News: Your Daily Leon Update
Per Rich Cimini:
The Leon Washington negotiations are heating up. It seems that both sides want to get a deal by Friday, an encouraging sign. From what I hear, the ball is in the Jets’ court. They’re preparing a counter proposal for Washington, who is believed to be seeking $6 million per year. I’ll stick with the same prediction I made in May: IF this gets done, it’ll be $4.5 mil per year, with $15 million guaranteed. Advice to Jets: Just pay him.
Of course, it’s quite not as simple as that. What if Leon’s side is unprepared to budge from wanting $6m…should they still “just pay him” then? Also, it’s not likely to be as simple as meeting in the middle financially, because there will be all kinds of incentives and de-escalator clauses to be thrashed out.
Leon still has no leverage whatsoever, since the Jets can simply carry on without him until a holdout is no longer financially feasible. The whole situation reminds me of South Park’s “Canada on Strike” Episode, where Canada asks for “some of that internet money” and then pretends they have won a glorious victory when they are given a token gesture just so they can save face and tell the Canadian people they have won something.
I can picture Alvin Keels celebrating with his Bennigan’s vouchers and free bubblegum as we speak.
EDIT: Bonus Link…Rex Ryan tells Peter King that Leon’s role will expand dramatically this year.
24 Responses to News: Your Daily Leon Update
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DKnyj says:
I’m not your agent, player! I’m not your player, agent! I’m not your GM, player! I’m not your Agent, GM!
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JetfaninLA says:
4.5 a year is pretty good. Either way, I just recently made the connection that this whole episode was a direct parody of the Writers Guild of America labor talks (hence why Canada’s group was called the WGA) and how they wanted money from the internet, although there wasn’t any money to be made of the internet yet.
I’m not your guy, friend!
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You know if Ryan sticks to his statement and gives Leon more oppertunity this season, come time to renegotiate his contract [if they ever get this one done] then I think Leon will get his “pay day” he has been looking for depending on how well he does. Of course this might give Keels some other ideas….
Anyway, its good to hear that both sides are making progress, let’s keep it going so we can focus on training camp.
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Zartan says:
off the subject, can one off you help me with the stats on how many Passes were thrown at Cochery and Coles VS catches. Not really resourcefull when it comes to those things?
Thanks
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I would love to see T Jones reaction when Leon gets paid. My create a little tension in the locker room. It all but seals (even though everyone knows already) that this is TJ’s last year in Green and White.
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forget it it thanks. seems brett share the ball with them equally
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Pdubbs says:
I really hope this get this done. I think Leon is key for this team not only on the field but off. He reminds me of Chrebet or Martin…. when it comes to his heart and will to win.
Trade Jones for a WR !!! I love Jones but if he is going to cry….then dump him.
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kane says:
Anyone who wants to see Shonne Green play in the Outback Bowl. ESPNU is showing the game tonight at 9pm tonight
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Bent says:
If Leon’s getting 300 touches this year, that begs the question – do they even need Jones?
Total carries last year = 422
Thomas Jones 290
Leon Washington 76
QBs including Brett Favre 24
WRs including Brad Smith 17
Other backs inclusing T-Rich 15If Leon isn’t returning kicks (let’s assume Leonhard returns punts and Woodhead kickoffs), then he could (say) catch 75 passes and carry the ball 225 times. That replaces half of TJ’s carries.
Then Shonn Greene could get 150 carries to replace the other half of TJ’s carries (this is not unreasonable – Leon himself carried 150 times as a rookie).
Obviously the Jets will look to run more, but the extra carries can come from the other RBs – Caulcrick and Woodhead, who would surely get much more than 15 between them – Even an average of 3 each per game comes to almost 100.
I don’t anticipate the Jets moving on without TJ (although it is nice to know they have that option if he holds out, which I doubt)…but I think they’ll try Leon out in that extended role this year and that’s the way the carries could be distributed in 2010 if the experiment goes well.
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BigKatFan says:
Im just happy to hear that steps are finally being taken. I will expect an agreement by friday at the latest.
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are-tee says:
Leon isn’t getting 300 touches unless Jones is hurt (or otherwise gone). And it would be crazy to replace him as the #1 kickoff return man – he’s one of the most dangerous kick returners in the league.
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MrJetGreen says:
It would be foolish for the Jets to guarentee anything above 4-4.5 big ones for Leon. I expect there will be some additional incentives that would allow Leon to make additional pay by meeting certain targets.
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Lj says:
I really dont want TJ to be traded but if he has to be traded we can always pick up edgerrin james or another veteran back for cheap. And it would also give us a top wide reciever in return for TJ hopefully.
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BubbyBrister/shovelpass says:
I hope they sign him for around 4.5 mil with incentives, and let TJ wait for his big pay day next year from another team..
…And I’m not your Brister, Bubby !
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jameson says:
If by top-notch reciever for TJ, you mean an aged and oft-injured vet like Deion Branch… then, yeah I think that might be possible.
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Bent says:
are-tee:
My comment was in direct response to Peter King’s comment that he “wouldn’t be surprised” if Leon got 300 touches this year (after Rex told him “”He had six touchdowns on 73 carries last year. That number has to go up — drastically. And it will.”. If they’re going to increase his role in the offense, I am assuming they will take him off KR duties.
With the new KR rules surrounding the wedge, returners might be marginalized in 2009, so it would be more productive to use Leon more on offense, if that’s the case.
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JesusRevis says:
4.5 mil a year is a lot, but Leon is worth every penny.
Im not your buddy guyyyy
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ED says:
Rich…I threw out those numbers on this site months ago (as did others)…GET THIS DONE TANNY!
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I said expect 4-5 mil a year months ago as well, and I was called crazy.
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Am I the only one who thinks “alot” more touches might make Leon less dangerous? He is a huge weapon getting 10 -12 touches a game but I think Leon might lose a little bit of the element of suprise if he is more of a featured player.
Leon has never really been a day in and out featured RB….ever
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The Green Lantern #80 says:
Now that Clowney has fallen out of Favor..This staff never favored Brad Smith and Stuckey is our opposite receiver..Does anyone think we should trade for a receiver now?
No clue if Braylon Edwards is available anymore or if Brandon Marshall wants to be traded anymore.. -
Head_coach says:
Just seen shawn green 2nite he is the truth!!!
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Bent says:
Drew – he got twice as many carries as a rookie as he did last year. His average was significantly lower, but still above 4. He’s probably learned a few things since then, though – and has a better line to run behind. So, I think his average will drop, but hopefully not far enough to stop him being an impact player.
I still think 4.5m is a bit rich, because he hasn’t proven himself, but that’s what the incentives and de-escalators are for. In fact, I’d have no problem with a deal that rises as far as 6m, as long as the incentives he’d have to reach justified that money and if his play only merited (say) $3m, then that’s what he ended up with.
Here’s the deal I came up with on another thread:
“Initially, the talk from Leon’s camp was 4m a year, not 6m, so let’s call that 5m. The Jets opening offer is 2m, so we’ll meet in the middle: that’s 3.5m per year, half of it guaranteed and with incentives, the money could reach 6m if you reach pro bowls, win superbowls and prove yourself to be able to carry the load. The deal can be 4-6 years (you choose, Leon), but the extension kicks in next year, so the Jets don’t get bitten by the 2009 CBA rules on NLTBE incentives. Deal?”
Send Keels adrift!!! I’m not you buddy, guy!