As the New York Jets arrived for training camp, running back Leon Washington didn't.
According to Dave Hutchinson of the Newark Star-Ledger, Washington wasn't there before the 7:00 a.m. reporting time.
He wants a new contract, and Hutchinson recently reported that Washington could be getting one by the weekend. The fourth-year pro is scheduled to earn a minimum base salary of $535,000 in 2009, the final year of his first NFL contract.
Still, by staying away he's risking fines in the amount of $17,000-plus per day, along with the potential forfeiture of 25 percent of the 2009 signing-bonus allocation from his rookie contract.
Per Hutchinson, Jets running back Thomas Jones showed up for the start of camp, despite his own unhappiness with a contract that pays out only $900,000 this season.
Jones' case for a new contract is less compelling, since his 2009 base salary follows a two-year haul of $13.1 million. Washington, on the other hand, is stuck with a slotted rookie deal that includes no extra pay when rises from the middle rounds of the draft to become a key contributor.
Leon Washington doesn't show for start of Jets camp
Posted by Mike Florio on July 30, 2009 10:43 AM ET
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Latest stories in: Contracts, Latest News and Rumors, NFL Mobile Exclusives - Transactions, New York Jets, Top Stories
Latest stories in: Contracts, Latest News and Rumors, NFL Mobile Exclusives - Transactions, New York Jets, Top Stories
Thomas Jones should just keep his mouth shut and be happy he's running behind the Jets O-Line.
Or he'll end up like his brother in Seattle, sucking it up.
All Jones wants is to play for the Jets next year. Likely he will be cut or asked to take a pay cut next year. All he is asking is part of next years salary be given to him this year. Which is not asking a lot after the season he put together last year. But then again this is the jets and Tannendumb we are talking about. The most dishonest and untrustworthy GM in the game.
In regards to Leon he may not be worth the 6 million a year he is asking but the 2 million a year Tannendumb is offering is an insult. Hopefully the Jets will do the right thing and give him 4.5 million. He is a dynamic offensive force and the only game breaker the Jets have on offense. He has earned his salary.
Villian: Running behind the Jets' O-Line would be the main reason to stay away. My grandmother blocks better than they do.
@SaltyDave
When you have Faneca and Mangold in the middle, you can't complain about run blocking.
Leon, Leon likes his money
He makes a lot they say
Spend his days counting
In a garage by the motorway
Villain112... completly agree w/ you
Zinn... why is Tannenbaum "the most dishonest and untrustworthy GM in the game?" Because he wouldn't give Pete Kendell, who's a complete asshole, an extra million bucks? Or was it because he wouldn't give Chris Baker, a subpar, often injured, aging TE, millions of dollars for not producing? OR... was it because he let go a week, soft-spoken head coach who couldn't motivate his team? Look at Tannenbaum he has done to the Jets roster over the past few years; look at some of the draft picks... get a clue before posting!
Yeah... OK Salty Dave... your comment is ridiculous; you need to get a clue before posting as well!
I'm betting saltydave's grandmother knows more about football than he does.
As far as Thomas Jones goes, he's been paid $12 MILLION over the last two years for 2,400 rushing yards and 14 TD's. That's MORE than fair by my book.
He's getting $1 million this year but will most likely be cut in after this season before he's due $5.8 million. So, he's trying to get some of that $5.8 he won't see in 2010 now.
Leon and Shonn Greene are the future in New York.
Leon should just sit it out and collect his paycheck next year when he's on the market. Why risk injury for 500K when there's millions guaranteed? It doesn't make any sense.