured starter Ko Simpson
Ko Simpson
Yukota "Ko" Simpson is an American football safety who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
and recorded 13 tackles on opening day against the Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. 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.
Baltimore Ravens
On April 28, 2008, Leonhard signed with the Baltimore RavensBaltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
. He started in 13 of 16 games played in the regular season, replacing the injured Dawan Landry
Dawan Landry
Dawan Frank Landry is an American football safety of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Landry was a successful college safety for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets from 2002 to 2005, and was drafted in the 5th round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the Ravens.-College:While at Georgia Tech, he majored in Management...
. 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
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...
. 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
Kerry Collins
Kerry Michael Collins is an American football quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Carolina Panthers with the fifth overall pick of the 1995 NFL Draft, the first choice in the franchise's history...
in the divisional playoff game helped cause a key interception deep in Ravens territory.
New York Jets
On March 3, 2009, Leonhard signed with the New York JetsNew York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, reuniting him with former Ravens defensive coordinator and now Jets head coach Rex Ryan
Rex Ryan
Rex Ryan is an American football head coach for the New York Jets of the National Football League . After serving as an assistant coach for twenty-two years, Ryan attained his first head coaching job in the NFL with the Jets in 2009...
. Terms are $6 million for 3 years with $1 million guaranteed. On Draft Day 2009, the Jets traded away the incumbent starter, Abram Elam
Abram Elam
Abram Elam is an American football safety for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League. He played college football at Notre Dame and Kent State....
, 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.