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
packerfanoutwest (29m) : Micah Parsons will be first Packer to wear No. 1 since Curly Lambeau
dfosterf (36m) : Probably win the league auto drafting from the 2 hole
Zero2Cool (1h) : I tried few ways to reach Matt. He'll get auto drafted lol
dfosterf (1h) : Don't know the significance of that, but do know porky better respond to the email you were able to send wtf Porky? Sign ze papers!
Zero2Cool (1h) : burned up my emails with test account son new site, don't have one for test register now haha
dfosterf (1h) : My boy Dant'e Thornton is looking like the WR1 for the raiders. Told ya Martha 🤪
dfosterf (5h) : Lets offer a 4th for Kenny Clark. Jerry seems to be geezin' pretty badly
wpr (11h) : yooper
Zero2Cool (11h) : next is create topic from headline
Zero2Cool (11h) : new site has recent topics and headlines now
buckeyepackfan (12h) : Micah wearing #1, Packers offered it to him. Curly only one to wear #1
Zero2Cool (13h) : Micah said he told Rasheed he's gonna get some practice. LT1 yeah?
Zero2Cool (13h) : Patriots release Jabrill Peppers Before 2025 Season
Mucky Tundra (14h) : yooper!
Zero2Cool (15h) : Never. But gonna be looking different in few days :D
yooperfan (15h) : Whew, I got it back. I was afraid that I lost this site for good.
Zero2Cool (16h) : Harrisburg Packers
Mucky Tundra (16h) : Yes
Zero2Cool (17h) : No.
dfosterf (17h) : The man carried us a lot of the time
dfosterf (17h) : I think a Kenny Clark tribute is in order
Zero2Cool (29-Aug) : new site, text editor gooder even on phone
beast (29-Aug) : Oh yes, sometimes they make using a cellphone tough. I just wanted to make sure it was the correct article, & thank you for pointing it out.
jdlax (29-Aug) : I can't believe one of my teams went out and wablammo just up and acquired one of the best players in the world overnight
dfosterf (29-Aug) : I do very much appreciate when Beast and others pick up my slack 😊
dfosterf (29-Aug) : I accept Beast's admonishment regarding my failure to link stuff I reference. I simply never learned to link from my cell phone.
beast (29-Aug) : That's not what your she said 😌, she said keep going 😏
Mucky Tundra (29-Aug) : Anything over 4 hours means he needs to get to the hospital
Mucky Tundra (29-Aug) : Someone might want to check on Hafley and make sure his erection has gone down
Zero2Cool (28-Aug) : LaFleur texts "bleep me I cannot sit down"
Zero2Cool (28-Aug) : YouTube has had me last hour or two lol
Mucky Tundra (28-Aug) : Ugh this trade happened right as my shift started and it's killing me
Zero2Cool (28-Aug) : Parsons wore 23 in high school.
Zero2Cool (28-Aug) : Packers just cost Lions more money with Hutchinson too huh
Zero2Cool (28-Aug) : That is fair by me.
buckeyepackfan (28-Aug) : Kenny Clark is the player, 2 1st rnd picks
Zero2Cool (28-Aug) : umm... what?
wpr (28-Aug) : I am stunned
Mucky Tundra (28-Aug) : RICKEY SCOOPS WAS RIGHT AGAIN!!!
Mucky Tundra (28-Aug) : ITS HAPPENING
buckeyepackfan (28-Aug) : DEAL IS DONE
buckeyepackfan (28-Aug) : MICAH IS COMING TO GREEN BAY!!!!!!!!!
wpr (28-Aug) : Me do-ed it gooderly,
Zero2Cool (28-Aug) : Bahah, I was like WTF why isn't anyone posting on PP.com ... oops no one has permissions
dfosterf (27-Aug) : tell her I reckon
dfosterf (27-Aug) : Micah Robinson cut. Probable PS player tomorrow. Has to call mom back and t
Zero2Cool (27-Aug) : New site so much better. Might make switch and deal with it.
dfosterf (27-Aug) : Mecole Hardman to our practice squad
dfosterf (27-Aug) : Nick Nieman from Texans our 5th linebacker. Special teams signing
TheKanataThrilla (27-Aug) : Looks like we signed Clayton Tune as QB3
Please sign in to use Fan Shout
2025 Packers Schedule
Sunday, Sep 7 @ 3:25 PM
LIONS
Thursday, Sep 11 @ 7:15 PM
COMMANDERS
Sunday, Sep 21 @ 12:00 PM
Browns
Sunday, Sep 28 @ 7:20 PM
Cowboys
Sunday, Oct 12 @ 3:25 PM
BENGALS
Sunday, Oct 19 @ 3:25 PM
Cardinals
Sunday, Oct 26 @ 7:20 PM
Steelers
Sunday, Nov 2 @ 12:00 PM
PANTHERS
Monday, Nov 10 @ 7:15 PM
EAGLES
Sunday, Nov 16 @ 12:00 PM
Giants
Sunday, Nov 23 @ 12:00 PM
VIKINGS
Thursday, Nov 27 @ 12:00 PM
Lions
Sunday, Dec 7 @ 12:00 PM
BEARS
Sunday, Dec 14 @ 3:25 PM
Broncos
Friday, Dec 19 @ 11:00 PM
Bears
Friday, Dec 26 @ 11:00 PM
RAVENS
Saturday, Jan 3 @ 11:00 PM
Vikings
Recent Topics
10h / Green Bay Packers Talk / dhazer

11h / Green Bay Packers Talk / wpr

14h / Random Babble / dfosterf

20h / Green Bay Packers Talk / dfosterf

23h / Green Bay Packers Talk / wpr

29-Aug / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

29-Aug / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

28-Aug / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

28-Aug / Green Bay Packers Talk / wpr

28-Aug / Feedback, Suggestions and Issues / Zero2Cool

27-Aug / Fantasy Sports Talk / Zero2Cool

27-Aug / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

27-Aug / Green Bay Packers Talk / Cheesey

26-Aug / Green Bay Packers Talk / wpr

26-Aug / Green Bay Packers Talk / wpr

Headlines
Copyright © 2006 - 2025 PackersHome.com™. All Rights Reserved.