VONTA LEACH: Is he a MUST KEEP?

**srobert96** · 03-04-2013, 08:16 AM

Originally Posted by leachisabeast

I'm talking about contract extensions.

Even if you extend him his lowest cap hit for this season would be 2.2m. You have to pay him the vet minimum in salary. There is nothing that can be done to lower the 1.33m as it was a bonus already paid.

**leachisabeast** · 03-04-2013, 08:19 AM

Originally Posted by srobert96

Even if you extend him his lowest cap hit for this season would be 2.2m. You have to pay him the vet minimum in salary. There is nothing that can be done to lower the 1.33m as it was a bonus already paid.

Oh yeah excuse me.

**myfavoriteboxer** · 03-04-2013, 09:27 AM

I thought it was weird when I heard this, because every time you're watching Leach you see him pancake some guy. But apparently the film shows that our offense is better when he's not on the field.

**The Excellector** · 03-04-2013, 04:18 PM

Give the man an extension and lower his cap figure.

**Bazooka Joe** · 03-04-2013, 04:38 PM

Originally Posted by The Excellector

Give the man an extension and lower his cap figure.

Ditto. Leach is a beast! He's a Raven and still has value to us. I don't get this push to derive him off the team instead of just extending and lowering his cap number. Same for Jacoby and Boldin. Hell we kept Mason longer than his usefulness. Keep these guys while they are still impactful.

**The Excellector** · 03-04-2013, 04:53 PM

Leach gives your offense versatility. Caldwell just needs to be more creative with his I-formation scheme than Cameron was. When you get a lead in the fourth quarter, you still need to be able to crunch some clock sometimes. Leach helps you do that. There are still going to be teams that you will need to get physical with as well.

**Ravenous1** · 03-04-2013, 06:11 PM

Leach is a guy you keep if your able to but sacrifice if you must. If letting go of Leach allows you to bring in a higher quality LT, DT then you have to do it IMO. If letting him go will not allow you to get another impact type guy at a position of need then you keep him.

**Bigfish** · 03-04-2013, 06:20 PM

Vonta is getting the 1.3 signing bonus money regardless of whether he plays or not, so that's not a factor. The 3m salary is the issue and I think something can be done there. Restructure/extend him at a bargain or let him go. They used him as a receiver a few times out of the backfield in an effort to use him outside of a blocker. Normally the defense avoids his hits so the idea of a DB running at him to initiate contact is my idea of fun.

**lovefootball** · 03-04-2013, 06:28 PM

Not a must keep, but he allows the offense to dictate to the defense when he is on the field. Seeing leach in the backfield helps with the play action fake. Drawing the defense up in anticipation of a run will most likely get one one coverage for the receivers. If he stays cheap, keep him. You know fans love a hard hitting fullback like Leach. Foster missed him these last two years.

**The Excellector** · 03-04-2013, 10:28 PM

You don't want to fall into the trap of being a finesse offense that lacks physicality when it is needed. The Ravens just beat up on a team like that in the AFC Championship Game.

**Spider Webb** · 03-05-2013, 01:15 AM

Originally Posted by The Excellector

You don't want to fall into the trap of being a finesse offense that lacks physicality when it is needed. The Ravens just beat up on a team like that in the AFC Championship Game.

So Leach is the difference between us being a finesse offense and a physical offsense? There are cheaper options. That being said I'd love him back.

**leachisabeast** · 03-05-2013, 03:29 AM

Originally Posted by Spider Webb

So Leach is the difference between us being a finesse offense and a physical offsense? There are cheaper options. That being said I'd love him back.

Well yeah, he is a throwback lead blocker, of course you're offense is a lot more physical with him on the field.

**Ravenalytics** · 03-05-2013, 05:44 AM

I don't see any team that would value Leach more than us. I think he restructures.

**leachisabeast** · 03-05-2013, 06:02 AM

Originally Posted by Ravenalytics

I don't see any team that would value Leach more than us. I think he restructures.

The 49ers would pay him as much IMO. Their offense is perfect for a guy like him.

**leachisabeast** · 03-05-2013, 06:06 AM

Also, the Jets would probably be all over him, they'll have to be able to run the ball if they want another year with Sanchez as the starting QB. They'll need to be able to run with any other option anyway, Ryan Nassib, Geno Smith, or Matt Barkley, aren't day 1 refined passers like an RG3 or an Andrew Luck.

**Paintballguy** · 03-05-2013, 06:11 AM

Our offense doesn't become finesse is Leach leaves. Especially considering he played less than 50% of the snaps this past season. Leach definitely adds a certain physicality, but I don't see our offense being finesse when we have guys like KO, Yanda, Oher and Pierce on offense.

**leachisabeast** · 03-05-2013, 06:12 AM

No offense with Boldin starting at WR is finesse either lol

**Paintballguy** · 03-05-2013, 06:15 AM

Originally Posted by leachisabeast

No offense with Boldin starting at WR is finesse either lol

lol yes forgot about Boldin. hey it's early...

**JMUpurkfool** · 03-05-2013, 07:16 AM

I think they will cut him and try to resign him to a cheaper deal.

Question is would he rather be here and win?

Or go to a team that will pay him more and not be successful?

**The Excellector** · 03-05-2013, 07:37 AM

Originally Posted by Spider Webb

So Leach is the difference between us being a finesse offense and a physical offsense? There are cheaper options. That being said I'd love him back.

Cheap doesn't equate to better. Cheaper options might not be able to put Patrick Willis flat on his ass the way that Leach has done in the past. Cheaper options might not make LBs submit the way Leach has, shying away from him when he comes through the hole for Rice.