The TJB20: Li’l Leon and the Colossal Contract
Leon Washington is a special player, heading into his fourth and final year with the Jets, his big payday is ahead and he’s looking to get paid.
Need a second to review the rules and the panelists, check out the introductions.
UPDATE: Although it’s my fault it’s late, we’ll be welcoming in the responses of JI‘s Sean Deegan, I got him his homework late …
7) Will Leon Washington’s new agent Alvin Keels be a problem to getting him re-signed with the team?
Sean Deegan from JetsInsider.com: Based on my interactions with Leon, he seems like a reasonable guy who truly enjoys being a NY Jet. So, unless the Jets try to lowball him (which would be stupid for such a versatile playmaker) I don’t foresee a problem.
Simon from SimonOnSports: If the agent is going to take the hardline that Leon is a #1 running back and deserves #1 money than absolutely it’s going to be a problem. I love Leon, but I don’t think he’s ever going to be a true #1 running back and I don’t think he’s ever going to deserve that kind of money. If that’s the angle that Keels takes than I could see the LaMont Jordan situation happening once again.
Max from JetNation.com: Unless he insists that Leon workout with Andre Smith I think it won’t matter. Leon is loved in this city. His value to this team is well documented. The only question is how much money Leon will get from the Jets and that will depend a lot on his playing time under Rex Ryan.
Bob Bullock from Jetstream (NJ.com): As I stated before, sign this guy long-term and give him what he wants. He is the ONLY game-breaker we have on the roster right now!
Josh Alper from NBCNewYork.com: No, the problem will be placing a monetary value on a player with a non-traditional skill set.
Matt Loede from NFLGridironGab.com & JetsGab.com: Washington is a very good player that we all know can make plays, but let’s get real, would he be as good elsewhere? I’m not so sure. The Jets know what they have in him, and Keels and the team should try to make sure to get this relationship off to a good start, and make the moves to make sure he’s aboard.
Michael Salfino from SNY: If I was Washington, I’d high-tail it out of town and find a franchise with a modicum of the imagination required to get the ball into the hands of your best players.
Seth Edelstein, Jet Fan Extraordinaire: New agents tend to want to make a splash. Hook Leon up with a nice signing bonus … then friendly $$ after that. Dont treat him like a “____ time Pro Bowler” yet. If the early negotiations go poorly, then Leon has to put up or shut up on the this year … he is the one playing for new deal. But I can’t say I like the sound of this:
“I don’t like comparisons, but I don’t like myself being compared to Darren Sproles, I can tell you that,” Washington said. The Jets hope to sign him to an extension, but Washington is after big money, saying he’s “trying to revolutionize the game” like Gale Sayers did.
Ummmm….he’s good….but let’s see it for one more year, although I think he should make a little more then Sproles.
Bent from TheJetsBlog.com: Agents are always a problem, but I do believe Leon wants to be here. It seems like many Jets fans would rather let him go than give him a $5-6m per year deal, but my view is that he’ll get at least this and – as long as he stays healthy (not a given when you’re that size) – it will probably look like good value in a few years’ time. Of course, that just means he’ll probably hold out and demand a new deal…
Give your thoughts on the Leon contract situation in the comments.
24 Responses to The TJB20: Li’l Leon and the Colossal Contract
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spentmiles says:
Maybe this year, he’ll get more carries, get hurt (knock on wood), so then everyone can complain that he was overworked for his size. Why would they limit his carries:
1) They needed him to return, which he excelled at.
2) He’s just a little fella who shouldn’t be used as a battering ram
3) His success was tied to where and when he was used, and defenses inability to adapt to his change of pace from TJ.I can’t imagine the offensive coaches holstering an awesome weapon without their reasons. I just hope they are good ones.
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The more I look at our RB situation the more I look at us taking a RB at 17 its sad but true
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thomas says:
good point spent.
however, when i play madden 09 and put leon as my starter, i get much more production out of him over jones. so that right there proves leon should be the starter… lol :)
yes, i was jk people. (but i do get more production out of leon in madden)
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FernandoQ says:
Josh has it right on…he’s difficult to gage financially ..different type of player that’s hard to compare with others but he’s also the Jet team MVP soooo it’s gonna be tough..I trust that this one will work itself out I think both sides appreciate the other!
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Jason says:
He wants to be number 1, treat him like number 1 for the first three games, give him the ball and see what he does, we know what TJ can do with the majority, Leon wants it, let him have it, by the fifth game if he holds his own then give him the contract. I think he can be our number one.
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Hoz you are right on the money, lets get Wells or trade down and get a big back in the second, sign Leon and start a slash and dash combo.
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96debacle says:
looks like we have another Madden Geek thinking its close to the real thing.
(although i have to admit Leon does break open the big ones when i’m playing, but he never costs 5 mil when i resign him ;))i always imaged Leon packaged with another young big back. a really nice 1-2 punch or thunder and lightning if you will. that kind of roll doesn’t call for big money Leon is looking for. again it is very hard to find teams with just a #1 back in there stable. usually we’re seeing that RB by committee. Which i would like to see more of on the JETS.
this will never happen but:
bundle TJ and a pick move into the end of round one pick up Wells or Moreno. Pay Leon a really good signing bonus and incentive laid contract and we have our solid running game for the next 5 years…again that only happens in Madden land…
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Frank says:
I have a bad feeling about his Sproles comment — he is definitely better than Sproles and Sproles got 6+MM from SD so that is probably the starting point for negotiations. That being said, I don’t know why he couldn’t be a Warrick Dunn-type lead back, getting the ball 20 times a game and leaving the goal-line carries to a bigger back.
Oh wait, I forgot, under Schotty we always go 5 wide and pass on short yardage, so it won’t even matter.
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neauone says:
Trade TJ and draft Shonn Green in round 2 end of story.
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Leon is a special player but he is helped a great deal (and he as admitted to this) by Westoff….
Go look at the contract Hester got and go from there. The guy deserves to get paid but hopefully he has some reality in what he should get.
I on board with a RB at 17…. Again …I want to trade back but if the best value is Wells/Moreno…I take one of them.
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Maybe Rashad Jennings at the end of day one.
it would be nice to have a “Sonic Boom” RB combination.
Leon=Sonic, we just need the BOOM. -
I am confused by the Spoles comment. Leon or Spoles are not going to get a long term 6m+ deal. Spoles like Cassell struck gold by havng a nice run in a year where there teams could franchise them.
The RB franchise number should mean very little to where the negotiations start.
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cabras says:
Who else on our team is a threat to take it to the house anytime he touches the ball?
That’s right nobody! The team is almosyt forced to sign him, otherwise our O is in for big trouble! -
TimNY says:
One poster after another (with the exception of Bent) keeps putting up comments that Leon should be paid “what he wants”, “dont lowball him”, etc, without actually putting a dollar figure and contract length out there for consideration. The amount is obviously important but keeps getting ignored.
managing a business (and salary cap) just isnt that simplistic.
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Z says:
RESIGN LEON WASHINGTON!!!!!!!
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TimNY,
No cap in 2010, changes everything, also there is big talk of a strike in 2011. I personally could care how much they pay him, just as long as they do. Tannenbaum gets paid to rework the cap every year, so he will just have to figure it out. He is the one Offensive skill player we could least afford to lose.
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SackDance99 says:
I think Leon will be re-signed. When and at what price are the only questions. I also do not think he’s an every-down back and he shouldn’t be paid every-down back money, but that Sproles contract does sort of set a price for him. What nobody has mentioned is that the salary cap is in flux right now. There’s talk of a rookie cap and/or an uncapped year in 2010. If either happens, the Jets might have a lot of extra money to sign Leon to a cap-friendly extension.
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Jimbo says:
I think Leon will be resigned, but it won’t be easy because he’s sort of a hard player to define in terms of position. I think he’ll end up with a deal like Devin Hester’s, where he gets nice money for special teams/big play work, while having some great incentives thrown in if he does indeed become an elite starter (sort of like how Hester gets a ton of money if he does in fact turn into an elite #1 Receiver.)
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RKNYC says:
I can tell you all how to value him…think about the greatest offensive weapon the Jets have had in 20 years and then figure out if that has any value.
I don’t know how any Jets fan would even consider letting a home grown 4th round pro-bowler and sensational play-maker go anywhere. He has already paid his way many times over in the past 3 years.
He will remain a Jet and Tanny is taking his time and negotiating a fair deal I’m…as certain as I can be without knowing.
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mole57 says:
According to Boland:
Leon Washington didn’t give specifics but still expressed confidence a contract extension would eventually be worked out.
“The main thing that’s a positive is we both [his representation and the team] want to get something done,” Washington said. “The Jets, they’ve been expressive about wanting to get something done. I don’t want to get into details, but I believe things will work out the best.”
Washington didn’t put a deadline on when he’d like to see something done, but he didn’t sound like a player who was going to start missing workouts or OTA sessions.
“There’s no time frame,” Washington said. “I’m patient, they’re patient. One thing I do I know, I will be in here working out with this team every single day I get a chance.”
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Harlan Lachman says:
Kewpie to Jason for his first comment (or the first Jason:-). What an innovative idea. See if the guy can play like a #1 and pay him accordingly.
Plus, it protects us if he gets hurt in spring training or the first or second game (for those who forget, think VT in 1999).
harlan
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PIN says:
RE-SIGN LEON !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SHOW HIM THE MONEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! -
Wayne says:
Playing with fire will not get the Jets anywhere. The man has given his heart and soul to the Jets for 3 years. He did not get paid as a first rounder, but he has been more valuable to his team than Reggie Bush has, and he got $60 million for reaching his prime in college. Leon is not even near his prime and he’s been MVP of Jets in year 2, Pro Bowler and All-Pro in year 3. And…..you say play him for the first 5 games to determine if he deserves to get his due. This is the reason we’ll let our best playmaker go, and continue to wait forever to become a serious contender. Unbeleivable, truly UNBELEIVABLE!, AND NOT SURPRISING! PLEASE GET THE MAN SIGNED FOR WHAT HE WANTS! He’s one guy we know has the character and heart of gold, in loving being a Jet. Let’s not risk losing this guy! Geeeeeez!
Come on already give this guy what he wants! Heck Woody should also toss in some coach club tickets and PSL’s!! Its not like they are selling anyway.