GREEN BAY — If the Green Bay Packers want to bring in a veteran safety this offseason, former University of Wisconsin standout Jim Leonhard has the perfect guy for them.

Him.

The Ladysmith, Wis. native, who turns 32 in October, has played 126 career games for five NFL teams — Buffalo (2005 through 2007), Baltimore (2008), the New York Jets (2009 through 2011), Denver (2012) and Buffalo again last season. But he's played in just seven postseason games during those eight seasons, reaching the AFC Championship Game in 2008 with the Ravens (a loss to the eventual Super Bowl-champion Pittsburgh Steelers) and 2009 with the Jets (a loss to the Indianapolis Colts) before losing in the AFC Divisional Playoffs on with the Broncos in 2012. The Bills finished 6-10 last season.

"I'm chasing a ring. I've been extremely close a number of times," Leonhard said in an interview with Zach Heilprin and Greg Scalzo on ESPN Madison Monday. "That's all I'm playing for. I want to get a Super Bowl. I want to at least have that experience."

For his career, Leonhard has 385 tackles, 12 interceptions and two forced fumbles. According to Pro Football Focus, Leonhard played 634 snaps for the Bills last season and was targeted 27 times in pass coverage, allowing 16 completions, including four touchdowns.

The 5-foot-8, 190-pound Leonhard might not fit the Packers' size requirements for the safety position, but the position is an obvious need for them. M.D. Jennings started all 17 games (including playoffs), but the Packers played Jennings, 2012 fourth-round pick Jerron McMillian, who was released late in the season, Chris Banjo and Sean Richardson alongside Morgan Burnett during the course of the season.

The Packers' safeties failed to intercept a pass all season, while Leonhard had a career-high four interceptions last season.

"I don't want to play that much longer. I'm going to be a little picky here this offseason and see what happens. I'm excited to see where it goes," Leonhard said. "I'd obviously love to come back to Green Bay and play for the hometown fans. That would make a lot of people happy, a lot of my family happy. They wouldn't be quite as conflicted, having to cheer for some teams that they maybe rather wouldn't.

"But you never know. Obviously there's got to be mutual interest on both ends. I'm excited for the process but also nervous to see how it plays out."

Jason Wilde  wrote:

A couple of years ago I would have thought yes, it would be a good idea. Not so much now. We need speed, size and ability to range and break up passes or pick them off. At 32, I don't know if he has the wheels, and he certainly doesn't have the size.

Originally Posted by: play2win 

So I take it you're not on the Jimmie Ward bandwagon? :-k

Originally Posted by: Mucky Tundra 

Yeah, I don't know. I think size at S might make a difference, but, there are plenty 6-0 guys out there who do just fine in coverage and securing the run.

Jimmie Ward from Northern Illinois is 5-11, 192. Adept in coverage with 14 PDs, 6 INTs, also good tackler with 77 and 50 solo, 1 sack.

I question how well he would project at the NFL level.

I'd be far more excited about Craig Loston from LSU at 6-2 205, Ahmad Dixon out of Baylor at 6-0 205 - not looking strictly at measureables, but the ability of these two seems far better for taking that next step to the NFL at SS. Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix, Calvin Pryor and Ed Reynolds all have decent size (6-1 to 6-2) and like ability or better at FS. These are pretty much the only Safeties I am excited about Ted possibly drafting, with the little info we can get as fans. If I were to pick one, it might be Dixon out of Baylor.

Originally Posted by: play2win 

TBH, would it hurt just to take a look at the guy? A vet with experience and good work ethic who wants to play here. Should we be so quick to turn him down?

Originally Posted by: Mucky Tundra