I agree with your post but who the hell couldn't get over the human turnover machine known as Vinny Testaverde? LOL
Saying he was misrepresented is missing the point... the guy is absolutely oozing with talent. That talent most likely never panned out into an elite level because of work ethic. Its the exact same reason why so many dominant college players fail in the NFL. It isn't why all players fail to make the transition, but for many its the difference between getting by on natural talent and actually excelling within their skill set. Look at Mark Sanchez. The number one compliment he always gets is in regards to his work ethic. Mark WANTS to be the best. He works his ass off at it. He lives it, eats it, and sleeps it. He's not known for having the best arm or the best accuracy, or the best footwork... he's good at all of those things... but its his work ethic that sets him apart.
seriously! people need to relax with that shit ... because he wasnt as good as one of the top 25 college players of all time, he didnt live up to expectations? thats absurd all he did was come out on top of the depth chart in one of the deepest blue-chip running back rosters in recent memory
I agree to a point, but I'd rather give up draft picks than a guy who we know is a proven game changer both on special teams and on offense. Plus if we kept him we wouldn't have had to use the 4th on McKnight, we could have taken Conner then if Rex liked him so much. Regarding the injury, Leon broke a leg, he doesn't have a chronic hip or something like Bo Jackson. People act like he can't come back, he's already back. I didn't even think he'd be playing by now and I'm one of the people who were most against trading him. I think that's a non-issue.
I'm not discounting that LW was a fun player that made alot of big plays for this team. I was upset to see him go.. But he got injured, wouldn't agree to a contract and was starting to be a distraction. We got a draft pick for him that we used on a high ceiling RB prospect. This is the modern day NFL...Part time players, depleting players, and injured players are always gonna be coming and going. To be bitter and pout everytime a likeable player leaves for another team is just not being realistic.
what are you talking about? he had over 1000 yards and averaged over 6 ypc ... his coach preferred a rb by committee, what more did you want him to do?
I was a huge Vinny fan, was actually pissed when they benched him for Chad. But Chad played so well right away and of course was the #1 pick/future QB, so that made it easier. In the end I just want to Jets to win, so even though I wasn't on board with that move it worked out and I was happy about it --then later accused of being a Chad fan boy, so you can't win whatever you do. :rofl:
The Jets FO felt that Washington's value to the team didn't match up with the monetary commitment he wanted the team to make to him. It was reported that Washington was seeking Jones-Drew type money. He NEVER would've produced like Jones-Drew does for Jacksonville. The reasons to love Leon are abundant. The Jets felt they could get the same production cheaper, freeing up room for other guys... and being that we've got Greene I tend to agree with them. It was pure a salary issue. We end this deal not having to pay him what he thinks hes worth, and we end up with an awesome FB who is our future at that position at the same time.
I'm not debating his college credentials. Gholston was great in college too and look how long its taken him to reach "serviceable backup" status. McKnight looks like a player who came into the NFL unprepared to play in the NFL.
I don't think questioning the move is being bitter or pouting, it's questioning the move. We all know players come and go, Leon was one of our most productive players so a lot of us felt like getting a 5th round pick for him wasn't a great deal.
Or he was the most productive member of the best RB recruiting class in college football history. Carroll was criticized frequently here in LA for not choosing a starter, and his whole argument was that he didn't have to because his committee was so good. Hell, former SC RBs wanted to see McKnight start based on what he did on the field, but Carroll never deviated from the reason he brought ALL those backs in. Given that situation, McKnight did as well as he could have at USC.
I'm NOT arguing about McKnights production at USC. I'm arguing about Joe McKnight TODAY as a New York Jet. The guy looks utterly unprepared to play in the NFL. Given his talent and draft status he'll be given ample opportunity to turn it around. Right now though he looks like someone whose head isn't in the right place.
Again, I can't disagree with anything you said here and I'm hoping it works out that way. If anything I think the injury takes that salary demand away until he comes back and proves he can still do it, which I think he will. But I'm all about this year, because we're loaded for bear now and there might not even be football after this year for a while. So yeah, he might have still wanted the big contract after re-proving himself this year, to me that's when you make the move. Either way it's been made, so let's hope it works out. I love Conner so far and either McKnight or Washington will hopefully fill that 3rd RB spot. I love how Rex wanted C Washington in the game after that hit he made on special teams.
i dont know what youve been watching, but he looks like someone who is learning the pro game shonn greene wouldnt even look good behind the lines that mcknight has been running behind you have a vendetta, just admit it and we can move on
LOL, true. My issue with Vinny was always the interceptions. I always blamed him for the 2000 season. I felt like with a less turnover prone quarterback we would have won 12 games instead of 9. (That Baltimore game ruined the holidays for me) After that season, I was just itching to get rid of him. Even the next year when he lead us to a 10-6 record and a playoff berth, I just never felt comfortable with him in a big game. I was always terrified of a game-changing, season-altering interception everytime the guy dropped back to pass. His one undeniably great season was obviously 98. And I always felt like the AFC championship game in Denver was the best game of his career and the Jets wasted it with fumbles and 6 overall turnovers (including a few picks that were clearly on the receivers and not Vinny)
Where did I say that? The only mention I made of him pre-NFL was his comparison coming out of high school. Obviously the guy was good enough to make it to the NFL. He isn't an elite prospect coming out of USC, no matter how well he played. We're not getting a CJ Spiller type of RB here. We're getting a guy who is touted as someone with that kind of talent not matching up to the actual production you'll receive out of him. We've already seen a glimpse of that this preseason.
I've been watching NFL football my entire life and know it very well. I do not see an NFL ready player in McKnight. It looks like the Jets have possibly found his niche in PR duties and I hope they use him there to boost his confidence. I have no vendetta against the kid and I hope he succeeds. I want all of the Jets to succeed. Don't tell me I've got something against the guy because you can't argue a point without personal attacks.
