Larry Johnson rumbling?

[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.