I would argue that if Cedric Houston had his Thyroid problem treated in college he would have been a top RB in college football. Cedric is also the more complete player than Washington.
I was with Leon on draft day as player after player was being taken in front of him. On the second day, the Jets got him...... With their second 4th round pick. I remember him saying "Those teams are going to regret not taking me". I know a lot of players say the same things and still don't turn out to be effective. But I remember when Leon had said the same things coming out of Jackson high school on his way to FSU. Lorenzo Booker was the top player in a few publications and Maurice Clarett was the top in a couple more. In fact, Leon was the #1 cornerback in the country according to "The Insiders.com (now Scout.com) going into his senior year. Although he rushed for over 2400 yards in the best state in the country in high school football, the so-called experts still had him slated as a cornerback. Coming from NYC, when I had seen Leon play ball here in Jacksonville, I can honestly say that he was the first high school player that I have ever seen live run a 4.3 (he was 185 lbs then). His coach had him timed at 4.27 at one point. I saw him play with my own eyes and still believe that he is one of the best high schoolers that I have ever seen (Napolean Kaufman of Washington and Antoine Smith at FSU are elite also).
Look at Domanick Davis...he's a great player behind a terrible O-line and he's only 5'7. Leon is bigger than he is. I want to see what he can do.
Lol this isn't basketball, since when has height been a key measurable for a running back. I could understand the weight argument more, and if anything being tall is a liability not a plus. I wouldn't mind it if he put on 10 more pounds but not at the expense of his gamebreaker speed. I've never seen washington play outside of the highlight videos. Just looks like a younger blaylock to me, but hey, but if Trey Ko is being truthful I like having guys who have a chip on the shoulder, you can never have to much motivation.
We wont have 1 RB anyway in todays nfl you need yardage out all 3 guys. No reason why this guy cant be productive
I know. I wasn't knocking you or your post I was just adding to your observations. Sorry if I didn't clarify. He seems more agile where as Faulk is not as elusive. But, that's just college tape.
I've known the guy since the first time he played high school ball; he did not play until his junior season. He is such a nice guy and a heck of a competitor. You are going to get 100% from Leon every time out in practice and games. Brian Westbrook is a short guy who is playing without an ACL; Domonick Davis; Tiki Barber, hell, Priest Holmes is only about 5'9". Marshall Faulk is 5'10" and he was 185 lbs at San Diego State. Warrick Dunn has played at 178 lbs for virtually his whole career! Leon is going to be a fan favorite and the Jets will finally have a steal. I have been a Jets fan my whole life and when Leon had come to the team, I could not be happier as if it were my own son. The day that he was drafted, I gave his grandmother my cherished "Jets Lockeroom" sign. I told Leon on Tuesday night "Welcome to our dysfunctional family". He said he's there for championships and I believe it.
Blaylock is the odd man out. I can not wait to see who gets #2 and #3 RB behind Curtis this training camp. We've got a good group of 5 or 6 RB's competing. Trey: Thanks for the insight. Seems like a good kid, i'm already rooting for the guy.
That's the Problem C-Mart should be the #2 or #3 but I guess we owe him a shot to say the least. Leon & Houston (Blaylock if he isn't cut) should all get a chance to be the main Back. We had our teams limited with that 'Veteran's get the start' mentality and it could have possibly cost us a championship or at least a shot. None of this Vetran BS. The best players play!
I agree, but thats not the case. thats like saying if FSU's line wasnt riddled with injury last yr Washington wouldve gone 1st rd. I just saw someone jump on Washington ,and having watched him for yrs I just have to argue people who say he will be our "utility guy" at best. While for me I say "at least" thats all im saying, he will be a good special teamer and change of pace back. BUT IF THE LINE BECOMES SOLID , he will be even more than that. either way he will be a solid contributor for yrs to come.
I honestly don't think we'll have much of a "lead" back, carry the load type guy. A committee of guys would probably suit us much better.
Tiki Barber did not come in as a starter. A 5'10" 210 lb Curtis Martin seemed to have withstood the pounding of the NFL; conversely, 260 lb Christian Okoye didn't. A 178 lb Warrick Dunn had longevity, 235 lb Bo Jackson didn't. You see what I'm getting at? Sometimes a player is not supposed to play the part because he does not look the part, but eventually, he becomes the part.
let the guy play first before we start knocking his height. it hasnt hindered his performance thus far, and so theres no reason to think it will in the NFL. there will always be doubters, so i cant argue with u guys who think he wont succeed, but ill bet hes a fine football player.
What he had done last Saturday is just a prelude to what's to come, so long as they can get him the ball on a consistent basis. Once again, Washington is not "Small", he is short! The speed that he displayed last Saturday was close to the speed that I remember seeing him display when he was a high school player. Incidentally, in high school, he was just 185 lbs. His high school coach had once timed him at 4.27; how valid is that? I guess we will never know, but after seeing him do his thing on Saturday, he still has that extra gear going for him. Even with the addition of Kevan Barlow, I still think that Leon stands a chance to continue to show what he can do, and in turn, getting an OPPORTUNITY to be the Jets starter. Leon is a humble and infectious individual who is also the ultimate team player. Those attributes alone will be enough for the coaches to at least continue to look and see what's under the hood of this porsche. I know that it was just one game, but the feeling that I have about what Leon is capable of doing when given the opportunity, is the same thing that I felt while watching his games in the past; it's all about "When", not "If" as far as when his big play was going happen. Another thing, I remember the commentator saying that Leon was a back-up the season before. The last time that he was a back-up was when Greg Jones was the starter; after that, Leon split time with Lorenzo Booker. In my opinion, the reason why Leon was even splitting time with Booker was because Bowden had promised Lorenzo that he would get every shot to be the starting running back. You all must know, Booker was the #1 running back in the country coming out of high school by most services (That's including Maurice Clarett). The coaching staff at FSU thought that Booker was going to be the next Warrick Dunn. In fact, Leon, at one point was the highest rated CORNERBACK in the country (According to "The Insiders.com, now Scout.com). Bowden and crew did not realize that Leon was going to contribute as a running back. I remember Leon's freshman year at FSU, my wife, daughter and I had gone out to Tallahassee to watch him practice before the season started. It was so obvious that the coaching staff was favoring Booker. Everytime they ran a play on the outside, Booker got it, when they ran the ball inside Leon got it. Anyway, after practice, I just told Leon to keep doing what he does and the cream will rise to the top. When the season started, Booker red-shirted and Leon was Greg Jones' back-up and ended up starting the Florida game at the end of the regular season, running for 135 yards on national television. What this diatribe is all about is, whether it is Kevan Barlow or anyone else on the team, Leon will continue to plug away and in a game of attrition like football, I expect nothing less from him than to rise to the occasion, yet, once again.
after watching him play live on saturday I have a new found respect for what he can do, he didn't get the greatest blocking on that return and still took it to the house. He is definately a burner. I agree that he is short but not small. Hes also got powerful legs to go along with his speed.
I was in a Baltimore steakhouse Saturday night and I saw about 2 minutes of the game. The only play I saw was the Washington return. And this was in Fleming's, a VERY nice restaurant. I didn't care. I pumped my fists (At least it was Ravens country, not quite Redskin country) and gave a big loud "Yes!" I'm sure a few people looked at me like "What the hell is this guy so happy about?" That was one sweet return and I'd never seem him run. And then I went back to my tale and ate an awesome bone-in NY strip. PS And if you ever go to Fleming's (Edgewater, NJ) get the peach cobbler. Incredible.
Eventually, he may have the opportunity to start. I just can't see it now that his carries will be limited even more. I hope he gets his opportunity, he seems like a good kid.
