Tag: Leon Washington

33 days till Patriots season opener: Every player to wear No. 33 for New England

Here’s a list of every Patriots player to wear the No. 33 jersey number

The New England Patriots are 33 days away from kick-starting their regular season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles. So we’re continuing our countdown series by listing every Patriots player that has ever worn the No. 33 jersey.

There have been a slew of talented players that have worn the No. 33 for the Patriots, including Dion Lewis, Leon Washington, Sam Gash, Tony Collins and Reggie Rucker.

Yet, when it comes to the Patriots, the most notable player to every wear that number throughout franchise history is former legendary running back Kevin Faulk. After being drafted out of LSU with a second-round pick, Faulk spent all 13 seasons of his NFL career playing in New England.

He left an indelible mark on the organization and its fan base with his contributions. That effort has earned him three Super Bowl titles, a New England Patriots Hall of Fame induction and being named to the All-Dynasty Team.

Let’s take a look at every player that has ever worn the No. 33 for the Patriots (via Pro Football Reference).

Browns interview former RB/KR Leon Washington for ST coordinator

Washington is the third confirmed interviewee.

The Cleveland Browns have had a busy Wednesday interviewing candidates to replace Mike Priefer as special teams coordinator. Ian Rapoport confirms that Jets special teams assistant Leon Washington met with the team about the coordinator position. Washington the former Jets running back was a special teams ace during his playing career that was fun to watch play.

He started his coaching career after his playing career in 2016 with the Jacksonville Jaguars and joined the Jets in 2021. Former Colts special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone seems to remain the favorite to get the job but the team is exploring all their options for the hire.

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Cordarrelle Patterson sets NFL record with 9th kickoff return for touchdown

Cordarrelle Patterson with a record-setting kickoff return

Kick to Cordarrelle Patterson at your own risk, they told the Chicago Bears and every other team in the NFL.

The Bears didn’t listen on Sunday and 103 yards later the Atlanta Falcons’ returner elite was on his way to the NFL record book.

Patterson surpassed Josh Cribbs and Leon Washington with his ninth career kickoff return for a touchdown.

Those cleats will be on their way to Canton, Ohio, once they stop running.

The Bears have been involved in five of Patterson’s kickoff returns for touchdowns. He returned two while playing for Chicago and burned the Bears three times.

What happened the other times the Jets had the No. 117 pick?

The Jets have owned the 117th pick in the NFL draft a few other times. A look back at what happened:

The Jets have drafted at No. 117 four times in the franchise’s history, but only twice since 1994 and with middling results all around.

New York found one important piece under Eric Mangini in 2006, but drafted a bust in 1994. The other picks occurred during the Jets’ AFL years and weren’t major players during that period in NFL history.

Let’s take a look at what happened.

Leon Washington returns to Jets as special teams assistant

Leon Washington has rejoined the Jets’ special teams unit.

Leon Washington has rejoined the Jets’ special teams unit.

No, not as a kick returner. Rather, Washington is the latest addition to Robert Saleh’s staff, as the Jets announced Wednesday that he is back with the franchise as a special teams assistant. Washington will work under Jets special teams coordinator Brant Boyer.

Washington spent the first four years of his career with the Jets after they made him a fourth-round pick out of Florida State in 2006. A two-time Pro Bowler and a first-team All-Pro in 2008, Washington also spent time with the Seahawks, Patriots and Titans before his career ended after the 2014 season.

A running back by trade, Washington tallied 2,271 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns to go along with 1,286 receiving yards and four scores in 126 games. But Washington made his mark as a feared return man, racking up 7,553 yards and eight touchdowns — tied for an NFL record — on 292 kick returns. Washington set several Jets records during his time in New York: kickoff return touchdowns (4), kickoff return touchdowns in a single-season (3 in 2007) and most all-purpose yards in a single season (2,337 in 2008).

He also had 1,793 yards on 181 career punt returns.

Now Washington will look to continue his coaching career in the same place his playing career began. Washington was with the Lions the last two years as part of the team’s William Clay Ford Minority Coaching Assistantship Program. He previously spent time with the Falcons and Jaguars through the Bill Walsh NFL Diversity Coaching Fellowship.

The Jets’ Team MVP in 2007, Washington will now look to help Saleh, Boyer and the Jets get back on track in 2021 as an official member of their staff.

Jets hire ex-Lions assistant coach Leon Washington

Washington was a WCF minority coaching assistant for the Lions in 2019-2020

Another member of the Detroit Lions coaching staff from the Matt Patricia era has landed with a job elsewhere in the NFL. Leon Washington has been hired by the New York Jets as a special teams assistant coach, the team announced this week.

Washington was a coaching assistant with the Lions in the 2018-2019 seasons. He worked in Detroit as a William Clay Ford minority coaching assistantship, working with the Lions special teams but also with the offense and in the weight room.

It’s a return to his NFL home for Washington, who spent his first four seasons (2006-2009) in New York as a running back and return specialist. He was selected as the Jets’ team MVP in 2007 and made first-team All-Pro in 2008 as a return man, setting the franchise record for return yards and total yards in a season.

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