Local NFL Players

Bengals trade for running back

GEOFF HOBSON

Posted May 7, 2009

Brian Leonard (Getty Images)

Updated: 4 p.m.

In what looks to be the Bengals' first player-for-player trade of the decade, they picked up their potential backup running back in exchange for backup defensive lineman Orien Harris on Thursday. Brian Leonard, two years removed from the second round, comes from the Rams after spending most of last season on injured reserve with a shoulder injury.

In a conference call with the Cincinnati media Thursday, Leonard says he has been cleared medically and the torn rotator cuff healed well enough that he took part in the two of new Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo's minicamps earlier this spring. Leonard was in the middle of a lift Thursday when he was summoned with the news. He wasn't too surprised.

"Part of the job. A lot of guys are moving from team-to-team each year. I'm just looking at it as an opportunity and I think it's a good opportunity for me. I'm excited about it," Leonard said of the deal. "I had some idea. When a new coaching staff comes in, you always don't know what they want or expect. I was hurt last year. Went through two minicamps, felt pretty good, and I guess they decided to go a different way. Cincinnati wanted me so I'm happy about it."

Although he made some starts at fullback as a rookie, Leonard is delighted to hear the Bengals think of him mainly as a running back.

"I'm looking forward to that. I feel I've got a lot of skills. Catch the ball out of the backfield and run the ball," Leonard said. "I don't think I'm a regular, every-down fullback to just go in there and blow up, but if they want me to do that, that's what I'll do."

The 6-1, 229-pound Leonard showed the kind of versatility the Bengals seek from their third-down backs in his rookie year of '07 when he backed up Steven Jackson with 303 yards on 86 carries for a 3.5-yard average and gained 183 more on 30 catches. Leonard, 25, came out of Rutgers as the 52nd pick in the draft and started seven games in the same year the Bengals took Auburn running back Kenny Irons at No. 49.

Leonard and starter Cedric Benson are here primarily because Irons suffered what appears to be a career-ending knee injury on his fourth carry as a rookie.

"My shoulder is feeling great. All the strength is back and I'm back to normal," said Leonard, who sprained it in preseason and tore it later before he had surgery. "

Leonard, who had a 102-yard game against the Cardinals in a stretch he started four straight in place of the injured Jackson, also played some as a blocking fullback and worked on special teams.

The trade tightens a roster that usually only has three running backs and Leonard's ability to play both backfield positions makes him valuable. Also behind starter Cedric Benson are veteran Kenny Watson, second-year man James Johnson, and sixth-round pick Bernard Scott.

"It's a great opportunity for Brian. He's a classy guy and everybody here wishes him nothing but the best," Rams exec Billy Devaney told The St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Raiders Sign Trevor Scott

July 23, 2008

Rookie DE Trevor Scott signs his contract in the Hall of Fame room at the team's Alameda, Calif., facility.

Tony Gonzales

The Oakland Raiders have signed rookie defensive end Trevor Scott to a contract. The Raiders� sixth round selection in the 2008 NFL Draft signed the contract in the Hall of Fame room at the team�s Alameda, Calif., facility.

�It feels amazing. It�s everything I�ve always wanted ever since I was a little kid. It�s sort of like a dream come true,� Scott said. �Now it�s time to go to work.�

The 6�5�, 255-pound defensive end recorded 10 sacks in 2007, the most by a University of Buffalo defender since the team joined the NCAA Division 1-A ranks in 1999. Further, his 15 tackles for losses in 2007 tied Craig Guest (1995) and Duane Williams (2000) for seventh on the school record list. Despite converting from tight end to defensive end, Scott started all 12 games and led the Bulls with 9 sacks at his new position during the 2006 season.

The Potsdam, NY native will report to his first NFL Training Camp on July 23rd at the Raiders Napa Valley Training Complex. When asked about what he expects to bring to the Silver and Black, Scott replied �I�m here to learn. I�m gonna do my best out there on the field�I just hope to bring energy, hard work, and playmaking ability.�

With Scott now under contract, the Raiders have signed all of its 2008 draft picks.

Leonard Agrees to Four-Year Deal

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

By Nick Wagoner
Senior Writer

The Rams envision using Brian Leonard as a veritable football Swiss Army Knife, the type of player that can do a little bit of everything from his running back position. But before he could do anything, he had to sign a contract with the Rams.

Leonard did just that Tuesday afternoon, coming to terms with the team on a four-year contract that will have him in training camp on time. Leonard is the sixth of the team�s seven choices to sign with the team, leaving only first-round choice Adam Carriker unsigned.

St. Louis used a second-round choice, No. 52 overall on Leonard in April�s NFL Draft. Leonard instantly became the backup to starting back Steven Jackson. At Rutgers, Leonard worked in a variety of roles, spending time as the team�s starting tailback, fullback, on special teams and as a pass catching specialist out of the back field.

By the time his career with the Scarlet Knights was over, Leonard had 45 starts with 207 receptions for 1,868 yards and 13 touchdowns and rushed 678 times for 2,779 yards and 32 touchdowns. He also holds the school record for career all purpose yards with 5,961.

In St. Louis, Leonard will be expected to work in a variety of roles as well. He is not a lead blocking type of fullback, but will spend some time in the same back field as Jackson. For the most part, though, his main roles will be on special teams and spelling Jackson off the bench.

�He fills different roles for us,� coach Scott Linehan said. �Certainly he will be a tailback in our system a number of plays. He can fill in very nicely because he�s done it as a proven player.�