Audible: Be Like Brian?
JP Pelzman writes an article today on Leon Washington and how his big play ability on special teams or in the offense has been a big help to the Jets. From watching some TV shows, there’s a lot of talk about whether Leon Washington could be a Brian Westbrook type of player.
When you look at their statistics, there’s some similarities. The biggest two differences of course are touches and special teams. Westbrook sees the ball alot more in the offense but doesn’t play specials much anymore as he’s just too valuable to that team to get hurt on a punt or kick return. But when you boil it down to value per play on offense via Football Outsiders, their values (Westbrook 14.4% DVOA, Washington 11.0% DVOA) aren’t that dissimilar. Leon’s been working on his game and his improvement is marked, but there’s still more room for him to grow. I’d love to see Leon get more touches in this offense, but I wonder if he will ever vault to the level of Brian Westbrook’s game … what do you think?
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I think EVERYBODY thinks/knows(except for schotty) that LEON does NOT touch the ball NEAR enough! I can honestly say that he single handidly WON last weeks game for us. Just give him the damn ball!
ALL year long I/WE have been saying that CERTAIN games were MUST WIN.THEY WEREN’T. This week is a TOTALLY different circumstance. OUR team is on the BRINK of disaster. So far this year WE have NOT lived/played up to our potential. At times we look UNSTOPPABLE and other times we look like the Bad News Bears of football. I feel like Im at Six Flags every Sunday with ALL the rollercoaster rides WE’VE been on this year. Good thing for me is that I LOVE rollercoaster rides but after a while I DO wanna get off. I think the ONE mainstay has been our DEFENSE(not necessarily as of late)but I chalk THAT up to how INCONSISTENT our OFFENSE has been. Everyone knows no matter how GOOD a defense is,when they are on the FIELD the all the time they are going to get run down and tired. I was one of the HAPPIEST people in the world when I saw the J-E-T-S traded for BRETT FAVRE,but the INTERCEPTIONS he has thrown are damn near INEXCUSEABLE! Its not like they were tipped passes or the cornerback made a GREAT play and picked it,they were into double/triple coverage OR right in their hands! I DO still feel that he WAS/IS a BETTER QUATERBACK for us than CHAD. (I KNOW I just opened up the FLOODGATES for all the CHAD lovers out there,but hey,its MY/YOUR opinion.)Obviously,FAVRE is not the ONLY one to blame,SCHOTTY’S play calling has been ERRATIC and SPURRATIC to say the least. I was really happy when I heard that the PLAYERS are saying the same thing(how could they not!?) We NEVER seem to get into any kind of RYTHM. We PASS when we’re supposed to RUN and RUN when we should be PASSIING. Also,where is the PLAYACTION? Hopefully SCHOTTY has heard all of this(how could he not) and make the PROPER adjustments. For ALL of you RAGGING on OUR team each and every week(some weeks deservingly) WE are still only ONE game out of FIRST PLACE and just happen to play the FIRST PLACE TEAM this week! Can you imagine IF we just play SOUND/FUNDAMENTAL football and actually WIN this game what it would do for the PLAYERS/COACHERS/FANS moral going into the second half of the season!? WE HAVE TO HAVE IT! That is why THIS is a MUST GAME WIN! J-E-T-S JETS! JETS!! JETS!!!
I love this comparison. I think they’re very similar in terms of quickness, running ability and underrated power. The one area where Westbrook is off the charts is pass-catching. Leon has shown a lot of promise in this area, but he’s still learning. Overall, it’s not unrealistic to say Leon could become a Westbrook-type threat.
One thing, is that every time Leon touches the ball he gets positive yards! Exciting player!
Leon could be used in the same way that Westbrook is used. Of course. Why are the coaches the only people who don’t notice this? Leon is already 25 years old. We all know RBs don’t last very long in the NFL. Might as well give him his carries now. Why wait til he’s 27-28? Ugh.
if we had a somewhat competent coordinator he would be a Westbrook type.
he looked JUST like him on that reception last week when he made a couple moves and scrambled for that touchdown vs KC. He needs at LEAST 10-12 touches a game! AT LEAST!
He is the only burner we have on this team, WHY not give it to him more? I wonder sometimes how much Mangini really knows whats going on w/Schotti, especially w/some of the athletes they have on this team.
good point droseatwork, unfortunatley we really dont… and its sad thatthe one thing holding this team back is the coaches…pretty pathetic maybe theyl wake up
I seem to remember Neon Leon being split out on a slant route against the Giants last year taking it 70 Yrds to paydirt? But alas that play has gone the way of davey jones locker….happy halloween.
westbrook is the best player in the league
If we can get a anything close to Westbrook, who when healthy is one of the most dynamic players in the game and top fantasy players, the Jets offense would have an explosion factor that I have yet to see in my lifetime.
thats what im talking about frank
He has the best balance I’ve ever seen, his equilibrium must be off the charts, love the way the guy plays. Herm for Leon best trade in Jet history
Why not TJ and Leon in the backfield at the same time like Deuce and Reggie Bush?