Cimini on Washington’s Role
Last night Cimini wrote on his blog a little more about the Musa Smith signing, highlighting the fact that his early career was beset by Roy Williams and his leg-breaking horse-collar tackle.
Running-back depth is critical, as the Giants proved last season, but Smith’s arrival must have a guy like [Leon] Washington wondering about his role. A year ago, he was voted the team MVP. Now he finds two veterans, Smith and Chatman, trying to squeeze their way into the rotation.
Seems like pot-stirring to me. The Jets brought in Tony Fisher when Cedric Houston quit … how’d that work out? The Jets are changing their running style, but they still will need a kick returner and will be in third down situations, Leon’s bread and butter. Beyond that, he’ll likely see packages designed for him, or in tandem with Brad Smith on option style plays. I see Washington becoming more the Kevin Faulk third down back for the Jets for a long time as opposed to the every down player. As far as Musa Smith squeezing him out, we’ll wait and see before we put him on the depth charts ahead of Washington. Not many scouting reports are favorable about Smith, and he’s likely a second fullback who provides flexibility in running the ball — proven in their interest in UDFAs like Valentine and Caulcrick.
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Not to stir the pot, but could these signings be a message to Washington? With lots of upper and lower body work, I always thought Leon could transform himself to an every-down back, like Tiki or Warrick Dunn did. Leon isn’t that small at 5-8, 202. Jones Drew is 5-7, 212, Dunn is 5-9, 180, Tiki was 5-10, 200 and Joe Morris was 5-7, 195. It seems pretty clear that Mangini/Tannenbaum don’t view Leon like an every down back. Maybe Leon should try to convince them otherwise.
No, I think Leon is after Thomas Jones when he leaves they are going to use Smith as a fullback… If they dont I would be really mad cause leon has lots of potential
why does the team MVP need a message? cimini is just looking for something to write. musa smith is a power back, not a scat back. if they signed someone similar to leon then it would be a message. seems like cimini has run out of ideas on the baker controversy and is letting his mind run wild.
If anyone is getting a message out of this signing, and the signings of Richardson and Caulrick its Thomas Jones, he of the 1 rushing TD last year. I know these guys are fullbacks and mostly lead blocking candidates, but few teams in the NFL have been as putrid as the Jets in recent years in short yardage situations. Yes, the O line upgrades (and TE’s) could go a long way towards making them over into a smash mouth, impose your will on the other team type running team, but maybe, just maybe its a message to Jones, that if you can’t get the tough yards when we need you to, we’ve got a couple of other guys that will.
If you look at the RB’s that SackDance99 mentioned in his post above, why isn’t Danny Woodhead a possibility? He is 5-8 and 200lbs. None of the guys mentioned above run a 4.30, like DW does.
I think they’re loading up for a running game that can keep any QB out of trouble. That could mean injuries to one or more and I don’t think they plan on running out! This will be old-time three yards and a cloud of dust football, although dust isn’t likely any more.