Some Hope In Washington's Situation added on 05/13/2009 2:16 PM According to RB Leon Washington's agent Alvin Keels, some progress has been made in negotiations between him and the New York Jets. Keels' message on twitter was that "everything will be fine. Myself and Mike T will put our heads together and continue to work." Washington, 26, is entering the final year of his 4-year contract that he signed as a rookie in 2006. Last season he was used mostly as a change of pace back and gained 448 yards on 76 carries, 6 TDs. Leon also caught 47 passes for 355 yards, 2 TDs. His biggest contribution, however, was on special teams where he had four kickoff returns of 40+ yards and 1 touchdown. You guys might have already seen this but it's just posted on the ganggreen homepage. Figured I would put it in the thread anyways
No, and as I said, I was hoping to get him signed for the $4 - 5 million range. An every down back in this league pulls $8 million on a current contract. I'm obviously not going to be pleased if that's what Leon is looking for. My point was that we can't judge him strictly on carries. I'd like to see an average of 15+ touches per game. Not simply carries, but also receptions and kick returns. Drafting Shonn Greene filled the future need for a back who can wear down a defense and open up the game for Leon. I see Leon as the primary threat in a committee backfield. He wasn't used effectively last season, and I expect that to change, particularly with Leonhard coming in to return punts.
Didn't see it until you posted it. Thanks. Just wanted to point out that Leon will be 27 when the season kicks off, so I hope no contract locks us in for more than 4 years. I don't think he's worth more than 4 mill a year, maybe 4.5. All those height and weight numbers being pulled off NFL sites for comparison are useless. THEY ARE NEVER ACCURATE. As for Sprole's salary this year with the franchise tag, who cares. Just because somebody is overpaying a player doesn't mean we have to follow suit.
That's because of the front loaded contracts. That's not the case with Leon but I think it has a lot to do with more holdouts.
M. Barber 2005: 10.6 carries a game 2006: 8.5 carries a game 2007: 12.75 carries a game 2008: 15.8 carries a game Total average over 4 years: 11.9 (It was 10.6 when he got his deal in 2007 and not 9.9 as I originally stated as I inadvertently neglected to omit games in which he did not play). In the case of Jacobs: 2005: 2.3 carries a game 2006: 6.4 carries/game 2007: 18 carries/game 2008: 16.8 carries/game 4 year total: 10.8 (I once again failed to omit DNP games.) I apologize for my errors in calculation which created the impression of a slightly lower per game carry average. While it's true that Barber carried the ball much more in 2008 and had numerous games with 20+ carries, he also played in games where he carried the much ball less. Thus, that is where the word "averages" comes into play. He was hurt (pinky toe) but the net result is that he "averaged" only 3.7 yards per carry and for 2009 and beyond will no longer get anywhere near the number of carries he did last year as the division of labor will more or less be equally divided between Choice, Jones and Barber. Going forward, that makes Barber of "change of pace back" who will be earning an "average" of 6.5M per year. My point is that if Leon is going to be used more or less in the manner which Westbrook is deployed (in Leon's case, let's say 8-13 carries per game and 4-8 receptions per game or 12-21 total touches per/game) I think he is legitimately worth $4.5-5.5M per year on a 4-5 year deal.
Quick question: If we keep leon for the same contract, and then sign him to a one yr tender once he becomes an RFA, would we be able to keep him regardless of what he wants to do?
We'd have the right to match any contract he was offered. Just have to watch out for any poison pills included.
But we could put a 1st and 3rd round tender on him so that any team that does sign him away with a poison pill will have to give us their draft picks.
wow Im so proud, this is the longest thread I have ever started Also I would have to consider the 1st and 3rd round tender thing seeing is how he is an RFA, but then again we may not have cap space for a first rounder. But if nothing works out I would put the tender on him, of course then I could know exactly where he would be going if a team were to match the tender...Cleveland. My first choice is to sign him to a long term deal
Leon would only be a RFA IF 2010 is an uncapped year. Otherwise, he'd be an UFA and can walk. I'd take the chance and keep him at 500k for the year, if his demands don't come down significantly. :smile:
