Leonard Little

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Leonard Antonio Little (born October 19, 1974 in Asheville, North Carolina) is an American football defensive end for the St. Louis Rams of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the Rams in the third round of the 1998 NFL Draft. He played college football at Tennessee.

[edit] High School

Attended Asheville High School in Asheville, North Carolina. Was a three-year starter and linebacker and wide receiver. Was a Super Prep, Blue Chip, Prep Football Report First-team All-America as a senior.

[edit] College career

He attended the University of Tennessee, where he started every game at middle linebacker during his senior season, leading the team in tackles (87) and sacks (8.5).^[1] During his junior and sophomore seasons, Little played defensive end, his position in the NFL since 2001.^[1] Ran a 4.4 forty coming out of college.

[edit] Professional career

Little began his NFL career as a linebacker, donning uniform number 57. He signed a 3-year $1.2 million contract on July 2, 1998. The contract included a $400,000 signing bonus. He was inactive for four games before being place on non-football injury list due to legal issues surrounding his drunk driving accident. The NFL suspended Little for 8 games of the 1999 season. The suspension cost Little $125,000, half his salary for the 1999 season. The following season he returned to the Rams at mid-season and performed mostly on special teams.

In 2000 he became defensive end, coming into games to play left defensive end in passing situations, with starting end Kevin Carter "reducing" down to left defensive tackle. In that role Little had 5 sacks.

On April 24, 2001, Leonard Little agreed to a one-year tender offer of $512,000, the minimum level for a restricted free agent. ^[2] That season he changed his number to 91 and was a pass-rush specialist for the NFC Champion Rams. Little would enter games in passing situations in place of starting left defensive end Chidi Ahanotu. In that role, Little led the Rams with 14.5 sacks. Little had nine tackles (five solo), three QB pressures, and one sack in Super Bowl XXXVI.

On March 4, 2002, Little signed a five-year contract worth $17.5 million. In 2002 Little earned the starting left defensive end job and performed very well, despite the fact he was considered small for a "base" defensive end in the NFL. He played the run well and recorded 12 sacks and forced 9 fumbles. Had monster game in season finale vs. San Francisco with nine tackles (five solo), one QB pressure, season-high 2 sacks, and career-high three forced fumbles.

The following year he was an All-pro and Pro Bowl selection, with 12.5 sacks which ranked third in the NFC (fourth in the NFL) and an interception. Against the Minnesota Vikings on November 30, 2003, Little had eight tackles (six solo), career-best four sacks, three QB pressures, and two forced fumbles. Vikings offensive coordinator Scott Linehan said that Little "wrecked the game plan, just wrecked it." In addition to the 4 sacks, Viking offensive right tackles were called for four penalties attempting to block Little. In 2004 Little started all 16 games and recorded 7 sacks.

In 2005 Little led the Rams with 9.5 sacks and on September 11, 2005, against the 49ers he had nine tackles (four solo), 2.0 sacks, and two forced fumbles.

In Week 11 of the 2006, Little signed a 3-year $19.5 million contract extension that included a $6.1 million signing bonus.^[3] Little started all 16 games and led the team with 13.0 sacks (tied for second in the NFC, tied for fifth in the NFL).

Little suffered a toe injury in the 2007 season and he ended the season with only one sack. The injury required post-season surgery. Little agreed to restructure his contract to remain with the Rams. Little was due a $7.17 million roster bonus that would have counted as $9.5 million against the Rams' 2008 salary cap. The restructuring converted the roster bonus to a signing bonus, which meant it will be spread over the last two years fn the contract, essenitally cutting the cap number by nearly $3.6 million.^[4]

In all, Little has led the Rams in sacks during the 2001-2003, 2004, and 2006 seasons.

[edit] Controversy and legal troubles

After a drunken birthday in 1998, Little crashed into and killed another motorist, Susan Gutweiler in St. Louis, MO. When tested, his blood alcohol level measured 0.19 percent, a level that exceeds the statutory level of intoxication of 0.08 in the state of Missouri.^[5] Little received 90 days in jail, four years probation and 1000 hours of community service.^[6]

Six years later, Little was again arrested for drunk driving and speeding.^[7] The probable cause statement filed by police said Little had bloodshot and watery eyes, smelled of alcohol and failed three sobriety tests. ^[8] Because of Little's 1999 guilty plea to involuntary manslaughter in his drunken-driving crash case, prosecutors charged him as a persistent offender. This made it a felony case.^[8] Little was acquitted of driving while intoxicated, but was convicted only of the misdemeanor speeding charge.^[9]

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• St. Louis Rams bio