Friday's edition of The Sun highlighted rookie linebacker Anthony Leon's familial relationship with the late Sean Taylor, the Pro Bowl safety for the Washington Redskins whose life was cut short on Nov. 27, 2007.
The 6-foot-3, 221-pound Leon is trying to secure a roster spot with the Ravens as an outside linebacker, but the former University of Arkansas standout played safety for two years at Florida State and his first year with the Razorbacks.
"I still love to play safety," Leon said. "My cousin, Sean Taylor, he played safety, and I wanted to be just like him. But however I can help the team, that's what I'm here for."
Leon may have the height to play linebacker, but his weight doesn't lend itself to run support, where he can get pushed out of running lanes by offensive linemen and tight ends. Leon said he was one of the biggest linebackers at Arkansas. But now he's one of the smallest at that position among the Ravens. Leon said he doesn't consider his size to be a disadvantage.
"You can really build onto my frame," he said. "I'm 6-3, and I'm only 220 right now, but I've got a lot of building to do. So there's always room for improvement, and I'm just excited to see how good I can be."
Leon has mixed solid performances with quiet, uneventful ones. He said he knows that consistency is what resonates with the coaches, who will make the ultimate decision on Leon's future with the Ravens.
"I'm just trying to show them that I'm a ball player and a playmaker," Leon said. "I'm just trying to catch on with the plays real fast because we didn't have OTAs [Organized Team Activities]. So I'm just trying to show them that I'm all about business and that I can help the team."
