Carl Vs. L.j. Is Next Battle Royale

[Chiefster]

I have to admit had me laughing on this one.

CARL VS. L.J. IS NEXT BATTLE ROYALE
With Jared Allen eating sushi and promising to lead a wil’-out-free social life, and Trent Green packing his footballs and heading to a South Florida home, there’s only one compelling story line left in the latest episode of “The Last King of Mediocrity.”

Carl Peterson vs. Larry Johnson.

Yes, the main event: King Carl vs. L.J. for all the money in Clark Hunt’s piggybank. This should be far better than De la Hoya-Mayweather, and if the executives running HBO were smart, they’d do a 24/7 documentary on this historic battle rather than taping Kansas City’s training camp.

This is a showdown that has been brewing ever since King Carl hoodwinked Johnson and his agent into signing that ridiculous, Master P-approved rookie contract. This thing should get UFC bloody and ugly.

Before the end of training camp, I fully expect Peterson’s pit bull/mouthpiece Bob Gretz and Johnson’s pit bull/mouthpiece Rhonda Moss to square off in a dogfight that will have Michael “Ron Cujo” Vick flush with envy.

Seriously, I’m so glad Trent Green is finally gone. Bickering over the value and treatment of a filthy-rich, 37-year-old quarterback was a bit boring for my taste, especially when you know Peterson could just as easily botch a fourth-round pick as a sixth.

The Green-Peterson scrap sounded like a Leawood father and son arguing over whether the kid deserves the fully loaded SUV or the sport package. Peterson-Johnson has the promise of getting as rowdy as me and my brother coming to blows over the last pork chop at a Labor Day barbecue.

Right now, my money is on The Last King of Mediocrity.

He’s been in the gym training for this bout ever since Priest Holmes bamboozled the Chiefs out of a final payday and quickly retired to a life of nachos, yearly, inconclusive MRI scans on his spine and baby’s mama drama.

King Carl vowed never again. Only Tony Gonzalez and Tom Condon are allowed to fleece the Hunt’s bank account under Peterson’s watch. Peterson would rather name Ethan Locke head coach and put Jack Harry in charge of ticket prices than reward Larry Johnson with LaDainian Tomlinson-type money.

And, in many respects, Peterson is holding all of the leverage. Peterson gleefully watched as his new head coach, Herm Edwards, overworked Johnson all last season, giving him an NFL record number of carries. Edwards used Johnson in a way that indicated the Chiefs don’t have long-term plans for Johnson.

Peterson could refuse to offer Johnson a fair contract extension, run L.J. into the ground again this season, slap the franchise tag on him for the 2008 season and discard Johnson in 2009.

That would be the cold-blooded business move. Based on the way Johnson has conducted himself in his years as a Chief, I’m not sure many fans would be sympathetic toward Johnson. He has never pretended to be much of a team guy, so few people will care if the Chiefs treat Johnson in a selfish manner.

Johnson’s leverage is a 2007 holdout. He’s on the books to earn about $1.7 million this year. If he sits out and sacrifices the money, the Chiefs could be the 2006 Oakland Raiders. Those Raiders, despite a very good defense, finished 2-14 and scored just 168 points. They were darn near impossible to watch.

The Chiefs could be that bad. Without Johnson, I honestly don’t know how the Chiefs score a point. By midseason, Arrowhead Stadium would be half empty on game day. By the end of the season, you’d swear the Royals were playing football.

And L.J.’s absence would certainly hamper the development of Brodie Croyle.

The problem for Johnson is that The Last King of Mediocrity could survive a 2-14 season. With Green in Miami and the Chiefs breaking in a new quarterback, Peterson could use 2-14 as a true rebuilding year, and Chiefs fans would be excited about having the No. 1 pick (although the enthusiasm would be tempered by the knowledge that Peterson would draft Todd Blackledge).

Again, Peterson is bunkered in and ready for a losing season. Johnson is not prepared to sacrifice $1.7 million. That’s money he’ll never get back. Plus, he’ll be a year older and still looking for a new contract.

Peterson is a heavy favorite in this fight, but we’ve seen him blow 13-3 regular seasons and home-field advantage, so anything is a possibility.

[DrunkHillbilly]

Well, froma productivity standpoint, 3.4 yards per carry is pretty bad. The fact that he didn't platoon only makes his totals look, "decent"

Agreed but it's not his call to platoon or not. Besides 1200 yds isn't exactly terrible. Especially at 3.4 a carry!

[chief31]

Agreed but it's not his call to platoon or not. Besides 1200 yds isn't exactly terrible. Especially at 3.4 a carry!

The fact is, that the Cardinals (you own example) make a liar out of you.

you can't pass the ball unless you have a viable threat at the running back position

In 2005 the Arizona Cardinals ranked LAST in rushing, yet somehow managed to compile more passing yards than any other team, in the NFL. They raked FIRST, in passing yards.

[DrunkHillbilly]

The fact is, that the Cardinals (you own example) make a liar out of you.



In 2005 the Arizona Cardinals ranked LAST in rushing, yet somehow managed to compile more passing yards than any other team, in the NFL. They raked FIRST, in passing yards.

That's a good point but that proves my point about having a balanced offense. Because the Cardinals STILL had a losing season!

Not sure if you watch to other NFL games or listen to anyone talk about football but you can pick your favorite commentator and I promise you he will agree with my statement! You as a team CAN NOT be succesful ( as in superbowl possibilities) without doing both!

I bet if I looked enough, I could find a quote from someone in football that has said exactly what I said. In fact I bet you know it is true but you just want to argue! You have to pass to run and run to pass. It's been that way since the beginning of time!

[wolfpack]

if our WR can become somewhat of a threat and with Tony G, then a average 1000 yard back becomes a threat. balance as you say. and you can become balanced without paying LJ those huge $$ that he wants. if he wont meet in the middle,,,,, trade him.

[kenny1937]

if our WR can become somewhat of a threat and with Tony G, then a average 1000 yard back becomes a threat. balance as you say. and you can become balanced without paying LJ those huge $$ that he wants. if he wont meet in the middle,,,,, trade him.

Yes, well said, along with a offensive coordinator who is not predictable, and you have a good mix for a run at the Super Bowl.

Where's Carl!!

[Chiefster]

I've said it before and will again; I truly believe that CP will strike a deal with LJ, but should CP not then he would be a complete idiot not to get value for LJ in a trade somewhere. IMO

[chief31]

That's a good point but that proves my point about having a balanced offense. Because the Cardinals STILL had a losing season!

Not sure if you watch to other NFL games or listen to anyone talk about football but you can pick your favorite commentator and I promise you he will agree with my statement! You as a team CAN NOT be succesful ( as in superbowl possibilities) without doing both!

I bet if I looked enough, I could find a quote from someone in football that has said exactly what I said. In fact I bet you know it is true but you just want to argue! You have to pass to run and run to pass. It's been that way since the beginning of time!

Not a matter I have ever disputed. I just think that a tight-end, like Gonzales, combined with a reciever like Kennison, (a year, or two back) makes a passing game, therefore, creates balance, with a strong running game.

I've said it before, I'll say it again. While the Chiefs, this offseason, needed to find a reciever, the offense, prior to last year, didn't have that need. They needed defense, to compliment a very balanced offense. Being in the top ten, of, nearly, every offensive catergory, is balance (within the offense).

The reason we need a reciever now, is because the O-line is gone and Eddie Kennison is old. With an O-line that included Roaf and Shields, (Comparable to any pair of O-linemen, ever to play together) an aging Kennison, combined with Gonzales, was more than sufficient.

[DrunkHillbilly]

You should have see the '37 team!!!!! Who cares about then????

We need to deal in the NOW!!!!!!!

[chief31]

You should have see the '37 team!!!!! Who cares about then????

We need to deal in the NOW!!!!!!!

You started the conversation about then, by saying we've needed a reciever, for years. That's the discussion I have been having, this whole time.

[DrunkHillbilly]

You started the conversation about then, by saying we've needed a reciever, for years. That's the discussion I have been having, this whole time.

Meaning we STILL haven't addressed it! We drafted a WR, which someone(maybe you) doesn't think we should have done in the first round.

I just get upset because it is a glaring (IMO) need for this team. I keep talking about NOW and the FUTURE. Greens 4000 yds came because he had a ton of attempts and completions at 10-20 yds. I believe the Chiefs had one of the top offensive play attempt averages in the league.