With the NFL Salary Cap Increase, Can the New York Jets Pay Leon Washington Now?

The originally projected salary cap numbers have received a slight boost for this upcoming season, giving NFL teams a little more spending cash in their times of financial need.

Projections initially had the salary cap jumping $7 million in 2009 to $123 million. However, language in the collective bargaining agreement allowed for some additional dollars, bringing the final numbers to a little less than $128 million.

Understanding the mechanics of the CBA is an exact science of its own, but the detail that made this possible is quite simple. While signing players, teams spent less than 59.5 percent of the NFL's total 2008 revenue, allowing for the adjustment.

After all of the math, every team ended up with $947,000 added to their salary cap.

It may not sound like much in these days of lucrative contracts, but it could afford the most savvy general managers a better opportunity to sign their disgruntled talent.

Enter Mike Tannenbaum and his well-publicized financial dilemma with the New York Jets' two Pro Bowl running backs, Leon Washington and Thomas Jones.

With both men avoiding voluntary workouts this offseason, resolving Washington's contract concerns should be Tannenbaum's priority.

After outplaying his four-year/$2.06 million rookie contract, Washington is seeking a deal worth around $4 million a year, reported Rich Cimini of the New York Daily News.

It's an extremely modest number for a man who the Jets rely upon so heavily on the field. With an estimated $13 million in cap space, accommodating Washington should have been done yesterday.

There could be a domino effect that would begin soon after Washington is signed and happy.

The sooner the Pro Bowl running back is taken care of, the sooner New York can focus all of their financial attention on getting Mark Sanchez signed, sealed, and delivered for the beginning of training camp.

No one wants to see Sanchez follow the same path as the Jets' top selections in 2007 and 2008. Darrelle Revis and Vernon Gholston, respectively, were stuck in negotiation limbo through August in their rookie seasons.

With an open quarterback competition scheduled to take place this summer, getting Sanchez to report on time will be of the essence. If the Jets hope to evaluate their potential starters properly, Sanchez will have to be on the field immediately.

While one shouldn't affect the other, the Jets must realize that it would be absolutely unreasonable to complete a deal with Sanchez before re-signing Washington.

As soon as both of their contracts are agreed upon, the Jets can then determine how much financial freedom they have before swinging a deal for another wide receiver.

Trades for Braylon Edwards or Anquan Boldin will require a significant financial commitment from New York. If it's not financially feasible, looking to free agency for a less expensive option like Matt Jones might pique the Jets' interest.

Thomas Jones was intentionally neglected.

Despite being the AFC's leading rusher in 2008, a running back who will be 31 at the start of the season should never receive precedence.

Especially when he requested the Jets structure his deal to pay him a meager $900,000 in 2009.