http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/2009/09/01/2009-09-01_hes_barry_good.html?page=1 Marshall Faulk: Jets' Leon Washington shows flashes of Barry Sanders BY Rich Cimini Tuesday, September 1st 2009, 4:00 AM As a kid growing up in Jacksonville, Leon Washington always made sure he wore No. 28 on his Pop Warner football team, the Warriors. It belonged to his favorite player, Marshall Faulk, whose dynamic, all-around game as a running back made him an icon in the Washington household. After his rookie season, 2006, Washington met Faulk for the first time at a Super Bowl event in Miami. Like a star-struck kid, he was nervous, stumbling over his words as he told Faulk how much he meant to him. Turns out that Faulk, one of the most prolific runners in NFL history, is a huge Washington fan. In an interview Monday, Faulk compared Washington's play-making ability to Barry Sanders, predicting the Jets will have a successful season if they get the ball into Washington's hands at least 15 times a game. "I've been watching Leon since he wore No. 3 at Florida State," Faulk, an NFL Network analyst, said on a conference call. "I always felt the guy had a knack for when the football was in his hands, he was going to make a big play. "I call it the Barry Sanders effect. Whenever they handed the ball to Barry, you knew something good was going to happen. Even if it was a two-yard gain, it was the best two-yard gain you've ever seen. Leon has a lot of that in him." Washington, coming off his best season, is tearing up the preseason. He leads the NFL with 381 all-purpose yards (119 rushing, 40 receiving and 222 on returns), and he became only the fifth Jet since 1990 to hit the 170-yard mark in a preseason game, according to the team. Oh, by the way, he has done it two games in a row. He's also done it while dealing with the weight of an uncertain contract situation. Washington is entering the final year of his rookie deal, which pays him $535,000 for the upcoming season. The Jets would like to sign him to a long-term extension, but the two sides haven't talked in more than three weeks, according to sources. They've offered four and five-year deals, starting at $4.5 million a year, although it's believed much of the money is backloaded. Faulk believes the Jets can do big things if they make Washington an integral part of the offense. A year ago, he averaged only eight "touches" (rushes and receptions) per game. "I think it's overrated when you look at carries; let's talk touches," Faulk said. "I think Leon can touch the ball anywhere from 15 to 25 times for that team, and be effective. Fifteen to 25 touches, and that team will be successful." Washington would be thrilled with that number. Rex Ryan has said many times he'd like to expand Washington's role. Makes sense, considering he's their most dynamic player, but they can't forget about Thomas Jones, who led the AFC in rushing. Faulk believes Washington has developed into more than a situational back. "He's starting to learn how to run in between the tackle in the NFL," Faulk said. "Often they talk about how short a running back he is (only 5-8), how it hurts him, but he gets lost behind that line and does a really good job." Faulk (5-10, 211) wasn't the biggest back around, either, but he was a lethal weapon as a runner and receiver. It started at San Diego State, where Washington, only 11 at the times, first set his eyes on Faulk. Washington smiled when he recalled that first meeting with him. "I was kind of shy about it," Washington said recently. "I was like, 'I used to watch you growing up. You were my idol in football.' He was like, 'Hey, man, I enjoy watching you.'" And talking about, too. CHANSI GRABS JOB: Chansi Stuckey appears to have landed himself a starting job at wide receiver. At the very least, it's his to lose. "I think it's a position that still is going to be by committee, but I think he's at the top, the guy you throw out there first," Rex Ryan said after yesterday's practice in Florham Park, N.J. ... Ryan expects the starters to play "maybe just one series on both sides of the ball" in Thursday's final preseason game against the Eagles, but linebacker Calvin Pace, who will miss the Jets' first four games because of a league suspension, should pick up some serious minutes. ... Mike DeVito, who did not dress for practice yesterday because of an injured right hamstring, spent about 40 minutes working out on an exercise bike. The defensive end does not plan on suiting up for Thursday's game, and he's not sure when he'll practice again, but said he'll "definitely" and "without a doubt" be ready to go for the season-opener against the Texans. ... Rookie running back Shonn Greene, who had been sidelined with a rib injury since getting hit in the Ravens game on Aug. 24, practiced yesterday.... Rookie Jamaal Westerman, an undrafted free agent out of Rutgers, likely won't be looking for work elsewhere. "He's played himself onto this football team," Ryan said.
Okay, Cimini... Faulk didn't say Leon was "Barry good". Anyway, I don't think there is a person on this board who doesn't think Leon needs to get the ball more. Also, I hope they get that contract situation settled, but it might not be until the offseason.
Right. Barry Sanders is a god. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDIQEJayxO0&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]
im really liking this kid. i think he can turn into something special for us. is it said that he is playing just as good if not better then VG and he is not only a rookie but went undrafted?
This line right here sums it up. It doesn't matter if he's an every down RB for us. As long as he touches the ball 15-25 times a game, then we'll have a chance to put points on the board in every game. Leon is that explosive. Call him a situational RB or whatever you want, however that doesn't diminish his value at all. Kick returns, lining up in the slot, RB, just get the ball in Leon's hands and this team will have a shot.
I agree. It is a stretch now, we don't really know what he can do if given those touches though. He is not a lock to get injured or dinged up just because of his size. Some big guys can't take a pounding, some little guys can. 'the way she goes'
Leon should be on the field for 80%+ of our offensive snaps next year. When he's used he'll be valuable and when he's just a decoy that makes the other teams blink hard he'll be valuable. Ideally the Jets get him 12-15 carries plus 5-6 catches a game next year. If he survives that load he'll be in the MVP running before all is said and done.
I agree, bad title to article. I think Faulk is hinting that Leon has Barry like traits in not only stature but his shiftiness. Obviously, not on Barry's level but he has a similar style.
This situation is really starting to make me anxious. I understand that the CBA makes contract negotiations difficult right now... but sometimes you just need to do the right thing and this is one of those situations. Pay the guy what he deserves damnit!
Hopefully Shonn turns out to be gold and we'd have two backs that have every aspect covered. Leon could take 12-15 carries 3-5 receptions and shonn could take another 10-15 carries.
I'd actually like to see what he can do as a #1 back getting 20 carries a game. Give Greene the other carries. This will have to wait until next season when T Jones is gone(hopefully)
For my money Jim Brown and Walter Payton were the 2 best RBs ever to play in the NFL. After that you could definatley make Sanders No. 3. Sanders was certainly among the greatest all time. In terms of talking about the all time most dominant RBs in NFL history I'd say the following RBs all compare to Barry Sanders: Walter Payton, Jim Brown, Gale Sayers, OJ, Emmitt, LT, Marshall Faulk, Dickerson and Earl Campbell.
This is a matter of opinion, and I feel your opinion is way off. I personally do not consider any "all-time great" RB's anywhere comparable to, Barry Sanders. I feel Sanders was just that much better then every other runner that has played this game, he dominated. I put him #1 all time.
