Yep - if Leach was totally unconcerned about how much he makes, he'd still be with the Ravens.
If Leach was totally unconcerned about how much he makes, he'd still be with the TEXANS!
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Yep - if Leach was totally unconcerned about how much he makes, he'd still be with the Ravens.
I hear ya, man. I still have heartburn, though. Like I said earlier, I'm glad I don't have to make these decisions. I would probably make the wrong one in this case. I just have my mad on and can't seem to get over it.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??
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.
I want to say it was profootball focus who ranked Jones as one of if not the best blocking FB in the past. It had to be prior to 2010 because he has been ranked top 3 by them since 2010. I guess I should've said he was ranked as one of the best in the past as opposed to the best, but I still believe it stands true. Either way, Jones is considered a very good FB in his own right & has been for quite some time. Jones' name as been amongst the best longer then Leach's once you consider that Leach was basically unheard of prior to Arian's rise & Leach was the lead blocker for one of the worst rushing attacks in 2009. Leach is good, but he didnt make or break Arian nor will he do the same to Rice imo.
As far as Jones not getting much attention & accolades, he did play for a very pitiful team in Jacksonville, Florida. I think that kind of explains that for the most part.
I'm happy Jones is here & wish Leach good luck, but I think we possibly got the better of 2 when its all said & done imo.
wouldn't it fun if we installed the wishbone and then had both Leach and Jones blocking for Foster.... lol
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.
Stephanie Stradley ‏@StephStradley
When Kubiak was asked about Vonta Leach, he said you can always find places for good players. /they could roster 2 RB, 2 FB, 1 p-squad RB
Considering Miami is the team most likely to sign Vonta at the moment, I wouldn't put it past the Texans to try to drive up the price of him. Miami is in the AFC afterall, and I think they will make some progress this year. They could be our first opponent in the playoffs next year.
Spot on.I think the Texans are giving Vonta respect with their words -- he was much loved in this locker room -- and maybe a little leverage.
I'd be very surprised to see him here.
He'd have to be dying to come back in order to sign here. He'd likely be offered much less $ and splitting time with Jones. I think his agent was just throwing bones to the media
I think we used a fullback on 35% of offensive snaps last year, so I doubt they would bother splitting time between him and Jones. It's one or the other. I don't know how much, if any, guaranteed money Jones got with his deal, but if it's low, then there's a chance we bring in Vonta. I personally don't think it's worth it, unless Jones gets injured before Vonta signs elsewhere.
Jones $1 million deal includes $400,000 in guarantees, including a $160,000 signing bonus.
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.
If either Jones or Leach were younger and were willing to contribute heavy on ST or if Jones could be kind of a hybrid TB/FB type then it might be possible, but I just can't see it.
Leach played ST last time he was here.
Wasn't Leach a ST standout while here?If either Jones or Leach were younger and were willing to contribute heavy on ST or if Jones could be kind of a hybrid TB/FB type then it might be possible, but I just can't see it.
Wasn't Leach a ST standout while here?
Why the hell is Kubiak spending any time on our FB situation when we've already signed a very competent player in Jones to handle that position ? He should instead direct his attention on much important personnel issues like at RT and LB (both inside and outside) ?
Paying two FB's in todays NFL world would be a disaster. Stop all this offseason mental masturbation over a marginal position and concentrate on real positions of weakness like DT, ILB and RT. I'd rather see Eric Winston line up at RT than Leach at FB. That includes passing downs and distances. RT should be more of a concern than FB at this stage of the game. Leach is just a "name" that we are familiar with but should be considered less of an improvement at a position than Winston.
If we can improve team, why is any position trivial? Why cannot we and Kubiak focus on multi areas? If Winston make his price right, he could be signed as well as Vontae; but maybe just maybe Kubiak sees Harris, Newton and Williams as ample to fill the position. Prior to his injury, Derek was looking good and Gary has constantly said so. Most recent feedback is Newton and Williams will be available in training camp. Nothing negative has been said about Ryan Harris and he should be better as will Gardner. Until proven different, I really like our options on Oline.Why the hell is Kubiak spending any time on our FB situation when we've already signed a very competent player in Jones to handle that position ? He should instead direct his attention on much important personnel issues like at RT and LB (both inside and outside) ?
Jones made a commitment to play for the Texas, so the Texans reciprocate by talking openly and publically about perhaps negotiating with a second FB prospect which is the same as saying they might release Jones. Is Kubiak out of line for doing it, not technically but not really good for Jone's morale or for that matter team morale ? Kubiak is usually pretty tight-lipped, but for whatever reason he had a garrulous moment that serves no purpose.When asked, he answered a question. He didn't write a dissertation on it. Calm down.
I don't see how this would work unless he was signed to a non-guaranteed contract and could be cut in TC if he wasn't as good as Jones in our system. I highly doubt that he refused to re-structure his contract with the Ravens so he could come down to Houston on an extended try-out.
The obvious answer is ultimately, the Ravens decided that they needed the salary cap space more than Leach and it just didnt make sense for essentially a part-time player to take up $4.33 million in cap room, Zrebiec wrote. Still, the pending move does spur some questions
And while paying $3 million to a part-time player at a position that is fading in the NFL was almost certainly a factor, the timing of Leachs cut also coincides with the Ravens ability to get a good look at their fourth-round draft pick Kyle Juszczyk. After a few weeks of practice, the team has a better idea of whether hes capable to take over the starting fullback role.
[The Ravens] wanted to keep [Leach] and thought theyd be able to work something out, wrote Zrebiec. If they didnt, they would have made the move immediately after they drafted Harvards Kyle Juszczyk in the fourth round in April. However, as they got closer to training camp, the Ravens top decision makers ultimately put more value on salary cap space than Leachs skill set.
Its also important to point out that the team has had several weeks now to evaluate Juszczyk. If they didnt think he could handle the role, they wouldnt have made the move.
Leach Moving On Quickly, Teams Showing Interest
When the Ravens announced Leachs release, Newsome left the door open for the fullback to return after hes explored the free agent market.
At this point, a Leach return doesnt appear likely as several teams are reportedly showing interest.
Leach is scheduled for a visit with the Miami Dolphins, and the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs may also make a play for the fullback, reports USA Todays Mike Garafolo. The Star-Ledger reported the New York Giants have "reached out" to Leach.
For Leach to return, these teams would have to offer less than the Ravens. According to Garafolo, Ravens executives were asking for roughly a $1 million pay cut, which he could have made back via playtime and Pro Bowl incentives.
If Leach had his way, he would return to the Houston Texans, where he played from 2006 to 2010 and led the way for running back Arian Foster.
"My first choice would be to come back to Houston," Leach told KRIV-TV, per NFL.com. "I know the offense. I know all the guys there. So obviously that would be my first choice so I can go back there and finish my career where it started to blossom.
Jones made a commitment to play for the Texas, so the Texans reciprocate by talking openly and publically about perhaps negotiating with a second FB prospect which is the same as saying they might release Jones. Is Kubiak out of line for doing it, not technically but not really good for Jone's morale or for that matter team morale ? Kubiak is usually pretty tight-lipped, but for whatever reason he had a garrulous moment that serves no purpose.
The Dolphins, whom Leach visited on Wednesday, and the Houston Texans are the two teams openly pursuing the three-time Pro Bowler, who is viewed as one of the NFLs best lead blockers. USA Today claims the Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos might reach out to Leach, and the Newark Star-Ledger reported that the New York Giants have reached out to Leachs camp.
Spot on. Subterfuge, administered out of respect for Leach mind you, may be the operative word here.
Jones in theory is the better runner but he hasn't received any significant carries in 6 years.
I like Leach but I also don't really care if it's him or Jones at FB. I don't think there's that big of difference between the two. At age 31 and 32, both players are close in age. I think it would come down to money and Greg Jones is playing for peanuts this year for us. I don't see it happening.
Ben Tate is currently wearing Vonta's old #44...random fact.
http://espn.go.com/blog/afcsouth/post/_/id/50769/why-texans-shouldnt-chase-leach
"It would mean the Texans swallow $400,000 guaranteed of Jones one-year, $1 million contract. A team thats tight against the cap cant be throwing $400,000 away on a guy they dont ever let take the field and have no complaint with."
"I asked a scout if Leach is better than Jones.
Not better, just different, he said. Jones is very versatile, can run with ball, solid hands, good athlete. Leach is a blocker first, can catch but not going to be a threat.
How much better a blocker, I asked.
Not enough, he said. I would rather have the versatile player."
I like Leach but I also don't really care if it's him or Jones at FB. I don't think there's that big of difference between the two. At age 31 and 32, both players are close in age. I think it would come down to money and Greg Jones is playing for peanuts this year for us. I don't see it happening.
Ben Tate is currently wearing Vonta's old #44...random fact.
http://espn.go.com/blog/afcsouth/post/_/id/50769/why-texans-shouldnt-chase-leach
"It would mean the Texans swallow $400,000 guaranteed of Jones one-year, $1 million contract. A team thats tight against the cap cant be throwing $400,000 away on a guy they dont ever let take the field and have no complaint with."
"I asked a scout if Leach is better than Jones.
Not better, just different, he said. Jones is very versatile, can run with ball, solid hands, good athlete. Leach is a blocker first, can catch but not going to be a threat.
How much better a blocker, I asked.
Not enough, he said. I would rather have the versatile player."
Given the right side of our line, I'd rather have the Pro Bowl blocking FB.
Jones was a Pro Bowl Alt in '07 and Leach has gone twice. Personally, Pro Bowl FB means to much to me as Pro Bowl ST'er.
Both guys have proven not only a willingness but a desire to block.