Last Friday we talked with readers during the Friday Live Chat about the potential for a team like the Patriots to make a play for Leon Washington. Could it happen? With the Patriots offense in flux, and sure backfield option Kevin Faulk out the door, would there be a market for Washington? Via ESPN Insider:
… since Washington suffered a gruesome leg injury, no one knows what he’ll look like when he returns, ergo the move to place just a second-round tender on him.
Will another team take a flier on Washington, giving up a second-rounder with the hopes that he can be back to his old, dynamic self? It’s possible, especially from a rusher-needy division rival that just so happens to have three second-rounders to play with this offseason. Given their need for a versatile back who also can return punts and kicks, the 49ers also could consider making an offer.
ProFootballTalk reported on Sunday that Leon was preparing to make some visits soon, so where could Leon make trips to? New England would make sense, maybe the Steelers, Eagles, Vikings … there’s a few teams out there that could use a player with Leon’s skillset.
Specifically on the Patriots, with Welker being injured, no real third WR, and Kevin Faulk really the only running back who can catch the ball walking out the door, the team needs to add some players who can instantly upgrade their pass catching abilities.
According to Walter Football, there are nine guys who could potentially go in the first two rounds of the draft at the running back position. So for a lot of teams it will come down to whether they feel like Leon is a viable option over some of those second round guys.
I want Leon to stay on this team, and I think that the Jets will do their best to make this happen, but losing him to the Patriots would be especially bitter. A second rounder would be nice compensation in return, but I don’t know if there is a guy in those first two rounds that the Jets could find as a replacement to all the intangibles that Leon offers this team right now.
Leon in Boston- lot of egg on face in New Jersey.
I heard some 49er talk yesterday….. the real fear is I am just waiting to check TJB one morning and the headlines reads…… Leon to visit Patriots
I dont even want him in the building over there
leon would be good on new england cause they would actually throw screen passes to him unlike us for some reason…theres noway the jets would let him go there…i jus hope new england dont over pay him jus to eff with us
Nice fit for the Eagles, Westbrook replacement, Philly has a ton of picks
Does anyone really think he’s gonna sign a monster deal that we can’t match with anyone? He can’t pass a physical right now.
Jet Orange
Isnt Washington very similar to L McCoy that they just drafted? Plus they dont run the ball that much they and already have a great return game. I dont see the fit
my concern is a poison pill……didn’t the pats lock up their tendered guy in wilfor already?
Leon to the Pat’s would make me sick to my stomach!
You say that there isn’t necessarily a player in the first two rounds who can duplicate Leon’s abilities. What about Ole Miss’s Dexter McCluster? The guy is sick and a multi-dimensional threat. His receiving skills are above-average and has the chance the score everytime he touches the ball.
Listen if Leon is even willing to visit the Patriots then begone with him. A true Jet would not choose money over a hated rival….just as Jason Taylor would never play as a Jet due to the mutual hatred between us.
if for some reason leon leaves us which i hope he doesnt the jets should look at cj spiller.
If he gets an offer, won’t the Jets just match it anyway? See what he can get out there and give it to him to keep him. I would fear Belicheat would put something like a $50,000,000 bonus if 8 games are played in New York or something
It’s all speculation until a team actually speaks to Alvin Keels and gets a deal done. I doubt anyone will get beyond that considerable hurdle.
EVERYONE should look at CJ Spiller !
Leon wont leave unless someone offers him ridic. money…which won’t be New England, it’s not what they do. Especially for a guy coming off an injury.
I love Leon but I would like that 2nd round pick for someone like McCluster….younger less injured Leon.
We went far with out him last year, we can go far without him again! Lets not get crazy losing a role player. I do love his versatility, but he was never used well offensively. We are a power team now with Greene, we need a backup power RB- i like Ben Tate at the end of the 2nd RD or Lonyae Miller in the 5th-6th round. Both would be great backups for Greene, and some are interested to see what Chauncey Washington our USC RB can do- power back. For those wanting a shifty guy- well dont we have that in woodhead.
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t-rich to follow TJ to kansas city
john l
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C.J. Spiller wont be there at 29 but Ryan Mathews might be there- would love to draft Mathews, but doubt we will go that route.
Im pretty sure Leon is a smart dude and realizes this is just a “business” thing that the Jets are pulling, but if it was me, I would have a little salt in my mouth.
>>Listen if Leon is even willing to visit the Patriots then begone with him. A true Jet would not choose money over a hated rival….just as Jason Taylor would never play as a Jet due to the mutual hatred between us.
I think this is a bit much. Leon has to look out for his own interests. What if a rival of where you currently work offered you a 35% pay increase. Would you be disloyal to take that position?
Sure we could draft someone to fill Leon’s spot on our roster, but why do that, when we can use the pick to draft someone else?
Of all the potential teams out there, I’m nervous the Pats might sign him because we’d get hit twice: he would be good for them (assuming he recovers fully) and it would be a blow to the jets’ offense.
go to google and type in: thomas jones to kansas city and click on news results
EVERY player would choose money first — especially so when they have yet to get a contract that would guarantee their future. think these guys want to be working in target in 20 years or relying on the salary of an assistant h.s. coach? get real.
no sweat. jets can always match here. if you’re the pats are you going $10M plus guaranteed with all thoose rb’s mentioned available in the draft?
richardson is nearing 40 and just won his first playoff game ever. so he’d go to kansas city for an extra 200k or so? ok, sure.
I hope we keep Leon, but I wouldn’t be too upset if he left. A high second round pick would be very useful. It would allow us to trade up for a guy like Brandon Graham or Earl Thomas, while still having another early pick in order to find the pass rusher/safety that we didn’t get in the first round. Another option would be trading down, and gaining 2 more second round picks. We would then have 4, which we could use on a safety, OLB/DE, WR, and a RB. Leon is getting old for a RB, so replacing him with a guy like McCluster might not be the worst idea in the world.
Dylan
If he signs with the Pats how would that be a high 2nd rounder?
I think bent mentioned this already but when does the NFL dole out comp picks?
Another 4th or 5th would be useful for us
No way NE gives up a 2nd round pick for player coming off injury looking to get paid when they could just draft that type of back
Lets get real for a second, N.E. is not the team which concerns me its Miami, L.W. could wind up there. That being said, in a draft this deep in talent, which even the so called experts say is exceptional, you wouldn’t want a 2nd rounder for him? There are so many talented players without and serious injuries which could fit the bill. How about a Jacoby Ford who ran a 4.25 at the combine, wouldn’t you like to see him returning kickoffs or hit with a short pass. Javid Best is another 4.2 guy, RB who suffered a concussion at the end of the season, who just might be there at 29 do you pass on such talent? No my fellow Jets fans, L.W. is damaged goods, which has been put back together with no guarantee that he will ever be himself again. My prayer is that he does, for us or someone else. But given the choice, I take the 2nd rounder all day. Lets not forget Brad Smith, who can be just as dangerous, run the wildcat, KR, and a little WR. I would be more concerned about his signing with N.E. or Miami.
I think putting a second round tag on Leon was a mistake. He is arguably the Jets’ most explosive offensive player. He suffered a gruesome injury, but it was a fracture…not ligament damage. It should heal fine without any long-term issues.
We need him back. He should be a great safety-valve for Sanchez as he learns to how to check down in the future.
Defense , QB play , OL , that’s mainly what wins chpionships . Not part time running back & 5th string WRs .. Not only do people want an all-pro team (marshall,,Berry,porter,sharper,AD,Asamuga, etc) but they want to keep all the current & former players(TJ,WW,Leon,Baker,Joe Namath etc) …..what a 100 man roster ? 200 mill payroll ?
F.Y.I .. Incase people have forgotten “We weren’t that good last year” we lost games we should have won & we won games we could have easily lost .. We got lucky “the colts laid down & let us in ” but we critique evry minor move As is we are coming off 2 superbowls ..
We have the pieces in place to be GREAT (Sanchize,Revis,Mangold,Green,Scott, & many more)
IDE gladly give leon up for a two .. I fear AP,Chris Johnson, Manning and a few more .. I don’t blink at the posability of Leon on the Pats/49ers etc . . If we contained ChrisJohnson why exactly would I fear Leon ?
Not tryna be a smart ass I just don’t see any of the Jets current losses or possible lossses to be that big a deal ..
I’m 22 the first time I remember a Jet season I think it was the 1 – 15 year I’m not shore when that was or if that was the correct record but I know between then & now I’ve never been more optamistic/confident about an upcoming season.. We have a smart GM, good coaches , & great players.& we haven’t even hit the Draft yet .
Is there any possability we take that 2nd round pick & turn it into Shipley he’d be good for the slot & Id welcome the tradeoff.
TrumpCoup – maybe it seems like a bit much but there is a difference in that I don’t have thousands of fans that have supported me. No one walking around with a jersey that has my name on it hehe
Steviek – These guys make more in a year than most people will in a lifetime. I highly doubt signing for a bit more will be the difference between working at target 20 years from now…..
I guess I’m just fed up with the Leon/Keels combo as are most Jet fans. If you look back before the season everyone was screaming “Pay the damn man” but when he doesn’t accept 4 million and want’s 6 million…. that is when the patience started to run thin…
When Keels claims Leon will be ready for any team by training camp, that is when enough is enough. He’s coming off a broken leg yet still acts like he deserves 6 million a year?!
Leon to the Pats, 49ers, Browns, Redskins are some of the teams that makes sense.
Keels is a dope….all the reporters said Leigh Bodden agreed to a contract, but Keels on his twitter said theres no deal. However it was a freakin done deal…the guy is clueless
WE CANOTT ALLOW LEON TO GO TO NEW ENGLAND! THIS CANOTT HAPPEN. GO JETS
I can’t see the belicheats making an offer that we couldn’t match and any poison pill ($10m for 8 games in NJ) is so outrageous that the league would have to deny it. Otherwise the whole notion of RFA tenders becomes a farce.
IMo-take a 2nd if offered.
i love Leon. but lets look at a couple of things:
28yrs old- 2 more good years
broken leg- will he even be the same?
if you take a 2nd rounder and can get 8 years out of a stud i would take it.
theres just as much risk getting a guy in the draft as you have with Leon coming back and being the same player as before. historically not many people have come back from that injury at or near 100%
Tannenbaum better have a plan. We keep losing solid players and all we have gained is an overrated corner with 7 babies running around. That doesn’t sound all that good to me. My opinion can be saved by resigning the good guys and a solid draft. If we lose Richardson over a million bucks I think the FO is stupid.
neauone,
Miami???
They have Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown, there is no way they will break the bank for Leon Washington as a #3 RB. I live down here and I have heard zero talk about Miami having any interest at all.
But speaking of the Fins, gotta love them blowing a ton of money making dansby the highest paid ILB in football. Good player, never a pro-bowler, this contract will come back to hurt them. Also, they thought they had wrapped up the safety from the Steelers, Ryan Clark, but he took less money and resigned in Pittsburgh. Now the news this morning, Jason Ferguson suspended 8 games for PEDs, all is not right in DolphinLand.
Liknk; Rumor T-Rich to Kansas City
http://www.examiner.com/x-779-New-York-Jets-Examiner~y2010m3d9-New-York-Jets-news-and-notes
I know it’s early but as the offseason progresses I am getting more and more worried. We were 15 min’s away from a superbowl and now were are letting key locker room guys and players go to clear cap space for next year or at least that is my take. Does the FO not care about the 2010 season? KR okay I understand he was cancer but TJ, Leon and T-Ritch? That’s just crazy! Just venting once again!
if Leon wants to go to the Pats, then screw him….let him go over there, traitor………i hate jason taylor but atleast the guy has a backbone, wont run to the Jets or Pats just for a buck…………
SEEEYA LEON………
Keep the faith… T-Rich an TJ are both oretty old and might be worth letting go. We haven’t lost Leon…… yet. However, I think all of these guys can be replaced. I do like T-Rich but I think he turns 1000 next month.
Leon- can be replaced with another young fast RB…possibly one that is bigger who can run up the middle as well. (AFC champ. game without him)
TJ- is great but old… Shonn Greene came in and with two TD’s made everyone forget who TJ was.
The FO wants to win BAD because they can’t fill the seats. I would expect Tanny to do as much as he can with our restrictions. Looks like he might actually be loading up for this draft …. since he can’t get EVERY free agent.
nicko,
This is just a theory put out there by a sports reporter. It’s not anything tangible. You don’t have to get all fired up and call out Leon for something that hasn’t even started to happen yet.
That’s great insight Marvel and that’s coming from a 22yr old people.
Running the ball is least of our worries. This is a passing league, if we can’t rush the passer we are not going to win in the playoff’s. For the first time in a long time I have no clue on what direction this team is going in the Draft.
Considering we took all offensive guys in last years draft, albeit in only 3 picks. I am curious and excited to see what Mr. Ryan selects on the defensive side.
Who are going to be Rex’s Boys? If it’s good enough for him than I am buying it too.
Lets go!!!!!