I still find it laughable that it is assumed Leon is going to return to form after that horrific injury. His injury is going to make him slower and not cut back as well. Its homeristic (new word) to think that he's going to bounce back as if he pulled a muscle. Give me that 2nd rounder right now. The offense isn't going to feature Leon the way it did with Chad Checkdown in 2006. This isn't that kind of offense. Its a power running game with slant routes and play action. A slot WR is now more valuable. But its either TJ or leon, because the team is going to need 3 RBs who can carry the rock.
Jesus, a second round pick for Leon is pretty damn good. Yes, he is explosive and talented, there is no doubt. However, where on earth is he a feature back? He just isn't. A 2nd for him is definitely worth it. Take a step back and stop being a Jet fan. An objective person would say that a 2nd is a good deal. Anyway, he is coming off a serious leg injury there probably will not be a lot of takers.
Last season Leon Washington: 4.6 yards per carry Brian Westbrook: 4.5 yards per carry If we're talking about one year, why not? We'd be stupid not to do it. We'd be picking up a 2nd round pick for a player coming off a major injury and replacing him with someone who would certainly be a worthwhile short-term replacement. And at a likely fraction of the cost. Remember, the Jets couldn't sign Leon Washington before he got hurt because they didn't want to give into his demands. Why would they now? If we're risking losing him for nothing, why not get something for him?
I think Leon Washington will be a big play threat again for us next year. I like the 2nd round tender though, and wouldn't be too pissed about gaining a 2nd if he were to peace out.
I think the team likes Leon but the problem is he asking for money to be the: 1. RB 2. KR 3. Wild-cat QB And we only need him to be a RB since we have B. Smith at those other 2 positions... Remember this team needs to sign guys like Revis, Mangold, D'Brick, D. Harris to biiiig contracts and they prob don't want to use 4.5/5 mill on Leon when he is only a complimentary RB to Greene. With the decreased work-load (B. Smith can return some of the kicks and run the "Seminole") I wouldn't offer Leon more than 4 mill a season and I'm sure the team thinks that if they can get a 2nr rounder they'd be able to find someone as good as Leon (as a RB) for 2 mill a season. Business-wise it makes sense...
... said the two times most optimistic TGG award winner . I'd personally like Leon to stay but only at the right price... if he insists on making more than 4 mill a season good-bye!
If we traded Leon, drafted a hb, and picked up LT (I would take him over Westbrook) id feel pretty comfortable. Even Westbrook would be useful if he was healthy. But I really think LT playing with the best offensive line of his entire career could have a resurgence. And hed be splitting carries with 2 other guys so he wouldnt be overworked. Eitherway Leons getting old and coming off a serious injury, so if we could build to the future on him im all for it .
And drafting a Cedric Houston type back in the 5th round would help us how? I recognize that Leon Washington is by no means a sure thing to play for us next season, but we don't have a prayer of finding a weapon as good as him in the draft. People are forgetting how good he is because he wasn't on the field the second half of last season. He's still the most dynamic offensive weapon the Jets have. Shonn Greene is officially fragile. If he manages to stay on the field next season we can re-evaluate that condition but at the moment I don't trust him to take 200 carries without getting hurt. He's had 3 injuries we know of for sure, the ankle and ribs in training camp and then the ribs that forced him out of the AFC championship game. That suggests strongly that he's going to be an intermittent player for the Jets over the next few seasons. Defensive players pile on hard at signs of weakness and Greene has those painted on him in day-glo colors at this point.
Losing Coles and Thomas hurt, no doubt, but the Jets did not collapse because of it. Two years later they were one field goal away from the AFC Championship Game. The team collapsed in 2005, primarily because of injuries to Pennington and Martin.
We're all sitting here talking about Westbrook...What about Tomlinson? I know he's old and people seem to think he's lost a step, but should Leon get signed away from the Jets, would Tomlinson not be a viable option to take a flier on?
Leon's replacement if you ask me is simple...the kid plays for Old Miss. I think his name is McCallister, he looks as far as speed and moves to be just like Chris Johnson, the only thing is he is very small for a running back....but if we can get a second round pick for Leon then McCallister is the man I would like to see replace him.
I hate what LeGarrette Blount did, but I think he's going to be an awesome value pick wise. If Leon leaves, I'd love to see him drafted.
This seems like a good move by the Jets...if he walks somebody is paying big bucks for a guy who is coming off an injury who is not an everydown back. The thing is if somebody makes an offer the Jets can still match it should they choose to. What's being lost in all of this is that the Jets went to the AFC Title Game w/o Leon. I'm not saying he wouldn't be valuable on this roster but we've proven we can win w/o him. If we can get a 2nd for him sign me up. Especially if it's a team in the early 30's to early 40's.
For the record, I am for letting Leon go if someone offers a 2nd, assuming we retain TJ. Scenario: What if NE (multiple 2nd rounders) offered a 2nd for him? Tough decision there.
Just think, we could get someone almost as good as first rounder Gholston if we let Leon go for a second rounder. The draft can be a total crap shoot. I don't think I could bear watching Leon return to form if he were picked up by the Patriots. His injury was severe, but it was not a knee. All I've heard is that he should be able to return to form, and he is an explosive player which is very tough to find. I'd find a way to see what he has while playing in green for one season.
