Just saw this on ESPN. Scared me at first because the link on the front page (and header) said "Washington plans to play 2011 season opener": http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs/2009/news/story?id=4819919
He is such a huge part of the team. I'm going to assume he doesn't lose any speed or agility, and makes our backfield even better. Greene/Leon is our backfield of the future.... Imagine if we had Jenx and Leon in there right now.
great news. anyone else kicking around the trade leon/jenks ideas can take the circlejerk back to the draft forum
we would have better field position every single series if Leon was here. He is a major part of our QB success and confidence getting him ina great spot & of course all the magic he does during QB series.
More excellent news. Doctors say the the shape you are in pre-injury has the biggest effect on how quickly you recover from this type of injury. He's the man, so naturally, he's ahead of schedule. Woohoo.
future? isnt leon 28?? as much as it pains me to say it, hes had more jets years in the past than he'll have in the future
He'll be 28 next year but with the low mileage on the guy he can be a vital part of the offense for 3 more seasons. I feel like we haven't seen the best of Washington yet.
Even more: http://www.nypost.com/p/blogs/jetsblog/jets_rb_washington_ahead_of_rehab_hG4TMjz8VPLYFP1kyqFs2K 3:59 PM, January 12, 2010 ι By DENNIS WASZAK Jr. Leon Washington expects to be on the field when the Jets play their first game next season. The optimistic running back said Tuesday that doctors have told him his broken right leg is two months ahead of a normal recovery, and he expects to be off crutches next week. “Everything’s looking on the up and up, and I’m just looking forward to when I can start jogging,” Washington said. “I’ve got a long way until the season starts. I’m on pace to be there for the opening game of the season, so I just try not to push myself too much.” Washington sustained a compound fracture of the tibia and fibula after a 6-yard run at Oakland on Oct. 25. He had surgery, in which a rod was inserted into the tibia, and was given a timetable of six to 12 months to heal. “It all depends on which end of the spectrum you want to be on,” Washington said. “Obviously, the way I’m improving right now, it’s looking real good.” Washington, an All-Pro as a kick returner last season, has been at the Jets’ facility for several weeks as his teammates make a playoff run. New York is at San Diego on Sunday, with the winner advancing to the AFC championship game. “It’s tough because I feel like I could be out there and doing something to help us be better,” he said. “It’s definitely fun to watch from a fan perspective, though.” He has been walking on a treadmill in water, as well as working on his upper body strength with head trainer Sal Alosi. “I’ve got a list of things on the wall inside the training room that I’m doing,” he said. Washington has gotten X-rays of the tibia every few weeks, and doctors have been pleased with the progress. “I feel like I could do more, but you want to do everything the right way,” he said. “I could be healed on the outside, but the inside, you want everything to be done right.” Washington is in the final year of his rookie contract after being a fourth-round pick out of Florida State in 2006. He’s uncertain what the future holds for him financially, but he’s excited about what the Jets have in place, with Mark Sanchez and coach Rex Ryan. “Next year, Mark is going to be a year wiser and be so much better, and we’re going to be so much better with our young guys getting able to experience the playoffs,” Washington said. “So we don’t want to look too far ahead because we’re living the moment with these guys and enjoying watching them.”
Man, I've been there and done that. I hope he heals faster than I did. It took 2.5 years for my compound fracture to heal. Hell, it STILL isn't healed, but I can walk on it, so good enough.
It's past time for somebody to start a Sione Pouha appreciation thread. The Jets didn't miss a beat after Jenkins went down and only because of how Pouha stepped up. Who would have thought that possible.
He's probably doing all the possible treatments to get his leg back in shape as soon as possible. There are many treatments that can be done to accelerate the healing process... Plus he is an athlete... so he will recover faster than any of us... (his body is fit, has a controlloed nutrition, has to only focus on re-habbing, etc). He'll be ok come the start of the season... The only thing we'll have to be careful IMO is put him out there gradually, but with the TRUCK Greene and TJ I'm sure that won't be an issue. If Cadillac Williams made it back to the league anyone can!
man, that's great news. when i read the title "Washington ahead of schedule" i thought it had to do with the redskins and possibly shotty and thought "how the hell are the redskins ahead of ANY schedule? Even Rex would have a hard time putting THAT schedule together"
I adore Leon, but TJ/Greene has been a pretty awesome combination this year. I'm not sure how well a 3-back rotation will work. (Though maybe it would considering how TJ has a tough time getting started in the first half. Maybe Leon and Greene can rotate early on.) Honestly, I have a feeling Leon will be left unsigned by the Jets. If we don't have the ability to sign FAs due to the new rules it's going to be hard to justify bringing him back. You can't even argue his value to STs anymore given the emergence of Smith in the return game. I just have a feeling Leon has already played his last game as a Jet. I'm okay with that though. I'm far more anxious to see Jenkins back.
I'm starting to think both injuries were a blessing in disguise. Not that Jenkins and Leon were not huge parts of the team, because they were, but because their absence forced the Jets to develop depth that otherwise would have gone undeveloped. Pouha is a solid NT now. Not great but the Jets can hold there own with him in there. Devito is actually a solid swing man, playing all along the defensive front. Greene would never have gotten as many carries as he did if Washington was available and so we'd still be wondering if he was a fumble-prone, injury-prone back or somebody we can rely on. I think the 2009 Jets are not all that worse off than they'd be with the two injured stars playing and I think the 2010 Jets will be much stronger because of the injuries.
Man the only good thing out of Leon going down is Shonn Greene getting the carries and experience, but hell this team would be scary with Mr. Washington returning kicks.
