Hey guys, I’m proud to give you the first of many interviews with New York Jet players, staff and more. I hope you enjoy and I want to thank Jim Leonhard for his participation, he really went out of his way to contribute and gave some lengthy answers.
Jersey Jets Fan: Going into Wisconsin as a walk-on and into the NFL as an undrafted free agent, it seems like you have had your fair share of doubters in the past. With your success in the NFL, do you feel like you have silenced the skeptics?
Jim Leonhard: Early in my career I realized that there are always going to be doubters, but I feel like I’ve silenced quite a few throughout my career. As long as you continue to put in the work and try to perfect your craft, you can’t worry about the skeptics. I’m living the dream by playing in the NFL. I just hope that the fans get to see my love for the game through the way that I play the game.
Jersey Jets Fan: Coming so close to a Super Bowl appearance last year, do you think that it has made you and the Jets even more hungry for a Championship this year?
Jim Leonhard: I have been in the AFC championship game two years in a row. In my mind it’s the worst game to lose. If you make it that far you have a team that is good enough to win the Super Bowl, and that makes the loss really hurt. The players and coaches are really excited about the moves that have been made this off-season. We feel like we’ve made the additions that will allow us to take the next step. Our only team goal is to win the Super Bowl and we are excited to start the long journey to try to get one this season.
JJF: With all the new acquisitions and trades this off-season, a lot of familiar faces on the Jets are now gone. Do you think the team chemistry that was so crucial to last years playoff run will still be there this year?
JL: We have lost some great players this off-season. Guys that had earned a lot of respect from players and coaches throughout the league. That is the unfortunate “business” side of this game. Those guys will be missed, but we feel like we have added some special players this off-season. Each of the free agents that we signed is participating in the off-season program. All of the new Jets have been great and it’s been a lot of fun getting to know them over the past 6 weeks. I don’t think we will have a problem with team chemistry as long as Rex is the coach. He creates an atmosphere of respect and honesty, and that is what makes players want to play for him and each other.
JJF: How does playing in a Rex Ryan defense differ from any others you have played on in the past?
JL: Rex expects a lot from his defense. It’s a proven system and with the talent that we have the expectations will be very high. His play-calling is very aggressive and at times unconventional. He wants to set the tone early and keep an offense from getting comfortable. As a player you love playing in an aggressive defense because you know there are going to be a lot of opportunities to make game-changing plays.
JJF: The Jets defense backfield is looking pretty solid for this upcoming season. Are you exciting about playing in with Revis, Cromartie, Pool, and the newly drafted Kyle Wilson?
JL: The secondary is excited for this season. We have set our goals very high. We feel like we have the talent that could take over a game at any time. Not only are Antonio and Brodney talented players, they have great personalities. It’s been a fun off-season and we are looking forward to getting Kyle and the rest of the rookies here to show them how to play like Jets.
…. Well that’s all everyone, hope you enjoyed my talk with Jim Leonhard. The guy can ball and he will surely help the Jets this year on their run to the Superbowl. Especially when he is making plays with his helmet off, not giving a shit about his own well being, just a victory. Good luck to Jim this season and thanks for reading guys.
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This post was written by...
Payday – who has written 561 posts on Jersey Jets Fan- a New York Jets Blog with Attitude.
Rob aka Payday is the founder of the Jersey Jets Fan and BROcrastinator. Rob is a 21 year old college student that has been a New York Jets fan for all his life, as well as a Qdoba burrito eating enthusiast, military history junkie and proud resident of New Jersey. Follow Rob on Twitter @JerseyJetsFan and Facebook
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Awesome interview, Jim Leonhard is the man. I am glad to see this site is takin off. Keep up the good stuff.
Thanks, I appreciate it. Thanks for following the site
Love this site, came across it via the Jets FB page. Keep up the good work. Scottish Jets fan
Great job on the interview. I also came across your site on the JETS Facebook page. You should consider getting on Twitter and on GangGreenNation.com to help promote your brand and give us JETS fans some stuff to hold us over while we wait for the season!
I'm on twitter OnceYourAJet, follow the site on there too, give me some info to join up on ganggreen and id love to do it!
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