As expected, the New York Jets tendered Leon Washington at the second-round level Wednesday afternoon.
The pay for that level is $1.759 million. The Jets have the right of first refusal and would receive a second-round pick as compensation if they decide not to match an offer sheet.
For an extra $800,000 ($2.521 million, to be exact), the Jets could’ve use a first-round tender, all but assuring no team would sign them. A second-round pick is fairly steep compensation for part-time players, but Washington’s agent, Alvin Keels, believes his client will draw interest.
Keels put out three tweets in a row about his client:
AlvinKeels: The Jets have decided to place the 2nd rounder tender on client Leon Washington.
AlvinKeels: I expect there to be a market for Leon during free agency and would say his return to the Jets will be 50/50 at best at this point
AlvinKeels: He is ahead of schedule while rehabbing from his week 7 injury. He will be 100% healthy and ready for camp either in NY or elsewhere
Leon Washington #29 of the New York Jets runs a kick return for a touchdown in the second quarter against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on November 13, 2008 in Foxboro, Massachusetts.
The reaction on Twitter was one of shock even though most of the media predicted this was going to happen exactly to script. Leon Washington is clearly a fan favorite and coming off the recent treatment of how Thomas Jones was removed from the team, the fans are feeling a little puzzled.
I had a couple of people tweet me saying that why do fans get attached to players? Seriously? What do you think FAN stands for? FAN, short for Fanatic. We are fanatical about the New York Jets. Let’s go a little further: The New York Jets is a team made up of players. BOOM, I think I nailed it.
Wow, never in my day did I think I would have to explain the concept of fans. Why do people buy CERTAIN Jersey numbers? The fact is, Leon Washington is a likable guy. He is very talented on the field, and always has a positive attitude. Leon had one of the ugliest kinds of injuries you can have in any sport.
The Jets are playing russian roulette with Leon. I believe they are very confident that no one will offer Leon a contract considering the status of his leg and whether he can make a full recovery. The Jets could have coughed up 800k more to lock him in at a 1st round tender and securing him with the Jets. I believe the Jets won’t MIND if he goes as a 2nd round (61 Overall in the 2010 draft).
As I stated with the Thomas Jones divorce, how do the Jets expect to remain the number one rushing offense overall in the NFL in 2010 when they removed two thirds of their backfield? They won’t be and I’m saying it here. I know that’s not the goal of the team, as the obvious one is to get that ring on the finger. I agree the super bowl is the goal, but having the number one rushing game and number one defense overall put us in the AFC Championship game. Maybe Leon and TJ are collateral damage to add the pieces to the puzzle that the Jets feel were missing to defeat Peyton Manning and the Colts.
We will soon find out if Leon draws interest from other teams and if he does, will the Jets match? If they don’t and Leon stays, has the damage already been done? I believe this move has rubbed Leon and possibly his teammates the wrong way, but the one thing about the back is that you will never see it bother him. He had a great mentor in TJ, another guy you never heard complain. We are yet to hear from Thomas on his status of being thrown to the curb like garbage.
What is your feeling on the second round tender on Leon Washington? Is he going to be a Jet for long?
