http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/03/07/market-for-leon-washington-could-heat-up-soon/ Who knows how true this is, or if anyone will be willing to sign Leon. But it's always a possibility. Some are on board letting him go, others aren't. For a high 2nd, to me, it's a no brainer, let him walk. For a late 2nd, I'd examine the contract a lot more closely. However, if Leon signs a contract elsewhere, it's likely for something he couldn't get as a Jet.
I dont mind letting letting Leon go as long as we draft a suitable replcement very high in the draft someone like Jahvid Best would be a nice replacement
He's been a great weapon for the Jets, but if another team is giving up a second rounder for him, they have to let him go. Leon's simply not going to be apart of the future of this team, and they can use that pick to help build up the young talent on the roster.
unlike the other moves I've seen so far this doesn't seem like a savings based move (read Woody is looking cheap) but a move that makes sense, since you don't know which Leon your going to get...worse case he gets a reasonable contract that the jets can resign him with...or they agree to a trade for a 3rd rd pick & a future 2nd day (2nd or 3rd round day 2 format) pick...
Like I said before, if someone scoops up Leon, I'd love to go Tate, Gerhart, Alualu with those three picks in the first two rounds.
A second round pick for Leon would be awesome...we might be able to move up a few spots in the first and still have a 2nd round pick
I'm surprised how willing you guys are to let Leon walk. To me it comes down to health. If he is going to recover completely, he's worth way more than a 2. If not, then a 2 is nice compensation, whether it's high or low in the round. Of course we don't know whether he'll fully recover. If he goes though, we're very thin at RB at KR. 1500th post...let's party!
So last year we're the #1 rushing offense in the league and now we're looking at losing 2/3 of our RB's, not to mention our Probowl caliber return man, to FA? I know his health is a question mark but i'm not sure i'd be happy with this.
You don't know what Leon you're gonna get,if you get the dynamic playmaker that's great but then we saw what kind of contract he was demanding a year ago. With the players that need new deals Leon may have been let go anyway with no compensation. On the flipside, he may have lost a step and then getting a 2nd is great value. Also, isn't Cro a pretty good kick returner (he returned a missed field goal 109 yards for a TD in 07)?
To me, the biggest reason why to let Leon walk if he signs is this... The Jets couldn't sign him! If he signs a deal elsewhere, chances are it's for more than the Jets were willing to pay him. So they'd probably just take the 2nd round pick as more than fair compensation.
The second-round tender is a gamble for sure but man, that was one horrific looking leg injury that Leon suffered. I'm sure that he is working his tail off to get back to "pre-injury Leon" and that the Jets medical staff is monitoring his progress closely, but I wonder if he'll ever return to 100% after that kind of injury. In that sense, I guess the risk averse part of me would be ok with hedging our bets and taking a second-rounder if the opportunity presented itself.
If we lose Leon, I guarantee we'll be drafting a RB early. Our first pick would be Matthews if available. If not, likely Tate and a RB in the 2nd. There is some solid value there.
I don't think anyone would rather have a 2nd rounder than a healthy Leon. The FO is just hedging its bets. In this draft, we can go a long way to replacing his productivity.
I don't see any team giving up a 2nd rounder for a former 4th that has had many injury problems throughout his career! I'd love to keep Leon for his big play ability and KR skills. Wouldn't mind letting him go for a high 2nd but don't see it happen!
if someone is willing to throw up a 2nd for leon i think the jets have to seriously consider letting him walk and draft a RB
Not only would they have to give up a 2nd, they would also have to offer him an overpaid contract that the Jets would not want to match. That is the gamble the Jets are taking here, and I think it's a smart one. How many teams are willing to overpay a non-starter scatback coming off a double compound fracture of the leg - and also give up a 2nd round pick in a draft as deep as this one? The more I think about this, the more I think Leon is a lock as a Jet for 2010.
FYP. This is a different team now. Leon Washington was a great kick returner and a very good change of pace back. We're a power team now. Washington doesn't fit in to what we're trying to do here. He'd be the third option if we picked up another back. A second rounder for a kick returner that's coming off of a serious leg injury is a steal.
