Heatherthepackgirl
16 years ago
By DENNIS WASZAK Jr. 3 days ago

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) Growing up, Leon Washington was always told he wasn't big enough.

Too small to play with the older kids. Too small to be any good at football. Too small to make it in the NFL.

"I just never got down on myself," the New York Jets' 5-foot-8 do-it-all running back said Thursday.

And, boy, are the Jets happy about that. A special teams captain in his third season, Washington is too quick and elusive to be tackled by any doubts.

"When you're a smart guy and you're a small guy, your heart doesn't pump Kool-Aid," Washington said, flexing his bulky biceps. "It can't pump Kool-Aid. That's one thing my dad always told me, that having heart can overcome a lot of things."

So can blazing speed. Washington put on a clinic in versatility last weekend, piling up 274 all-purpose yards while having a hand in all four touchdowns in the Jets' 28-24 win over Kansas City.

Brett Favre said he has never played with someone so dangerous in so many ways.

"I don't know that anyone would step into an offense and be as productive after returning kicks the way he does," Favre said. "He's dynamic. He's very smart. Versatile is an understatement with him. He's quick as a cat. He's just got great hands. I could go on and on."

Washington, who set a team record with three kickoff returns for touchdowns last season, ranks third in the NFL with 27.6 yards per kickoff return, and fifth with 13 yards per punt return. He also has 155 yards rushing and two touchdowns, and 22 catches for 153 yards and a score.

Last Sunday, the fan favorite had an 18-yard catch-and-run for a score, a 60-yard touchdown run, took a short pass on third-and-8 and got a first down that led to a TD two plays later, and returned a punt 37 yards to help set up the go-ahead touchdown.

"It kind of took me back to high school, the last time I had a chance to make a lot of plays like that in different phases of the game," said Washington, a fourth-round pick in 2006. "I just love playing football, love making plays and if I can help this team win, I'm down for it. Whenever I get the ball, I'm appreciative."

And so are his teammates sometimes a little too much.

"You get caught looking at him and you're like, 'Oh, I've got to keep blocking,'" wide receiver Chansi Stuckey said with a laugh.

Veteran fullback Tony Richardson compared Washington to former Chiefs teammate Dante Hall, a college running back who was converted into a wide receiver and Pro Bowl kick returner.

"You can put Leon in multiple positions and multiple situations," Richardson said. "To me, he's the ultimate pro."

As a rookie, Washington got to know his way around the practice field, taking countless penalty laps for mistakes on returns. He showed significant improvement last season and then worked all offseason with new special teams coordinator Kevin O'Dea, who spent the previous two years with Chicago and All-Pro returner Devin Hester.

"We caught a lot of balls in the offseason," Washington said. "That's what we did, so I'm feeling comfortable fielding the ball and making plays."

Favre said the only thing Washington can't do is block New England linebacker Adalius Thomas, whose sack of the quarterback with little Leon sandwiched between them in Week 2 was a humorous hit on the highlight films.

"Yeah, that's probably the only thing I need to improve on, blocking a 300-pound guy," Washington said, smiling. "That was pretty bad. I think they had it in the newspaper the next day, so I had to deal with that. We'll get better at that."

Improving has been a steady theme for Washington since those days growing up in Jacksonville, Fla., when he was several inches shorter and 40 pounds lighter than most kids his age.

"I just tried to make everybody miss," he said.

Washington grew a little and filled out a bit by the time he got to Florida State, where he was part of a crowded backfield that included current NFL players Lorenzo Booker and Greg Jones. Washington stayed on the field by carving a niche on special teams.

"It was something I enjoyed doing and it gave me an opportunity to make plays to help the team win," he said. "I think that in the NFL has helped me out, too."

He also showed the ability to shake off adversity, suffering shoulder injuries in his sophomore and junior seasons. The first cost him four games when his shoulder was dislocated on a hit by current Jets teammate Wallace Wright on a punt return in the season opener against North Carolina.

"I nicked him up a little bit," Wright said with a bashful grin. "That was years ago. Everything's good now."

Especially when Washington's got his legs moving, leaving anyone trying to stop him far behind.

"The guy," Favre said, "he's an unbelievable player."
Heathiee
CDNRodgersfan
16 years ago
This little guy has been exciting to watch on the Jets as Brett. And that's saying something
Fan Shout
Zero2Cool (7h) : He probably plays DB.
Zero2Cool (7h) : I don't even know who that Don is
packerfanoutwest (7h) : What position does Lemon play ?
dfosterf (8h) : I read this am that Don Lemon quit x, so there's that
Zero2Cool (13-Nov) : Seems some are flocking to BlueSky and leaving Tweeter. I wonder if BlueSky allows embeded lists
beast (12-Nov) : He's a review guy
Zero2Cool (12-Nov) : Jordy Nelson is still in the NFL.
Zero2Cool (11-Nov) : Ok, will do.
wpr (11-Nov) : Kevin, donate it to a local food pantry or whatever she wants to do with it. Thanks
wpr (11-Nov) : Kevin,
Zero2Cool (11-Nov) : Wayne, got your girl scout order.
dfosterf (11-Nov) : I believe Zero was being sarcastic
dfosterf (11-Nov) : Due to that rookie kicker Jake Bates that Zero said "he didn't want anyway". 58 yarder to tie the game, 52 yarder to win it. In fairness,
Mucky Tundra (11-Nov) : Lions escape with a win
Mucky Tundra (11-Nov) : and now Goff looking better
Mucky Tundra (11-Nov) : Goff with ANOTHER INT
Mucky Tundra (11-Nov) : and now Stroud throwing INTs
Mucky Tundra (11-Nov) : Goff having an ATROCIOUS game
wpr (11-Nov) : Happy birthday Corps. Ever faithful. Thanks dfosterf.
Mucky Tundra (10-Nov) : stiff armed by Baker Mayfield for about 5-7 yards and still managed to get a pass off
Mucky Tundra (10-Nov) : Nick Bosa
wpr (8-Nov) : Jets are Packers (L)East
Zero2Cool (8-Nov) : Jets released K Riley Patterson and signed K Anders Carlson to the practice squad.
wpr (8-Nov) : Thanks guys
Mucky Tundra (7-Nov) : Happy Birthday wpr!
Zero2Cool (7-Nov) : Anders Carlson ... released by 49ers
dfosterf (7-Nov) : Happy Birthday!😊😊😊
wpr (7-Nov) : Thanks Kevin.
Zero2Cool (7-Nov) : Happy Birthday, Wayne! 🎉🎂🥳
beast (7-Nov) : Edge Rushers is the same... it's not the 4-3 vs 3-4 change, it's the Hafley's version of the 4-3... as all 32 teams are actually 4-2
Zero2Cool (6-Nov) : OLB to DE and player requests trade. Yet folks say they are same.
beast (5-Nov) : In other news, the Green Bay Packers have signed Zero2Cool to update their website 😋 jk
beast (5-Nov) : Might just re-sign the kicker we got
beast (5-Nov) : Are there any kickers worth drafting next year?
Zero2Cool (5-Nov) : Preston Smith for Malik Willis
Mucky Tundra (5-Nov) : Getting a 7th rounder from the Stillers
Zero2Cool (5-Nov) : At least we get 7th round pick now!! HELLO NEW KICKER
Mucky Tundra (5-Nov) : Steelers getting a premier lockdown corner!
Zero2Cool (5-Nov) : Packers are trading edge rusher Preston Smith to the Pittsburgh Steelers, per sources.
Mucky Tundra (5-Nov) : Preston Smith traded to the Steelers!!!!
Zero2Cool (5-Nov) : CB Marshon Lattimore to Commanders
Zero2Cool (5-Nov) : Bears are sending RB Khalil Herbert to the Bengals, per sources.
Zero2Cool (5-Nov) : ZaDarius Smith continues his "north" tour.
Zero2Cool (5-Nov) : Let the Chiefs trade a 5th for him
Zero2Cool (5-Nov) : Nearing 30, large contract, nope.
Martha Careful (5-Nov) : any interest in Marshon Lattimore?
Zero2Cool (4-Nov) : What does NFL do if they're over cap?
Mucky Tundra (4-Nov) : They've been able to constantly push it out through extensions, void years etc but they're in the hole by 72 million next year I believe
hardrocker950 (4-Nov) : Seems the Saints are always in cap hell
Mucky Tundra (4-Nov) : Saints HC job is not an envious one; gonna be in cap hell for 3 years
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