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Pats sign Leon Washington


T0mShane

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Patriots Sign Leon Washington

http://m.espn.go.com/general/story?storyId=9053771&city=boston&src=desktop

Former Seattle Seahawks running back and return specialist Leon Washington has signed with the New England Patriots, the team announced Thursday.

Financial terms of the deal are not yet known, but a source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter that Washington signed a one-year deal.

The 30-year-old Washington, tied with Josh Cribbs for the most kickoff returns for touchdowns in NFL history with eight, was expendable in Seattle after its recent acquisition of Percy Harvin.

He now joins New England, a team that finished 25th in the NFL with a 21.2 yards-per-kickoff-return average last season. Washington trailed only the Ravens' Jacoby Jones for the league lead in kickoff return yard average at 29.0 in 2012.

Originally a fourth-round pick of the New York Jets in 2006, Washington also has been used as a change-of-pace running back during his seven NFL seasons, with career marks of 473 rushes for 2,213 yards.

The Patriots relied on top defensive back Devin McCourty as their primary kickoff returner in 2012, as well as veteran running back Danny Woodhead, who is also a free agent.

The team added former University of Florida running back and 2012 Olympic silver medalist Jeff Demps during training camp last season, although he spent the season on injured reserve. He was considered a top candidate to assume kickoff return duty in 2013, and may compete with Washington for that role.

Demps also has expressed a recent interest in simultaneously continuing his track career while playing for the Patriots.

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I guess he is under contract with Pittsburgh until next off season

but we'll pick him up then and he'll mask some of Geno Smith's problems

One could only hope. What do you think it would cost to get him away from the Steelers this year before he goes looking for a huge pay day? Or you think they'll go the Mike Wallace route with him?

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One could only hope. What do you think it would cost to get him away from the Steelers this year before he goes looking for a huge pay day? Or you think they'll go the Mike Wallace route with him?

 

 

I would offer a first round pick and Braylon and just hope Pittsburgh is stupid enough to bite

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I would offer a first round pick and Braylon and just hope Pittsburgh is stupid enough to bite

 

For Cotchery?  Have you lost your mind?  I loved Cotch, but wouldn't trade Bray for him, much less a first round pick or both.

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How do you spell "done?"

 

Quite possibly.  NE isn't known for hitting paydirt on all their FA signings and often sign has-beens to much resounding applause almost every spring.  But the guy did average 30 yards per kick return this past season.  

 

Worst thing I can really say about Leon in hindsight (as a Jets fan) is he wanted more money than he was worth as a RB, and I can't really blame him for wanting it or trying to get it.  But I loved watching the guy run with the football.  Also it was super tough luck getting a compound fracture in a year he was RFA-tagged, after getting a late start on his career in the first place (24 years old as a rookie at the youngest of young-man's positions).  Whoever gave him the advice to stay in school an extra year, after a solid junior season, really did him wrong.  He could have come out as a 23 year-old rookie and might have been drafted a round or two earlier.  

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