News: Leon’s Agent to Meeting Front Office Today
Are Leon Washington and the Jets on the verge of creating a new deal? It’s hard to say, but The Daily News’ Rich Cimini has reported on his blog that Leon’s agent is flying to meet with team officials in Jersey today.
… here’s the latest: Washington’s Virginia-based agent, Alvin Keels, is coming up tomorrow to have a face-to-face with GM Mike Tannenbaum.
A lot of times, when an agent flies into town, it means they’re ready to put the finishing touches on a deal. I wouldn’t read that much into this situation. It also could mean this is a last-ditch effort by both sides to get something done before camp. As you know, Washington is threatening a camp holdout.
I have to admit that I’d be most concerned if a deal doesn’t get done and Leon shows up at camp. In that scenario, he’s given up his leverage, and you’ve virtually guaranteed that once he does become a free agent he’ll never give the Jets a chance to sign him. You’d be almost asking him to become a mercenary-type player to do so.
Hopefully this will work out for the best. As you can see, Jets fans have been applying the pressure to Mr. Johnson on Twitter. Good work!
9 Responses to News: Leon’s Agent to Meeting Front Office Today
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Pdubbs says:
I think they will give Leon a deal. I also think Leon is worth whatever he gets. If the cap becomes a problem later then there will be ways to deal with it. However, Leon is young, explosive and wants to be a Jet which is something we should reward.
We have made far worse deals with far lesser players. So, just give this guy his money and screw someone else when the time comes…. it’s simple.
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hey bent, i get it that leon has a number of years where he’s still controlled by the team, but i still don’t back off my statement that he could become a mercenary in the meantime.
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Harlan Lachman says:
Bent, thanks for saying succinctly what I have been posting for awhile.
Bassett, a player like Leon only has value if he retains his explosive playmaking ability and demonstrates it.
I too hope reason prevails and he signs a much more reasonable deal than Keels is discussing. But if not, don’t worry.
Since Leon could be a UFA next year (with a new CBA), he only makes the big bucks if he shows he can handle more carries, still make TDs on kick offs in spite of the rule change, etc. IOW, his future depends on his playing like a star — not a mercenary.
Also, with the fines so larger and his salary so small, if he holds out for any length of time he plays for nothing and if he hold out past Aug 11th, he loses credit for the year (meaning he defers whenever he becomes an UFA).
IOW, with no contract, he has to play, play well and we can have him again next year even if there is a CBA by tagging him and the average salary over two years is almost half of what Keels is asking for.
At his size, that might be best for our time inasmuch as we are protected against injury.
harlan
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Bent says: I get that, Bassett, but unless he’s been completely brainwashed by Keels, I do think he wants to do his best (and it’s in his interests to do so).
Obviously we don’t want to read about “the disgruntled Leon Washington” all summer long, but the disruptive behavior of the likes of Kendall and Baker only ended up costing them in the long run, so it seems like an illogical approach to take. It does affect the team too, of course, but while I’m still a little worried that this will be what happens, overall I am cautiously optimistic that this isn’t going to drag on, even if Leon does show up in camp before a deal is done.
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Eddie DiGio says:
I HATE ALVIN KEELS!!! HE RUINS PLAYERS CAREERS
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subwayfare says:
I’d like to believe they’ll get something done this week. If not, Leon Washington only hurts himself by not showing up to camp or playing at anything less than the top of his ability. If Alvin Keels advises him to do otherwise he should be sued fro malpractice.
This “pay him whatever he wants” PR campaign can only embolden the absurdly incompetent Keels and impede the FAIR deal that Leon deserves.
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majasko says:
Pdubbs,
spoken like a true fan, all heart and no head.
“just give this guy his money and screw someone else when the time comes”. what if that someone you have to screw when the time comes is Revis? then what?
Simple thinking.
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You’re right …. I am a true fan and I want to keep guys that are true players. Do you suggest letting Leon squirm and leave when he has the chance. As a fan you gotta love to watch this guy play. No ?
If it is Revis … screw someone else. This happens all the time. No ? This is exactly how the NFL works …. older players get screwed for younger ones.
“I have to admit that I’d be most concerned if a deal doesn’t get done and Leon shows up at camp. In that scenario, he’s given up his leverage, and you’ve virtually guaranteed that once he does become a free agent he’ll never give the Jets a chance to sign him. You’d be almost asking him to become a mercenary-type player to do so.”
With the RFA possibility if there’s no 2010 cap and the franchise tag, the Jets control his destiny for 2-3 more seasons. They aren’t going to lose him unless they get a high pick in return and so, while I hope he returns, the above scenario wouldn’t concern me, because they could still negotiate a long term deal in 12 months, hopefully with another agent.
I’d rather they tried to hash out a deal and, if they couldn’t agree, Leon turns up at camp as a gesture of good faith while negotiations continue than they rush into a deal and sacrifice the amount of cap room they were willing to surrender. However, given how the Sanchez negotiations were conducted, I’d expect the latter, since their priority seems to be to get these guys in.