I'm not sure what you are talking about Leon not being able to take the abuse. What exactly are you referring to? Because the guy hasn't been the feature back yet, you think this, or are you just drawing some conclusion out of the blue? As it stands there is no hard evidence either way, but he's sure looked durable in the times he's handled the football as a back, as a punt returner on special teams, blocking, or catching it out of the backfield. Name me one injury the guy has sustained playing so far? I can't recall him being dinged up. Personally, I think you are making shit up. :lol: Barry Sanders wasn't a big guy either, but he managed to take shots and be a feature back. Where is the inherent proof the guy can't take the job on physically? I don't see it.
Or he might prove to be another excellent small back who doesn't get injured, like Warrick Dunn, Barry Sanders and a host of other small backs who figured out how to survive in the NFL despite not being particularly big. There's no way to prove a negative. If the Jets don't choose to give him 300+ touches next year we'll never know if he could have handled it or not. Given the contract situation I'd give him the touches and see if he can handle it. Then you sign him to a top 5 RB contract if he survives, because that's what he'll be. This business of rationing out his touches is insane given that the Jets don't own him, he just plays for them at the moment. Take what is there and if he is able to stand up to a regular beating then pay him what he's worth in that situation, which is a helluva lot.
The league is shifting towards a 2-back system. I want to see Leon + TJ/Greene split the carries. Doesn't matter who is the starter as long as they get their touches. LW is the best offensive weapon on the NYJ and it ain't even close. Motherfucker needs to get the ball 10-15 times a game... preferrably 15.
Nah, T.J. rushed for over 1300 yards and 13 TD's last year and was the AFC's leading rusher he's our starter and i wont disrespect that, But leon needs alot more carries then mangini gave him last year.
It's pretty obvious that TJ is going to be starting the season, there's no way they do not start him. But if Leon isn't getting more touches per game than TJ by week 8, Brian Schottenheimer needs to be fired.
Leon Washington: The Next Big Thing Leon Washington by MARK GREY 9.3.09 If you take one look at the New York Jets' depth chart, you will see Leon Washington listed as a backup running back. Dig a little deeper into Washington?s bio and you will see a fourth round pick who is scheduled to make $535,000 this season. By NFL standards, that is nothing. In fact, at 5?8 and 195 pounds, there is very little about Washington that will jump out at you at first glance. However, Leon?s resume will show you that he is much more than a backup running back; he is one of the deadliest weapons in football. Going into the 2006 draft, there was one running back who was rated head and shoulders above the rest. This was a player who was so dangerous it didn?t matter if he wasn?t an every-down back. All scouts said this guy was a threat to score every time he touched the ball. Whether it was running, catching, or special teams, this player could do it all and was a must-have weapon. While the New Orleans Saints took that player with the second overall pick that year, the Jets have been the one getting that production out of the running back they selected 117th overall. Since being drafted in 2006, Reggie Bush has made himself an A-list Athlete off the field, while Washington has become an all-pro player on it. Although Bush has carried the ball 120 more times than Washington, the Jets running back has rushed for more touchdowns while averaging more than a yard a carry more. As a pass catching option, Washington has proven to be more productive with his catches as well. Washington averages more yards per catch and has, on average, a higher yard total after the catch. There?s no denying Bush?s talent, highlight reel runs, and ticket selling ability. But when it comes to production on the field, the Jets clearly received the better draft day deal. Washington, who grew up watching and wanting to be the next Marshall Faulk, has developed into one of the most well- rounded backs in the NFL himself. Making the most of his time on the field last season, Leon averaged an eye-popping 5.9 yards a carry while hauling in 47 receptions -- 10th most among running backs. On top of his production out of the backfield, Washington also racked up over 2,300 yards on kick returns, including a 94-yard touchdown return in the Jets' three point upset of the Patriots last November in New England. Even Washington?s idol Faulk has taken notice of his play, saying Washington has that ?Barry Sanders effect.? Faulk says of Washington, ?I always felt the guy had a knack for when the football was in his hands, he was going to make big plays.? When it comes to game-changing plays, Washington is in company with some pretty big names. Despite carrying the ball only 76 times last season, Washington put together more plays from scrimmage of 40 yards or more than Chris Johnson, Michael Turner, LaDainian Tomlinson, Brian Westbrook or Maurice Jones Drew. The only other running back to match Washington?s total of 40 yard plays was Adrian Peterson, who had nearly 300 more carries than Washington. So why don?t more people know about Washington? Along with being one of the most dangerous weapons in football last year, Washington was also one of the most underused. While Thomas Jones was enjoying a pro bowl season with his clock-eating running style, Eric Mangini often seemed to forget about Washington. Mangini?s use of the team's best weapon down the stretch of the season was nothing short of head scratching. Over a four game stretch in December, Washington carried the ball a total of seven times, as the Jets lost three of those four games. While Brett Favre and the rest of the Jets' offense fell apart right in front of fans' eyes, Washington could do little more than watch. Perhaps in no game was the use of Washington more questionable than the Jets' lone win in December last year in which he took his first carry of the game for 47 yards and a touchdown and never got another carry. After the Jets' late season collapse last season, Mangini was fired. In the off-season, the Jets brought in Rex Ryan. Ryan already said he plans on making Washington a much bigger part of the offense this upcoming season. In an era where star players are known for their ?me first? attitudes, Washington has chosen to put the team first. Unhappy with his contract and after threatening to hold out of camp, Washington chose to report because it was what was best for the team. It?s not everyday you see a player who was an All-Pro the season before making $535,000 in camp the following year. When asked about his contract, Washington said, ?You have to trust your management. I trust Alvin Keels and I believe he will do a good job for me. We just have to be patient.? This is not your typical statement from a vastly underpaid NFL running back. If this year's preseason is any indication of the year Washington is going to have, Jets fans are in for a treat. Washington has looked sharp in the team's three games and looks to be enjoying his increased workload. For those who wonder if a player of Washington's size can handle the pounding that comes along with being an NFL back, they need to look no further than another Florida State running back who wore number 28: Warrick Dunn. Dunn, who has a very similar running style and build, faced the same questions about his size coming out of FSU. Dunn proved small backs can be just as productive as any others, putting together a 12-year career that has placed him among the top 20 all- time leading rushers in NFL history. With his big play ability and an increase in his role on the offense, 2009 looks to be a career year for Washington. For a city that is known for paying players large sums of money they don?t deserve, lets hope the Jets do the right thing and give one of the game's most dangerous players the money he does deserve.
I'm not a big fan of the ypc argument for non-primary running backs. It isn't hard to net an extra yard when you're going fresh against a tired D. That said, he deserves every dollar he can squeeze out of the organization...Leon is the spark that lights the offense.
