The Jets’ GM Finally Recognizes Washington’s Contributions

This morning I was prepared to write something nasty about Jets’ general manager, Mike Tannenbaum. In fact, last night I’d written a rough draft that went over all the reasons why running-back Leon Washington deserved a new contract. I cited Washington’s rushes for 1,451 yards and 13 touchdowns, his catching 108 passes for 838 yards and two scores, in his first three seasons, and the four kickoffs he returned for touchdowns. (Dennis Waszak Jr., AP) This talented player,

Going all the way...

nearing the end of his rookie contract, was waiting for the contract renewal he deserved. He became the victim of a change in NFL regulation, however, which stipulated that in 2010, instead of becoming an unrestricted free-agent, he’d be restricted. Mike Tannenbaum insisted that he wanted to reward players like Washington, as an example to other players. As the days clicked down to the start of practice nothing had fallen into place; it was looking like Washington was going to be left out. Then came the news that the Falcons had just bestowed upon wide-receiver Roddy White (another victim of the new NFL regulation) a six year, $50m extension with an $18m guarantee…after all, Washington was hardly the only player facing this situation. (Dave Hutchinson, Star Ledger) So, he held out going to practice, for one day. He missed the preliminary organized team activities, but not the on-field practice itself. Washington couldn’t hold out on his team, not really; he just couldn’t stomach it. He told the press that he loves the game too much and couldn’t let down his teammates. He was reported as saying that while the money issue was weighing on him, it wasn’t a concern when he was on the field and that’s where he prefers to be. So, after a day, he went to practice in good faith (despite pessimism that a suitable contract would be arrived upon) and he performed well, above expectations.

And today, just two hours before my article lambasting Tannenbaum for his faint-hearted attempts to reward one of his star players, it was reported that the GM had finally made an offer that was worth consideration. Though the $4.5m per year deal is somewhat less than what the running-back had initially requested ($6m), it’s possible that he’ll take the offer. So far, he hasn’t commented. (Rich Cimini, Daily News) Even if Washington doesn’t take the offer and looks for something better, I give kudos to Tannenbaum for manning-up to the situation.

Personally, I don’t like the business end of sports. How much money a player (or anybody for that matter) makes isn’t any of my business, usually. It’s not how I was raised to think. I’d sooner walk up to a person and start asking about their spiritual beliefs. At least that’s an issue of substance. However, I don’t like seeing anybody get screwed over, either, especially when it’s someone, like Leon Washington, who gives his all no matter how he’s treated. In this I’m reminded of Rudyard Kipling’s famous poem, If. Good poem. Read it if you haven’t. It’s a wink and a nod, from a man who knew that no matter what, good guys never finish last.

If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run -
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And – which is more – you’ll be a Man my son!

~Rudyard Kipling, If [excerpted]

Watch Washington “fill the unforgiving minute”:

By C.F. Lapinel