FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Because my buddy Chris Gasper did such a good job laying out the Jets' and Patriots' differing approaches, I thought I'd pass along an update on one of his favorite players, Leon Washington (He loves Leon for the same reasons he worshiped guys like Peter Warrick and Andre Wadsworth, even after it was clear how awful they were).

The play-making Washington broke the tibia and fibula in his right leg against the Raiders three weeks ago, a similar injury to the one that sidelined Michael Bush for his entire senior season at Louisville and his rookie year in Oakland. Some have speculated it could end his career.

Washington, of course, was far more optimistic. He said that he's "98-99 percent" sure he's out of the woods in avoiding an infection -- something that commonly follows this injury -- and he's also sidestepped some of the issues that Bush had, one of which was not having a big enough rod inserted into his broken leg.

Because of all this, Washington says he's targeting the start of the Jets' offseason program in March for his return. He hopes that, by then, he'll be able to participate fully with the team, an optimistic timetable, to be sure.

Here's where this relates to New England -- Washington's situations isn't wholly dissimilar to Vince Wilfork's. Both groused about their contract situations in the spring. But after missing some voluntary workouts, each showed up to every mandatory team activity, and both went into the season with their circumstances unresolved.

"One thing with business – and that’s the part I learned – is that there’s risk and reward," Washington said. "I knew that coming into the season. Everyone knew it, I knew it. That’s the risk. With that being said, things happen for a reason, and with my faith and connection with God, life is more about being happy than it’s about money.