NFL Tickets
On Thursday it was reported that the New York Jets are not interested in re-signing free agent safety Jim Leonhard. The veteran is currently rehabbing an injured knee which ended his 2011 season. The Jets recently decided that they would not be willing to wait on his recovery and to move on without him by signing another player through free agency. One of this week’s NFL rumors is that Leonhard is on the short list of several teams including the New England Patriots.
One thing Leonhard has that the Patriots are short on is experience. Over the past three years the Patriots have been using the NFL draft to build their defense and particularly the defensive secondary. While that plan may help the team to be successful in the future, it means there is a lot of inexperience on the defensive side of the ball for 2012.
Another reason the Patriots may be looking at Leonhard is that the Patriots currently only have one definite starter in Patrick Chung. There will be an open competition at the position for all other safety spots during training camp. This offseason they did pick up Steve Gregory from San Diego but with Gregory’s experience at cornerback, he may be more valuable at that position with the lack of experience at that position and two key cornerbacks coming off injuries.
The Patriots have seen plenty of Leonhard over the past three seasons as they’ve opposed him twice a year. What they’ve seen is an intelligent, tough, and versatile player who can fit into the scheme with relative ease. Signing Leonhard off an injury may be a bit of a risk but the veteran safety claims he’s healthy and if so, would be a huge asset for the Patriots in 2012.
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