New York Jets running back Leon Washington wants a new contract worth, cough, cough, roughly $6 million annually, according to nj.com, the Web site of the Newark Star-Ledger.

Washington, who backed up Thomas Jones last season, held out of a voluntary workout last week, surprising his new coach, Rex Ryan, because he had attended all of his sessions to that point.

Washington, who has game-breaking speed and solid potential, has built a reputation for being a hard worker and he’s a favorite of teammates, according to the paper.

BUT HE’S A BACKUP!?!?

Has he outperformed a contract that calls for him to earn $535,000 in 2009? Without a doubt he probably has. Has he outperformed it to the level that would put him among the highest-paid running backs in the National Football League?

Not even friggin’ close.

Let’s put this in some perspective. The USA Today publishes a database of player salaries each season. In 2008, the highest-paid running back based on salary cap value was LaDainian Tomlinson, at $7.8 million-and-change, followed by Edgerrin James ($6.75 million), Jamal Lewis ($6.5 million), Ronnie Brown ($6.1 million) and Clinton Portis ($6.0 million).

Based on total salary for 2008 (which takes into account bonuses, total signing bonuses, etc.), Michael Turner was tops at better than $16 million, followed by Marion Barber ($12.5 million), Steven Jackson ($12 million), Portis and Ronnie Brown.

While some of those guys had great years and some were disappointing in 2008 there are a couple of common denominators. First, they were all starters – at least at some point in their careers. Second, they had, in almost all cases, done more in a single season of their careers than Washington has done thus far in the entirety of his three-year career.

Look, I like Leon Washington, and this post isn’t meant to bash his skills as a player. He’s shown flashes of great potential and he made some highlight reels last season. But to this point, the entirety of his numbers are as follows: On the ground, he has 298 rushes, 1451 yards, 13 touchdowns. In the air, he has 108 catches, 838 yards, and two touchdowns.

He’s also been a very good kickoff return guy the last two seasons, averaging 27.5 and 25.6 yards and taking four to the house. Sure, 19 touchdowns isn’t bad for a guy who has been contributing primarily as a backup and special teams guy.

I also understand that running backs have short shelf lives and that he needs to maximize his earning potential during that time.

But $6 million?

For Leon Washington?

After three solid seasons during which he has started 13 of the 48 games in which he has played?

Please.

Alvin Keels, Washington’s new agent, represented former Jet LaMont Jordan, who went to Oakland on a five-year, $27.5 million deal following the 2004 season. He has barely been heard from since.

As of now, Coach Ryan has nothing but kind words to say about Washington. Still, the player may want to reconsider his current plan of attack. With Thomas Jones skipping the entire summer thus far, Washington has a chance to play himself into a larger role with the team.

He’s not a $6 million-a-year-player in the current NFL marketplace. And outrageous contract demands and skipping workouts can only hurt his chances of landing the role that will allow him this season to earn the increase in pay he thinks he deserves.