Washington Gives Jets Plenty of Options

When the Jets take the field at the Meadowlands tonight against the Minnesota Vikings, Leon Washington will start at running back. That's a role Washington became accustomed to as a rookie last season, but it's not the role the Jets envision for him this year.

Thomas Jones, who the Jets acquired in a March trade, will sit out tonight with a calf injury, but when the regular season begins, Jones is the starter. But although Washington has been demoted from starting eight games in 2006 to likely starting none in 2007, he could be even more important to the Jets this season than he was last year. And the way the Jets hope to use him could make Washington one of the NFL's most versatile players.

If the Jets fully exploit Washington's many talents this season, a typical game would include Washington getting about 10 handoffs in relief of Jones as well as four or five passes thrown his way and a lot of playing time on special teams. In the Jets' preseason game last week, Washington got plenty of work even though he sat out all of the fourth quarter and most of the third: He had nine rushing attempts, a reception, a punt return, and two kickoff returns, one of which he took back 86 yards for the Jets' biggest highlight in their 31–16 win over the Atlanta Falcons.

At this time last year , Washington was fourth on the Jets' running back depth chart, behind Derrick Blaylock, Kevan Barlow, and Cedric Houston. But as the Jets' running game stagnated early in the season, it quickly became clear that Washington was their best running back by a large margin, and he ended up leading the team in rushing and averaging a full yard per carry more than any of the Jets' other backs. Washington also led all the Jets' running backs in catches and receiving yards last season, and he did part-time duty as a punt and kickoff returner.

Washington was one of several running backs in last year's NFL draft class who contributed as runners, receivers, and returners in their rookie seasons. Others included Reggie Bush of the New Orleans Saints, Laurence Maroney of the New England Patriots, Maurice Jones-Drew of the Jacksonville Jaguars, and DeAngelo Williams of the Carolina Panthers.

Washington and the other running backs from the 2006 rookie class showed how more advanced college football offenses are producing NFL players more equipped to contribute in a wide range of roles as rookies. But as Jones's backup this year, the running back Washington may most resemble is one who entered the league 10 years ago: Tiki Barber. Barber didn't become the featured back in the Giants' offense until his sixth season, but he was a valuable contributor in his first five years, averaging anywhere from four to 13 carries a game while also being used as a receiving threat and playing special teams. Washington would no doubt prefer to be the type of featured back that Barber became later in his career, but following Barber's early-career path would make him an important player for the Jets.

Acquiring a player like Washington in last year's draft and using him all over the place is part of the Jets' overall team philosophy of seeking versatile athletes who can fill multiple roles. The Jets had two fourthround draft picks last year, and the other one, Brad Smith, is a similar player. Smith can play wide receiver, running back, and quarterback, and he also contributes on special teams.

Even some of the personnel moves that don't work out demonstrate that Jets coach Eric Mangini and general manager MikeTannenbaumhaveacreative approach to finding the right players. This week they released a former Virginia Commonwealth basketball player, Jesse Pellot-Rosa, who was trying to make the team as a wide receiver. In May, they invited two former NCAA heavy weight wrestling champions, Cole Konrad and Tommy Rowlands, to try out as linemen. Pellot-Rosa, Konrad, and Rowlands never played college football and were never considered likely to make the Jets' roster, but getting a free look at a talented athlete can't hurt.

Washington is much more than a talented athlete; he's a football player with a natural feel for what to do with the ball in his hands. He still tries to do too much at times, often dancing around behind the line of scrimmage looking to break a big gain when he would be better off lowering his shoulders, running into the line, and picking up whatever he can. As a result of that tendency, Washington lost yardage on five of his nine carries in last week's preseason opener.

On the other hand, Washington also reeled off a 25-yard run on a third-and-18 draw play against the Falcons. Jones is a more consistent runner than Washington, and that's a big part of why the Jets brought him in. But offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer loves draw plays, and a handoff to Washington will always be a possibility for the Jets this year, even on third-and-long.

The Jets took Washington last year with the pick they acquired from the Kansas City Chiefs as compensation for coach Herm Edwards. Most Jets fans would agree that the Jets came out ahead simply by replacing Edwards with Mangini. Using the pick on a multi-talented player like Washington is gravy.

Mr. Smith is a contributing editor for FootballOutsiders.com.