Rex Appears Disappointed with Leon Washington

Jets’ running back Leon Washington seems to be upset with his contract situation and is showing his frustration by skipping voluntary team workouts. The restricted free agent Washington was rehabbing his leg injury at the Jets’ facilities until the team tagged him with a 2nd round tender earlier this month.  It has been known since last off-season that Washington was looking for a new deal, but he left money on the table in hopes of receiving a larger deal this off-season. That was a big risk for Washington, and it backfired when he broke his leg in the middle of the 2009 season.

It’s been reported that Leon Washington is rehabbing at Athletes Performance Institute in Pensacola, Florida, but the Jets prefer that players train at the team’s facilities in Florham Park, New Jersey.

Rex Ryan

We (have) the No. 1 facilities in the country. We have a great medical staff. We have a great medical team. We got the best strength coach in the country. Leon knows this. That’s what’s disappointing. Wherever he’s at might be good, but it’s not the best. I want what’s best for him and for the New York Jets. This is a time when there’s team building. I love Leon, but it’s still disappointing that he’s not here.

Washington, along with newly acquired LB Lance Laury, were the only two team members that skipped the off season workout. However, Rex did not appear worried about Laury, since he was just signed and needs time to get himself and his family over to New Jersey. Ryan said he doesn’t know why Leon didn’t show up, but won’t try to persuade Leon to join the rest of his teammates.

Rex Ryan

This is a voluntary deal. He may have reasons for not being here. But the rest of the team volunteered to be here… We would love to get Leon back. There’s nothing I can say that’s going to get Leon back here. This needs to be Leon’s decision. It’s a voluntary camp or whatever you want to call it. I’m going to leave that up to him.

The Jets and Leon Washington don’t seem to agree on the type of role Leon will play in the Jets’ offense. Alvin Keels wants his client to be paid starter money, while the Jets only want to use Leon as a 3rd down back and a kick returner. It is quite clear that the Jets plan to start the season with Shonn Greene and Ladainian Tomlinson getting most of the carries and have Leon carry the ball maybe 3-6 times a game in addition to returning kicks.

Rex Ryan

I said he’s a third-down back and a Pro Bowl returner. I mean, that’s a pretty big thing. Do we expect him to come back from the surgery he had … and you’re going to put him in there instead of Shonn Greene or LaDainian Tomlinson? Maybe you would. I’m not comfortable with that.

Washington will be 28 years old next season and coming off a very serious leg injury, so chances are that no team will pony up a 2nd round pick and sign Leon, at least not until he can pass a physical.  Keels said that Washington should be cleared to participate in running drills within the next 2 weeks, so if there is any interest in Washington, don’t expect to hear any news until then.

Tags: Leon Washington, Rex Ryan