'Leonard Leap' a tackle-avoiding matter of instinct

0 Comments | USA TODAY, April, 2007 | by Tom Pedulla

PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- The "Leonard Leap" might be coming soon to an NFL city near you.

That is the signature move of Rutgers running back Brian Leonard, who developed his open-field tactic of jumping over submarining defenders as a high school senior.

"The first time I did it, I thought about it. 'These guys keep tackling me at my toes. I've got to do something about it. Why don't I jump over them?'" he says.

The ploy is not without risk for increasing chances of being injured. NFL defenders also won't likely appreciate feeling as if they are being shown up.

"I've had a couple of people say something to me like, 'Why did you do that to me, man? Why did you make me look stupid?'" Leonard says.

For now, though, he plans to stick...