INDIANAPOLIS -- In a stunning move, Colts All-Pro linebacker Shaquille Leonard was waived by the team Tuesday, a decision prompted by his declining performance after recent injuries.
Leonard, who returned to the lineup this season after two back surgeries in 2022 to correct nerve issues, was getting inconsistent playing time as he tried to play his way into form. His uneven performance and ongoing recovery prompted coaches to remove him from the lineup on third downs and had him, at times, splitting earlier snaps with E.J. Speed -- decisions that did not sit well with Leonard. - ESPN (CONTEXT - take a note here, Producer Reese):
Since entering the league out of South Carolina State in 2018, the man formerly referred to as Darius Leonard had an outstanding start to his career for the Colts. Drafted at the top of the second round, he won defensive rookie of the year in 2018 and 1st team all-pro with 163 combined tackles in the 16 game season - that is OUTSTANDING production from any player, nevermind a rookie. He continued that stellar play for the following three seasons - racking up multiple first team all-pros in the process. Look at this damn first four year stat sheet - dude was ballin' - 8 forced fumbles in 2021 is Peanut Tillman status (highlights included for those who don't know Peanut Tillman - NFL hates embedded content):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtmgUZ5C8Vo
But as you can see in these stats, a massive drop off after the '21 season into 2022 and now finally getting waived a little more than midway through the '23 season. NFL players drop off quickly, but this it pretty wild for a guy whose not even 30 years old. Granted, he did have multiple back surgeries and a head coaching change in this last year... but I can't help but think there may be some other reason why his play has dropped off significantly:
This was from the summer of '22 at training camp. Since changing his name, he's played 12 games, had only 2 tackles for loss, and no longer has a spot on the roster of the ICs. Correlation is not causation... but we have seen a similar trend in the past across the National Football league when it comes to name changes. A few examples:
1) Donte Hitner (formerly Donte Whitner) -
After an outstanding early career beginning in 2006 and an 8-tackle super bowl performance in 2012 with the SF 49ers against the Ravens, Hitner was not re-signed that offseason and went on to play 2 lackluster seasons with the lowly Cleveland Browns before getting cut halfway through his 4 year contract, then finished out his career in Washington that next season.
2) Robby Chosen/Chosen Anderson (formerly Robbie Anderson)
This dude has been all over the map in the name game over the last few years, but it's clear that prior to the '21 season when he first changed his name from 'Robby' to 'Robbie' it began to go down hill - note the 1,000 yard receiving season in 2020 with Carolina:
I believe he got signed by Miami earlier this season, but has yet to make the active roster. *Check that, as of 2 hours ago, he has now been promoted to active roster, but the '23 stat line will not likely be particularly pretty.
3) Chad Ochocinco (formerly Chad Johnson)
Mr. Ochocinco changed his name in 2008, and had only one 1,000 yard season for the rest of his career, which ended with an absolutely atrocious one year stint with the New England Patriots in 2011 - a season when he had no idea how to be a part of an actual winning franchise - showing his ineptitude by gawking over Tom Brady's 500 yard+ performance on opening night in Miami as opposed to being a part of it:
That's a borderline HOF career - and if he had kept his original name, who knows?! Maybe he continues to build on that body of work and doesn't end it with a whimper and an end of training camp cut from Joe Filbin on Hard Knocks 2012 with the Miami Dolphins.
I hope to see Shaquille Leonard find a new home and new life in his NFL career - would really hate to see this trend continue. Belichick is watching, Patriots could always use more depth at linebacker.
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