Leon Washington will be the running back to take the Jets into the future! I know that I have a personal interest invested in his success because I know him, but, aside from that, he has that kind of ability! Everyone seems to be crying over an often injured player in Lee Suggs failing his physical, when there is a guy on the team already capable of getting the job done. How many of you thought that Brian Westbrook, coming out of Villanova, with only ONE ACL was going to be a good NFL player? I have watched Leon, along with a number of other players in college for years and I certainly do believe that he has what it takes. I know that some of you may be thinking that if he were that good, the coaching staff would not still be looking for another back. I say, what could he really do in practice as a rookie that is going to seperate him in the minds of the coaches? Well, solid enough to where he did get some reps with the first team! I think against Washington, you all are going to see Leon show that he does have some very special abilities. I have seen a lot of football for a lot of years, both, high school, college and professional; I know a special player when I see one. Honestly, how many people on this board can actually say that they have seen enough of Washington to make an honest evaluation on his abilities? How can you have a good idea of what you're talking about, unless you know what you are talking about? This is the final time that I'm going to post on here until AFTER the Washington game; only then, you will realize that there is some merit in what I'm saying.
can he block? I also like the guy as a RB but we definately need a back that can block very well if Chad is going to live through the first two games.
i think so too...he was drafted far later then his talent would indicate...id like to see him featured in some packages this year and then take over the full time duties next year...lets hope it all works out for him
I haven't given up on him yet, but like a lot of rookies he needs to work on picking up NFL Blitzes. He almost got our QB killed last Friday night. He's a work in progress....
you cant give up on players after one preseason game... and hes not going to magically sprout 3 inches taller..
Until he gets a good feel for pass protection, we need to play whomever can keep Chad on his feet. I hope he is our guy. He definately has speed to spare and I like him more then blaylock....but he's got to learn how to pick up the blitz.
What kind of difference does 3 inches make? Really, what will 3 inches do for him? Leon is 202 lbs at damn near 5'8"! Seriously, what is an inch or 2 going to do for him? I guess Bo Jackson should have been a little taller, he sure could not take the pounding of the NFL, even in part-time duty! Honestly, without jest, what would 2 inches do for Leon's career other than make him nearly 5'10"? Besides, with cleats on he's taller! Height for a running back in the NFL is so overrated. Like Bill Parcells used to say about Joe Morris, "He's not little, he's short". GOOD NuFF for me!
Actually you should be worried about injuries b/c of a back's weight not height per se. Height can be a liability if you don't have the mass to withstand a constant pounding. Me? I could care less if he was 5'8'' but if he weighs less then 210 lbs he may not be able to withstand the wear and tear of a typical nfl season, ala brian westbrook....still I'll take brian westbrook for 13 games any day of the week. I eagerly await washington.....lets see what he can do.
210 lbs? Barry Sanders, 203; Emmitt Smith, 209; Sweetness, 202; Dorsett, 190; seems like a theme there; whoever the culprits are that had written the holy grail on the requisites of an NFL running back were waaaaaaaaaaaay off! Not that Leon is one of the greats, but, how will we know anything unless he's in the game?
Barry Sanders was 5-8 and he did ok! Also, lets not forget Blaylock. I know he didn't look good on fri, but its one game
not trying to argue...but C'mon be truthful....i have nothing against small backs but those listed above were the exception and not the rule. In today's nfl, it's difficult to keep taking hits against defenders who seem to only get stronger AND faster as the game progresses. I'm fully aware that the Tiki's and Warrick's of the world somehow manage to do just fine w/o 210 plus pounds, and please keep in mind I WANT Leon to be our guy, but that doesn't change my opinion that backs under 210 have more difficulty making it through the season w/o injury. I will agree that he needs reps with the first team this week. Let it be so! Now only if TBJ would start posting his training camp impressions so I can see if Leon is getting 1st team reps for this weekend :sad:
SO next year we draft a running back with our first pick, then a NT with the second pick and use our next second pick on a big time 6'3 or 4 or 5 wide receiver. Lets just suck it up for this season let all these guys get some game time experience and gel some. I already know what to expect out of this season.
Leon Washington will never ever be the Jets feature back. If he becomes a poor mans Meggett I'll be overjoyed with his selection.
Leon Washington was sick at FSU but...... Rashaan Salaam was sick at Colorado Lawrence Phillips was sick at Nebraska Ki-Jana Carter was sick at PSU You get my point. A good college career doesn't necessarily translate to a good NFL career. I hope he can perform well for the Jets but I haven't got my hopes too high.
Leon Washington was a good back at FSU, so was Travis Minor and Warrick Dunn. Leon is no Warrick Dunn, not even close, and Travis Minor is a 3rd down back at best. We really need help at running back.
