Via Rotoworld.com If he's looking for 5 to 6 mil a year, let his contract run out. He isn't worth it.
Haha..say good-bye Leon. Is he serious, Gayle Sayers? As one famous old boxer once said, he couldn't carry Gayle Sayer's jockstrap.
I don't think he meant to compare himself to Gale Sayers either. He was just saying he's trying to accomplish something similar to what Sayers did accomplish. There's nothing wrong with that.
Here's a great article from today's Newsday. The guy is really a class act.... http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/ny-spjets276085401mar27,0,243913.story Jets triple threat Washington wants new contractBY ERIK BOLAND | erik.boland@newsday.com March 27, 2009 FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - Leon Washington is looking for a new contract, just as Thomas Jones is. But, unlike Jones, Washington has been at the Jets' facility since the team's "voluntary" offseason conditioning program began last week. "Other guys have different purposes," Washington said yesterday. "A lot of guys across the league work out on their own. My thing is I'd rather be with my team and have that relationship throughout the whole year." Washington, who made it clear several times that he was not criticizing Jones, has one year left on the four-year deal he signed after the Jets drafted him in the fourth round in 2006. He is due to make slightly more than $600,000 this season. A source said the Jets are in the early stages of contract discussions with Washington's agent, Alvin Keels, to whom the running back switched last month. "The Jets traditionally have done the right thing with guys who have played well for the organization, so my standpoint is, I put the work in, and hopefully it pays off for me sooner [rather] than later," Washington said. "We'll see what happens." Teammates voted Washington as Jets MVP in 2007, but his 2008 was even better. He averaged 5.9 yards per carry in rushing for 448 yards and six TDs. He added 47 receptions, including two TDs, for 355 yards and was an outright terror on kickoffs, averaging 25.6 yards a return. Washington has been compared to Darren Sproles, designated as the Chargers' franchise player this offseason for about $6.6 million this year, and Bears return specialist / wide receiver Devin Hester. Hester signed a four-year extension last summer worth a reported $40 million, with $15 million guaranteed. But Washington isn't looking to be compared to either of them or to anyone else. He sees himself, with some statistical backing, as a legitimate triple threat - a player who can run from scrimmage, catch passes and return kicks. "I can run between the tackles, you've seen that; I can run outside the tackles, you've seen that," said Washington, who later spoke of the desire to "revolutionize" the game as an all-purpose weapon like Gale Sayers and Dave Meggett. "Return kicks, return punts, I can catch. If you look at that, my body of work, and if you look at guys across the league and you try to point out how many guys can actually do at a high level ... My body of work speaks for itself. I don't want to label myself being a specific guy." Washington is making no ultimatums about his contract, not threatening to sit out these workouts or the upcoming OTAs or minicamps. "A lot of guys ask me what did you do last year to win the [Jets] offseason award?" Washington said of the honor given for offseason dedication. "Some of the things I can share with Brad Smith or Jehuu Caulcrick, David Harris ... working with those guys and them actually seeing it in person can help the whole team out. That's my standpoint; that's what I believe in, regardless of the contract situation." Washington smiled when asked if he felt "confident" something would be worked out before the season. "I'd say I'm hopeful, that would be the word," he said. "Like I said, I'm prepared to do my thing, if I can do another year or whatever the case may be, but bottom line is, I want to be a Jet. I love playing for New York. I feel like my career should start and end here. That's my take on it."
totally under rated player even by jets fans. As cimini posts in his blog his numbers even with shitty playcalling stand up for comparison with Westbrook etc. Gives this guy the ball more often and watch it happen. Give him a extension , trade Jones and draft a power back in rnds 2-3.
i dont think any of you saying hes not worth it realize, but he completely is. do you expect someone who performs at his level to simply take chump change after proving he's a legit threat. almost this whole damn board when speaking about our offense talks about how good he is and how he never gets the ball enough. its like some of you expect him to be the main contributor to the team and ask for 4 more years of 4th rd rookie money just cause. i think hes being taken for granted by anyone whos willing to simply say goodbye because hes simply saying he thinks hes more than a simple role player. which darren sproles is, and leon can do more than him. and hed be more durable as an actual RB. we need to lock him up long term. long as the contract isnt ridiculous. it needs to be done. i laugh cause the same people saying dont pay him would be the same people saying i cant believe we let him walk when he goes to a team like DEN and just churns out 1200 yard 10 td seasons effortlessly.
Leon's numbers beat the competition and Leon knows it. Get used to the idea of Leon being rich or get used to him being an All Pro for some other team.
Everything Leon said is pretty good or sits OK with me. As far as revolutionizing the game, I would have to see it before I would be willing to pay for it. But, his attitude seems good and at least he certainly does not come across as whining about this like a WR we once had.
..... IMHO .... $27M for 5Yrs with $13M guaranteed would be just fine .... The comparison to Sproles isn't fair because Leon is head and shoulders above his talent level ....
Just out of curiosity how much is Leon worth to you? While this does seem to be a bit much,even though no real numbers have been said, you cant argue the fact the guy has a great attitude and genuinely loves the game unlike a lot of guys who are just out there for the paycheck.
I have no problem with him trying to cash in when his value is greatest. That's smart for him. RBs are always one play away from bagging groceries.
And the Thomas Jones bashers were saying...................... Draft Knowshon Moreno at 17. Franchise tag Leon Washington next year and recoup the draft pick. This guy is good but hes not worth the bg $$$$ he is going to demand.
Give the man his money. Leon is the shit, we need to give him the ball more next season, 5.9 yards per carry, we gotta get him more involved, so we might as well pay him better too.
