Jim Leonhard

For the Philadelphia Eagles running back of the 1930s, see Jim Leonard. For people with a similar name, see Jim Leonard (disambiguation).
Jim Leonhard

refer to caption

Leohnard with the Broncos in 2012
No. 42, 36, 35, 30
Position: Safety
Personal information
Date of birth: (1982-10-27) October 27, 1982
Place of birth: Ladysmith, Wisconsin
Height: 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Weight: 188 lb (85 kg)
Career information
High school: Tony (WI) Flambeau
College: Wisconsin
Undrafted: 2005
Career history
As player:
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
As coach:
Career highlights and awards
  • 3× First Team All-Big Ten (2002-2004)
  • CNN/SI All-American (2002)
Career NFL statistics
Tackles: 428
Quarterback sacks: 4.5
Pass deflections: 36
Interceptions: 14
Forced fumbles: 2
Total Return yards: 1,277
Player stats at NFL.com
Player stats at PFR

James Andrew "Jim" Leonhard (born October 27, 1982) is the secondary coach of the Wisconsin Badgers football team. He is a former American football safety who played ten seasons in the National Football League (NFL).

Leonhard was signed by the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent in 2005 after playing college football at the University of Wisconsin. Leonhard also played for the Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets, Denver Broncos, New Orleans Saints, and Cleveland Browns.

In February, 2016 Leonhard was named the defensive backs coach at the University of Wisconsin.

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, 1997, the Flambeau Falcons won the Wisconsin state championship in football in division six over River Ridge high school. 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

Leonhard with the Ravens.

Buffalo Bills

Leonhard was the only undrafted rookie on the 53-man opening day roster for the 2005 Bills, playing in 10 games with 1 kick return for 36 yards.

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. He finished the 2006 season with 13 tackles and 1 fumble recovery.

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 54 tackles, 2 interceptions, 3 passes defended, and 1 fumble recovery, despite being hampered by a calf injury halfway through the season. He was the team's sixth leading tackler.

Baltimore Ravens

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 68 tackles and one sack to go along with one interception, which he returned for a TD against the Cincinnati Bengals.[1]

New York Jets

Leonhard with the Jets

On March 3, 2009, Leonhard signed with the New York Jets, reuniting him with former Ravens defensive coordinator and now New York Jets head coach, Rex Ryan.[2] Terms are $6 million for 3 years with $1 million guaranteed.[3]

While with the New York Jets.

During the 2009 year, Leonhard started all 16 games making 66 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 1 interception, 6 passes defended, and 1 forced fumble. His efforts led to the Jets going to the play-offs but eventually losing to the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Championship game.

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. Leonhard played 11 games in 2010 making 56 tackles, 1 interception, 4 passes defended, 1 forced fumble, and 1 fumble recovery. The Jets would go to the play-offs again but lose the AFC Championship to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

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] Leonhard played 13 games in 2011 making 48 tackles, 1 interception, 6 passes defended, 1 forced fumble, and 1 fumble recovery.

Denver Broncos

On August 4, 2012, Leonhard agreed to a one-year deal with the Denver Broncos.[5] During the 2012 season with the Broncos, Leonhard made 17 tackles, 2 interceptions, 3 passes defended, and 1 fumble recovery in 16 games (1 start).

New Orleans Saints

On April 8, 2013, Leonhard signed a one-year deal with the New Orleans Saints.[6] He was released on August 31, 2013.[7]

Second stint with the Buffalo Bills

Leonhard signed a contract with the Buffalo Bills on September 2, 2013, returning him to the club where he started his professional career.[8] During his first season back with Buffalo in 2013, Leonhard made 41 tackles, 4 interceptions, and 5 passes defended in 16 games (6 starts).

Cleveland Browns

On July 30, 2014, it was reported that Leonhard signed a deal with the Cleveland Browns. He made 27 tackles, 1 sack, 2 interceptions and 3 passes defensed.[9] Leonhard announced that he would retire following the 2014 season.[10]

Coaching

In February 2016 Paul Chryst, the head football coach for the Wisconsin Badgers, named Leonhard the new Defensive backs coach.[11][12] In his year off between retiring from the NFL and being named DB coach for the Badgers Leonhard spent his time studying college film with then-Wisconsin Defensive Coordinator Dave Aranda and familiarizing himself with schemes that exist in college football that aren't prevalent in the NFL, such as the zone-read option offense. Prior to UW DB coach Daronte Jones leaving UW for an assistant coaching position with the Dolphins Leonhard had been asking Paul Chryst about joining the Badgers staff.[13]

References

  1. ↑ "Clayton's Two TDs Helps Ravens Cruise Past Bengals". Associated Press. 2008-11-30. Retrieved 2008-12-01.
  2. ↑ "Twofer: Leonhard Signs, Richardson Re-Ups". New York Jets. 2009-03-03. Archived from the original on September 2, 2009. Retrieved 2009-09-13.
  3. ↑ Boland, Erik (2009-03-04). "Jets' Leonhard: From College Walk-on to Big Bucks". Newsday. Retrieved 2009-09-13.
  4. ↑ 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.
  5. ↑ 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.
  6. ↑ Holder, Larry. (April 8, 2013). "New Orleans Saints sign veteran safety Jim Leonhard to one-year deal". Times-Picayune. Retrieved 8 April 2013.
  7. ↑ Florio, Mike (31 August 2013). "Saints part ways with Courtney Roby, Jim Leonhard". Pro Football Talk. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  8. ↑ Rodak, Mike (2 September 2013). "Bills sign safety Jim Leonhard". ESPN. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  9. ↑ "Jim Leonhard signs with Browns". Z100 Radio. 30 July 2014. Retrieved 30 July 2014.
  10. ↑ {{url=http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/article-1/Jim-Leonhard-set-to-retire-after-Sunday%E2%80%99s-game-against-Baltimore/29748913-0157-44fe-9333-1a0a79f03f93}}
  11. ↑ Potrykus, Jeff Former UW safety Jim Leonhard to coach Badgers' secondary Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. February 20, 2016
  12. ↑ Lucas, Mike All in the Family: Leonhard back with Badgers University of Wisconsin. February 20, 2016
  13. ↑ Galloway, Jason Badgers football: UW's defensive backs buy into Jim Leonhard’s NFL experience Wisconsin State Journal. March 22, 2016
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