Brian Damage
03-29-2009, 03:24 PM
Leon Washington addressed the prospect of signing a long-term contract extension with the Jets and, although he didn't mention any specific parameters, he made it quite clear that he wants a lot of money. Discussing his value to the team in the future, Washington said he wants to "revolutionize" the game by being an all-purpose weapon the caliber of Hall of Famer Gale Sayers.
Yeah, he really mentioned Sayers.
"The Jets traditionally have done the right thing with guys that play well for the organization," he said. "I put the work in and, hopefully, it pays off for me sooner rather than later."
Washington, entering the final season of his rookie contract, was asked if he's confident a deal will get done.
"I wouldn't say 'confident,'" he said. "I guess I'm hopeful. I guess that would be the word."
At the negotiating table, Washington's value could become the source of a heated debate. He does so many things well that it's hard to label him a full-time back or a third-down back or a return specialist.
"I don't want to label myself as a specific guy," Washington said. "I'm trying to revolutionize the game, trying to take it to the next level like the guys back in the day, like a Dave Meggett, Gale Sayers, guys that did so much and did it so well. I want to bring that style of football back at a high level. In my opinion, that, plus the leadership you have in the locker room, is priceless."
Washington is often compared to the Chargers' Darren Sproles, but Washington believes he's better than Sproles.
"I don't like comparisons, but I don't like myself being compared to Darren Sproles, I can tell you that," he said.
Washington won't make comparisons, but I will: How about Brian Westbrook, the Eagles' all-everything star? Take a closer look; Washington's first three seasons compare favorably to Westbrook's first three:
Rushing Yards/TDs: Westbrook --1,618/10, Washington -- 1,451/13.
Catches/Receiving Yards/Touchdowns: Westbrook -- 119/1,121/10, Washington 108/838/2.
Punt return yards/TDs: Westbrook -- 380/2, Washington 583/2.
Kickoff return yards/TDs: Westbrook -- 487/0, Washington 2,601/4.
If the Jets give Washington more touches on offense, he could easily put up Westbrook-like numbers -- current Westbrook-like numbers, I mean. It's going to be a tricky negotiation. If the Jets pay him at least $4 million a year, they'd be tacitly anointing him the "feature" back. That certainly wouldn't help No. 1 RB Thomas Jones, who is trying to leverage a new contract by skipping the off-season program.
Whatever leverage Jones has (and it isn't much) will be ruined if the Jets take a running back with a high pick. They really like UConn's Donald Brown, who reportedly is scheduled to visit with the Jets. They'd be thrilled if he's still around in the middle of the second round.
http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/jets/2009/03/the-leon-king-leaving-florham.html
Yeah, he really mentioned Sayers.
"The Jets traditionally have done the right thing with guys that play well for the organization," he said. "I put the work in and, hopefully, it pays off for me sooner rather than later."
Washington, entering the final season of his rookie contract, was asked if he's confident a deal will get done.
"I wouldn't say 'confident,'" he said. "I guess I'm hopeful. I guess that would be the word."
At the negotiating table, Washington's value could become the source of a heated debate. He does so many things well that it's hard to label him a full-time back or a third-down back or a return specialist.
"I don't want to label myself as a specific guy," Washington said. "I'm trying to revolutionize the game, trying to take it to the next level like the guys back in the day, like a Dave Meggett, Gale Sayers, guys that did so much and did it so well. I want to bring that style of football back at a high level. In my opinion, that, plus the leadership you have in the locker room, is priceless."
Washington is often compared to the Chargers' Darren Sproles, but Washington believes he's better than Sproles.
"I don't like comparisons, but I don't like myself being compared to Darren Sproles, I can tell you that," he said.
Washington won't make comparisons, but I will: How about Brian Westbrook, the Eagles' all-everything star? Take a closer look; Washington's first three seasons compare favorably to Westbrook's first three:
Rushing Yards/TDs: Westbrook --1,618/10, Washington -- 1,451/13.
Catches/Receiving Yards/Touchdowns: Westbrook -- 119/1,121/10, Washington 108/838/2.
Punt return yards/TDs: Westbrook -- 380/2, Washington 583/2.
Kickoff return yards/TDs: Westbrook -- 487/0, Washington 2,601/4.
If the Jets give Washington more touches on offense, he could easily put up Westbrook-like numbers -- current Westbrook-like numbers, I mean. It's going to be a tricky negotiation. If the Jets pay him at least $4 million a year, they'd be tacitly anointing him the "feature" back. That certainly wouldn't help No. 1 RB Thomas Jones, who is trying to leverage a new contract by skipping the off-season program.
Whatever leverage Jones has (and it isn't much) will be ruined if the Jets take a running back with a high pick. They really like UConn's Donald Brown, who reportedly is scheduled to visit with the Jets. They'd be thrilled if he's still around in the middle of the second round.
http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/jets/2009/03/the-leon-king-leaving-florham.html