5 Questions with Buffalo Rumblings
By ETVal Posted on Thu Dec 20, 2007 at 07:16:41 AM EDT
BBV: We know tackle Jason Peters will represent the Bills in the Pro Bowl. What other players who Giants fans might not be familiar with should we watch out for Sunday?

Rumblings: I'll give you two names - first, Jim Leonhard. The starting free safety took over when Ko Simpson went on IR after Week One, got injured himself, lost his starting spot to George Wilson (a converted wideout), then re-gained the starting spot when Wilson hit IR a week ago. Leonhard is a student of the game, a heady guy, and versatile enough so that the Bills move him around quite a bit. If the Bills can get in the face of Eli Manning, you can bet that Leonhard will be in the correct position to make a play on the ball.

Air traffic control
By Mark Gaughan NEWS SPORTS REPORTER
... pairing Wilson and Jim Leonhard as the safeties on the back end. That has worked well. ...

Bills lose 8-0 in game that feels like playoff
Sal Maiorana
"You can tell the intensity is a little higher this week," said third-year safety Jim Leonhard. "Guys realize what's on the line. Even if it's not spoken, even if guys aren't saying it, guys know what's on the line. It's a big test and if we want to make it to the playoffs we have to win this game.''

Week 15 @ Cleveland

WOW! What a game! Shelby Edwards and I drove down Saturday night in order to beat the storm. We did, but neither us or the team could beat it out. After spending the day outside in the worst of the snow and wind we spent a second night in Cleveland. We made the best of it though! Drinks all around at Hard Rock! I hope we don't have to sit through snow like that for a long time!

12/10-12/13 Articles

Bills defense will be tested by Browns
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle - Rochester,NY,USA
... Paul Posluszny, Ryan Denney, Chris Kelsay, Anthony Hargrove, Keith Ellison, Jim Leonhard, Terrence mcgee, Kiwaukee Thomas and Ashton Youboty. ...

Bills' defense finally creating pressure
RealFootball365.com - Scottsdale,AZ,USA
Of course, with Whitner on Winslow, it would leave third-string free safety Jim Leonhard (starting in place of injured No. 1 Ko Simpson and hurt backup ...

Bills lose safety Wilson to broken ribs
Pro Football Weekly - Riverwoods,IL,USA
Yet, coach Dick Jauron still has one decent option — classic overachiever Jim Leonhard. Leonhard is a personal favorite of Jauron's, as he epitomizes the ...

Bills Safety Wilson To Miss Rest Of Season With Broken Ribs
AHN - USA
Jim Leonhard is expected to pick up the slack for Wilson, who returned a 20-yard fumble for a touchdown after the ball slipped out of John Beck's hands in ...

Getting to Know the Enemy: Buffalo Rumblings
Dawgs By Nature - Cleveland,OH,USA
His loss will hurt, to be sure; we're confident, once again, that the scheme - plus the presence of Donte Whitner and Jim Leonhard, who actually was ahead ...

Leonhard will replace Wilson in secondary
Buffalo News - NY, United States
Jim Leonhard should get the nod at free safety as starter in place of Wilson when the Bills travel to face the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. ...

411's NFL Round Up 12.11.07
411mania.com - Sugar Land,TX,USA
... former first round pick Donte Whitner holding down one spot, the Bills will start their fourth player at free safety, likely Coy Wire or Jim Leonhard. ...

BUFFALO BRIEFING
Canton Repository (subscription) - Canton,OH,USA
... who returned an interception for a TD in a near-upset of Dallas, will be replaced by 5-foot-8 Jim Leonhard, who was undrafted out of Wisconsin in 2005. ...

Bills free saferty Wilson out indefinitely with 2 broken ribs
The Canadian Press -
He took over at free safety in Week 5 after starter Ko Simpson (broken ankle) was placed on IR and backup Jim Leonhard missed three games with a calf injury ...

Wilson Likely To Miss Last Three Games
BuffaloBills.com - USA
Expected to start in his absence is Jim Leonhard. The third-year safety has 43 tackles, three pass breakups and a pair of interceptions this season. ...

A brief look at Buffalo's victory
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle - Rochester,NY,USA
He was replaced by Jim Leonhard. Dolphins coach Cam Cameron: "You just continue to battle. I think our guys have done an outstanding job in preparation. ...

Role players put Bills on a roll toward playoffs
Buffalo News - NY, United States
Jim Leonhard? Who are these guys, anyway? "They really represent the word "team'," Levy said. "They reflect a sense of what we hoped to get on our team: ...

Bills safety Wilson out for rest of regular season
Sports Network - USA
Jim Leonhard is expected to take over for Wilson. Leonhard missed time earlier this season with a calf injury. The Bills (7-6) are in the thick of the AFC ...

Week 14 vs. Miami

12/3-12/8 Articles

Bills could face some big changes on special teams
Buffalo Bills Insider - NY, United States
... Bryan Scott, Matt Murphy and Al Wallace. Scheduled to be restricted or exclusive rights free agents are: Jim Leonhard, Jason Jefferson and Tim Massaquoi.

NFL Notes: Jauron Leads Overachieving Bills
FOXSports.com - USA
Jabari Greer, Jim Leonhard, George Wilson, and John digiorgio all began the season near the bottom of the depth chart, but have all played notable roles on ...

Lynch Practices and Other Bills Notes
Buffalo Rumblings - Buffalo,NY,USA
Speaking about the value of the nickel corner to the third-down defense, Fewell had this to say about using safeties Donte Whitner and Jim Leonhard in place ...

Bills coaches on third-down watch
Buffalo News - NY, United States
But it puts two inexperienced safeties in the back end in George Wilson and Jim Leonhard. Wilson, of course, is starting because the Bills' rangy free ...

Bills/Redskins Tale of the Tape: Defense
Buffalo Rumblings - Buffalo,NY,USA
Too many times, Jim Leonhard was left isolated on Cooley - a huge mismatch, and one that Campbell exploited often for big plays. ...

Defense kept 'Skins under wraps
Buffalo News - NY, United States
Bills are in man coverage with Jim Leonhard on Cooley and Whitner on mccardell. Terrence mcgee is head up on Moss and Greer is off the ball but matched up ...

Buffalo Bills report card
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle - Rochester,NY,USA
Terrence mcgee tipped a pass that was picked off by Tripplett and Jim Leonhard batted down a third-down pass at the line. Campbell threw for only 64 yards ...

Steelers overcome Bengals, rain for win
NBCSports.com - New York,New York,USA
Washington Redskins Chris Cooley drives over Buffalo Bills' Jim Leonhard during the third quarter. San Diego Chargers' ladainian Tomlinson celebrates his ...

Week 13 @ Washington

NFL Preview - Buffalo (5-6) At Washington (5-6)
By Shawn Clarke, Contributing NFL Editor
Defensive coordinator Perry Fewell tried a myriad of different looks on Sunday, including bringing safety Jim Leonhard (33 tackles, 2 INT) back on the field in nickel packages.

Week 12 @ Jacksonville

November 8-22 article update

Toothy issue: No smiles for Holt after TD kickoff return
Springfield News-Sun Nov 5
Two penalties by Bengals cornerback Blue Adams — a 15-yard unnecessary roughness on punt returner Jim Leonhard and a 10-yard defensive holding — led directly to 10 Bills points.
Edwards likely to serve as the backup QB at MiamiDemocrat and Chronicle, Nov 8
"There's no guarantee that I'm going to get back on the field, which is always a frustrating thing, but that's the way this sport is," he said. "George has stepped in well, we've been helping each other, and hopefully I can get back out there.''
Immediate ReactionsWGR 550 Sports Radio Nov 19
Wilson had an especially rough game, and it's worth watching whether Jauron plugs Jim Leonhard back in against Jacksonville.
Roscoe Taking Run At History
Buffalobills.com Nov 22
"If anyone is going to do it, he has a great chance of doing it," said fellow return man Jim Leonhard. "The most recent is 1961 that's above him (Dick Christy, NY Titans). That's kind of an amazing thing if you can do it. Being a returner myself that's unreal. It obviously doesn't happen very often."

Jauron still mum on starting QB
By Bucky Gleason NEWS SPORTS REPORTER
Updated: 11/06/07 6:37 AM
“Roscoe and Jimmy did a tremendous job fielding the ball in that wind,” Jauron said.

Well-traveled Hamdan one injury from debut
By Allen Wilson NEWS SPORTS REPORTER
Updated: 11/02/07 6:58 AM
Jauron is more optimistic about free safety Jim Leonhard’s return. Leonhard, who has missed three games with a calf injury, has practiced fully the last two days.

Toothy issue: No smiles for Holt after TD kickoff return
By Chick Ludwig
Two penalties by Bengals cornerback Blue Adams — a 15-yard unnecessary roughness on punt returner Jim Leonhard and a 10-yard defensive holding — led directly to 10 Bills points.

"You've got guys in piles and it looks like they're going down and they spring up, so I was just making sure (Leonhard) was going down," Adams said. "I don't know how late it was. They called me on it, which is a bad thing.

Bills' Leonhard ready to play; Denney practices
Buffalo Bills free safety Jim Leonhard looks like he will play in Sunday's game against Cincinnati, but the status of several other key Bills will be game-time decisions.

Leonhard was able to practice fully on his sore calf and should be available to share time with George Wilson on the back line of the Bills' defense. That should help the Bills against the potent Cincinnati Bengals passing game.

Bills QB Edwards' backup status uncertain because of swollen handThe Canadian Press
Free safety Jim Leonhard practised for a second straight day Thursday, and could be ready after missing three games with a calf injury.

Bills | Leonhard likely to play Week 9By http://www.kffl.com
BuffaloBills FS Jim Leonhard (calf) practiced Thursday, Nov. 1, and is likely to play Week 9.

Bills notebook: McGee, Johnson share mutual respect
Democrat & Chronicle
George Wilson has played well in Leonhard's place with two interceptions, and it is uncertain what Jauron is going to do at the position, though it depends largely on how Leonhard feels on Sunday. "We'll see how it goes through the week," said Jauron. "He had a good day today.''

Bills | Leonhard considered probable Week 9
By http://www.kffl.com
Buffalo Bills FS Jim Leonhard (calf) practiced Wednesday, Oct. 31, and is considered probable for Week 9.
TOP 50 NFL NEWS - http://www.kffl.com

Ready to turn the corner
By Mark Gaughan NEWS SPORTS REPORTER
Safety Jim Leonhard (calf) is doubtful but he said his injury is much improved. There’s a good chance he could be back for the Cincinnati game, and the Bills could use his help against the pass-happy Bengals.

Leonhard Back At Practice
Thursday, October 25, 2007 12:25 PM - WGR Newsroom
Bills Safety Jim Leonhard was back on the practice field with the team Thursday afternoon.

Pro Bowl

Jim is listed as one of the free safeties you can vote for the Pro Bowl!!
www.nfl.com/probowl

Pre-game article update

Badgers Pounce on Huskies, Win 44-3
University of Wisconsin Badgers - Madison,WI,USA
Shane Carter’s two interceptions today gives him four for the season, the most for a Badger in a season since Jim Leonhard had seven in 2003. ...

Injuries continue to mount for Buffalo Bills
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
“It’s crazy how it’s happening,” Leonhard said. “You just have to fight because eventually the injuries are going to stop and we’ll get guys back out there.’’

NFL injury report
A costly win for Buffalo: Youboty, Harrison, Leonhard exit with injuries for Bills

Introducing the Starting Defensive Lineup

Buffalobills.com Game 4 Photos

Chris Brown: "Jim Leonhard suffered a calf injury and is set to have an MRI on Monday. He told me it was worse than just cramps. Not very encouraging."
Unfortunately it is true. Jim came out of the game in the first play of the last drive with what looked like a cramped leg. The trainers said it is strained, and we will find out more this afternoon. We'll hope for the best!

Scout NFL Q&A With Jim Leonhard by Ed Thompson

Lightning Strikes: Jimmy Bones

The Drill: Q&A with Jim Leonhard

Posted: Sept. 29, 2007

The former Wisconsin safety was the only undrafted free agent to make the Buffalo Bills roster in 2005. He played primarily on special teams until Week 1 of this season, when Ko Simpson went down with an injury, propelling Leonhard into the starting lineup. In that Week 1 game, Leonhard had a team-high 13 tackles as well as an interception. After three games, Leonhard is tied for second on the team in tackles and owns both of Buffalo's interceptions. He spoke with JSOnline sports producer Dave Heller:

Q. What does it feel like to be the starter?

A. I feel like I've been waiting around . . . and now in my third year finally getting a chance to get on the field and show these guys what I can do.

Q. Did you think it would ever happen being an undrafted guy?

A. I hoped it would happen. I had taken all the steps necessary, or at least that I felt necessary, to put myself in a position to get on the field both on special teams and defensively. You don't want it really to happen because of injury, but lots of times in this sport that's the way it happens.

Q. The injury to Kevin Everett obviously had to be tough to see, but perhaps especially so to you being that it happened on special teams. As an NFL player, do you realize that something like this could happen to you, yet you have to put it out of your mind?

A. You really do have to put it out of your mind. It has been tough just hearing things about him constantly, but we are professionals and this is what we chose to do. It's not like we're forced to play this game. This sport is the most popular sport in America for a reason, it is those big hits and big collisions. You have to make sure you go out there and prepare yourself the right way and train your body the right way, so you can avoid a lot of those bad situations.

Q. Do you still follow Wisconsin?

A. Every time I can see them I'll try to watch. I look on the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and all that pretty regularly to see the beat of the team and how things are going.

Q. Are you surprised at the early success of Bret Bielema?

A. He was the defensive coordinator my senior year, and I don't think it's a surprise to any of the guys who played under him that he would be a great head coach one day. You could tell that's what he wanted to be. He had that passion that you love as players.

“We have to do better than we’re doing, obviously, to be competitive,” said safety Jim Leonhard. “We have to eliminate the mental busts we have. We’re playing far from perfect right now. As long as we’re making people earn things, we’re OK with that. But we can’t give up big chunks of yardage.”

Leonard has 20 stops along with both of Buffalo's interceptions

"You've got to fight through it every play," said safety Jim Leonhard of the hot weather Wednesday. "Heat like this is something you're not going to be used to it. It's a constant fight every play. It's hard to stay focused when you're that tired."

"That safety made a great play on it, coming all the way across the field. We always harp to the receivers, it's our ball or nobody's. To Santonio's credit, I don't think he saw that safety coming or he would have broken it up. He kind of came on top of it and made a great play, otherwise Santonio would have broken it up."
Thanks to Elizabeth for sending this one our way!

Interceptions

So, I know it is only week 2, but this still looks good...

Turkey Hill Game Ball

Thank you for voting! Check out the interview here.

Sports Rage After Hours: Click Here to Download Jim's interview with Gabe. This isn’t a PG interview though.

Who is Jim Leonhard?

Jim Leonhard has been around the ball in his time on the field posting two interceptions.

At Pittsburgh

This is the gang that made it out to Pittsburgh to see Jim's 2nd interception in person! Crazy Uncle Paul, Steve, and Ross drove out after driving to Madison to see the Badgers on Saturday only to drive back to northern Wisco for Colin's football game Monday afternoon. I drove Saturday to stay with the Krenzelok's and Ann joined us at the game. The rest of the Krenzelok's were busy moving Elizabeth into the dorms at Ohio State. Matt came with his fam from Clarion, PA. It was so good to see everyone!

9/18 Articles

Name that player
Jim Leonhard posted his second career interception in as many games this season. With picks in Buffalo's first two games Leonhard is the first Bill with interceptions in consecutive games since who?

The safeties had a fine day as Jim Leonhard collected his second pick of the year. Leonhard also recorded five tackles.

Game 2 Pics from buffalobills.com

Vote for Jim!

Jim is up for another game ball! Vote now!

Pick #2

9/10 -9/17 links

Jim Leonhard was one of the overshadowed stories of the Bills' season opener.
“Not having all our guys on defense was a challenge, but I thought we played hard,” said Leonhard, who had seven tackles and his second interception in as many games. “We have to get off the field on third downs because eventually a good offense will score if you don’t stop drives.”
http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=343781 – fantasy football talk – kinda interesting
http://www.bratsandbeer.com/posts/2007/09/556
democratandchronicle.com
newsok.com
tribune-chronicle
canadianpress
diehardsteel.com
apexchange.com – great photo!
sports.aol.com
buffalonews.com
news.footballguys.com
democratandchronicle
wkow.madison.com
http://althekiller24.blogspot.com/2007/09/week-1-thoughts.html
http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/story/162436.html
http://news.steelers.com/article/81447/
http://www.realfootball365.com/nfl/articles/19526.html
http://www.buffalobills.com/news/news.jsp?news_id=5244
http://www.billsinsider.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=12231
http://defendersfootball.blogspot.com/2007/09/bills-report-week-1.html
http://www.realfootball365.com/nfl/articles/19489.html
http://www.niagara-gazette.com/Buffalo%20Bills/gnnbuffalorbills_story_254233048.html - Nice article
http://www.realfootball365.com/nfl/articles/2007/09/bills_lose_two_starting_dbs_fo.html
http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=341347 http://www.buffalorumblings.com/story/2007/9/10/92628/6296

Keeping up with Jim

So I don't send emails to those of you who don't want the emails, and so you can get the info, this is a temporary fix! Here are the articles Shawn, Jim's publicist sends me and other pics we may find! If you have any good links, just post yourself, or let me know. Thanks! And Thank you for all the support!