DT Louis Leonard Shipped to Panthers for Draft Pick, Ryan Tucker IR'ed

by Chris Pokorny on Sep 1, 2009 11:02 AM EDT in General News

A few weeks ago, a rumor circulated the Internet that the Carolina Panthers were scouting Browns defensive lineman Corey Williams. It wasn't Williams that we gave them though, as the Browns traded DT Louis Leonard to the Panthers for an undisclosed draft pick, according to the Herald Online.

If you recall, Leonard had an outburst at defensive line coach Bryan Cox a week or so ago, leading many to question whether or not he would stay in Cleveland. However, even if he didn't have the outburst, his roster odds were slim at best.

Trading Leonard means that the Browns are comfortable with Shaun Rogers and Ahtyba Rubin at the nose tackle position, and that they are willing to give Corey Williams a shot at redemption in the 3-4 defensive scheme.

Just pure speculation here, but I can't imagine that Leonard would yield anything higher than a seventh-round draft pick.

As an update to yesterday's story, the OBR is reporting that OL Ryan Tucker was not released, but rather placed on the Injured Reserve. Same difference.

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Chris

Was Leonard a UDFA or did Cleveland draft him? If so what round?

I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com

by Jaxon on Sep 1, 2009 11:20 AM EDT reply actions

I think he was originally an UDFA. Either way, the Browns got him as a free agent from the St. Louis Rams.

Dawgs By Nature - Covering the Cleveland Browns on SB Nation.

by Chris Pokorny on Sep 1, 2009 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions

wow, other teams (lions, jaguars, bears, panthers) are jumping all over our leavings. are we really that deep?

Cleveland and OSU homer

by rockybrown on Sep 1, 2009 11:29 AM EDT reply actions

We look pretty deep on the defensive line. Rogers, Williams, Smith, Coleman, Rubin, and Mosley would all either start or compete for significant playing time on any team in the league. If we cut Santonio Thomas another team might pick him up as well.

We are much deeper at this position than last year, by adding four guys into the mix that are better than the Shaun Smiths and Louis Leonards we had to rely on last year (technically we had Robaire Smith and Rubin but Smith was on IR and Rubin was still learning).

by Bumblyjack on Sep 1, 2009 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions

I am amazed we got anything for him.

I hated Leonard.

by rufio on Sep 1, 2009 11:46 AM EDT reply actions

It almost makes you think a team could get something for anybody with the right sales pitch.

Dawgs By Nature - Covering the Cleveland Browns on SB Nation.

by Chris Pokorny on Sep 1, 2009 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Like when the Browns traded for Trent Dilfer?

by Bernie19Kosar on Sep 1, 2009 8:37 PM EDT up reply actions

You made mention of Rubin, Mangini had strong praise for him in yesterday’s press conference. He even went so far as to suggest that Rubin’s play would allow us to be more flexibile with where Rogers lines up.

by Roger Dorn on Sep 1, 2009 12:22 PM EDT reply actions

I heard that too. And frankly, that’s awesome. It fits perfectly with Mangini’s theme of versatility and I’m a big fan of running hybrid-like, versatile defenses. Hopefully we’ll see some of that this year.

Also, good job with the trade. If he was going to be cut anyways, we might as well fleece someone out of a pick, even a 7th rounder.

by Legoman0721 on Sep 1, 2009 1:28 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

That’s great. The Browns haven’t had depth like this in a long, long time.

by Buckeye Brad on Sep 1, 2009 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions

I Heard Could be as high as 5th

If he plays in 50% of defensive snaps or more.

by realmccoy on Sep 1, 2009 6:25 PM EDT reply actions

How do we get a pick for UDFA, Leonard

and not even entertain the idea of compensation for Hood?

by Ron Jeremy All-Stars on Sep 1, 2009 6:41 PM EDT reply actions

I’d be willing to bet Kokinis was on the horn with a bunch of teams trying to pawn off Hood, but couldnt get any takers. Theres a reason Arizona didnt re-sign him.

by Lisol on Sep 1, 2009 7:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Chicago signed him quickly, I don’t think he got along to well with Cox.

Joey_D

by Joey_D on Sep 1, 2009 7:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Bears/Browns fan here. Take a look at the depth chart for Chicago’s backfield. It’s scarier than Cleveland’s. No surprise they snapped up Hood.

I know it’s hard for Browns fans to believe but Cleveland actually has better depth at some positions than other teams in the league!

And excellent blog DawgsbyNature guys. I also enjoy reading the comments here. High football IQ and lots of intelligent discussion. Keep up the good work!

by Monsters of the Midway on Sep 2, 2009 6:34 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Plus we have tremendous upside potential.

by danvail on Sep 2, 2009 8:37 AM EDT up reply actions

Thanks for the kind words. We are hoping one day the team will reciprocate our efforts.

by Roger Dorn on Sep 2, 2009 9:00 AM EDT up reply actions

Im resisting saying bad things

" Of course Steroids should be allowed! I wanna see 700 foot home runs and 90 yard field goals! I litterally want to see someone's d**k get shoved in the dirt!"

by BradyQuinnisBeast on Sep 2, 2009 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Wow. He would have likely been cut.

" Of course Steroids should be allowed! I wanna see 700 foot home runs and 90 yard field goals! I litterally want to see someone's d**k get shoved in the dirt!"

by BradyQuinnisBeast on Sep 1, 2009 8:41 PM EDT reply actions

What is the benefit of not telling what round the pick is?

" Of course Steroids should be allowed! I wanna see 700 foot home runs and 90 yard field goals! I litterally want to see someone's d**k get shoved in the dirt!"

by BradyQuinnisBeast on Sep 1, 2009 10:23 PM EDT reply actions

it is usually performance based, so they won’t announce it until the season’s over.

by talonk on Sep 2, 2009 2:08 AM EDT up reply actions

If so.. probably a 7th.

by skipkirk on Sep 2, 2009 4:03 AM EDT up reply actions

I read on ESPN that we filed a waiver claim for O’Donnell who got cut by the Patriots.

He’s not anything lower than a 3rd QB.. so Mangini doesn’t like Ratliff?

by skipkirk on Sep 2, 2009 4:33 AM EDT reply actions

Yea, I saw that this morning. Very interesting that we placed a waiver claim.

My best bet actually is that we placed the claim so that we could then trade him to Denver or someone that really needs him.

by Roger Dorn on Sep 2, 2009 9:02 AM EDT up reply actions

Or maybe just because Anderson is about to be shipped out? No, I doubt it but I wish it were true.

Who is the Pat’s backup now? Do they still have Hoyer?

" Of course Steroids should be allowed! I wanna see 700 foot home runs and 90 yard field goals! I litterally want to see someone's d**k get shoved in the dirt!"

by BradyQuinnisBeast on Sep 2, 2009 5:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Andrew Walter

by Roger Dorn on Sep 2, 2009 6:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Hoyer and Walter

by gahnki on Sep 2, 2009 9:42 PM EDT up reply actions

It’s going to happen. Don’t be so pessimistic. I say we’ll pull a Charlie Frye.

by SpecialBrownie on Sep 4, 2009 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions

The PD is reporting that the Browns are trying to reach an injury settlement with Tucker which would means they could try to bring him back later this season. If they reach a settlement within five days then he becomes a free agent right away and can sign with any team except the Browns, but the Browns can sign him after six weeks. If they don’t sign an agreement in by Sunday then he can’t play for the Browns at all this season.

Mangini said he really likes Tucker and hopes to bring him back later this season. Here is a quote from him:

I like Ryan a lot. I’ve enjoyed my experience with him. It’s something that’s being worked out. We just have to see how it all plays out and see where we are. . . . . He’s such a fun guy to work with as a coach, because of his approach, his professionalism, all the things that you look for as part of a team.

by Buckeye Brad on Sep 2, 2009 7:57 AM EDT reply actions

I was glad to see this in the PD this morning. First, I really like Ryan Tucker, and admire the way he’s battled back from so many adversities. Second, I suspect that he can still play, although it appears unlikely that he will ever be a full time player again. I do know that the team was a much better blocking team when he was on the field last year. Hard to believe he wouldn’t have some value as a backup.

by drjeo on Sep 2, 2009 10:22 AM EDT up reply actions

Rotowire says C. Williams will not start on the DL. That is one expensive backup.

by Roger Dorn on Sep 2, 2009 7:49 PM EDT reply actions

Well it Crennel that was so high on him…

by skipkirk on Sep 2, 2009 7:51 PM EDT up reply actions

and Savage.

by Roger Dorn on Sep 2, 2009 9:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Can’t say I’m surprised. If Robaire is healthy he is the better player. And I thought Coleman had the other end spot locked up as soon as we acquired him.

by Ryan Kelsey on Sep 2, 2009 9:17 PM EDT up reply actions

I think it is fair to expect all three of those guys to see lots of snaps.

by rufio on Sep 2, 2009 9:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Yep, the starter tag is pretty useless here. He will play plenty because of substitution packages.

by gahnki on Sep 2, 2009 9:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Except that I tend to believe that he is our 4th best defensive lineman. If it remains this way, he should be cut next offseason.

by Roger Dorn on Sep 3, 2009 8:51 AM EDT up reply actions

I don’t.

I don’t think there is a significant difference in playing time between our 3rd and 4th best D-Lineman. And to get more exact about it, there is little difference between playing time of our 2nd and 3rd best DE.

Depth is good.

by Ryan Kelsey on Sep 3, 2009 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions

We could get a draft pick for Williams if we really wanted to get rid of him.

I know his contract is a pretty expensive, but why get rid of talent if you don’t have to? I really don’t think our cap situation is that dire, where we would be having to choose Corey Williams over, say, Braylon.

by rufio on Sep 3, 2009 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions

Two reasons I don’t think we should hold onto him if he merely average:

1. We have a number of upcoming free agents I would like to see extended: Braylon, DQwell Jackson, Brodney Pool, and I think Jerome Harrison
2. The cap situation may not be dire, but why tie up money on an average player when you can allow yourself more spending room on a player that is actually good or potentially even awesome. One of these days when the roster has a good base, Mangini is going to want to bring in a big time free agent. We have a better chance of doing that if we aren’t wasting money on mediocrity.

by Roger Dorn on Sep 3, 2009 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Count me out on Pool. The guy is decent when he plays, but I think he is one more concussion away from La-La land.

by Bernie19Kosar on Sep 3, 2009 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Sadly, I agree with this.

by danvail on Sep 3, 2009 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Ideally we could upgrade, but we are really thin at safety right now.

In my opinion, he was our second best defensive back last year.

by Roger Dorn on Sep 3, 2009 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Also! Pool has only missed 1 game in the past 3 years.

by Roger Dorn on Sep 3, 2009 3:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Even with Pool’s concussions, I would get rid of every safety on the team before him (if I was just cutting them).

I am still very much on the Eric Berry bandwagon.

by rufio on Sep 4, 2009 7:48 PM EDT up reply actions

I don’t disagree that we should get rid of Williams in the event it somehow (via salary cap implications or actual money implications or roster spots, etc.) allows us to go after better players.

I just can’t see the situation where that happens. The Browns held their value at over a billion dollars last year, and made 20 million bucks in operating income last year. Lerner wants to win, he doesn’t care about spending in order to do so.

I think extending DQ will take a considerable amount of money, as will Braylon, but I don’t think either would command Haynesworth-type money (nor should we retain either if it does in fact take that much). The market for Pool and Harrison can’t be all that competitive right now. I don’t think cutting Williams would be the thing that allowed us to get a big-name guy—and even if we did, wouldn’t we be overpaying him anyway?

I think Williams will be a lot better this year.

by rufio on Sep 4, 2009 7:47 PM EDT up reply actions