you list a number of small backs from the past, but if i wanted to do the research (which i don't) i'm sure the list that couldn't cut it will be many times longer. i just don't see leon being worth anywhere near 6 million for what he does, i'd say 4 million tops, over paying for anything over that amount. and i stand by my statement that i don't believe he'll last much longer (1 to 2 years) tops before all these 300lb plus guys jumping all over and onto his legs will basically end leon from being the leon we've known these past three years. one leg injury and he'll never be the same back, LT ring a bell!!! too much of a risk for long term money against the cap.
Newark Star Ledger http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2009/07/ny_jets_close_to_deal_with_run.html so yeah it looks more like we will be seeing Leon at 4 to 5 million per year. The next topic is what is the likely hood that Thomas Jones gets traded after this deal gets done But now I am getting my Leon jersey now that I know he is going to be with us for a while
Sproles does not have the same level of big play production from the RB position. Lets face it 6 is Keels starting point if the Jets are at 4, 5 is the probable destination.
I don't think TJ goes anywhere until after 2009. But of course if Leon's contract goes through, TJ's carries are certain to be diminished.
I think Jone's carries are going to be diminished one way or the other. He hit 290 last season. This year Leon may see more and Greene will see a good amount of work. I see Jones at the 220 to 250 range. Greene will take the short yardage carries early on and his role will be expanded as the season progresses. Leon saw almost 150 offensive touches last season, that number should expand a bit.
Well, the Jets started at 2 with Keels at 6. 4-5 Seems reasonable, but if Keels holds his ground at 6 then I just don't see things getting done. We have other people that I would lock up before Leon. Mangold first among them.
Greene should also be the "finisher". When we're up in the 4th, expect to see him pounding the rock and punishing worn out D's.
That would be great. If Greene can handle blocking dutys at all that type of formation is jsut what can be decieving to a defense.
That's about where I had put him. 8 more per game, 2 touches a quarter. 128 more touches. If you lose the 4th quarter touches that's 96 more
If Ryan is serious about giving him 200+ touches form scrimmage then I have a real problem with the Jets haggling with him about the difference between 4.5 and 6 million a year. First of all, Leon Washington at 200 touches from scrimmage plus 75 in the return game is clearly a 6 million dollar man. Based on his career averages he's going to get 1140+ yards from scrimmage with 7 TD's and he's going to get about 2400 yards in the return game with another TD or two. That's a star caliber player who is probably more valuable to the offense than any other non-lineman, unless one of the other runningbacks gets fed 300 carries, which is very unlikely, or Sanchez has a breakout rookie year.
I re-watched Buffalo Part II last night... Leon's TD in the second quarter, well, he basically made the entire Bills defense look like they were wearing cement shoes. Leon could earn 4.5million in his sleep.
He's one of the great runners in the game right now and we have him on our team. I don't get the squabbling about he's not a #1 back or a KR or whatever. Pay him, give him the ball and let him run with it. This is an easy one.
