Every single one, about 3 times each. Leon Washington runs the draw play quite well. Anything else is still a work in progress. It may be a product of our line, because noone is really running well inside for the Jets. I'm sorry if I'm not willing to sit here and go down on Leon Washington just yet. I think he has promise, but these comparisons to Westbrook, Barber, and BARRY F'ING SANDERS FOR GODS SAKE, are annoying. Even if it's just done for size, come on let's not say, "Well Tiki Barber can do it, so Leon must be able to." For starters, Tiki Barber took half his career as a 3rd down back and punt returner. That's why he's still fresh now. Westbrook was drafted for that as well. Barry Sanders was just something special... noone should ever be compared to him. Oh, and one thing about those sizes you guys quote. They're usually from the player's rookie year. They do not tend to get updated. If you think Tiki Barber is 5'10 (a little exaggeration there) or he weighs only 203 now, you're kidding yourself. Look at Leon Washington and look at Tiki Barber. 2 different sized people. Give Leon Washington a year in the weight room, and he can build up to a Tiki Barber in statue (maybe even 2 yrs are needed). THAT KIND OF SIZE is necessary to survive in the NFL with 25 carries a game.
I completely disagree and don't understand what you're seeing. IMO he is running well inside and outside the tackles on normal running plays - he also does well on draw plays.
Leon had a pretty good game against Detroit. However as Jetsin2004 points out, alot of yards came on draw plays. I am sure those draw plays were put specifically in the game plan against Detroit, because of Rogers absence and Hendersons propensity to over-blitz at times. On a side note, Leon did have a few nice runs to the outside...with D'Brick Ferguson using his speed and agility to lead the way on several occasions.
Yup and you seem to be all alone on this one - i have my own opinion, have read and heard others on here, amongst friends, and in the media and not one person other than you seems to think he only runs well on draw plays. It seems like a ridiculous statement to me, but I guess we should all just accept it as truth because of your tgg award from last year - that's what it seems you would like anyway. The guy hits holes hard and fast, can make people miss, and fight off a tackle.
You are trying to start an argument aren't you? I came on here and said you are entitled to your opinion. I never called it wrong, and I never called it ridiculous. I just don't agree with it. I'm not about to sit here and give Leon Washington head because he ran for 100+ against the friggen Colts and 129 against the Lions. Let's see him do it against a team with a run defense. I'm not talking the Bears... I'm talking about someone middle of the pack. I don't use stats as my only source to evaluate. 1/2 the people on do that. Washington has promise. He's too small, in my opinion, right now to carry the ball 25 times a game. He's doing well in this role and I would NOT increase it drastically right now. From what I saw watching the games, his most impressive runs are on draw plays when he can run in space. Watch last week's game... the commentators said the identical thing. The Jets kept going back to that draw up the middle. Draws up the middle, in MY MIND do not count as "running between the tackles." When I hear running between the tackles, I think regular hand up and just blast it in there. He's not really large enough to do that yet. As for the award I won last year.... I never brought it up once.. you did. I'm sure I won't win this year, because I disagree with some people, and that's taboo on these boards. You can accept or reject my comments... I don't really care. They're my opinion, and just like your opinions, they aren't wrong or ridiculous. Just because someone is in the minority doesn't make them wrong.
Of course Leon Washington isn't too small to succeed in the NFL. He weighs 220, and he's already had 2 100 yard games, and 5'8" isn't an absurdly small height to succeed in the NFL. That being said, the definition of a successful career is up for discussion. Washington is still very small and I doubt can ever be a full-time 25-30 carry back. I wouldn't doubt it, as there are several exceptions, but let's not get them confused with what they are: exceptions. And he's not going to prove this season if he can be a full-time back. It took Tiki, Dunn, and Westbrook years to prove they can be every-down backs. Leon will go through a similar process, although it may be accelerated slightly because right now we have an awful running game, and Washington has been our best back when he plays. He'll still need a caddy, which Barlow or Houston would be good for, and until he proves how durable he is at the NFL level, that's the best course of action for him. Washington reminds me of a mix of Dunn and Curtis Martin. Martin was at his best as a draw back, and Washington appears to be the same way so far. Martin was also undersized, but turned out to be very durable by the end of his career. Of course, I'm not saying Leon is or will ever be as good as those backs. Hell, he could be better. Too early to tell.
i cant believe the post took my neon leon line on the back page but anyway he is a great cutback runner and he is tough enough to take hits so i guess his size isnt a dissadvantage
You must be a Phins or Pats fan! How about the toss sweep and the stretch play that he runs? How 'bout going up the middle in the off-set "I"? Do you watch the games?
Every single one, about 3 times each thanks to NFL Sunday Ticket Superfan. His best play, at this point in his career, BY FAR, is the draw play. I'n not terribly impressed with his running up the middle in the offset I. Sweeps are something he shoiuld be good at, and isn't bad at now, but his draw running is far superior right now. That's my opinion. People are allowed to have a different opinion without being accused of not watching the games.
