Jets triple threat Washington wants new contract

Leon Washington is looking for a new contract, just as Thomas Jones is. But, unlike Jones, Washington has been at the Jets ' facility since the team's "voluntary" offseason conditioning program began last week.

[Mike]

I think Leon is worth taking even if the Jets have to rescind their first round pick. I don't think any QB, WR or anyone else they could get in the first round is worth getting rid of Leon. It will be a mistake to let him go. I don't know the cap situation or what he wants, but I would start cutting players if that is what it takes.

[Wayne]

Let's not screw this one up Jets. Why have we not extended this valuable guy? He's shown himself to be a hard worker, smart, and class individual. He represents us with tremendous professionalism. Mangini would still be our coach if he had only given Leon the "damn" ball. Let's get Leon what it will take to keep him.

[Jordan]

I have no idea what that means Mike... why would the Jets have to rescind their first round pick to resign one of their own players? That makes no sense.

However, the Jets will lock him up long-term. I wouldn't be surprised to see a 6 year deal.

[Mike]

The point was, if the Jets had to rescind their first round pick to have enough cap room to pay Leon; he is worth any pick they could get in the first round. I know money is tight with the team and a first round pick is expensive.

[venom]

you're WAY ahead things Mike. there is still cap room. Leon will get his money just like RG Moore got his. I think guys who try to negotiate thru the press like Coles (every other year) and LG Kendall, are the ones that the Jets don't bother with. Not showing up for workouts with a new coach (like Jones) is NOT the way. Jones has his first all-pro year as a Jet and wants a new contract?

[JetLover]

Uh, sorry, Leon, you may be speedy, but you are NOT a good punt returner. Go look at the game tapes. The reason why you have a halfway decent yard percentage is based on the punts you bother to catch. That occurs when no defender is within what looks like 30 yards. If a defender is withing 30 yards, you look like a deer caught in the headlights and let the ball go, usually causing the Jets to be pinned inside the 20. That's why statistics can be deceiving. I'll give you props in the other areas, but NOT punt returns. No way.

[Chris]

First Jones, now this, did I miss something or did this team collapse at the end of the year and miss the playoffs? Honor your contracts!!

[JetLover]

Sorry, my post wasn't completely accurate, Leon didn't always let the ball go rather than attempt a punt return. A great deal of the time he called fair catches when defenders looked like they were miles away too. It drove me crazy.

[Nick]

i hope he stays a jet for a long time. i love this guy. hes such a hard working player and he would play for under a mil if they just add more years to his contract. hes one of those guys who will grind it out even if he got 0 playing time. hes a great guy all around, i hope they keep him for a long time.

[ghadr]

Give Washington the $$$. No one deserves it more than this guy.

T.J. is nothing special. No raise for you.

Fire Tannenbaum.

[Rob R]

JetLover wrote:

Sorry, my post wasn't completely accurate, Leon didn't always let the ball go rather than attempt a punt return. A great deal of the time he called fair catches when defenders looked like they were miles away too. It drove me crazy.

are you kidding me??? this guy is the next wayne chrebet for the jets...a guy that puts his heart and soul into the team and inspires it from within....this guy is the face of the jets for years to come...any jets fan knows this....

[Rob R]

and if you wanna talk numbers than yea....talk about big plays...justin miller was the guy for that....but leon washington?? this guy anytime i see him touch the ball hes magic.....hes just somebody when he has the ball in his hands you know at least SOMETHING is going to happen...dont take it literally...you know what i mean this guy is a JET in and out...everything that jet fans stand for..being in the shadow of the giants....most jet fans are met fans...being in the shadow of the yankees....this guy CANNOT BE overlooked

[JetLover]

Yeah, Rob. A GREAT DEAL of the time, go back and look at the game tapes. Your blind devotion to the guy seems to be clouding your memory and your ability to read posts. I said I gave props to the guy in other areas, acknowleged he's speedy, said NOTHING about his not having ability in the other areas (he does, nothing about his heart (he has heart), said nothing about his dedication (he is dedicated), but his statements show he has quite a HUGE view of himself and I found that off putting. Let other people tell him he's great, I don't need to hear it from him. But, whether you or Leon are willing to acknowledge it or not, he stinks as a punt returner.

[JetLover]

Maybe you didn't get that I'm talking about punt returns and not kick off returns? He's excellent on KICK RETURNS!!

[root4laundry]

PAY THIS MAN!

[MIKE]

he is worth every dollar.

[mor1]

New York needs to sign Washington..please Jets do the right thing or else it's going to be same old Jets

[Leon Fan]

In reference to the discussion about Leon and punt returns, Coach Ryan has already indicated that Jim Leonhard will be taking over the punt returns from Leon, presumably to allow Leon more oppportunities on offense, something I wish the Jets did last year. So, maybe either the coaches are much more comfortable with Leonhard on punt returns or saw something about what he did on punt returns or both.

[SJ McKinley LMHC]

Money is corrupting sports. These guys have contracts and should work within them. Jones is showing just what a scum he is. He had a pro bowl season last year because he had a HOF quarterback. the same QB he dissed in the off season. No class. No understaning when enough is enough in terms of money. If he can repeat last year's peformance...then maybe.