Ravens release then re-sign FB Vonta Leach

[Free Agent]

Great news. Makes me feel a lot better about Pitta's injury.

[UMDan]

So glad we got Vonta back. Much needed good news after the Pitta injury.

[Ravenseconbeast]

Our run game isnt going anywhere. Welcome back Vonta!

[Token]

It feels good to have him back.

[hawkprey]

Yeah, it didn't seem like Juice was going to be a true fullback this year. Glad to have him back, especially after losing Pitta. No sense going into the season without a redzone target AND without a red zone run game. 

[CARavensFan]

Our run game isnt going anywhere. Welcome back Vonta!

 

I'm as happy to have Vonta back as the next guy, but do we really know that our running game wasn't going anywhere? Its only the first week of training camp afterall...

[Gordo52]

Awesome news. He'll retire a Raven and I'm happy.

[EnVy_CaLiBeR]

Great news. Our run game will still be strong.

 

Now we just need to hope one of our young receivers pan out or that we find another pass catcher through a trade or through FA if someone gets cut. 

[Rav'n Maniac]

Awesome news. He'll retire a Raven and I'm happy.

This!!! I'm happy as well, Needed the pick-me-up. Great news!

[easternshore97]

This!!! I'm happy as well, Needed the pick-me-up. Great news!

Ray Rice can only be happier

[Tank 92]

Nosebleed is back!  Yes!

[ravensdan]

I must admit I was wrong. I thought the giants were going to snap him up when hynoski went down. Never thought Miami was a consideration. Curious to see the financials.

[GrimCoconut]

I'm glad he's back even though it wasn't my preference to bring him back. After we lost Pitta, it definitely made sense to bring him here to compensate for the blocking and to thus allow another player to be more of a receiver, such as Dickson, Furstenburg, Juszczyk, etc. 

 

His blocking will be definitely needed for Joe and Rice. 

[Yatagarasu]

I guess the market for All-Pro Fullbacks is weak.

[Sami84]

vonta leach is as good as lorenzo neal when it comes to pure fullback.

 

if he has 2 more all pro years ( certain he will) he might go down as the best blocking fullback ever. We have had plenty of good ones. From Gash to Neal but i think leach is the best.

[flaccopoe]

I guess the market for All-Pro Fullbacks is weak.

 

He could have bolstered a lot of teams with his blocking and rushing.  Ecstatic to have him back though!  BAL may have the deepest run game in the NFL.

[Runnin Raven]

Glad to have Vonta back.  I'm also wondering about numbers.  We have to be getting pretty low cap-wise.

[K-Dog]

Let me join the chorus.

LEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAACH!!!!!!!!

[SecretAgentMan]

Let me join the chorus.

LEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAACH!!!!!!!!

Who came up with that idea again ;) ;)

[flaccopoe]

With the re-signing of Leach, this can only bode well for the run game and pass protection.  Pitta was never known for his blocking capabilities, so hopefully the tandem of Dickson, Leach and Shiancoe should greatly bolster Flacco's front line.  

[sflegend89]

We're a better football team with Leach. Period. Glad one of my favorite Ravens is back. just watched Leach absolutely plaster guys on the GL against Arizona and Pitt last year. When we get inside the 10 Ray needs his Pro-bowl FB to follow to pay dirt, I'm not exactly sure if Juice was capable of being that road grader down around the GL. Glad we'll still have that dynamic working for us in 2013. Ray hasn't been the best short yardage guy though, would like to see BP get some more touches on the GL.. he's got a better initial burst off the line imo and I think BP behind Leach might solve some of our inconsistencies in short yardage.

 

Ray Rice is still one of my favorite players but you gotta play to your strengths and he is more of a workhorse runner and pass catcher out of the back field.. BP has more of a slasher mentality and gives you the best chance to pick up a 1st down in a short yardage situation.

[gabefergy]

Without Pitta, bringing back Leach was a necessity. I'm not overly excited about it but it makes sense given the situation at hand. I'm really not thrilled about a 2 year deal, but if that was what it takes so be it. 

[Gordo52]

With the re-signing of Leach, this can only bode well for the run game and pass protection. Pitta was never known for his blocking capabilities, so hopefully the tandem of Dickson, Leach and Shiancoe should greatly bolster Flacco's front line.

Dickson and Shiancoe aren't great blockers either. Dickson especially. Not going to lie I'm pretty nervous about our overall pass protection for Joe this season.

[Gordo52]

Without Pitta, bringing back Leach was a necessity. I'm not overly excited about it but it makes sense given the situation at hand. I'm really not thrilled about a 2 year deal, but if that was what it takes so be it.

You will be once that first "Leaaaaccchhh" is roared throughout the bank.

[flaccopoe]

Dickson and Shiancoe aren't great blockers either. Dickson especially. Not going to lie I'm pretty nervous about our overall pass protection for Joe this season.

 

Dickson's a good blocker!  I've heard good things about VS, too.

[PolishRifle]

The return of Leach could be a sign of the running game being more of a center piece to the Ravens offense next season. Not to say, that running the ball is unimportant, but that's also not how the Ravens won the SB.

I am a fan of Leach, but it won't make up for the loss of Pitta or Boldin.

 

Smith needs to become a star receiver next season or our remaining receivers need to start to play at a level, they have not previously shown. Leach or no Leach, throwing the ball is still the key to a chamionship in the NFL today.

[gabefergy]

You will be once that first "Leaaaaccchhh" is roared throughout the bank.

Like I said, its a necessity given the current personnel. With Pitta we could have run out two TEs and been a much more explosive and versatile offense. Now, that becomes less of a threat and we will have to use more base personnel with a traditional FB.

[TheRavenouseD2008]

Some people bring this to a party (avg fullback)

 

Us Ravens bring this (Leach)

 

Any questions?

[Yatagarasu]

Some people bring this to a party (avg fullback)

 

Us Ravens bring this (Leach)

 

Any questions?

 

But what about this?

 

[TheRavenouseD2008]

But what about this?

 

 

 

it dont go on land lol