Ravens release Vontae Leach

[Dante84]

Looks like he wants to go to Houston. Would be nice to get him on our roster.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/93...houston-texans

The Baltimore Ravens released three-time Pro Bowl fullback Vonta Leach on Tuesday and re-signed tight end Billy Bajema.

A league source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter that the Ravens tried to trade Leach but were unable to find a taker. His agent, meanwhile, told a Houston television station that his client would like to return to the Houston Texans.

Lot Of Football Left?

Vonta Leach was the top-ranked fullback in the NFL last season and the best lead blocker for the second straight season, according to ProFootballFocus.com. In fact, he's ranked among the top three in four of the past five seasons.
Rating Block rtng
Leach Ravens 19.1 16.5
Rhett Ellison Vikings 14.8 12.2
Marcel Reese Raiders 14.8 7.2
Mike Tolbert Panthers 14.3 1.0
Darrel Young Redskins 9.3 6.6

"We've had lots of discussion in the past week with Vonta and his agent, and both parties agreed that it was best to terminate Vonta's contract," Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome said in a statement.

"He played a significant role in helping us get to the AFC Championship Game in 2011 and win the Super Bowl last season. He added to our toughness and will to win, plus he provided leadership. He's a good football player. There could be an opportunity for him to return to the Ravens once he explores the free-agent market, and we could re-visit this before or during training camp."

Leach's agent told KRIV-TV in Houston that the Texans, who Leach played for from 2007-10, are at the top of the fullback's wish list and he would reach out to the team soon to see if they are interested.

"Obviously, which teams you have the best fit at," agent Ralph Vitolo told KRIV-TV. "The most logical fit and the smoothest transition to another team would be Houston because he's already been there.

"He understands the coaches, the scheme. He's worked with Arian Foster and the rest of the offensive line, so it would be a very smooth transition to go back to Houston."

It is unknown if the Texans, who signed veteran fullback Greg Jones earlier this offseason, would be interested in signing Leach.

More From ESPN.com

It should come as no surprise that the Ravens decided to part ways with Pro Bowl fullback Vonta Leach, writes Jamison Hensley. Blog

Leach, one of the NFL's best lead blockers, was due to make $3 million this season. The nine-year veteran made the Pro Bowl in each of the past two seasons with the Ravens.

Leach, 31, had indicated that his stint with the Ravens was over in a series of tweets Monday,

"Thanks ravens organization for a great two years," Leach wrote on his Twitter account. "I came here and did what we set out to do and that's win the Super Bowl. My time here is up but what we accomplished, we will be forever linked. Thank the fans for accepting me and my family to Bmore."

Leach has rushed for 749 yards and four touchdowns in 130 career games with the Ravens, Texans and Green Bay Packers. He also made the Pro Bowl in 2010 as a member of the Texans.

The reigning Super Bowl champion Ravens figure to give rookie fullback Kyle Juszczyk, a fourth-round draft selection this past April, the first opportunity to replace Leach.

[Hammock Parties]

This guy could get Charles 2,000 yards.

[mcaj22]

Originally Posted by penbook

According to Vonta Leechs agent and Mike Garafolo the Chiefs are 1 out of 7 teams interested in him.

so all 7 teams left in the NFL that even still use a FB

[The Bad Guy]

I don't know why some people really care about the use of a fullback in the NFL. If they sign him, great, if not, no big deal.

Crying over trading Javier Arenas or drafting one in the later rounds makes no sense.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by kcchiefsfangojc

Dumb noob? Yeah, lets give a 31 year old fullback extra money because he was awesome last year! I guess we are just a Pro Bowl fullback away from winning a Super Bowl. I mean look how many we won with Tony Richardso.....wait a minute.

The fact that this team didn't participate in, or even compete for, a SB is not Tony Richardson's fault.

If this debate included a QB, and you had to choose between Leach and a QB, then your post would have merit.

Since, however, we are only discussing Leach, you are just a dumbass, posting dumbassery.

[The Bad Guy]

Originally Posted by penbook

According to Vonta Leechs agent and Mike Garafolo the Chiefs are 1 out of 7 teams interested in him.

Can you post a link?

[milkman]

Originally Posted by The Bad Guy

I don't know why some people really care about the use of a fullback in the NFL. If they sign him, great, if not, no big deal.

Crying over trading Javier Arenas or drafting one in the later rounds makes no sense.

Andy Reid's offense is more effective with a good fullback.

[The Bad Guy]

Originally Posted by milkman

Andy Reid's offense is more effective with a good fullback.

Oh, I know that.

I'm all for signing Leach. He's devastating.

[mcaj22]

Originally Posted by The Bad Guy

I don't know why some people really care about the use of a fullback in the NFL. If they sign him, great, if not, no big deal.

Crying over trading Javier Arenas or drafting one in the later rounds makes no sense.

analytically, Vonta Leach has proven to be a difference in the running game, he has helped been apart of and given both Arian Foster and Ray Rice their best seasons statistically

the thing about trading for a FB or drafting one, is they are probably going to be ****ing terrible. Case and point Anthony Sherman is horrible, Vonta Leach actually can block, open holes and provide the surge in the running game this team needs especially with a injury prone noodle arm broke dick game manager for a QB in the passing game.

[The Bad Guy]

Originally Posted by mcaj22

analytically, Vonta Leach has proven to be a difference in the running game, he has helped been apart of and given both Arian Foster and Ray Rice their best seasons statistically

the thing about trading for a FB or drafting one, is they are probably going to be ****ing terrible. Case and point Anthony Sherman is horrible, Vonta Leach actually can block, open holes and provide the surge in the running game this team needs especially with a injury prone noodle arm broke dick game manager for a QB in the passing game.

I'm not disagreeing that Sherman is terrible. I think they just wanted to dump Arenas and wanted to make sure he didn't end up in Oakland.

If he wasn't traded to Arizona, he was going to be cut. There was no interest in trading even a 7th rounder for him.

[Mav]

So pissed that Cleveland didnt sign this guy immediately. Twice, in the past two years, this guy destroyed the 49ers lbs. Two times a year, i have watched this guy destroy the Browns lbs, and linemen. This guy is so ferocious its not even funny. And the rub is, he is actually decent in the pass game.

[beach tribe]

Originally Posted by kcchiefsfangojc

Dumb noob? Yeah, lets give a 31 year old fullback extra money because he was awesome last year! I guess we are just a Pro Bowl fullback away from winning a Super Bowl. I mean look how many we won with Tony Richardso.....wait a minute.

I hate when people use this God Awful reeruned argument to object to upgrading any position.
"Who would want Willie Roaf? Look how many SBs we won with him"

[milkman]

Originally Posted by beach tribe

I hate when people use this God Awful reeruned argument to object to upgrading any position.
"Who would want Willie Roaf? Look how many SBs we won with him"

In most cases, this argument has been used in debates between QB and tackle in the draft discussions.

If I believe that I have a choice between a potential Roaf and a potential franchise QB, I'm arguing QB every time.

[mcaj22]

Originally Posted by The Bad Guy

I'm not disagreeing that Sherman is terrible. I think they just wanted to dump Arenas and wanted to make sure he didn't end up in Oakland.

If he wasn't traded to Arizona, he was going to be cut. There was no interest in trading even a 7th rounder for him.

well logically you'd think they would have been able to flip Arenas + that 5th rounder for Leach

and if we sign Leach that's basically what we would be giving up for him, so it's a wash regardless.

But the point is the efforts the Chiefs made in throwing numbers at the FB positions through draft pick, trades, UDFA, etc. You'd think they were exploring all options and knew a team like the Ravens were trying to dump the best FB in the league

[beach tribe]

Originally Posted by milkman

In most cases, this argument has been used in debates between QB and tackle in the draft discussions.

If I believe that I have a choice between a potential Roaf and a potential franchise QB, I'm arguing QB every time.

I KNEW someone would take that post there, but that's not what I was thinking about.
The value of the potential franchise QB can really no longer be compared to the field.

[ShowtimeSBMVP]

Aaron Wilson ‏@RavensInsider 2m

Chiefs are another possibility for fullback Vonta Leach, per source. No visit scheduled yet at this time.