I guess we'll see how many teams feel that way - if he's claimed. Having good hands as a RB does not instantly make the guy a WR . It actually might be funny trying to see him fight off a jam at the LOS. As for the one player other than Leon , how about Brad Smith , how about Stuckey or even Clowney. Its easier for a WR to run reverses/ gadget plays than for a RB to line up and play as a WR. If we didn't have Leon , there might be a need. But otherwise , its hard at least for me to see.
Leon was great in 2007. Good but not great last year. 10th in the NFL in average. If he's expected to shoulder a much bigger load in the offensive game plan, then he should not be focusing his enegry on KR touches as well. Saying he's the "Best in the NFL" is the green kool-aid talking. Again, no other starter in the NFL does this. So either the Jets consider Leon a third down type back and keep him as a KR, basicly saying he's our Kevin Faulk, or we are going to hand him 250ish offensive touches this season. The numbers do not lie when it comes to amount of offensive touches and running backs breaking down. Few men can handle 300+ year in and year out while staying productive. The 370 number has been awful to running backs. Both injury and play dropoff have resulted every time. Michael Turner is the last one to do it and he would be the first to buck that trend in this decade if he has a big year. I would not look to see Leon get both 15 touches a game and return kicks. That would put hm at or over 300. Not exactly the type of work load you want smaller backs taking on every year.
So you are saying that Smith, Clowney, or Stuckey could fill in as a RB, and a kick returner if needed? How is it so hard for a RB to move to the slot? I must miss be seeing something else when a RB motions out to the the slot position. I agree it would be tough for him to fight off a check at the line, as it would be for any small WR. (Even big WR have some trouble) Nice try though.
Yes, Clowney has returned kicks in the past and Stuckey has experience returning punts. Brad Smith was a prolific running QB at Mizzou so these are a lot less far fetched then trying to force a 5'7 scatback into a slot reciever position . So nice try on your part trying to justify Woodhead deserves a spot. The continued support for this guy and the projections that he's capable of playing all over the field continue to astound me.
Pardon me, but I suspect that anyone who knows the alphabet would astound you. OK, I'm kidding, just saw a hole and fell into it. I am not that kind of poster, unless it's in jest. I just... had ... a ... moment there...LOL. Again, this isn't a thread about Woodhead, really, as it was my topic, it was about coach speak, team chemisrty, unity and culture. It just so happens Woodhead is the example here of a message that Ryan spewed that he failed to back up, and a GM who has to make moves, any move, to look like he's busy. 4 QB's, 11 DB's.... argue that freakin roster management logic. Then tell me how that 4th QB or any other fringe player holds more value than a player who was voted by his own team mates as "Most Exemplary" based on attitude, work ethic and yes, even talent. Forget that it was Woodhead.... just base it on the facts, not DW.
Ok , I'll play along. Its kinda of like the ugly girl with the great personality. You know full well your not going to date her, but she's too good of a person to hurt her feelings. You keep her as a friend and play her up to other people, your not doing it to be mean but doing it to try and help her. Rex and the Jets really liked Woodhead but knew he wouldn't fit the team's offensive needs. Sure they could of just cut him and washed their hands, but they felt compelled enough to talk him up , hoping he'd get another chance elsewhere. As far as 4 QB's go , 1) We're starting a rookie so there's more of a possibility we may need a backup during the year . 2) There have been reports that Clemens has a injury to his throwing elbow 3) O'Connell was supposedly ranked high on the Jets draft board, its also been rumored that they put in a claim for him but he was awarded to the Lions 4) O'Connell has ran scout teams against the AFC East and has firsthand knowledge of the Pats offense. 5) They like Ainge , but aren't sure he will develop into a quality NFL player . I agree 11 db's is a bit puzzling , but Rex is a defensive coach. His schemes with the Ravens have consisted of multiple personnel groups and lots of interchanging. We have two quality DB's ( Revis/Rhodes) but lots of questions outside of that. In addition our first two opponents have argubly two of the best Wr's in the NFL( Andre Johnson, Randy Moss) . I still think a cut or two will be made here , but if there's any place I trust Ryan its with defensive players. If he kept 7 rb's then I'd be like - hmm what's going on. I personally have liked what Tannenbaum has done , I don't see his moves as being unecessary. We needed a punter, we needed another FB with the cut of Caulcrick, we've already discussed O'Connell . The only two questionable moves in my mind were cutting Cummings and keeping Izzo - but again those are in Ryan and Westhoffs corners.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and great h*** goes a long way. Danny had a certain appeal.... and sticking with the anology, Woodhead had more than just appeal. Keeping Izzo... in a word, leadership. I won't get all bunged up over that, but it's still the 4QB thing and 11 DB's that bug me. In his own way. DW was a team leader. It isn't so much I think that his in field talent was reason to keep him, it was his intangables.
jeez the little white guy who everybody wants to win got cut. big fuckin deal. i can very confidently say he will not be at the pro bowl this year. i dont even know why i decided to post about the last cut on the team. but screw it everyone else seems to be doing it
No, its not. He would serve no purpose on this team, who cares if we cut the guy? Why is no one crying about Jehuu Caulcrick getting cut? He's someone who could've learned from T-Rich about how to play FB.
I think some of you...not pointing you out alley..I see your point..but there a lot of posters who are missing what tbj's main point is here. It was about Rex saying he doesnt care about what you have done in the past..if you play hard enough and take advantage of your opportunitys, you will make the team. TBJ thinks thats exactly what DW did..and its hard to disagree with him. Ryan then cuts one of the few guys that played over his head..so it looks like Ryan didn't exactly mean what he said. Thats TBJ's point and only point...not that he needs any defense.
Im not saying its a huge loss and may not even be a loss at all not having him on the roster. He had a huge game..BLACK..BLUE..WHITE...BROWN..PINK...it makes no difference. The team loved the guy...he put up huge numbers and he got cut. I understand why they cut him...but I was rooting for him because he was an underdog..not because he was white...which is the reason many were rooting for him.
Everyone wanted him to be the next Chrebet and it didn't work out. The next white success against the odds. It didn't pan out, rent Rudy and lets focus on the season.
So you are saying there arent any good white NFL players anymore..and fans are dying for one to come along?
Please link to that quote. This was the quote I saw: I don't see him saying "if you play hard, we'll find a spot for you." He said that Woodhead earned his spot as the 4th RB. It just so happened that the spot he earned no longer existed a day later when cuts came in and players in more needed positions became available. Ryan's job isn't to reward players with positions for hard work. It's to put the best team imaginable on the field. I fail to see how Woodhead makes us better enough to merit all of the attention Tbird has been giving him in multiple threads. I can see an argument for giving him an audition to return kicks and punts, but the coaching staff has seen a lot more than the one return we've seen. I'd imagine after Allison went down, the thought must have crossed their minds. The fact that Woodhead still got cut tells me that they viewed someone else as more important.
No not at all.. I'm saying that people wanted him to succeed, he was the everyman, who had an uphill battle. If he did succeed, it woulda made a good disney movie.. in fact it did.
I'll go with another analogy. Its like going for a job interview and your a hotshot accountant with a great background and have a great attitude and work history. Unfortunately, the company your interviewing with has two senior accountants their perfectly happy with and they're only looking for an engineer. You did all you could to impress that company , but at the end of the day there was just no position for you - such is the life of Danny Woodhead.
Everybody was rooting for him as an underdog. Just because people aren't crying that he got cut doesn't mean that we don't like the kid or wish him success. I for one hope he takes up with another team or heads back to our PS. We just didn't have room for him on the active roster.
