Larry Johnson rumbling?

[outflow]

**Disclaimer** Conducted a quick search and didn't find anything on top.

Saw the TV rebroadcast of Mike and Mike. Mortensen was a guest talking about how Larry Johnson is not at camp. Basically he threw the Packers out there as a possibility for Johnson if...Priest came back strong and with a week left until the regular season the Chiefs made the decision to shop. Only teams Chris mentioned was the Packers. Thoughts?

If this is discussed already please provide a link, thanks.

[Spaulding]

Would be nice to LJ in a Packers uniform and adding a running dimension we haven't had since Green in 2004 BUT it goes against TT's motto and I don't believe LJ has played in a ZBS before.

With what looks to be a stellar coming year for RB's in the draft (McFadden, Slaton, Hart, etc.) I'd be less apt to take on Johnson and his huge salary requests. Not to mention his potential impact to team chemistry and cost to obtain in draft picks and/or players.

Unless he can be had for a reserve player (Cole, etc.) and maybe a 3rd or late second rounder I don't think it makes much sense.

[BlueBrewer]

I do not see a negative to having a back of LJs caliber in the stable. Even if the price involved a 1st, a conditional pick and a reserve player, he would be worth it. He is as proven as can be, our backs are as unproven as they come, we have the money to sign him. As far as the ZBS argument, have you ever watched him run, he is a one cut back with patience his natural ability would carry him through the learning stage and still be better than a second year in the system Morency. With all that said do I think it will happen, Absolutley not, it makes too much sense.

[Spaulding]

Blue Brewer, respectfully disagree. If you are a playoff team and looking to make it further or aim for the Super Bowl, then sure. But if getting LJ this year only means your team just makes the playoffs and then is out in the 1st round or possibly the second - what's the point?

Going into 2008 you have a back who turns 29, have less money available to sign FA's (given TT doesn't seem to go this route anyways but then again maybe he hits the town drinking and opens up the tight wallet), lose a high draft choice so your chances of improving through the draft in 2008 are lessened, etc.

The team just isn't there yet to make this kind of move, not to mention the idea of the ZBS is have interchangeable running backs not sucking up large salaries that can be used elsewhere on the roster.

Negative, this would not be a good move for a team that is still rebuilding.

[BlueBrewer]

Blue Brewer, respectfully disagree. If you are a playoff team and looking to make it further or aim for the Super Bowl, then sure. But if getting LJ this year only means your team just makes the playoffs and then is out in the 1st round or possibly the second - what's the point?

Going into 2008 you have a back who turns 29, have less money available to sign FA's (given TT doesn't seem to go this route anyways but then again maybe he hits the town drinking and opens up the tight wallet), lose a high draft choice so your chances of improving through the draft in 2008 are lessened, etc.

The team just isn't there yet to make this kind of move, not to mention the idea of the ZBS is have interchangeable running backs not sucking up large salaries that can be used elsewhere on the roster.

Negative, this would not be a good move for a team that is still rebuilding.



Your points are valid, we must agree to disagree. You are right though TT would have to be in a stimulant induced state to spend the kind of money it would take to sign LJ.

[outflow]

Blue Brewer, respectfully disagree. If you are a playoff team and looking to make it further or aim for the Super Bowl, then sure. But if getting LJ this year only means your team just makes the playoffs and then is out in the 1st round or possibly the second - what's the point?

Going into 2008 you have a back who turns 29, have less money available to sign FA's (given TT doesn't seem to go this route anyways but then again maybe he hits the town drinking and opens up the tight wallet), lose a high draft choice so your chances of improving through the draft in 2008 are lessened, etc.

The team just isn't there yet to make this kind of move, not to mention the idea of the ZBS is have interchangeable running backs not sucking up large salaries that can be used elsewhere on the roster.

Negative, this would not be a good move for a team that is still rebuilding.

This is a fine theory, but only under two circumstances.
1.) The current young players do in fact get better and by better I mean substantially better. I could care less if they mature to a point where they perennially are the 7 seed.
2.) TT at some point does in fact open up the wallet to use the cap space either to supplement the "future mature and substantially better team" or a younger more sure bet free agent to revitalize the environment surrounding the team i.e. another Reggie White.

Both of these are not givens at all, just as I believe your theory is not a given. I don't know the answer, but at some point he has to take a gamble.

[BlueBrewer]

Blue Brewer, respectfully disagree. If you are a playoff team and looking to make it further or aim for the Super Bowl, then sure. But if getting LJ this year only means your team just makes the playoffs and then is out in the 1st round or possibly the second - what's the point?

Going into 2008 you have a back who turns 29, have less money available to sign FA's (given TT doesn't seem to go this route anyways but then again maybe he hits the town drinking and opens up the tight wallet), lose a high draft choice so your chances of improving through the draft in 2008 are lessened, etc.

The team just isn't there yet to make this kind of move, not to mention the idea of the ZBS is have interchangeable running backs not sucking up large salaries that can be used elsewhere on the roster.

Negative, this would not be a good move for a team that is still rebuilding.

This is a fine theory, but only under two circumstances.
1.) The current young players do in fact get better and by better I mean substantially better. I could care less if they mature to a point where they perennially are the 7 seed.
2.) TT at some point does in fact open up the wallet to use the cap space either to supplement the "future mature and substantially better team" or a younger more sure bet free agent to revitalize the environment surrounding the team i.e. another Reggie White.

Both of these are not givens at all, just as I believe your theory is not a given. I don't know the answer, but at some point he has to take a gamble.

Well put.

[Spaulding]

I agree as well (not a fan of a slow long term rebuilding plan), but as much as I'd love to see LJ in uniform for us, I'm almost as excited to see how all the young players mesh and develop and how the season progresses.

If TT expects to still have a job this team needs to improve and he will likely at some point have to make a big time FA splash to give us that final edge to achieve in the post season.

My only fear is it's when Favre is noticeably in decline (thankfully not seeing it yet but this may be his last year) or with Rodgers looking pedestrian at the helm.

[BF4MVP]

Pipe dream.

[LL2]

Pipe dream.

True, but GB would go from mediocre prospects to playoff contender overnight. It would be awesome if TT would give LJ a front loaded contract using 10 mil of that unspent cap money. Give LJ 10 mil this year and 10 mil next year. LJ would do more for GB than Moss would have ever done.

[MJZiggy]

Then what are you gonna resign Williams (et al) with?

[LL2]

Then what are you gonna resign Williams (et al) with?

:idea: Funny money!

[Brandon494]

LJ is too old and has taken a pounding the last few seasons. Wait til next sign when we'll sign Micheal Turner! :D

[ND72]

LJ is too old and has taken a pounding the last few seasons. Wait til next sign when we'll sign Micheal Turner! :D

Johnson turns 28 this year...only his 4th NFL season

[Guiness]

Heh - the other guy in KC is more likely to land here than LJ.

When KC signs LJ (they will) Priest Holmes is let go, and he's more likely to end up here than LJ.

[green_bowl_packer]

Last night during the Redskins vs. Titans game Adam Schefter of NFL network said the Chiefs and LJ were getting close to getting a contract worked out. I'd take a look at Priest Holmes though, couldn't hurt.

[Bretsky]

Then what are you gonna resign Williams (et al) with?


The cap will go up again next year, which would allow GB plenty of room to sign Williams.

I'd agree to hope for TT to do this is a pipe dream

[PaCkFan_n_MD]

Holmes comeback bid interesting, but much working against him

Aug. 9, 2007
By Clark Judge
CBS SportsLine.com Senior Writer

RIVER FALLS, Wis. -- Kansas City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson isn't here but is expected to be with the club for its Sept. 9 opener in Houston. Priest Holmes is here, but his chances of being there for the Chiefs' first game are unclear.

In fact, if I had to guess now, I'd say he probably doesn't make it.


That has nothing to do with Holmes' recovery from a devastating neck injury that kept him sidelined since the middle of the 2005 season. Holmes is in camp and working out until he's cleared to return to the field.

He looks good. He sounds better. And he's determined to make the club for the opener with Houston.

"There's no doubt about it," he said. "I'm going to look good coming out of that tunnel, especially playing in Texas. Half that crowd's going to be there for me. I already know that. And I'm going to give them something to see. I can't wait."

First, he must give coach Herman Edwards something to see, and that's where this could get sticky. Edwards wants to remake the Chiefs into a younger, faster club, which could make it difficult for Holmes, 33 -– especially with Edwards saying he won't hold a spot for him.

What could make it more difficult is that Holmes said he probably won't be ready to play until the third preseason game, which gives Edwards and his staff a maximum of two starts to determine if he can help.

That leaves little margin for error.

Then there's this: If the Chiefs have Johnson and keep Michael Bennett and Kolby Smith, where does that leave Priest Holmes? Edwards insisted he isn't purging the club of veterans, but he wants them only if they're contributors.

I guess the question, then, is: At this stage of his career, what can Priest Holmes contribute?

Well, the guy did set a league record for touchdowns. And he was a three-time Pro Bowl choice, an All-Pro and a two-time team MVP. But he hasn't played in nearly two years, with the Chiefs uncertain what he offers now.

Holmes will try to explain.

"My first year in the league was with Earnest Byner," he said. "I looked at him, and he was 35, and I said, 'There's no way I'll be playing in my 30s; no way I'd even be thinking about playing if I was 35.' But here I am at 33.

"One of the things not in the game anymore is that leadership from guys who've done it over the years; guys who've gone through everything you can imagine -- injury situations, financial and contractual holdouts -- and can give that wisdom and knowledge to younger guys.

"And every team needs that. Regardless of whether you're playing or not. A team needs it. A team needs someone to be there to explain to these guys why they're doing the things they're doing."

In a sense, then, Holmes would serve as a part-time coach. Only he could serve as a big-time backup, too, capable of taking turns as a third-down back or goal-line specialist. Remember: Holmes produced 66 touchdowns in 38 games from 2002-2004.

Edwards understands that. He also understands that Holmes missed half of the 2004 and the 2005 seasons before sitting out last year. That makes him a mystery, with Edwards unsure what happens next.

"Priest is not one to say, 'Hey, you owe me,'" said Edwards. "He's not like that. He's here for a reason. In his head he feels he can help this team."

No kidding. How do you think he got this far?

"There shouldn't be any way that I should be back," Holmes said. "I've been on the couch too long with the clicker. But I believe in myself and what I have inside of me and the process that it takes."

The process is ongoing, with the Chiefs waiting on Johnson and Holmes. Johnson plays the minute he returns; Holmes must earn a spot on a team he once carried. The odds are against him, but Holmes isn't dismayed.

"I'm living in greatness," he said. "I have not touched the football, not touched the track or done a situp or a pushup in the last 22 months. I haven't done anything. So, to the untrained eye, there's no way I can come back and run with these guys.

"It's like: Are you telling me that after 22 months you're just going to throw on pads as if it's the next business meeting? Well, yeah, because it is a business to me. I know how to be an athlete and how to be a professional.

"The perception of the pain that you are going through is not what you should focus on. The end is what you should focus on. When you're given a path you walk it proudly and don't back down from it. As far as making this team, it will be interesting to see what comes of it."

Amen.