Larry Johnson...near future?

[leoness8]

Hey guys...any talk around kansas city about Larry Johnson's status for the near future? I mean if the Chiefs play well enough in the spread offence in their remaining games do the chiefs let go of larry who is sometimes a distraction and just go with a couple shifty running backs like charles and kolby and a goaline RB. Larry's production is somewhat reduced because of the spread...so would this make any sense?

[leaves]

I don't mind LJ, and when he was prime, he was PRIME... but

the idea of Charles, Smith, and a big back idea is on par with the NYG's or NE's. If only we can get an OL, or the powerback could be a FB. Remember when KC used those right.

[jmlamerson]

I see. Thanks for the clarification, forgot about the cap hit. I think the only way he is traded is if we renegotiate a smaller contract and then make a trade. I think he can MAYBE draw a late 2nd round pick if his contract was small enough.

Except LJ has no reason to renegotiate his contract. If he gets released, he can just sign a new contract and get a new bonus. If he stays, he gets paid his contract amount. The Chiefs aren't anywhere near the cap, so they can't ask him to renegotiate on those grounds.

And even if he did, who do you see trading for him? The Eagles could use a big back, but they don't waste picks for a 2nd back. Seattle could use him, but again, their franchise is too smart to spend a high pick on a 30-year-old RB, especially after the Shaun Alexander fiasco. Denver could, but we aren't trading him in division, and they won't spend a first day pick on a RB in the draft, much less through trades. The new Lions GM isn't going to blow a high pick on a RB given their holes. The Raiders don't need a RB. The Rams have Jackson to worry about. Texans have Slaton. The Cardinals may sign him as a FA, but they aren't a trading team. The 49ers are sticking with Gore. The Skins love to trade, and Portis is looking like trouble, but they don't have a 2nd rounder, and they have too many cap problems as it is.

I mean, who will give up a pick for LJ? Even if he agreed to renegotiate?

I think it's Madden GMing when people think LJ has trade value. Most teams don't need the headache, and teams have learned the hard way that the RB is one of the most replacable persons on the team.

In the end, we'll either have to cut him or keep him. I vote cut him. If for no other reason than to signal a change in direction of the team.

[jap1]

Except LJ has no reason to renegotiate his contract. If he gets released, he can just sign a new contract and get a new bonus. If he stays, he gets paid his contract amount. The Chiefs aren't anywhere near the cap, so they can't ask him to renegotiate on those grounds.

And even if he did, who do you see trading for him? The Eagles could use a big back, but they don't waste picks for a 2nd back. Seattle could use him, but again, their franchise is too smart to spend a high pick on a 30-year-old RB, especially after the Shaun Alexander fiasco. Denver could, but we aren't trading him in division, and they won't spend a first day pick on a RB in the draft, much less through trades. The new Lions GM isn't going to blow a high pick on a RB given their holes. The Raiders don't need a RB. The Rams have Jackson to worry about. Texans have Slaton. The Cardinals may sign him as a FA, but they aren't a trading team. The 49ers are sticking with Gore. The Skins love to trade, and Portis is looking like trouble, but they don't have a 2nd rounder, and they have too many cap problems as it is.

I mean, who will give up a pick for LJ? Even if he agreed to renegotiate?

I think it's Madden GMing when people think LJ has trade value. Most teams don't need the headache, and teams have learned the hard way that the RB is one of the most replacable persons on the team.

In the end, we'll either have to cut him or keep him. I vote cut him. If for no other reason than to signal a change in direction of the team.

Ill admit it is a little bit of Madden GM'ing, but I think LJ may realize that no one will resign him to anywhere near his current contract. Realistically, I think if he was cut, then he would get a pretty small contract, where he may get something bigger for a draft pick (in reality we prob could never swing a 2nd rounder for him).

I think Cleveland (jamal lewis is showing his age) or Cinci could use him, but I dont know the teams well enough to know if they would be willing to give anything for him.

In the end it will come down to whether they feel they can get someone in the later rounds of the draft to replace him. I still honestly believe that if he gets decent blocking for a whole year, then he can still be a 1000-1500 yard runner in a traditional offense.

But all this is based on my hunches and opinions with not much concrete evidence.

[jmlamerson]

Ill admit it is a little bit of Madden GM'ing, but I think LJ may realize that no one will resign him to anywhere near his current contract. Realistically, I think if he was cut, then he would get a pretty small contract, where he may get something bigger for a draft pick (in reality we prob could never swing a 2nd rounder for him).

I think Cleveland (jamal lewis is showing his age) or Cinci could use him, but I dont know the teams well enough to know if they would be willing to give anything for him.

In the end it will come down to whether they feel they can get someone in the later rounds of the draft to replace him. I still honestly believe that if he gets decent blocking for a whole year, then he can still be a 1000-1500 yard runner in a traditional offense.

But all this is based on my hunches and opinions with not much concrete evidence.

You're absolutely right that he could be a decent RB with a real OL. It's just that I don't see him cutting millions off of his salary just to get traded. It makes more sense for him to just get cut and size a mid-size deal elsewhere or to keep playing at his current salary for the Chiefs.

While LJ could be great for a whole bunch of teams, Bengals and Browns included, and there may be a minor bidding war if he gets released between them, Denver, Seattle, etc., I don't think they'll trade for him.

The only team I could see trading for LJ is the Pats, given their history with trading for troubled RBs (Corey Dillon) and their need for a RB. But I think, at most, the Pats give up a 5th rounder for him.

I guess my point is that we can't expect to help build the Chiefs by trading LJ for picks. He is more of a liability than an asset to us right now.

[jap1]

I guess my point is that we can't expect to help build the Chiefs by trading LJ for picks. He is more of a liability than an asset to us right now.

Yeah, I am starting to think you are right that we are not going to get any value for trading him.

I still think we shouldn't cut him unless he gets suspended for more than two games. Anything more than that and I think we can find a bruiser in the later rounds of the draft, and/or free agency.

[hardcorechiefsfan]

I've said it before, LJ won't be here next season. The team is way under the salary cap and LJ isn't producing. Add that to his multiple arrests, his on field tantrums, his rumored dislike by other players in the locker room and you have a recipe for either a trade or flat out release. He's also going to turn 30 next season and by all appearances he just can't stay out of trouble. He was way too much down side and not nearly enough upside to keep him around.

He'll be hard to trade, who wants to deal with the drama queen? Unless he did the drama thing on purpose so that he could be traded from the loser chiefs.

I kind of disagree. Yes LJ isnt producing raw numbers, but I think that when the line gives him a small lane, he is breaking runs for yardage. The problem is that he is either hit in the backfield or they penetrate/stuff the hole and make him change direction before he hits the line. I dont think there is a right or wrong stance on that, though.

As far as us being under the salary cap, I dont see how that affects keeping LJ.

LJ isn't doing it for us. He may open up and start eating up the yards if he was playing for some other team.

...LJ is a good player to have when you're winning and a bad one to have when you're losing. ...

This says it perfectly. LJ has no honor, he isn't going to play hard like Tony G. said that HE would do even though this will be his last season here.
BTW, did Tony change his mind about leaving?

Yeah...I agree with being able to fill the running back position easily. Your starting to see rookie running backs come into the league and produce right away. We are seeing it this year in guys like Matt Forte and Steve Slaton. We all know what happens when a running back hits the age of 30...they slowly start producing the high end production numbers that they are used to. LT is a great example of that this year... It will be interesting to see which direction the chiefs go regarding their running backs for next season.

I wish that Priest Holmes hadn't of retired. It would be good for the young kids to see him do his stuff.

I think he will be back next season, not saying that is good or bad, just saying he will be back next season. I just do not know if any team will trade for him and to cut him loose, to sign with anyone, with the money already invest in him, no, do not see that happening.

...then we better be prepared for him to do his inch by inch thing if the chiefs do poorly like this season.

[jmlamerson]

LJ has no honor, he isn't going to play hard like Tony G. said that HE would do even though this will be his last season here.
BTW, did Tony change his mind about leaving?

I think if Herm goes, Tony will stay. I have to believe that CPs bungling of the JA negotiations, Tony's wanting out, Waters threats of retirement, and the the LJ problems were instrumental in geeting CP gone.

I think Clark has watched us blow too many leads this year with bad halftime adjustments and bad clock management to keep Herm.

I think if Herm goes, Tony G. and Waters stay active for the Chiefs for another year or two, and I think Clark wants to hold onto his last few Pro Bowlers.

[hardcorechiefsfan]

I think if Herm goes, Tony will stay. I have to believe that CPs bungling of the JA negotiations, Tony's wanting out, Waters threats of retirement, and the the LJ problems were instrumental in geeting CP gone.

I think Clark has watched us blow too many leads this year with bad halftime adjustments and bad clock management to keep Herm.

I think if Herm goes, Tony G. and Waters stay active for the Chiefs for another year or two, and I think Clark wants to hold onto his last few Pro Bowlers.

I still believe that Tony deserves a chance at the SB but if we have him next season we do have a chance of being in the playoffs, especially with Pollard, Leggit, Thiggie, and whoever else I might have forgot that have been showing their stuff lately.
I want to see Herm gone but I want the players to start showing some initiative and want to WIN! After all, NFL football is all about winning. Its not like high school, where the kids are told "Its not whether you win or lose, its all about fun. Although I would want the players to enjoy playing, they are getting paid to play a winning game, not to just have fun regardless of win or loss.

[leaves]

LJ would never renegotiate his contract. In all likelihood, he's gonna be a chief next season. I do, however, think his biggest problem is with Herm's coaching. LJ doesnt wanna be the gutbusting back that Herm threw him into, so I think if Herm taps the boot, LJ'll keep quieter for the rest of his contract.

[jmlamerson]

I still believe that Tony deserves a chance at the SB but if we have him next season we do have a chance of being in the playoffs, especially with Pollard, Leggit, Thiggie, and whoever else I might have forgot that have been showing their stuff lately.
I want to see Herm gone but I want the players to start showing some initiative and want to WIN! After all, NFL football is all about winning. Its not like high school, where the kids are told "Its not whether you win or lose, its all about fun. Although I would want the players to enjoy playing, they are getting paid to play a winning game, not to just have fun regardless of win or loss.

I really believe that if we had a coach who understood clock management and halftime adjustments, our team would be 7-7 right now. I think Herm Edwards has cost us, single-handedly, five games - the Bucs (makes me mad just to think about this game), Jets, Chargers (twice), and Broncos with bad halftime adjustments and bad clock management.

With the exceptions of DJ and LJ, I think I think the players we have out there are vastly overachieving given their talent level. I'm proud of these guys and Gailey for even winning two games this year. I think they want to win badly, but have an idiot as a HC who keeps costing them games.