Packers Offer Picks To Chiefs for Johnson - PFT

[pbmax]

After checking the calendar to make sure its not April 1, here's a post of PFT repeating scout.com's rumor that the Packers have made an offer to get Larry Johnson.

I can't believe it, sounds more like the Chiefs are trying to create some movement.

[pbmax]

POSTED 1:17 p.m. EDT, April 26, 2007

PACKERS MAKING A PLAY FOR L.J.?

Scout.com is reporting that the Packers have offered a first-round pick and a fourth-round pick to the Chiefs for running back Larry Johnson.

If true, the report is a stunner. Packers G.M. Ted Thompson doesn't like to pay big money to strangers to the team, and it's going to take really big money to keep Johnson beyond 2007, the last year of his rookie deal.

And if an offer that big has been made to the Chiefs for Johnson's rights, the Packers surely have reached a tentative agreement with Johnson's agent on a long-term deal. Otherwise, the Packers would be picking up Johnson for only one season before having to either use the franchise tag or let him walk away.

[BlueBrewer]

POSTED 1:17 p.m. EDT, April 26, 2007

PACKERS MAKING A PLAY FOR L.J.?

Scout.com is reporting that the Packers have offered a first-round pick and a fourth-round pick to the Chiefs for running back Larry Johnson.

If true, the report is a stunner. Packers G.M. Ted Thompson doesn't like to pay big money to strangers to the team, and it's going to take really big money to keep Johnson beyond 2007, the last year of his rookie deal.

And if an offer that big has been made to the Chiefs for Johnson's rights, the Packers surely have reached a tentative agreement with Johnson's agent on a long-term deal. Otherwise, the Packers would be picking up Johnson for only one season before having to either use the franchise tag or let him walk away.


If this is actually true and they actually land LJ I will go on a 3 day bender to celebrate.

[pbmax]

from http://packers.scout.com/


Packers make offer for Johnson
PackerReport.com has confirmed that the Green Bay Packers have made an offer with the Kansas City Chiefs to acquire Larry Johnson. What are the Packers dangling in front of the Chiefs for the Pro Bowl running back? Read it here first, premium members!

Sorry, don't have a subscription, so can't confirm the details of the story on the site.

[pbmax]

For the record, I don't like it. Johnson carried the ball edit: 416 (not 475) times last season. A ridiculous load. He is due for a down year. Unless its less than a first and for less money that would seem obvious.

Football Outsiders has done some research indicating that this kind of workload, even for one season, predicts bad results the following year:

http://www.footballoutsiders.com/index.php?p=4764

[BF4MVP]

Hooooooly crap... :shock:

LJ in a Packers uni would be pretty effin sweet..

[pittstang5]

Oh no! Not another rumor.

This off-season has been a roller coaster of rumors for the Pack: a Moss trade, a little something about Turner, now LJ.

A 1st and 4th for LJ. His he a better option than what could be available in this years draft? Besides Peterson - I say yes. But giving up the fourth too.....Hmm. Not sure I like that. Seems like alot and it just doesn't fit TT's style.

My proposal: Swap 1sts with KC and throw in the 4th or even as high as a 3rd rounder for LJ. I'd like that better.

[retailguy]

Oh no! Not another rumor.

This off-season has been a roller coaster of rumors for the Pack: a Moss trade, a little something about Turner, now LJ.

A 1st and 4th for LJ. His he a better option than what could be available in this years draft? Besides Peterson - I say yes. But giving up the fourth too.....Hmm. Not sure I like that. Seems like alot and it just doesn't fit TT's style.

My proposal: Swap 1sts with KC and throw in the 4th or even as high as a 3rd rounder for LJ. I'd like that better.

Thats not enough compensation. Unlike Washington/Chicago, theres not that much dispairity between the picks that there is much value there to swap firsts.

I don't have a problem with the compensation, and I'm a cheap bastard! But, I do have a problem believing that Thompson has actually done this.

I disagree that Thompson would have a problem paying LJ, he wouldn't, but parting with two draft picks AND paying him, well, I'm skeptical.

Personally, I'd think if he really wanted to trade for a RB, he'd be all over Julius Jones before either Michael Turner or LJ.

But, we'll see... If this is true, it'll be nice validation for me that Thompson knows there is an RB problem, UNLIKE the public statements he's made.

[woodbuck27]

It's smells like another pile of horseshit.

A first round pick plus a fourth for LJ. . .mmmmm.

Does that sound like Ted Thompson? The MAN 'of the draft' ??

I think not. :idea:

[LL2]

How old is LJ? It’s mentioned he has too many carries and is due for a breakdown. I’m sure M3 will lighten his load. If he has 5 good years left in him ‘m for it and TT should rip up his rookie deal and give him a new one. If we can get Weddle in the second and Stanton in the third it will be a great draft for TT (ok…I’m dreaming again)! Man, I’m glad the draft is less than 48 hours away!!!

[Packnut]

This one is to hard to believe.

[LL2]

Maybe ARod is part of the deal? After all the Chiefs are trying to ship off Trent Green. Do they have anyone else at QB?

[pbmax]

They have a Huard in their pocket, so to speak. :lol:

[Cheesehead Craig]

And wasn't the Moss deal supposed to be all but done too? I'll believe it when it doesn't have the words "reported" and "if true" in the description.

As far as a workload goes, Morency will get plenty of snaps as well so I would be surprised if LJ got much more than 320-330 carries next year should this whole thing come to fruition.

[Fritz]

POSTED 1:17 p.m. EDT, April 26, 2007

PACKERS MAKING A PLAY FOR L.J.?

Scout.com is reporting that the Packers have offered a first-round pick and a fourth-round pick to the Chiefs for running back Larry Johnson.

If true, the report is a stunner. Packers G.M. Ted Thompson doesn't like to pay big money to strangers to the team, and it's going to take really big money to keep Johnson beyond 2007, the last year of his rookie deal.

And if an offer that big has been made to the Chiefs for Johnson's rights, the Packers surely have reached a tentative agreement with Johnson's agent on a long-term deal. Otherwise, the Packers would be picking up Johnson for only one season before having to either use the franchise tag or let him walk away.


If this is actually true and they actually land LJ I will go on a 3 day bender to celebrate.

If this is true I will go on a three day bender to mourn. That would be a terrible, terrible trade.

[LL2]

POSTED 1:17 p.m. EDT, April 26, 2007

PACKERS MAKING A PLAY FOR L.J.?

Scout.com is reporting that the Packers have offered a first-round pick and a fourth-round pick to the Chiefs for running back Larry Johnson.

If true, the report is a stunner. Packers G.M. Ted Thompson doesn't like to pay big money to strangers to the team, and it's going to take really big money to keep Johnson beyond 2007, the last year of his rookie deal.

And if an offer that big has been made to the Chiefs for Johnson's rights, the Packers surely have reached a tentative agreement with Johnson's agent on a long-term deal. Otherwise, the Packers would be picking up Johnson for only one season before having to either use the franchise tag or let him walk away.


If this is actually true and they actually land LJ I will go on a 3 day bender to celebrate.

If this is true I will go on a three day bender to mourn. That would be a terrible, terrible trade.

Why?

[retailguy]

POSTED 1:17 p.m. EDT, April 26, 2007

PACKERS MAKING A PLAY FOR L.J.?

Scout.com is reporting that the Packers have offered a first-round pick and a fourth-round pick to the Chiefs for running back Larry Johnson.

If true, the report is a stunner. Packers G.M. Ted Thompson doesn't like to pay big money to strangers to the team, and it's going to take really big money to keep Johnson beyond 2007, the last year of his rookie deal.

And if an offer that big has been made to the Chiefs for Johnson's rights, the Packers surely have reached a tentative agreement with Johnson's agent on a long-term deal. Otherwise, the Packers would be picking up Johnson for only one season before having to either use the franchise tag or let him walk away.


If this is actually true and they actually land LJ I will go on a 3 day bender to celebrate.

If this is true I will go on a three day bender to mourn. That would be a terrible, terrible trade.

And now, both sides of the fence have weighed in.... lol

[Fritz]

That's what's so cool about this, RetailGuy. If Johnson scores a bunch of TD's and runs for a lot of yards, I'll be cheering.

[Partial]

You guys are silly. If there is one thing LJ has shown, its that he is a much better back than Dickie V. ever gave him credit for. I guess that sort of happens when you're running behind Preist Holmes for a couple of years.

I wouldn't want to give up an additional fourth for the guy, but giving up a first would be without question. Remember, when Rick Williams put up his big year, Miami gave up two firsts for him.

If you're not in the top 15, a first round pick ultimately isn't that valuable. If you can get a bonafide player with it, ranging from slightly better to solid to great, jump on it.

Draft picks are risky. They can good, bad, average, etc. So many options. They are an unknown entity. We all know what Johnson can do, and to say you're unimpressed would be foolish.

I agree that he certainly think he was the benefactor of a great line, but he also obviously has some skills. If they added this guy, Moss with the third, and Eric Weddle with the second, and a tight end on the second day, how can you argue with that? That team is pretty solid in terms of starters.

[Lurker64]

I don't think I've seen a Chiefs game other than the wildcard one last year in about four years. Is LJ at all suited for the zone running style? I know he's apparently a monster superstar kind of back, but I don't know anything about his running style.

[Partial]

I don't think I've seen a Chiefs game other than the wildcard one last year in about four years. Is LJ at all suited for the zone running style? I know he's apparently a monster superstar kind of back, but I don't know anything about his running style.

He is more of a bruiser. But than again so was Ahman. He'll do fine in whatever system you plug him into. He isn't great but he is good enough to get you 1400-1500 yards.

[Cheesehead Craig]

pro football talk has already debunked the rumor. The Chiefs have said they have not given anyone permission to speak with LJ. If the Pack haven't spoken about a contract with him, they won't trade for him. Fun little rumor while it lasted.

[woodbuck27]

pro football talk has already debunked the rumor. The Chiefs have said they have not given anyone permission to speak with LJ. If the Pack haven't spoken about a contract with him, they won't trade for him. Fun little rumor while it lasted.

ahhhhh.

There goes that brain fart.

[Partial]

Bummer. I'd take him for a first and fourth. It is at the very least a known entity. No surprises there.

[RashanGary]

I'd take it in a heart beat but I doubt it will go through.

[woodbuck27]

http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm

POSTED 3:03 p.m. EDT, April 26, 2007

RUMOR OF GREEN BAY OFFER FOR L.J. IS OFF THE MARK

Though we've never seen a rumor that we didn't want to monger, we've learned based on discussions with league insiders and via the application of common sense that the Packers have not offered a first-round pick and a fourth-round pick to the Chiefs for running back Larry Johnson.

As we suggested in our short blurb regarding the Scout.com report that an offer is on the table, the deal makes no sense unless the Packers have in place a long-term deal with Johnson. But a league source tells us that no permission has been given by Johnson to talk to other teams; thus, if any discussions have occurred, it would be an obvious violation of the tampering rules.

Though it's not becoming more common for a trade to be worked out contingent on the new team and the player working out a contract, there's no way that the Packers and Johnson would get together on a long-term contract before Saturday, even if a trade deal were done right now between the teams.

The Chiefs are quietly shopping Johnson due in part to the reality that he wants a deal worth more than the contract signed by 2006 MVP LaDainian Tomlinson before the salary cap spike of the past two seasons. There's no way that Packers G.M. Ted Thompson will ever agree to that.

Nor should he. Running backs are largely interchangeable.

Unless a team has a chance to land the next Barry Sanders or Jim Brown, there's no reason to pay huge money to a player who is at any given moment an awkward hit away from becoming just a guy.

Larry Johnson is currently one of the best running backs in the NFL, but he's not one of the best ever. If he was, the Chiefs wouldn't be shopping him.

Dollar for dollar, the Packers would be far smarter to take their chances at No. 16 on Marshawn Lynch, or in a later round on someone else.

[BooHoo]

THanks for clearing this issue up. But it did make for interesting reading. THe draft is just around the corner and can't wait.

[Joemailman]

Chiefs: We're not trying to trade Larry Johnson

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs were quick to dispel any rumors that they are actively shopping Pro Bowl running back Larry Johnson prior to this weekend's NFL draft.

Team spokesman Bob Moore said Thursday that the Chiefs have not offered Johnson to anybody and that no team has been given permission to speak with him.

"Anybody who is reporting it's true is simply not telling the truth," Moore said.

The 27-year-old Johnson has been participating in the Chiefs' offseason program, but is entering the final year of his contract. He has made it clear that he wants a deal worth more than the eight-year, $60 million contract that San Diego Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson signed two years ago.

Johnson's agent, Alvin Keels, did not immediately return a call Thursday seeking comment.

Rumors that Kansas City wants to trade the brooding back, who carried the ball an NFL record 416 times last season, surfaced as the team scrambles to acquire draft picks. The Kansas City Star, without citing a source, reported Thursday that the team had offered Johnson up for trade.

Kansas City unloaded return specialist Dante Hall to the St. Louis Rams for a fifth-round pick on Wednesday, falling in line with coach Herm Edwards' desire for a more youthful roster built via the draft.

"When you have a veteran football team, that's very, very good," Edwards said recently. "But at the end of the day, you have to acquire young players along the way."

The Chiefs invited four running backs — California's Marshawn Lynch, Ohio State's Antonio Pittman, Florida State's Lorenzo Booker and Louisville's Kolby Smith — for interviews, and have said they are willing to draft a running back in the early rounds.

Trading Johnson would make sense to those who view the Chiefs as undertaking a major rebuilding effort.

Kansas City is poised to start the season with untested second-year quarterback Brodie Croyle and journeyman Damon Huard— who played well last season when Trent Green missed parts of eight games with a concussion — competing for the starting job.

The offensive line is full of holes, after the retirement of 11-time Pro Bowl tackle Willie Roaf last season and 12-time Pro Bowl guard Will Shields earlier this month. The wide receiving corps has little depth behind aging Eddie Kennison, and defensive tackle and defensive back remain areas of concern.

Johnson's value has never been higher, either. After rushing for 1,750 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2005, he gained 1,789 yards and had 17 touchdowns last season. His 2,199 yards from scrimmage accounted for 43% of the Chiefs' total offense.

"He's still a guy in his prime," said former Houston Texans general manager Charley Casserly, who believes the Chiefs will manage to sign Johnson to a contract extension. "I don't know what they could get to replace him. Certainly a draft choice isn't going to replace him."

Another way the Chiefs could acquire more draft picks is by dealing Green, the two-time Pro Bowler who returned from his concussion midway through last season but never played at the same level.

[Joemailman]

You guys are silly. If there is one thing LJ has shown, its that he is a much better back than Dickie V. ever gave him credit for. I guess that sort of happens when you're running behind Preist Holmes for a couple of years.

Who the hell cares what Dick Vitale thinks of Larry Johnson?

[Partial]

You guys are silly. If there is one thing LJ has shown, its that he is a much better back than Dickie V. ever gave him credit for. I guess that sort of happens when you're running behind Preist Holmes for a couple of years.

Who the hell cares what Dick Vitale thinks of Larry Johnson?

I was referencing Dick Vermeil, but Dick Vitale works as well 8-)

[Scott Campbell]

He isn't great but he is good enough to get you 1400-1500 yards.


He gained 1789 yards last year - 26 less than LT. What exactly do you have to do to be great???

[Partial]

He isn't great but he is good enough to get you 1400-1500 yards.


He gained 1789 yards last year - 26 less than LT. What exactly do you have to do to be great???

He ran behind a hall-of-fame line. He's a very, very good player though. I'd take him gladly for a 4th and a 1st.

Think of it this way: He'd be the first RB taken this year without question.

So, he goes top 5. It would cost far more than our 16th + a 4th to trade up to get him. This price is a steal. He's 26 with two years of usage on his body.

[MadtownPacker]

LJ is sick. The #1 for him is fine but nothing more.

Hell LJ or Turner, either is better then going RB at #16.

[b bulldog]

Todd Korth out of GB is reporting that this is one deal the Packers have reportedly offered the Chiefs for LJ. Korth is a solid journalist and is not a rumor seeker.

[b bulldog]

He works for Packer report.com

[Partial]

LJ is sick. The #1 for him is fine but nothing more.

Hell LJ or Turner, either is better then going RB at #16.

Turner is not worth the value of #16. LJ has proven it that he is.

[Partial]

He works for Packer report.com

He was on WSSP this afternoon with Gary and Cliff. He says he got the news from his buddy, who got it from an extremely reliable source. He said 1st and a 4th. We'll see what happens.

I think it'd be relatively humorous knowing that we could very well walk away from draft weekend with Randy Moss and Larry Johnson. That would really silence the TT critics, would it not?

[pbmax]

That's were the report originated. PFT picked it up from Korth's item at that website.

I would be happy to see this one die on the vine. 416 games in one season is brutal. He also had 41 pass receptions. And these numbers weren't inflated by extra postseason games.

Historically speaking, he's due for a big dropoff this year.


He works for Packer report.com

[b bulldog]

One thing to remember is that he didn't get a boat load of carries his first few seasons because of Priest Holmes.

[HarveyWallbangers]

He ran behind a hall-of-fame line.

Hall of Fame line? Waters is still great. Wiegman is solid. However, Will Shields at 35 was no longer a great player and their OTs were just plain shitty. Roaf retired before last year. 2-3 years ago they had a great OL. Not last year.

[HarveyWallbangers]

I'd love to have Larry Johnson. He's only rushed full-time for 1 1/2 years. I'd bet he's going to be great for at least 3 more years.

[Joemailman]

He ran behind a hall-of-fame line.

Hall of Fame line? Waters is still great. Wiegman is solid. However, Will Shields at 35 was no longer a great player and their OTs were just plain shitty. Roaf retired before last year. 2-3 years ago they had a great OL. Not last year.

Harvey is right. Johnson didn't have the kind of blocking last year that he had in the past, and showed he could get the tough yards. His YPC went from 5.2 to 4.3, but that is not a reflection on him. He is the 2nd best back in the NFL right now.

[Partial]

He ran behind a hall-of-fame line.

Hall of Fame line? Waters is still great. Wiegman is solid. However, Will Shields at 35 was no longer a great player and their OTs were just plain shitty. Roaf retired before last year. 2-3 years ago they had a great OL. Not last year.

Touche. You gonna post a mock?

[justanotherpackfan]

This afternoon on Heller and Murphy, some guy they had on said it was all smoke.

[justanotherpackfan]

None of these crazy trade rumors will go down. This is all smoke. You can mark my words.

[Fritz]

Chiefs have angrily denied he's on the block.

Just another rumor. Thank goodness.

[packerbacker1234]

1. LJ still has plenty of good years ahead of him. History may show bad years after a heavy workload, however there is no denying that LJ is a better RB then Marshawn Lynch and definitly better then any on our roster.

There is a chance he would be on for the rest of career and would SOLIDIFY our run game. It's not so much that we need him this year, but we need his ability for the "after favre" era. We need to become a running team who just needs a decent QB. Not a team that can run every once inawhile but needs it's QB to ultimately win the game. Thats what it is right now. It's not that favre has to win the game by himself, but come fourth quarter all last year it was up to favre on if we win or not.

I think, if this trade rumor is true and accepted, this would be better then any other trade that includes Randy Moss. LJ is definitly a better replacement for Ahman Green then having Green himself!

However, it matters not. We made an offer is all. No word of them considering the offer means nothing. I can call up my ex and make an offer to get her back, but I highly doubt she is considering it, just like I highly doubt, unless it's a top 5 pick, that the chiefs will consider trading LJ.

[ahaha]

Larry Johnson might not be an ideal ZBS runner, but he would help with the Packers biggest weakness on offense, the red zone. He is a touchdown scoring machine.

[BooHoo]

I think LJ would make a good addition to the Pack. The only issue is how much are we willing to trade to get him.
Oh course, like it has been reported this rumor is probably a bunch of crap. :)