This year he is averaging 4.5 carries a game and 2.9 catches for a whopping total of 7.4 touches a game. That just strikes me as criminal. I'd like to see him get 6-10 carries a game plus another 5-10 receptions. That would translate to 11-20 total touches per game which is certainly reasonable from a wear and tear standpoint. The more touches he gets that mean the more chances he has of busting a big play. Even if you deducted his yardage averages (run/rec) by about 20% as a possible result of fatigue and/or his being focused on more by opposing defenses (like they don't key on him now whenever he's in the game) his stats thus far this year(based on an average of 14 total touches per game) could and would very possibly look something like this: 112 carries/ 548 yds(4.9 avg) 8-12 Tds- 84 rec/588 (7.0ypc) 3-6 Tds instead of what it is today: 63 carries/ 374 yds (5.9 avg) 5 TDs - 41 rec/326 yds (8.0 avg.) 2 TDs Leon could and should be able to score 11-18 TDs per year (excluding special teams). One could argue we should draft or sign a dedicated KR/PR guy so LW could more safely and realistically increase his in game workload.
Washington should definitely be used more. I don't understand why in clear passing situations they don't put Jones AND Washington on the field. If a team focuses on one the other can gash them bad. Wait... that's too innovative... never mind.
After reading this article, I don't have any doubt he'll be re-signed. Not that I had a lot of doubt before.
I don't understand why they haven't done screen plays to Leon for so long... This guy is the reason why we are still in the playoff race...
Yeah, that just about clinches it. Plus, is you watch Mangini's press conferences, you know that he loves the guy. He probably compliments him more than any other Jets player.
the thing thats been killing me this week is he busts a 4o yar t.d. run than doesn't get the rock again the rest of the game.don't want to bitch to much cause we won but damn seems like he shoulda got a few more carries
Leon's on pace for the most touches of his career. We got rid of Miller at leas partially to get this guy more touches in the kicking game. He's got more catches than in any previous season. He's going to get more carries than he did last year. He's returned more kicks than he's ever done. And most importantly of all, Thomas Jones has been a top 5 back in the league this year, so he's not going to see 150 carries. How many #2 backs get 150+ carries? He only got that in '06 because he was the only productive RB we had. I wish people would at least perform a fact check before they started complaining. Leon's touches have went UP this season, and theres still game to play. I didn't see Sundays game so I have no clue as to why he only got one carry. There was a thread mentioning tackle that looked bad, but I didn't see it so...yah.
I don't think alot of people realize this, but Leon is already 26 years old! He'll be 27 by the time the 2009 season opens. What I'm trying to say is this... GET THIS GUY THE BALL NOW! I'm tired of hearing how "one day maybe he'll shoulder the load, once he gets more experience, adds weight, etc". Dude's already older than half the running backs in the NFL!! I really wish this wasn't the case.
Great point. We're going to have to look for Leon's replacement in a couple years unless I'm missing something...like being a #2 keeps him more fresh or something.
alot of jets fans who know what theyre talking about have been saying this since even his rookie year. guys a gamechanger point blank.
He can possibly be the Jets MVP this year, I mean hes had numerous big tds in close games, against the chiefs that 50 yard run, against the pats that run back, and last week against the bills that long run to give the jets a td right before half, not to mention all hes done on special teams giving us great field position,all his long runs that hasint gone for tds, and all his screen passes that he also caught for tds and yards. My point is i agree with all of you, the jets have to get him more involved in the offesnse and defenitley have to resign him.
How's this for a fact check... how many plays this season has both Jones and Washington been on the field at the same time? Or do you think a play with both of them on the field won't create opportunities for big plays?
0 maybe iunno. Doesn't seem to have thrown things off much, as we're still 9-5, one of the top scoring teams, and theres STILL time to play. The way some this board can sound sometimes you'd swear the seasons already done. We still have AT LEAST 2 games to play to do some new things, and it's not like it can't be done. I know we all love this magical gift of hindsight that allows us to say this is stupid and that was stupid, but in real life all you get is that one shot to make it not stupid. For all we know, in the next two games the Jets might Hiroshima the shit out of opponents with new things. Or they could just win the games, put up with the usual fan BS of ZOMG WINNING isn't enough unless you're not winning, and Hiroshima the shit out of opponents in the playoffs. Oh and a heads up: That wasn't a fact check. That was you asking me a question. I don't see how having them both on the field would hurt, but what exactly is the point of complaining about it?
I'm not sure how your post has any relevance to the OP's post. We are not comparing Leon's touches to years past. What the OP is saying that he needs more touches this year. And from SCRIMMAGE! Every time this kid touches the ball something good happens. Are you saying that he shouldn't get the ball more, or is this just another one of your blind optimistic posts that challenges anyone's criticism of the team? With regards to fact checking, you should look at the stats and see why people are clamoring for Leon to get the ball more. However, I have done this for you: Neon Leon's touches from scrimmage in Jet wins: Week 1- 6 Week 4- 7 Week 6- 5 Week 8- 3 Week 9-7 Week 10- 12 Week 11- 5 Week 12- 8 Week 15- 1 Leon's touches from scrimmage in Jet losses Week 2- 2 Week 3- 1 Week 7- 3 Week 13- 2 Week 14- 1 If this is not enough proof to support the fact that Leon needs the ball more, I'm not sure what will. How do you like these facts?
Leon is definitly underutilized. Ignore the fact he averages 7 touches per game: In the losing streak wasn't it like, 2 touches a game on offense? Come now Mangini, Yes TJ is a good back, and take the rock every down, but Leon is the explosion. Take notes from Carolina - THAT is the type of backfield you can create if you mix it up.
