Colts Release Leonard
 

https://x.com/rapsheet/status/172703...6RpM2gEfRbtV3w

Wow, show me this headline in 2018.

Good. He was a shadow of his former self and not worth anywhere near what he was being paid. I think the team will save $54M over the next three years by not having that Leonard contract? Hopefully they'll spend it wisely.

He was a special talent, but that time is past. No big loss.

https://twitter.com/billbarnwell/sta...42110912880966

https://twitter.com/billbarnwell/sta...42440962658691

The money will probably go to Pittman. That makes keeping Blackmon around easier as well. Still wish this had been done in time to keep Okereke.

Agreed, I hated losing him. Now watch Leonard go somewhere and return to form, that would double suck.

o


I think that Leonard will eventually start playing really well if another team signs him ...... maybe not the first game or 2 that he plays for them, but I think that he will eventually reclaim his status as a force to be reckoned with for opposing offenses.

o

For him, I would like to see it. I always liked him and I do believe the injuries just zapped him of his amazing ability to bring a unique athleticism to what was remarkable anticipation setting him apart from everyone else at the position.

I unfortunately think he is headed toward Jaylon Smith territory. At one point Jaylon looked like the best player in all of football even at the college level, one injury later and he just didn't have that explosion and eventually became a journeyman and finally was out of the league after a remarkably un-remarkable career.

Wishing him the best and will be pulling for him.

Also, good on Shane Steichen for having some balls and standards, willing to clear out the big contracts when necessary. Long may it continue.

Sucks, I wanted to see him finish out the year just to make sure because his type of turnover production is just so rare, but Speed has been outperforming him. I guess he has earned a chance and Leonard gets to go somewhere else. Maybe to the Bears and their system.

He was never fast but it seemed like he was especially slow this season. Like unable to get in position on most plays. Guys just ran around him.

At first I just thought he was working his way back from the injury but now I wonder.

It’s clear what the team thought.

Its pretty sad, the guy worked hard to get himself drafted and busted heads for the Colts until he got injured. But he clearly just isn't the same player anymore, had to happen.

Reich would have never done this.

It's a simultaneous feeling of "holy shit" and "well, yeah."

I thought they would give him the rest of the season. I didn't know they'd be on the hook for almost $13m for doing it. His performance wasn't cut-worthy... it just didn't justify the money.

Crazy. This is almost Bob Sanders-level of shining bright for a short time. Surprise pick at #36, four straight All-Pro seasons, and next thing you know, he's not a Colt anymore.

Wow. Even though I get it, this is still pretty shocking to me.

I'm guessing his attitude wasn't helping things. Still, it's hard to reconcile with just how good he was for a few years.

Frank would have given him play calling duties- on offense.

Damn injuries. He was on a hof pace better than Ray Lewis. Sucks

he wont


dude is done. sucks how his career has gone but you don't keep a guy like that in the locker room when his play is bad

Yep he was scared of full speed face up tackles and it was evident… can’t pay a guy like that 20mil

Hell of a fall from all pro but they gave him plenty of opportunity and he sealed his fate with shitty soft play and bitching about playing time

Agree with this 100%

o


His play is not bad. He was great before his injury, and he's been average since he's been back.

And I don't have a problem with a player who says that he wants to play more ...... a "guy like that" is somebody who is using steroids and/or snorting cocaine and/or fighting with his teammates.

o

He was special because he was such a quick, smooth, explosive athlete who played with incredible abandon and instincts. Injuries seem to have taken most of not all of that away. Let’s hope the Colts allocate his money to positions that rush the passer or catch the ball-positions that modern NFL teams need to excel in to win. It is a good move.

Top Leonard plays:
Gonna have to say his first year against the Gayders with the game sealing chop ff. That was the first time I knew this dude was fo' real!

Farewell Shaquille. I wish you well, you were fun to watch in your glory days. Too bad your candle burned at both ends.

That one against Houston was pretty sexy too.

He was fun

https://j.gifs.com/812Elm@facebook.gif

One day the Colts will get a great defensive player that will be able to stay healthy and have a long career....hasn't happened for a long time, Freeney and Mathis had good runs!

Don't look now, but prior to his current suspension, Grover Stewart has played in 102 of 104 possible games in seven seasons, started 70 of 73 possible over the past five seasons and is considered one of the best NTs in the league.

Sure, not a "sexy" defensive position but he is a force against the run and our defense looks better with him out there.

Nice call....sorry Grover!:D

dude

he has been terrible. you think they were going to make him inactive for being average?

o


First of all, when a player comes back from injury, one of the ways in which they can recover their form is by getting a lot of reps ...... and Leonard was not getting them. And that is why I had no problem with him asking for more playing time.

If he catches on with another team either this year or next year, and he gets the playing time that he feels that he needs to become more effective, we may see him resurrect his career.


If you want to assume that he's a malcontent because he thought that he wasn't getting enough playing time, fine ...... I don't buy that generic philosophy.

o

He is done C&O. These were big time surgeries he had and have robbed him if explosion and speed. Plus the mental aspect. I don’t feel to bad, he had a great but short run and got paid enough to last a lifetime. Even if he lost just 5-10% a small linebacker like him cannot afford that. He’s young and rich. Enjoy your life Maniac.

o


Hey may be done ...... I just wouldn't bet my last dime on it.

o

Man he’s got 2 hogs in front of him and a tackling machine next to him… if he couldn’t return to form with that I just can’t see it happening… I just seen a guy that’s afraid of full speed face up tackles… he’s become a side or back tackler that doesn’t force turnovers

The only thing I can say in Leonard’s defense is maybe he hasn’t learned Bradley’s defense. The last time he played before his surgery was the Eberflus defense. Maybe Chicago will sign him.

https://twitter.com/DMRussini/status...83057132380399

https://twitter.com/WerderEdESPN/sta...98587998740567

I’d join the eagles. Sirianni is familiar with him and might let him roam how he wants to. Plus I think they win it this year.

o


If Leonard really believes that a lack of reps/playing time are part of what has been holding him back from regaining his form, then I would presume that his top priority would be to go to a team that would almost guarantee him that he would be getting those reps/playing time ....... even if it's a losing team with no shot at the playoffs this season, that ought to be his top priority ...... he doesn't have to stay with said team indefinitely, just long enough to try to prove that he can still play.

o

how long does it take to learn a defense? everyone else has seemed to pick it up

He is small, can’t take on and beat blockers but was quicker faster and more ‘athletic’ than most. He was never going to age well. He was so much better than others you couldn’t miss it. So now only he can see it is still there? Doubtful. He should retire and enjoy his life.

How many holdovers on defense do the Colts have from Eberflus? Buckner, Stewart, Franklin (who wasn't a starter under Eberflus), Blackmon, right? Anyone else? I don’t think so.

There were a few others:

Kenny Moore (starter)

EJ Speed (non starter)

Tyquan Lewis (non starter)


Kwity (starter) and Dayo (non starter) played their rookie years under Eberflus, too.