SageAgainstTheMachine Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 So I've got an interview scheduled with Jim Leonhard tomorrow at Jets training camp (I know that he's kinda small potatoes, but it's my first NFL interview so I'm kinda nervous). Anybody have any specific (and reasonable) questions you'd like me to ask? So far I've got... 1) You're one of the few guys to play under Rex Ryan as a D-Coordinator and Head Coach. Has his style changed at all and how has he affected your career? 2) What was it like playing just a few yards away from living legends like Ed Reed and Ray Lewis? 3) Based on who you've covered in practice, how are the younger WRs progressing and has anybody stood out as a potential replacement for Lavernues Coles? 4) Your away game against Buffalo is in Toronto this year. Are you excited about the new venue or would you prefer to return to Ralph Wilson Stadium where you spent 3 years as a Bill? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffaloaggie Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 I'd ask him about the Jets QB situation and how far away he thinks Mark Sanchez is from starting. And, as a side note, whether he's pick one off of him in practice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
murra Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 So I've got an interview scheduled with Jim Leonhard tomorrow at Jets training camp (I know that he's kinda small potatoes, but it's my first NFL interview so I'm kinda nervous). Anybody have any specific (and reasonable) questions you'd like me to ask? So far I've got... 1) You're one of the few guys to play under Rex Ryan as a D-Coordinator and Head Coach. Has his style changed at all and how has he affected your career? 2) What was it like playing just a few yards away from living legends like Ed Reed and Ray Lewis? 3) Based on who you've covered in practice, how are the younger WRs progressing and has anybody stood out as a potential replacement for Lavernues Coles? 4) Your away game against Buffalo is in Toronto this year. Are you excited about the new venue or would you prefer to return to Ralph Wilson Stadium where you spent 3 years as a Bill? Add on number 4. I would keep the Bills questions coming because that's where he got his start, and it will be interesting facing them twice this season (I'd imagine). Old faces should spark a nice rivalry. Sage, are you a journalism major? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloBill Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 Given that he was a longshot to make it in the NFL much less be a proven starter I would ask - "What were his keys to making that steep uphill climb successful?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Hansen Forever Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 So I've got an interview scheduled with Jim Leonhard tomorrow at Jets training camp (I know that he's kinda small potatoes, but it's my first NFL interview so I'm kinda nervous). Anybody have any specific (and reasonable) questions you'd like me to ask? So far I've got... 1) You're one of the few guys to play under Rex Ryan as a D-Coordinator and Head Coach. Has his style changed at all and how has he affected your career? 2) What was it like playing just a few yards away from living legends like Ed Reed and Ray Lewis? 3) Based on who you've covered in practice, how are the younger WRs progressing and has anybody stood out as a potential replacement for Lavernues Coles? 4) Your away game against Buffalo is in Toronto this year. Are you excited about the new venue or would you prefer to return to Ralph Wilson Stadium where you spent 3 years as a Bill? Ask him if he misses Lutefisk and all the cheeseheads? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mantis Toboggan M.D Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 Ask him the differences in coaching philosophies between Dick Jauron, Jim Harbaugh and Rex Ryan? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lori Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 Good luck, and don't be nervous. (Yeah, easier said than done, right?) If you're asking from a Buffalo perspective, have him compare/contrast Fewell's and Ryan's defensive philosophy, which is more demanding to learn and implement, which style the players enjoy more. (The last one is probably obvious, seeing that he followed Ryan to NY. Was that move based entirely on the money involved, or did the chance to keep playing for Ryan factor into his decision?) (Edit: or what HunkyDunky said while I was busy typing ... ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SageAgainstTheMachine Posted August 5, 2009 Author Share Posted August 5, 2009 Add on number 4. I would keep the Bills questions coming because that's where he got his start, and it will be interesting facing them twice this season (I'd imagine). Old faces should spark a nice rivalry. Sage, are you a journalism major? There's actually no journalism major at Cornell, but I'm doubling in English and Communications which does the job pretty well. I'm hoping to go to the Newhouse School at Syracuse when I'm done with my undergraduate studies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SageAgainstTheMachine Posted August 5, 2009 Author Share Posted August 5, 2009 Good luck, and don't be nervous. (Yeah, easier said than done, right?) If you're asking from a Buffalo perspective, have him compare/contrast Fewell's and Ryan's defensive philosophy, which is more demanding to learn and implement, which style the players enjoy more. (The last one is probably obvious, seeing that he followed Ryan to NY. Was that move based entirely on the money involved, or did the chance to keep playing for Ryan factor into his decision?) (Edit: or what HunkyDunky said while I was busy typing ... ) Thanks Lori (and everybody), I'm not trying to go for TOO much of a Buffalo spin because our show broadcasts in Ithaca which isn't any more of a Bills market than it is a Jets market. I scheduled the interview with Leonhard because I failed to get press passes to Bills camp and I figured an interview with a FORMER Bill would be the next best thing. That said, I'll be at Jets camp for a few days and I don't want to expose myself as the true Bills homer that I am Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
extrahammer Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 Post a link when you publish it, I'd like to read it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lori Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 Thanks Lori (and everybody), I'm not trying to go for TOO much of a Buffalo spin because our show broadcasts in Ithaca which isn't any more of a Bills market than it is a Jets market. I scheduled the interview with Leonhard because I failed to get press passes to Bills camp and I figured an interview with a FORMER Bill would be the next best thing. That said, I'll be at Jets camp for a few days and I don't want to expose myself as the true Bills homer that I am So you're saying the Jets credentialed you, but the Bills didn't. Shocking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jax bill backer Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 There's actually no journalism major at Cornell, but I'm doubling in English and Communications which does the job pretty well. I'm hoping to go to the Newhouse School at Syracuse when I'm done with my undergraduate studies. awsome Im majoring journalism at the World class Univeersity of Florida.. Home of erin andrews Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C.Biscuit97 Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 awsome Im majoring journalism at the World class Univeersity of Florida.. Home of erin andrews I'm guessing that the UF won't be using this in any upcoming advertising campaigns. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eball Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 Ask him the differences in coaching philosophies between Dick Jauron, Jim Harbaugh and Rex Ryan? Ding ding ding -- there's your winner. PLEASE ask this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C.Biscuit97 Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 Ask him the differences in coaching philosophies between Dick Jauron, Jim Harbaugh and Rex Ryan? Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs, Ed Reed, Trevor Pryce. And for JL, how bout when did he first really believe he could play in the NFL? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartyBall4Buffalo Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 Ask him why the jets hate Leon Washington so much? I mean really Washington is one of the best punt returners in the league, and they're taking him off that to give punt returns to Jim Leonhard?!? I understand they want to give Washington more carries this season, but if there is one team who rivals the Bills in special teams capability it's been the Jets. This just seems like a huge step back for Westhoff's group. Not only that but the lack of movement on a contract for Leon Washington is absurd. If I was a jets fan it would perplex me to say the least.- Granted I realize this is more of a question for Tannenbaum, but yeah. http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2009/03/n..._to_return.html Ask him stuff like In the early stages of Rex Ryans tenure how the defense is shaping up compared to the Ravens? How has Gholston looked? If the front 7 looks to have an agressive style that he in turn can benefit from? Kris Jenkins faded down the stretch last year. Is that a concern of the defensive staff moving forward, and has anyone else along the dline poised to step up? Are he and Kerry Rhodes developing good chemistry at their safety positions, with fluid communication? Are you and Bartt Scott taking an active role among your peers to help them learn Ryans defensive system? Is there anyone on the defense that maybe the average fan hasn't heard of that we should pay attention to? Than get into some "Who was your biggest help in your journey to make it in the NFL where you are today? All that small guy overcome such and such situation fluff. Honestly I'm not a fan of Leonhard the guy got lucky to ride the coattails of some of the best defensive players in the league. A luxury he does not have with the jets. If he proves me wrong I'll eat crow, but he'll go back to being the terribly exposed slow safety he was with the Bills or as Rich Gannon put it during a game against the jags 2 years ago "I don't know what Jim Leonhard was doing out there, but he looks like he shouldn't even be on the field" P.S- Congrats on getting an interview with a NFL player, and I hope it goes well, and best of luck to you in your Field Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
San Jose Bills Fan Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 Thanks Lori (and everybody), I'm not trying to go for TOO much of a Buffalo spin because our show broadcasts in Ithaca which isn't any more of a Bills market than it is a Jets market. I scheduled the interview with Leonhard because I failed to get press passes to Bills camp and I figured an interview with a FORMER Bill would be the next best thing. That said, I'll be at Jets camp for a few days and I don't want to expose myself as the true Bills homer that I am At the very least you have to wear your Bills boxers when you cover the Jets. And anytime you get nervous interviewing anyone on the Jets, just think of them as wearing Bills boxers too. Good luck and have fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VJ91 Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 There's actually no journalism major at Cornell, but I'm doubling in English and Communications which does the job pretty well. I'm hoping to go to the Newhouse School at Syracuse when I'm done with my undergraduate studies. Now that seems to be the "Harvard" of sports communications in the USA, so good luck and I hope you end up getting your masters there!! We will look for you on SportsCenter in a few years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chandler#81 Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 At the very least you have to wear your Bills boxers when you cover the Jets. And anytime you get nervous interviewing anyone on the Jets, just think of them as wearing Bills boxers too.Good luck and have fun. This is sage advise, Sage! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SageAgainstTheMachine Posted August 5, 2009 Author Share Posted August 5, 2009 Post a link when you publish it, I'd like to read it. Will do, it'll be available tomorrow morning on our website, and it will air on our sports talk show on Sunday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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