Cincinnati Bengals' RB Brian Leonard Ready for a Bigger Role

(Photo by Greg Trott/Getty Images)

No matter how much people pigeon-hole him into the cliche' "lead-blocking" role, Brian Leonard is always going to wake up in the morning the same way: as a running back.

The fact is, he isn't slow. He does have moves, and he is agile.

Several sites across the web (count them—it's probably 100 percent) say he's not worth "handcuffing" to Cedric Benson in fantasy football.

They say he's a waste of time as a running back, simply in general.

He's just another white guy trying to tote the ball, when he should wise up and just block, already.

I'm sorry, but I'm not sorry. I am merely not convinced.

I'm not convinced that Cedric Benson is the answer for Cincinnati. Moreover, I'm not convinced that Brian Leonard isn't.

I am convinced, however, that he can be "the guy" in the Bengals backfield, and that he has all the necessary tools to be an effective, and damn me if I'm wrong, a star running back.

But let's not get carried away (pun intended).

It's not even preseason. Benson isn't hurt, hasn't fumbled away the starting job, or broken the law.

Ah, but there's time.

However, with recent reports suggesting that Leonard is, in fact, Benson's top backup heading into training camp at the end of the month, there is reason for speculation, and yes, even hope.

Leonard has little experience as a starter in the NFL, but he does have one 100-yard effort to his name.

Hell, he hasn't even scored a touchdown, yet.

But, if you're a giddy, college-to-pro football fan like me and half of the rest of the world, you're holding out hope (there's that word again) that we get to see a couple more of those famous "Leonard Leap's".

In St. Louis, Leonard was used sparingly in his rookie season, until he got is first crack at starting when Steven Jackson went down with an injury.

Leonard responded with a solid 102-yard effort, only to crash into a wall in the form of a formidable Baltimore Ravens rush defense the next week.

Ever since then, Leonard battled shoulder injuries, and quite frankly, was never the same.

But to be even more honest, he wasn't given much of an opportunity, either.

He was demoted to fullback, and saw Antonio Pittman step in and take on the load, despite Jackson still missing time.

Antonio Pittman. Really?

Regardless of your opinion of the Rams, Leonard, or even Pittman, that's all in the past now.

Now it's all about the future.

Leonard apparently has the go-ahead for third-down back duties, and probably will split goal-line and short yardage carries with Benson, while giving way to the regular carries to the former Bear.

His main competition is 31-year-old Kenny Watson, and Bernard Scott, a small-school, rookie running back.

While both of these backs have talent, Leonard is arguably the most versatile, as he's a stellar blocker, exceptional receiver, and is actually a pretty darn good running back, too.

If you're looking for help in the fantasy realm, take a flier on Leonard late in your draft in deep leagues. He just might be worth it.

And if you're looking for someone to cheer for in this little place we like to call "real life", Leonard's your man.

Because, come on. The guy jumps over people.

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