A crowded competition for the No. 2 running back spot behind Steven Jackson got less congested Thursday, with the Rams trading running back Brian Leonard to Cincinnati for defensive tackle Orien Harris.
Leonard’s agent, Mike McCartney confirmed that the deal had been finalized.
“This is a great trade for Brian,” McCartney said. “I give the Rams credit for putting him in a great situation, with a great quarterback in Carson Palmer, where he can be a running back. They’re going to put him in the nickel (package) right away.”
Later in the afternoon, the Rams formally announced the trade.
“This move allows us to add more depth to our defensive line rotation,” coach Steve Spagnuolo said in a statement.
After releasing Chris Perry recently, the Bengals don’t have a clear No. 2 running back behind starter Cedric Benson. The Bengals’ offseason roster currently includes Lindenwood University product DeDe Dorsey, Kenny Watson and sixth-round draft pick Bernard Scott at running back.
The Rams could never find a role for Leonard during his two seasons in St. Louis _ was he a running back or fullbacK? And that seemed to be the issue when Spagnuolo took over as well. Leonard was bothered by shoulder injuries in both of his seasons in St. Louis, playing in only two games last season before going on injured reserve.
The second-round draft pick carried only two times for seven yards last season, but saw extensive action in place of the injured Jackson in 2007. That year, Leonard finished as the Rams’ second-leading rusher with 303 yards on 86 carries (a 3.5 average), adding 30 catches for 183 yards. His best game came against Arizona on Oct. 7 of the ‘07 season when he rushed for 102 on 18 carries.
Harris was claimed off waivers from New Orleans by the Bengals before the start of the 2008 regular season. He played in 14 games with one start, finishing with 24 tackles. The addition of Tank Johnson in the offseason made him expendable in Cincy. In St. Louis he has a chance to be the team’s fourth defensive tackle, with he and fourth-round draft pick Darell Scott backing up starters Adam Carriker and Clfiton Ryan.
Selected in the fourth round of the 2006 draft by Pittsburgh out of the University of Miami (Fla.), Harris has been the ultimate journeyman so far in the NFL. St. Louis represents his six team, with prior stints with Buffalo and Cleveland besides his time in Pittsburgh, New Orleans and Cincinnati. Prior to his stint with the Bengals, he had played in only two other NFL regular-season games, both with Cleveland in 2006.
Harris, 6-3, 300, is a native of Jamaica and the younger brother of offensive tackle Kwame Harris, a former first-round pick of the San Francisco 49ers who currently is a free agent.
Source: STLTODAY.COM