Ravens FB Leach on collision course to stardom

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NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Vonta Leach's job is to get involved in a collision so Ray Rice won't.

The Baltimore Ravens are in the Super Bowl in part because of Leach's ability to pave a path for Rice to follow. If that involves sticking his helmet into the chest of a 300-pound defensive lineman, then so be it.

Leach serves as an escort for Rice and backup running back Bernard Pierce. In 2010, he opened up holes for Arian Foster in Houston. Not coincidentally, Rice and Foster both earned invitations to the Pro Bowl by following Leach's lead.

Leach was an All-Pro in 2010 and 2011, and he's made the Pro Bowl in each of the last three seasons.

He didn't play in the NFL's all-star game this season because he was preparing for something more important: a Super Bowl matchup Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers.