Sep 1, 2011; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals running back Brian Leonard (40) avoids the tackle of the Indianapolis Colts linebacker Philip Wheeler (50) during the first half at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports

The Buccaneers budgeted spending spree continued with the signing of former Cincinnati Bengals’ running back Brian Leonard to a one-year contract, according to his agent Mike McCartney via Twitter. The former second-round pick in the 2007 draft played under Bucs head coach Greg Schiano at Rutgers, bringing the current number of former Scarlett Knights on the roster to six.

Excited for @brian40leonard to re-join Greg Schiano on a 1 year deal with the @tbbuccaneers

— Mike McCartney (@MikeMcCartney7) April 1, 2013

To say Leonard was used sparingly during his time with the Bengals would be putting it mildly. Over his four seasons in Cincinnati he amassed a total of 86 carries for 336 yards. However, he remains a decent option for a Bucs offense that struggled to get the job done on the goal line during the 2012 season.

Leonard, a versatile back who has played both running back and fullback, will have a tough time supplanting current Bucs fullback Erik Lorig who seemed to come into his own in 2012, but he will certainly add depth at the position.

The Bucs are poised for a move at running back after shopping LeGarrette Blount in trade talks and meeting with running back prospects Christine Michael from Texas A&M and Michigan State’s Le’Veon Bell. With the Leonard signing, the writing may be on the wall for Blount’s days sporting the red and pewter.

Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

As we reported earlier today, and has since been reported by most every major news outlet, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have re-signed running back LeGarrette Blount on a one year deal.

@jason_otc LeGarrette Blount re-signed with the Bucs for 1 year at $1.75M ($1.25M-base salary, $350k-reporting bonus & $150k-workout bonus).

— Joel Corry (@corryjoel) March 9, 2013

As you can see, the terms of the deal are fairly low, meaning the Buccaneers will be spending very little to have a deep running game with multiple 1000 yard rushers in the stables. With Doug Martin on a rookie contract, and Blount on this one year, wait-and-see kind of deal, the Bucs have a very cost-controlled situation at running back going foward.

So what does this signing mean? First of all, it means Blount will not be available as a restricted free agent. This is not a restricted free agency tender, as we previously reported the Buccaneers were considering using on the running back. This deal is actually lower than the salary that would be paid for a second round tender in the RFA market, so there is certainly savings as compared to offering a tender to Blount.

Second of all, it means the Buccaneers have one less position to worry about in 2013. Running back is set, and cap space can be used to build up other positions such as cornerback, safety, tight end, and more. Mark Dominik has repeatedly mentioned he wants to bring back guys who have been here and earned a new contract, and Blount’s 2010 and 2011 performances are certainly worthy of another chance in 2013. If he’s able to play a bit better than he did in 2012, especially knowing that he’ll be an unrestricted free agent after the season ends, he’ll be a steal at this price tag and a valuable back up for the Buccaneers’ star running back Doug Martin.

So what do you think, Bucs fans? Are you glad to have Blount back? Let us know in the comments below.

LeGarrette Blount injured himself in Friday's preseason game, but the full extent of the injury is not yet known. (Mandatory Credit: Jeff Griffith-US PRESSWIRE)

LeGarrette Blount remained on the field for a few plays after most of the starters had already been pulled. All seemed well until Blount came up lame after a play early in the second quarter, and limped off the field. Blount took a hand off and carried the ball four yards before falling to the turn, clutching his knee.

This is one of the things that Bucs fans fear: seeing a key piece of the core limping off the field in a preseason game.

After the game, Blount told the media that he thinks he has a groin injury, but he made sure to note that he didn’t think it was a serious injury. Blount didn’t say much more than that, and in all honesty Blount probably doesn’t know the true extent of the injury. There was contact on the play which means it’s likely not a knee injury, but this isn’t something we’re going to speculate about.

However, head coach Greg Schiano did say that Blount injured his left groin and it’s not believed to be serious.

The injury to Blount did end up setting the tone for the Bucs in their second preseason game — one that they mustered up only a single touchdown in and got blown away 30-7.

Blount is going to get further evaluated tomorrow, and more about his injury will be known at that time. Stay tuned to The Pewter Plank and out twitter feed to get the latest info on Blount as soon as it breaks.