No one signs a long term contract for their franchise number. I'm sure he'd be more than happy with $5 million per.
That all depends on the season he has and what Sproles signs for. I just don't want to play poker with Leon and he call our bluff. This one will really come back to bite us.
Leon playing in Buffalo would be the MaGayhee nightmare all over again. I really think several bad things would have to happen for Leon to be let go. I really think the worst thing that happens is we give him the fanchise tag for a year, but I really don't think it will go that far.
Yeah, but most of us are talking about signing him before the season even starts. That's what he wants and what is best for us long term. As far as Sproles is concerned, there's no way in hell that the Chargers pay him $6.6 million per on a long term deal this offseason.
Man people go way overboard on the "don't overpay him!!"...Tell me...Besides DBrick and Gholston, who have to be overpaid due to the Top pick...Who has Tanny OVERPAID? Seriously? Rhodes, Cotch, Moore, all who resigned with the team, haven't been out of control money...Chill out. Tanny doesn't have a track record of just dishing out cash...And if you want to throw Faneca, Pace, and Woody...Quite frankly they lived up to their contract last season. And Bart is worth it.
Holy shit. Thanks for posting this. Never realized this before. Using it now as ammunition in a debate with a Phins fan.
I think he isn't worth the money based on his impact the last couple of years, not to take away from his impact. However this guy right now is arguably the face of the Jets and based on his attitude could be the captain of this team. I would not grossly over pay him but I would be less uncomfortable over paying for him than a lot of other players on this team.
Team MVP and a Pro Bowler and people think he's not going to command 5 Mil+ and saying that's too much? Jets fans really are afraid of success aren't they? Pay him what he is worth to this team and give him the ball more.
Exactly. I hate this mentality of "don't pay him too much, we need the money to get another guy who might be good". Bullshit. Leon isn't just good, he's great. He keeps us in games and puts games away, you keep him and give him the ball.
The problem that I have is trying to justify paying starter money to a backup/ST guy. In reality, the absolute BEST scenario for the New York Jets would be to not resign him, let him go out and have a killer year and slap the franchise tag on him. If someone else takes the bait, two first round picks - great, we win. If not and we have to pay him, it's not a big deal either. The average salary of RB's right now is about $6.6M which is probably in the ballpark of what Leon is going to want anyway.
With next season being an uncapped year and no CBA on the table, what sense does it make to sign Leon to any contract at this time? What happens to Leon's deal if the NFLPA and the owners decide to rework the entire cap structure? Tanny knows this and so does Leon's agent. Just give the man a big assed bonus and see how things shake out in '10 b4 the long term commitment..
in today's running games, there isn't a number 1 and 2 - its more 1a and 1b. A backup/ST is Brad Smith, since he returns kicks too. And you aren't getting that scenario with the tag. Since he isn't a 1st team all-pro running back with a super bowl MVP he's not getting a 2 1st round pick tag slapped on him. That's foolish. And if no one takes the bait, you may end up paying more per year due to the tag initially being on him and then trying to resign him long term.
His impact is actually very big on the team. An all pro kick returner not only give his team a TD or two a year, but good feild position every drive. His offensive numbers have been somewhat limited, but are similar to Reggie Bush's who is making a good deal more them Leon already. Used correctly he has the talent to be a premier running back in this league. No, he's not a between the tackles pound it out guy, but very good at catching passes out of the back field and a home run threat every time he touches the ball. Leon should get paid. How much is the true story. He knows this is his big chance to cash in. After this contract he will most likely be near the dreaded age of 30, so its now or never for him. I would not be supprised to see him franchised if something is not worked out.
Yes, in this case, if something can't be worked out by 2010, they definitely need to use the Franchise Tag. Do not let this guy go at any cost.
