Notes: Leonhard Fills Big Shoes
Mike Duffy
baltimoreravens.com
Leonhard hope his admirable performance in place of a star like Reed speaks for itself.

“It’s tough,” Leonhard explained. “Everyone’s nervous, and I’ve been in the position where I’ve been cut before. You’re thinking, ‘Did I do enough.’

“You just have to keep pushing through that and let the cards fall where they may.”

Preseason Week 3 @ St. Louis





Game Action
Baltimoreravens.com
Key Performers
S Jim Leonhard showed impressive play through the first half with 7 tackles, 6 of which were solo tackles. In the second half, Leonhard displayed his versatility by returning two punts, including a return to the St. Louis 32 after breaking 3 tackles for 42 yards.

Zbikowski Uses His Tips
by Mike Duffy Aug 24, 2008, 3:57AM
Safety Jim Leonhard, an offseason free agent pickup, started alongside Dawan Landry in Reed’s absence and ended up leading the team with seven tackles. In the post-game locker room, head coach John Harbaugh called Leonhard to the middle of the team so he could break down the huddle, which is regarded as a special recognition…

Ravens Notebook: Leonhard fills in for Reed again ~ August 24, 2008
By Aaron Wilson
For the third consecutive game, Leonhard replaced the former NFL Defensive Player of the Year in the starting lineup as the Ravens took on the St. Louis Rams on Saturday night at the Edward Jones Dome. Leonhard recorded a team-high seven tackles during the first half.

Check out this video!
Jim's punt return is at the end!!

Article Update

Post-Practice Transcripts: August 21st
by BaltimoreRavens.com Aug 21, 2008, 3:34PM
On whether S Jim Leonhard or rookies such as S Tom Zbikowski would start with the first team: “Jim will start with the ‘ones,’ but I think those guys will work in at times before the end of the ‘ones’’ time. A lot of that is going to be fluid. There will be guys coming out who are ‘ones’ who will come out a little earlier than the rest of the group. It’s just all individualized.”

On Leonhard’s preseason: “Oh, he’s done well. He’s done very well. He’s had a heck of a camp. He’s proved himself as a player. He plays all the phases of special teams as well, and we’re excited to have him on our team.”

Bergen seizes opportunity with Ravens

By Edward Lee and Jamison Hensley | Sun reporters
8:58 PM EDT, August 21, 2008

Jim Leonhard is expected to make his third straight start at free safety in place of Ed Reed (shoulder).

NFL odds: Don't look for Ravens' Reed in opener
By Jordan Walters WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer
If Reed can't play, four-year veteran Jim Leonhard seems to be the leading candidate to replace him. Leonhard, who started six games last season for the Buffalo Bills, started in place of Reed for the Ravens' first two preseason games.

Sneak preview of 2008 season
Mike Preston August 23, 2008
Defensive coordinator Rex Ryan is looking for consistency out of safeties Jim Leonhard, Haruki Nakamura and Tom Zbikowski. They've all played well.

Reed's availability for opener in doubt
Baltimore Sun
If Reed can't play - he has started 37 straight games - four-year veteran Jim Leonhard seems to be the leading candidate to replace him. Leonhard, who started six games last season for the Buffalo Bills, started in place of Reed for the Ravens' first two preseason games.

So, his size is still mentioned, but finally, a little respect!

Ravens Report
Tom Robinson
Baltimore’s traditionally imposing defense will probably be without four-time Pro Bowl free safety Ed Reed when the season starts; Reed, 29, is nursing a shoulder injury. That puts the onus on fourth-year man Jim Leonhard, who’s a surprisingly little fella at 5-8 and 186 pounds – although, um, I wouldn’t want to tell him that to his face.

Updates

Reed still questionable for opening day
Ravens coach John Harbaugh reiterated Tuesday that FS Ed Reed (shoulder) might not be ready for opening day.
Reed has missed Baltimore's first two preseason games. Jim Leonhard has been getting snaps in his place and will likely start in Week 1 if Reed can't go. Aug. 19 - 1:25 pm et

Preseason Week 2 vs. Minnesota


Outtakes: Jim Leonhard
Ravens safety tells BR.com about his slam dunking ability and his love for cheese curds. by BaltimoreRavens.com
Aug 16, 2008, 3:18PM
Other than that, I just relax with my wife, Katie.
(I'm pretty sure that's the first shout out to me!)

Preseason Week 1 @ New England

Thur., Aug. 7: Aggressive Ravens Edge Patriots, 16-15
By Joe Platania PressBox Staff
Flacco's next series was a three-and-out, but Patriot punt returner CJ Jones fumbled a Sam Koch punt thanks to a Jim Leonhard hit.

Leonhard makes good impression with Ravens
By SAM LATTER Evening Sun Sports Writer
"Jim's a veteran player. He's a good blitzer, he's good in coverage deep, he's good at man coverage and he returns punts," Harbaugh said.

Ravens' Leonhard a jack of all trades Aaron Wilson The Baltimore Ravens unveiled an unusual defensive configuration against the New England Patriots when they ran out of defensive linemen as diminutive free safety Jim Leonhard raised his hand and volunteered to play nose guard.