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[ESPN] FB Vonta Leach eyes Texans return?

ASidd_1990

Waterboy
http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/9365860/baltimore-ravens-release-vonta-leach-eyes-return-houston-texans?

The Baltimore Ravens released three-time Pro Bowl fullback Vonta Leach on Tuesday and re-signed tight end Billy Bajema.

A league source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter that the Ravens tried to trade Leach but were unable to find a taker. His agent, meanwhile, told a Houston television station that his client would like to return to the Houston Texans.

"We've had lots of discussion in the past week with Vonta and his agent, and both parties agreed that it was best to terminate Vonta's contract," Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome said in a statement

"He played a significant role in helping us get to the AFC Championship Game in 2011 and win the Super Bowl last season. He added to our toughness and will to win, plus he provided leadership. He's a good football player. There could be an opportunity for him to return to the Ravens once he explores the free-agent market, and we could re-visit this before or during training camp."

Leach's agent told KRIV-TV in Houston that the Texans, who Leach played for from 2007-10, are at the top of the fullback's wish list and he would reach out to the team soon to see if they are interested.

"Obviously, which teams you have the best fit at," agent Ralph Vitolo told KRIV-TV. "The most logical fit and the smoothest transition to another team would be Houston because he's already been there.

"He understands the coaches, the scheme. He's worked with Arian Foster and the rest of the offensive line, so it would be a very smooth transition to go back to Houston."

It is unknown if the Texans, who signed veteran fullback Greg Jones earlier this offseason, would be interested in signing Leach.
Thoughts? We already signed Greg Jones and have Tyler Clutts on the roster. But we'd easily have the best run blocker tandem with Jones/Leach.

Do we even have the capspace for him?
 

Section516

Warrior
If he is eying a Texans return, he should know its going to be on a lower end contract - Otherwise he wouldn't be returning from the Ravens. He knows where our limit was last time, and knows its going to be below that.. Who knows!
 

EllisUnit

Vote RED!!!
Would love to have leach back, but we have jones now. So i dont know if it will happen. I do know Leach made foster a better RB though, and gave him lots of room !
 

TexanSam

Hall of Fame
I don't think the Texans would have much interest. Leach is better than Greg Jones, but not that much better.
 

deucetx

Rookie
I don't think the Texans would have much interest. Leach is better than Greg Jones, but not that much better.
Yeah have to agree with this. Not to mention it isn't a position that is on the football too often and Leach was making quite a bit for a FB. If he couldn't restructure that I doubt he'd drop to a number we're okay with.
 

Thorn

Dirty Old Man
As much as I'd love to see him back with us, you won't see Leach coming back to the Texans. To many dollars involved in this one. Still, I'd love to see Leach blocking for Foster again.
 

TexanSam

Hall of Fame
I prefer Greg Jones in this offense.
Can he catch the ball? I don't know much about him other than he must be good if he helped MJD run for all those yards even when the rest of the Jags offense was awful.
 

ChampionTexan

Hall of Fame
As much as I'd love to see him back with us, you won't see Leach coming back to the Texans. To many dollars involved in this one. Still, I'd love to see Leach blocking for Foster again.
Yep - if Leach was totally unconcerned about how much he makes, he'd still be with the Ravens.
 

The Pencil Neck

Hall of Fame
Can he catch the ball? I don't know much about him other than he must be good if he helped MJD run for all those yards even when the rest of the Jags offense was awful.
Receiving isn't something he's known for. Leach is more of a threat out of the backfield based purely on stats.

But I don't know if that's any issue with Jones' hands or his QBs or the offense he was in.
 

Tesuns

Practice Squad
Want the player, but don't want his contract. The Texans should add Leach, only if he accepts a discount and lesser of a role, if G.Jones is holding it at that position.
 

HOU-TEX

Ah, Football!
Too bad he wasn't released around 2 months and 16 days ago. Might've had a chance of coming back
 

tru80texan

Waterboy
Would love to have leach back, but we have jones now. So i dont know if it will happen. I do know Leach made foster a better RB though, and gave him lots of room !
Eh, I don't know about that. They worked together roughly just a little more then 1 season, which doesn't seem like a whole lot to judge on. Arian did have his best season w/ Leach at the lead but Arian continued to produce pretty well once Leach was gone & actually slightly outproduced Ray Rice in yards over the last 2 seasons who had Leach leading the way for him.

I like Leach, but I think Jones has a bit more to offer if he can stay healthy. Jones has been considered the best FB in the past & having been a former tailback in college & having filled in for MJD in the past in a pinch, I think his physical capabilities outweigh Leach's in terms of being able to run & catch the ball. Jones seemed to be limited in an absolutely horrible offense in Jax, but he still led MJD to being amongst the best despite MJD being the focus of every defense they faced.

Leach may overvalue his skills, which means his price tag will reflect it IMO. I can't see the Texans ditching Jones or stashing Leach on the bench, so I believe Leach may have to look elsewhere for employment. At least he got a ring...
 

infantrycak

Hall of Fame
Jones has been considered the best FB in the past & having been a former tailback in college & having filled in for MJD in the past in a pinch
Jones in theory is the better runner but he hasn't received any significant carries in 6 years.

Jones has been considered an excellent lead blocker but the best? You would think he would have some sort of pro-bowl or all-pro accolades and he has none.
 

PapaL

Loose Screw
Love me some Vonta...but if we had cash to spend I'd rather bring Winston back and fix RT instead of slightly possibly upgrading FB.
 

thunderkyss

Just win baby!!!
Staff member
Contributor's Club
I don't recall Ray Rice being much of a rushing threat in last years play offs. I didn't see a lot of those monster blocks we love to see either.

I don't know if Leach is finally over the hill, lost that step... but I don't think we missed much when he left, I don't think the Ravens gained much when they picked him up.

Nostalgia is great & everything, but when you've moved on, you should keep getting on.
 

infantrycak

Hall of Fame
I don't know if Leach is finally over the hill, lost that step... but I don't think we missed much when he left, I don't think the Ravens gained much when they picked him up.
We aren't going to bring Leach back but that is a bit revisionist.

Foster went from 4.9 ypc to 4.4 ypc. Ray Rice went from 4.0 ypc to 4.7 ypc.
 
I don't recall Ray Rice being much of a rushing threat in last years play offs. I didn't see a lot of those monster blocks we love to see either.

I don't know if Leach is finally over the hill, lost that step... but I don't think we missed much when he left, I don't think the Ravens gained much when they picked him up.

Nostalgia is great & everything, but when you've moved on, you should keep getting on.
Well said, and I agree. That's also how I feel about Winston. We've moved on, it's time to move forward.
 

Corrosion

Idealist
Staff member
We aren't going to bring Leach back but that is a bit revisionist.

Foster went from 4.9 ypc to 4.4 ypc. Ray Rice went from 4.0 ypc to 4.7 ypc.
Lets hope the transition from Casey to Jones is as good to Foster as Leach was to Rice .... Casey wasn't a FB at all , but he did offer a different dimension to the Texans offense - one I think they failed to take advantage of more often than not.
 

Texan_Bill

Hall of Fame
I don't think the Texans would have much interest. Leach is better than Greg Jones, but not that much better.
Sign Vonta to the same exact contract as Greg (or a comparable deal - even if it's slightly more). Surely Vonta knows that he won't make anything close to what the Ravens signed him for (which is why I don't blame him for leaving). Let them compete and keep one, cut the other.
 

DocBar

Hall of Fame
Contributor's Club
Jones in theory is the better runner but he hasn't received any significant carries in 6 years.

Jones has been considered an excellent lead blocker but the best? You would think he would have some sort of pro-bowl or all-pro accolades and he has none.
Didn't Vonta have to actively lobby to get pro bowl accolades a couple of years ago?

I don't want to see Leach back in a Texans uniform at all. That's a stand on principal, not his ability. I hold his self-aggrandizement on the same level as Dunta Robinson's "pay me Rick" self-aggrandizement. Just my personal feelings on the subject. I'm glad I don't have to make these decisions because I do get personal about some things. :tiphat:
 
Didn't Vonta have to actively lobby to get pro bowl accolades a couple of years ago?

I don't want to see Leach back in a Texans uniform at all. That's a stand on principal, not his ability. I hold his self-aggrandizement on the same level as Dunta Robinson's "pay me Rick" self-aggrandizement. Just my personal feelings on the subject. I'm glad I don't have to make these decisions because I do get personal about some things. :tiphat:
Agree, for the most part. I was also annoyed by his "Leach to the beach" Pro Bowl campaign.

But, I also recall Owen Daniels doing something similar right before he was selected for the first time.
 

infantrycak

Hall of Fame
Didn't Vonta have to actively lobby to get pro bowl accolades a couple of years ago?
I don't see where you get the self-aggrandizing.

Anyway as I recall things the lobbying was by Leach's teammates particularly AJ and Foster:

Texans fullback Vonta Leach has yet to make the Pro Bowl in his seven NFL seasons. Two of his most prominent teammates took it upon themselves on Wednesday to campaign for him in the locker room.
Wide receiver Andre Johnson, a four-time Pro Bowler, wore a “Send Leach to the Beach” T-shirt during his interview session with reporters.
“We are trying to get Vonta Leach over to Hawaii, so I need everybody to go to NFL.com and vote for Vonta Leach and send him to Hawaii,” Johnson said. “I think he deserves it.”
Link

Frankly that wasn't needed as he was also 1st team All-Pro in 2010.
 

thunderkyss

Just win baby!!!
Staff member
Contributor's Club
We aren't going to bring Leach back but that is a bit revisionist.

Foster went from 4.9 ypc to 4.4 ypc. Ray Rice went from 4.0 ypc to 4.7 ypc.
You're right. The absence of Vonta Leach is why Arian Foster's ypc dropped half a yard per carry.
 

DocBar

Hall of Fame
Contributor's Club
I don't see where you get the self-aggrandizing.

Anyway as I recall things the lobbying was by Leach's teammates particularly AJ and Foster:



Link

Frankly that wasn't needed as he was also 1st team All-Pro in 2010.
Didn't the man wear tee shirts saying Leach for Pro Bowl? That's self-aggrandizement. He left the Texans because they wouldn't make him the highest paid FB in the league. Regardless, I qualified my position as compromised by personal feelings on the subject. I admit my view is not objective. I quoted you because you mentioned Jones not having accolades.
 

drs23

Veteran
We aren't going to bring Leach back but that is a bit revisionist.

Foster went from 4.9 ypc to 4.4 ypc. Ray Rice went from 4.0 ypc to 4.7 ypc.
I'm sure you're correct with the numbers 'cak but I'm not sure exactly how much Vonta being gone brought to bear there. As has been discussed here on occasion Arian seemed to go down after insignificant contact and I know by watching that he sure did slip and go down significantly with no contact whatsoever.

Sure would like to see him take the rushing crown again and it appears he's noticed the same drop off, thus his self pronounced "re dedication".
 

Texan_Bill

Hall of Fame
Didn't the man wear tee shirts saying Leach for Pro Bowl? That's self-aggrandizement.
I don't remember all that, but why wouldn't he?

He left the Texans because they wouldn't make him the highest paid FB in the league.
And why would they (the Texans)? He understood the business end of it and took a payday that he knew he would never have a chance to make again. I have no hard feelings for him bailing to Baltimore.

Regardless, I qualified my position as compromised by personal feelings on the subject. I admit my view is not objective. I quoted you because you mentioned Jones not having accolades.
Fair enough. Jones has no accolades because he played on a shotty Jacksonville team, IIRC.
 

DocBar

Hall of Fame
Contributor's Club
I'm sure you're correct with the numbers 'cak but I'm not sure exactly how much Vonta being gone brought to bear there. As has been discussed here on occasion Arian seemed to go down after insignificant contact and I know by watching that he sure did slip and go down significantly with no contact whatsoever.

Sure would like to see him take the rushing crown again and it appears he's noticed the same drop off, thus his self pronounced "re dedication".
Don't forget an upset on the OL. RG and RT had a pretty major impact on Foster's productivity.
 

Texan_Bill

Hall of Fame
Don't forget an upset on the OL. RG and RT had a pretty major impact on Foster's productivity.
ABSOLUTELY. I meant to mention that in my last post.

I just think you may be clinging on to the fact he left the Texans for the Ravens, where a "Fullback" had a chance to get paid.
 

DocBar

Hall of Fame
Contributor's Club
I don't remember all that, but why wouldn't he?


And why would they (the Texans)? He understood the business end of it and took a payday that he knew he would never have a chance to make again. I have no hard feelings for him bailing to Baltimore.


Fair enough. Jones has no accolades because he played on a shotty Jacksonville team, IIRC.
IMHO, Leach was a small cog in a big machine and made himself a bigger part of that machine than was reasonable. I guess I don't really blame him for looking for a bigger payday but don't come crawling back looking for more. IMO, Leach should feel lucky to even get an NFL contract because the FB position is such a nonessential position today. As admirable as the FB position is, in terms of manliness, it's not really essential in today's NFL. I don't see last years failures at RB as a problem with FB play as much as a problem with the right side of the Texans OL.

I still have hard feelings for Leach leaving for Baltimore. Can't help it. Don't apologize for it.
 

drs23

Veteran
Don't forget an upset on the OL. RG and RT had a pretty major impact on Foster's productivity.
Not questioning that in the least but we all saw Arian slip and fall on his own, without being touched and going down with minor contact that we've all watched him juke and be gone from prior. Make shift line or not. That's all I'm saying.
 

infantrycak

Hall of Fame
I'm sure you're correct with the numbers 'cak but I'm not sure exactly how much Vonta being gone brought to bear there. As has been discussed here on occasion Arian seemed to go down after insignificant contact and I know by watching that he sure did slip and go down significantly with no contact whatsoever.

Sure would like to see him take the rushing crown again and it appears he's noticed the same drop off, thus his self pronounced "re dedication".
Don't forget an upset on the OL. RG and RT had a pretty major impact on Foster's productivity.
Wrong year guys. The years I referenced were 2010 and 2011. Brisiel and Winston left after 2011 so the OL was the same.

The going down talk didn't start until 2012 - often followed by someone making a vegan crack.
 

DocBar

Hall of Fame
Contributor's Club
Wrong year guys. The years I referenced were 2010 and 2011. Brisiel and Winston left after 2011 so the OL was the same.

The going down talk didn't start until 2012 - often followed by someone making a vegan crack.
Regardless, I still stand by my opinion. I do not want Leach back in a Texans uniform. I have nothing to back that up. I don't pretend to.
 

Texan_Bill

Hall of Fame
Regardless, I still stand by my opinion. I do not want Leach back in a Texans uniform. I have nothing to back that up. I don't pretend to.
At least you're honest about you're hatred for Vonta. Kudos for that.

I think he would be an upgrade over Greg Jones which really, was an upgrade over James Casey (who I liked a lot). Casey gave the Texans a few more options but at the end of the day, as you stated "wasn't a true Fullback".

*EDIT*
OTOH isn't Jones younger than Leach?? That's a factor to consider, too.
 

EllisUnit

Vote RED!!!
Eh, I don't know about that. They worked together roughly just a little more then 1 season, which doesn't seem like a whole lot to judge on. Arian did have his best season w/ Leach at the lead but Arian continued to produce pretty well once Leach was gone & actually slightly outproduced Ray Rice in yards over the last 2 seasons who had Leach leading the way for him.

I like Leach, but I think Jones has a bit more to offer if he can stay healthy. Jones has been considered the best FB in the past & having been a former tailback in college & having filled in for MJD in the past in a pinch, I think his physical capabilities outweigh Leach's in terms of being able to run & catch the ball. Jones seemed to be limited in an absolutely horrible offense in Jax, but he still led MJD to being amongst the best despite MJD being the focus of every defense they faced.

Leach may overvalue his skills, which means his price tag will reflect it IMO. I can't see the Texans ditching Jones or stashing Leach on the bench, so I believe Leach may have to look elsewhere for employment. At least he got a ring...
Yeah but that was foster best season, not to mention his YPC was at his career high. I dont care i think Jones is a beast, i mean the guy is stout and i have no doubt he can crack some heads and clear running lanes for foster. Jones is the only reason i dont really care, but if not for jones then yes leach would def be needed.
 

EllisUnit

Vote RED!!!
At least you're honest about you're hatred for Vonta. Kudos for that.

I think he would be an upgrade over Greg Jones which really, was an upgrade over James Casey (who I liked a lot). Casey gave the Texans a few more options but at the end of the day, as you stated "wasn't a true Fullback".

*EDIT*
OTOH isn't Jones younger than Leach?? That's a factor to consider, too.
Yeah well they didnt use casey like they should of IMO. He could of done so much especially if they had thrown it to him more out of the back field, but alomst like when we only had O.D at TE and 1 FB in the game in NE, Kubiak wasnt smart enough to put in our back up FB off the bench and use casey as the other TE. His lack of creativeness is my biggest negative against kubiak.
 

DocBar

Hall of Fame
Contributor's Club
At least you're honest about you're hatred for Vonta. Kudos for that.

I think he would be an upgrade over Greg Jones which really, was an upgrade over James Casey (who I liked a lot). Casey gave the Texans a few more options but at the end of the day, as you stated "wasn't a true Fullback".

*EDIT*
OTOH isn't Jones younger than Leach?? That's a factor to consider, too.
I don't hate Leach. I think he's a good player. I'm just funny about some things. I'm glad Mario Williams left due to FA and butt hurt that Leach did. Leach is a productive player that could help us win. Williams is a slug that was a drain on the team that added drag due to the hype that he had "potential" to be a superstar player. My opinion in this is anything but scientific or even well thought out. It's more like my feelings are hurt and I'm mad.
 

Texan_Bill

Hall of Fame
I don't hate Leach. I think he's a good player. I'm just funny about some things. I'm glad Mario Williams left due to FA and butt hurt that Leach did. Leach is a productive player that could help us win. Williams is a slug that was a drain on the team that added drag due to the hype that he had "potential" to be a superstar player. My opinion in this is anything but scientific or even well thought out. It's more like my feelings are hurt and I'm mad.
Hey man... I totally hear you about Mario leaving but Fullbacks are a dying breed in the League. Eff it, Vonta made a smart decision for himself (and family) by signing with Baltimore BUT he would never,........ EVER get another deal like that again...

Quit bein "mad"................ Think about winning brother!!

Is it Jones? Or is it Leach at Fullback that gives us a better chance to win???

As you pointed out, they are basically the same age, yes? Well, out of the two, who is more in-tune with the offense??
 
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