Let me first give the disclaimer that I am a Florida State Seminole, as is Leon Washington.
That said, Washington has earned a new contract, and it’s imperative that the Jets get a deal done because their 2009 season will ride on the field position that the Pro Bowl returner provides.
The Jets have good pieces, but just having that and a good coach in Rex Ryan doesn’t guarantee success. A lot has to go right, and already, LB Calvin Pace will miss the first four games of the regular season because of a suspension for accidentally taking a banned over-the-counter substance.
The Jets are in a division where teams can put points on the board. If you had to rank the AFC East offenses coming into the 2009 season, the Jets would be last in a division that has Patriots QB Tom Brady coming back for revenge, WR Terrell Owens making the Bills more explosive and an even scarier “Wildcat”
package for the Dolphins with the addition of rookie QB Pat White. Points will be at a premium for the Jets, given the fact that they likely will start rookie Mark Sanchez at quarterback.
Washington is one of the premier return men in the NFL and a tremendous asset to the Jets’ offense in passing situations. He has proven his worth and, more importantly, the team will need his production from the outset of the season.
What say you?
