News: Leon Washington Traded to Seattle
The Jets have pulled off another draft day trade, reportedly dealing their seventh round pick and Running Back Leon Washington for Seattle’s 5th round pick (139). I’ll announce the pick in a separate post. Rumors are also circulating that Leon will have to start the year on the PUP list.
Farewell, Leon. We’ll definitely miss you, just like all those would-be tacklers did.
97 Responses to News: Leon Washington Traded to Seattle
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Jeffdolfini says:
I love Leon, but I think we just got better and younger at the RB position. Good job Mr T.
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roof says:
this is deplorable
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Abs5 says:
Leon u will be missed.
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RYAN says:
JOE MCKNIGHT!!!
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brian311 says:
wow…
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J Roc says:
This is ridiculous. How do they not fill a position of need with this pick. Hopefully John Conner will prove us wrong, and save humanity.
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Tim says:
This is not a good move. They also got rid of their 7th round pick
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clint says:
Im not sure on this I hope theres more to this trade because I dont think we got much out of this.
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adornoj1 aka JetFan in Miami says:
Head scratcher with Cam Thomas and Reshad Jones still available..but in the FO i trust. They must know whats going on
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tomg says:
great move because the injury leon suffered was brutal which means Leon will never be the same player he was and now Mcnight will be that player.
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Organized Chaos says:
I just can’t believe they took a FB with this pick. I don’t know.
In Rex and Tanny we (have to) trust.
Never a dull moment in NYJ FO -
Ferraro41 says:
As much as I love Leon, we had to do this. He is not going to be ready, and you have to think there are concerns he’ll ever play again, and if he does, at what level.
It’s a sad day, but the right move, IMHO.
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Wolf says:
Where’s Drew?
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JustaGreenGuy says:
I blame the Raiders and Alvin Keels.
Good luck Leon
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Eric in StL says:
i’m alright with this, the only really bad move was faneca
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JDB says:
There is no fate but what we make
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Frank says:
that’s too bad – leon will be missed — but i think it’s a good move by the FO – you eventually would have to pay Leon like a feature back if he came back strong, and between LT and Greene, that’s too much $. McKnight is very similar to Leon so hopefully we won’t miss a beat!
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Leon out, deservedly so.
Jets trying to find suitors for Faneca.
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very little value. this must mean the jets dont think he can play anymore. feel bad for him – leon is a great guy. good luck
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Jets baby says:
Great move.. remember leon was drafted as a fourth rounder.. In this deep draft we get back a fifth and give a 7th.. so we basically drafted leon for a 7th a few years ago .. several thousand all purpose yards and some td’s and good years for a 7th.. not bad.. Mcnight will learn from LT and John Connor will learn from trich
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MEL31602 says:
J Roc- you could argue fullback is a position of need. T Rich is on a year by year basis at this point
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Mike says:
For a FB? Wow!
Draft 09/10
We drafted 3 of 3 offense in 09
3 of 4 in 10 on Offense and 5 of 6 if you include Braylon and Holmes for a 3 and 5 this year.
What about DL/OLB?
Leon for a damn FB?
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thanksleon says:
sad to see him go but that’s the business. Hopefully our new guy gets some good mentoring with LT.
What’s with this talk about him not being ready to go by week 1? I thought he was “ahead of schedule” with his rehab… im guessing that was typical PR bull?
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KenEB says:
Tony Richardson is 38 years old. ‘Nuff said on this pick. Time to start drawing up the priority list for calling the UFAs as the draft reaches its conclusion.
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Revis Island says:
I think this is retarded. I knew that when we drafted mcknight that leon is no longer needed on the team, however trading leon and our only remaining draft pick to move into the 5th round and draft a fullback is ridiculous. We ignored our main needs at S and at OLB/DE. fullbacks are like kickers and punters in my opinion. They go in the seventh round or un drafted. ridiculous
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matt says:
leon fire ur agent hes the reason ur not rich and ur going to seattle(who wants to live in seattle) but u worked hard for us so good luck
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Brendan says:
I can see how he may not be the same player and this is a good calculated risk..but what is this drafting a FB in the 4th round..this D-Line is not getting any younger
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Nick says:
This makes the McKnight pick make much more sense, and John Conner looks like he could be a beast when Tony Richardson is ready to end his prolific career. I can already see the chemistry between McKnight and Sanchez and I don’t think Jets fans should be upset with how the last day of the draft has played out for us. We are a running team first and with an OL, RB, and FB we are just improving our ability to run the football with young and inexpensive guys.
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bubbybrister/shovelpass says:
Wow, Leon (and his agent) are gone. a former 4th rounder that played like a late 1st rounder…he gets hurt, and we have to give up a 7th with him just to get a 5th rounder….
somehow this doesn’t add up in my mind…
why trade away a guy at his lowest value point?
reads like “santonio the second”…
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Ian DeMartino says:
WTF? After the last few drafts made me feel good, this one had me scratching my head with every pick, now we trade a guy who has been nothing but a class act, just to pick up a FULL BACK?
I mean, they must know something I don’t, but for the past three or four years at least I have been able to understand if not agree with every pick.
These picks get harder to understand each time.
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Chrebookie says:
Got a great deal on a #29 jersey. Worn twice great condition!
Also have womens #11 jersey. Worn once, two years ago.
Doing a 2 for 1 in exchange for a Coors Light Tall Boy.
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Whose going to be gone next? Thomas, Ellis, Brad Smith, Clowney? I wouldn’t be surprised.
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LEON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NOOO!!!!!!!!!!
Okay, a bit sad about this … and a little sick to my stomach, but I understand it. Will be definitely rooting for him to do well, and glad they sent him to a team where they won’t have to see him very often. Hope it works out for him.
Onward and upward …
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steviek says:
ya know, good for leon. he deserves a fair shot. he’ll get the touches in seattle if hes’ healthy and a fair chance to earn that contract as a free agent.
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Nick P says:
John Conner will be under T Rich’s wing and will eventually be our FB…McKnight is Leon’s replacement. good pickup for us. especially if Leon isn’t back to full health at the start of the season.
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The Jets also have Jason Davis who they supposedly like at FB on the roster.
This is the 2nd FB drafted this year. Noone else on their board?
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THE SANCHISE says:
IN MIKE AND REX I TRUST..Leon will be missed..i like our draft picks this year…Rex knows what he is doing
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bernie says:
Completely ridiculous. You don’t need to draft fullbacks, especially in the 5th round. Much less trade up to do it. Still no pass rushers, no d-linemen. I guess Tannenbaum is watching a different team than I am.
Somehow our crosstown rivals, already loaded with pass rushing talent, continue to pile it on. While the Jets, with not one elite rusher to speak of, think their coach can scheme his way to the promised land. I don’t see it.
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Thomas f says:
I trust mr. T but fb is a need bc of tony is a dinosaur, I won’t be surprised to see mr.t give up a 5-7th pick of next years to get a pick today to fill a hole
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John Connor – didn’t he defeat the Terminator?
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The jets will focus on the d-line in next years draft, this is why they brought in Taylor and maybe there not done bringing in another d-line guy in the FA market. I’m sure some will become available after the draft that will be cut by other teams.
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Freeman24 says:
Big Leon fan, sorry to see him go.
Sadly his agent cost him millions by not coming to the table last year on a contract and Leon still took his advise skipping workouts.
That basically wrote his ticket out of town. Its clear Rex has a certain expectation of behavior ON the field, in practice, workout and film rooms (see Kerry Rhodes).
Just like that McKnight becomes a more important piece as the 3rd man in. Now their first three draft picks will all be playing this year.
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Lam Jones says:
bubbybrister/shovelpass you are soooo right…. Maybe Mike T promised not to let the Steelers get tagged with “Biggest giveaway trade of the offseason…”
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John Conner is a beast
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Eddie DiGio says:
Rah rah sis coom bah!!!!!!!
J-E-T-S Goooooooooo Jets!!!
Get the pom poms out…cause anyone who doesnt like this trade is getting a warm glass of “you’re overreacting…shut the f@ck up”
Not one person I saw today thought the Jets did a good job with this and the Faneca thing…Im done here bye bye
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Has Myron Rolle been drafted?
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The jets are re-tooling for the future. I like what rex and MT are doing in the draft, maybe jet fans that are complaining are used to the old ways the FO used to work.
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Mel
T Rich probably only played in 40% of the offense of plays this past season. A prospect at S is more of a need in my opinion. And we gave up a 7th to get rid of Leon. -
Bernie –
Some might say that the Giants, with no elite running back or corner, are looking at their crosstown rivals, loaded with talent in those two areas and are piling it on. Matter of perspective, right?
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Neil says:
My bet? Leon never plays another game. It would be sad.
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TannyVision says:
We all love Leon and he will be missed. This is an unsentimental but solid football move. It would have been an awful move if it was the pre injury Leon, but it isn’t.
So many people on this blog keep talking about Leon as if he will come back without missing a beat. Do some research into the injury and prognastication for full recovery and try to understand how unlikely that is. He’ll run straight ahead like the old Leon, but he’ll never make the sharp cuts, that made him so elusive, again…in all likelihood.
Good-bye Leon and thank you. Hope you beat the odds and return to aproximate the old Leon.
Looking forward, McNight, Wilson, Holmes and Brad Smith have the potential to produce greater numbers than Leon could even if healthy. Hopefully, they’ll capture our hearts as Leon did too.
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Give Leon The Damn Ball says:
first time i have ever been pissed off at rex…how the heck do you trade leon away!?!??!
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Justawallet says:
I guess Rex really does feel J Taylor can get 15 sack in this scheme folks. Don’t forget that cuz if it comes true you’ll be eating your words about how bad this draft was…. ANDDDD Tanny obviously heard sharpers remarks about being a JEt maybe he’s waiting on that, certainly seems that way being that Sharper is yet to be even close to signing elsewhere
RELAX PEOPLE!!!!
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brian311 says:
jets officially cut faneca
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Jets = (Less) Misery says:
What the hell?
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Sherman Plunkett says:
if you had seen connor play over the course of the season you would realize what a good pick this is. kentucky coaches raved about him. besides being a beast as a blocker his inside running game gives the jets a legit backup to greene in short yardage situations. lastly, as has been stated, the jets’ running game relies on a strong fullback (especially since keller is weak in that area) and richardson is not long for this game. a smart move.
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The only thing I don’t like is cutting fenaca. I think that will really hurt the offensive line which was one of the best in the league. I can’t see this new draftee ducasse starting next year.
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R in CT –
Running backs are a dime a dozen. You can find good ones in the late rounds and free agency. Pass rushers are a different story. You draft them high when you have the chance or you don’t find them. Case in point, in the past 20 years we’ve had two elite pass rushers: TWO. John Abraham and Hugh Douglas.
Jason Taylor was an elite rusher. Five years ago.
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mike says:
NOOOOOO!
We only have 1 running back who can pass block now -
Ben Nevis says:
I love the McKnight and Conner picks. Look at film of McKnight—watch him run, cut, catch—he’s amazing! And Conner is going to be mentored by T-Rich in his last year with us.
Just don’t understand cutting Faneca, and eating over $5 mil in salary.
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Bernie,
The Giants manage to find pass rushers late… -
Dokes says:
Why?
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GlockNSoul says:
Leon to Alvin Keels : “You suck !”
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Why not keep Faneca around for the extra 2 mil, to mentor the other guys. They can replace him during the year if they’re better, but if they’re not, then the Jets are worse because of $2 mil, and the locker room loses ANOTHER respected voice. Don’t like it. IT’S AN UNCAPPED YEAR, AND YOU’RE TRYING TO SELL PSL’S, WOODY!!!! STUPID.
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Jeff says:
So why didnt we cut Faneca months ago? By doing this the FO lost like 5 million. I guess they thought they could trade him. Shame they couldnt get no offers. I’d be pissed if Faneca ends up starting against one of our rivals or in the division, Also with him gone, now we have no depth at G!!!!
I bet that Faneca is picked up by Detroit.
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heckynaww says:
Why are we starting to fix what isn’t broken???
Leon you are still the man and I wish you had never hired Alvin Keels. I hope you prove everyone wrong and come back strong.
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D_PO says:
WOW!!! I’m shocked. I think the 2010 RB situation is far worse than it was in 2009, Leon will be missed and I don’t think McNight will be able to replace him.
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bleedinggreen says:
I love Leon but we had to see this coming
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Rich in Albany says:
This is a HUGE mistake!
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I love the McKnight pick—watch the videos below, watch JM run, cut, catch. He’s amazing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fliv9DNBfIg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPLZagWioUU
Leon still isn’t healthy, and who knows when, if ever, he will be.
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starz31 says:
D_Po, at what point in 2009? maybe at the start of the season with a healthy leon, but right now…shonn greene is better than TJ, LT is a backup running back, who still has his burst and agility, just not the break away speed any more, and joe mcknight is better than leon right now. leon isnt evenhealthy and coming off a devastating injury. Right now, our RBs are def better than how we eneded 2009. A healthy leon from pre-2009 changes things, but thats just not an option right now.
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sunsetmusic says:
Eddie D,
Your cheer had me in stitches LMAO……I read ur posts so I know where ur going with it and it has me laughing!!!!
As far as this thread….Leon for a 5th with that injury and the way the league is valuing 5ths I give them credit and if he has to go on PUP list then even better. I saw a Leon interview and when asked if he will be ready for this season he refused to answer and keep saying he is just trying to hit his targets in the rehab process. So for Leon not to be super optimistic scares me. He is a class act and I wish him the best… But the jets got fair value….now what they did with the pick is up for debate
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Bent says:
“So why didnt we cut Faneca months ago? By doing this the FO lost like 5 million. ”
Jeff, they couldn’t cut Faneca until the offseason began at the end of February because the dead money cap hit would have put then over the 2009 cap, which still had to be complied with up to that point.
Once the offseason commenced, they were locked into that $5m, although it’s possible they won’t have to pay this if another team signs him.
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sjfalcon2001 says:
Leon has BIG questions post injury. If the rumors are true that Leon has to start the season on the PUP list, then we really won’t know what we have until midseason at the earliest to find out. This move is a good one IMO.
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REX IS ON ESPN NOW!
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Bent—
“. . .it’s possible [the Jets] won’t have to pay this [$5.2 mil] if another team signs [Faneca].”
Yes, but why wouldn’t that other team pay Faneca the minimum, knowing that the Jets would have to make up the rest of his salary?
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cmonleon says:
just all around dumb and we give up a 7th on top of it. A playmaker for a guy who’s gonna be in for 7 snaps a game doesn’t sound good to me I doubt were gonna find a returner close to the caliber of leon. I’m gonna miss the leon chants I was hoping to get a couple more in
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boozer says:
I think there’s such a thing as doing too much.
The Jets were steps away from the Super Bowl and made enough off season moves to take it to the next level.Now all these last few moves I can’t get behind.
Leon bleeds green. Faneca is like the wise old master.
The team had awesome chemistry last year.Why mess with it so much.
I’m kinda pissed.
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mike s. says:
McKnight is not Leon. Leon had a much lower center of gravity and was tough to tackle. McKnight is more of a scatter back type. His strengths are that he let’s the play develop, follows his blockers well, and hits the hole fast when it opens. His quickness and straight line speed are his strength… if he makes it thru a hole, watch out. But he seems to go down on 1st contact. He should be an effective 3rd down back if he can learn to pick-up the blitz… but he will never be the back that Leon was when fully healthy (although Leon may never be that guy again either).
Leon still has a shot to come back but his rehab may take longer than expected. He may flash when he comes back, but if the injury changed his running gait he will be at risk of a developing hip, knee, and back issues that could cut his career short.
I wish the kid the best and hope his agent gets hit by a bus. -
Krista says:
I’m so sad!!!!
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Joe S. says:
Leon, Thank You!
You played GREAT as a Jet and I will always remember the GREAT Game Breaking Plays you made as a Jet!
I will cherish those memories and wish you great sucess and fortune in Sealtle.
Leon, will always be a True Jet in my book!
Good Luck Leon.
Joe S.
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Johnny Reefer says:
for a guy who held out of camp last year and off season work out this year, ya’ll seem to love him alot.
if it was another player you guys would have his head.
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Browning's Nagle says:
How can any of you say that dealing our 7th round pick and Leon to Seattle for their 5th is a good move? It’s completely lopsided. What about the value? I’d rather hold on to Leon for another year and see what he’s got left… he could rebound and still be a solid player. He broke his leg… it’s not like he had reconstructive ACL surgery.
For all the solid moves our FO has made… I believe we definitely took a few steps back today with this one… couple that with the releasing of Faneca, and TJ last month… and we’ve gotten rid of a large portion of our quality veteran leadership and replaced it with troubled 2nd chancers and rookies!
I woke up today feeling great… this basically just ruined my weekend.
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BTW… thanks for all the exciting memories in green and white, Leon. I currently live in Seattle, so I guess the silver lining here is that I will get to continue to watch you play.
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Green Goblin says:
I never knew there were so many Jets homers. Trading Leon and a seventh for a fifth is a joke!!!!!!!!!!!!! Enough of IN TANNENBAUM WE TRUST!!!!!!!!! You sound like those Mets fan losers who used to run around with t-shirts that read IN OMAR WE TRUST….Why should we trust Tannenbaum?? Tannenbaum’s record after four seasons as GM: 32-32, with no division titles, two wild-card berths and one appearance in the AFC title game. So he hasn’t one a Superbowl or Conference or even a friggin division!!! And the players he gets credit for drafting are being traded away for garbage (Leon, Rhodes, etc.).. Terry Bradway was GM for only an extra year and at least he had a division title. Bradway’s record was 39-41..This is almost identical to Tannenbaum’s!!! How come Bradway was fired and is ridiculed by Jets fans while Tannenbaum is considered a hero and a genius that can do no wrong?? Also, Bradway was only allowed to hire one head coach (Herm Edwards) while Tannenbaum has already chosen two head coaches (Mangini and Rex). So sorry to all you Tannenbaum lovers if I don’t trust every move this guy makes..I like Tannenbaum but the jury is definitely still out on this guy as a GM and this season is make or break in my mind….
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firstdown77 says:
Love Leon.
Hate Alvin.Whenever u suffer a severe injury like Leon did, u hav 2 suck up to ur team in order to stay on it.
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Daniel—
Okay, but which of the two videos are you talking about?
(I posted links to two above.)
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James in TN says:
Green Goblin, I agree Tanny believes he can make any trade and it will work. Leon for peanuts? Why didn’t we get Sapp? or Cody? After Wilson , it went downhill quick. Oh well, hope it works out with our passing game because we will not have a top 5 run offense next year especially with Schotty running the show.
Draft grade C-
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Tos9987 says:
Good let them try and sign him .
I know he was getting traded . I blame it all on keels .
Leon was great but really how many carries was he going to get in our rotation we picked up multiple returners . He wouldnt see the field much .
I think and wish we could have gotten better then less then a 5th for him . but we also picked up holmes for a 5ht so I guess thats the going rate
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Big W says:
Love Leon. I wish him well. I hope he rushes for 1500 yards next year
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Sam T says:
Leon was one of the guys us Jets fans loved to root for. Alvin Keels is a terrible agent and was ultimately the main reason why we couldn’t keep Leon. I am very bitter about this, even though we do have a GREAT team to look forward to this year… I’m still very bitter.
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chad says:
Bassett we need a better post about your leon thoughts.
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BigKatFan says:
WHAT…..THE…..F*************CK???????????????????????????
good move