Larry Johnson lashes out (1 Viewer)

[Hoss_Cartwright]

After being removed from passing downs for the second straight week Sunday, Larry Johnson lashed out at the Chiefs organization in his post-game presser.

"Something's going on -- I just don't know what it is," he said. "I'm going to sit down and talk with someone. I've always needed 20-30 carries (in a game), that's always been me." If Johnson blocked, he probably would've been in. Asked if he envisions himself as a part of the Chiefs' future, L.J. replied "Right now, I don't see it." Sep. 14 - 7:16 pm et

Source: Associated Press

 

[Banger]

what is the Chiefs future? They seem about 3 years away from being average.

 

[FavreCo]

This really shouldn't be a surprise to anyone paying attention. Herminated. OL from the Holmes days is gone. No QB.

What do you expect?

 

[Lauryn]

After being removed from passing downs for the second straight week Sunday, Larry Johnson lashed out at the Chiefs organization in his post-game presser."Something's going on -- I just don't know what it is," he said. "I'm going to sit down and talk with someone. I've always needed 20-30 carries (in a game), that's always been me." If Johnson blocked, he probably would've been in. Asked if he envisions himself as a part of the Chiefs' future, L.J. replied "Right now, I don't see it." Sep. 14 - 7:16 pm etSource: Associated Press

cry more, washed-up player

 

[Pat Patriot]

After being removed from passing downs for the second straight week Sunday, Larry Johnson lashed out at the Chiefs organization in his post-game presser."Something's going on -- I just don't know what it is," he said. "I'm going to sit down and talk with someone. I've always needed 20-30 carries (in a game), that's always been me." If Johnson blocked, he probably would've been in. Asked if he envisions himself as a part of the Chiefs' future, L.J. replied "Right now, I don't see it." Sep. 14 - 7:16 pm etSource: Associated Press

cry more, washed-up player

I hardly think Johnson is washed up but the Chiefs are a trainwreck.

 

[One]

Was he benched in the 2nd half?

Makes no sense why he'd be nonexhistent in a fairly close game ...It's the Raiders! anything can happen.

So much for keeping your best players on the field.

 

[BigRed]

Yeah LJ can't believe they didn't keep feeding you the ball, what with only being down 18 and your gaudy 1.8 YPC and all.

The silver lining is maybe they are finally getting a clue that Croyle blows, but the OL still needs work and both LJ and Gonzo aren't exactly in their prime anymore.

 

[Banger]

Yeah LJ can't believe they didn't keep feeding you the ball, what with only being down 18 and your gaudy 1.8 YPC and all. The silver lining is maybe they are finally getting a clue that Croyle blows, but the OL still needs work and both LJ and Gonzo aren't exactly in their prime anymore.

Croyle was hurt and didn't play...

 

[Righetti]

interesting

 

[Hoss_Cartwright]

Coach Herm Edwards emphasized the team still had confidence in Larry Johnson after the RB lashed out at the team in his post-game interview Sunday.

"We haven't lost any confidence in him at all," Edwards said. "He's still our starter and still the guy we're going to most often. We'd like him to touch the ball 20, 25 times every game. But is doesn't always work out that way." Johnson played poorly Sunday against an Oakland defense that was throttled in Week 1. Johnson owners should be concerned if his production doesn't improve quickly.

Source: Kansas City Star

 

[TheFanatic]

I said it all offseason. Any team whose coach says they need to get 7 starters out of the draft is going to be the suck. I don't think LJ is washed up. If he were traded to the Pats he would be a monster. I just think the guys around him are so bad that there is no way this guy can do anything. They've already played their 3rd QB and it's only week 3.

With that D not stopping anyone, they can't expect to do anything with the running game.

 

[ShadowMaster]

Herminated

 

[Statcruncher]

When your team is down early and you're not the best receiving and blitz pick-up RB on the team odds are you are going to sit on passing downs. LJ needs to perform with his actions, not his mouth. As a great man once said, it's time to "take the diapers off".

 

[Statler & Waldorf]

I was at the Pats/Chiefs game on week one and I was shocked that he wasn't in the game when the Chiefs were trying to tie it up at the end. I'm an LJ owner, but Pats fan first so I was happy to see that, but I found it odd that they didn't have their best player on the field at that moment. You could say the Pats goal line D is good, or yadda yadda yadda, but when the game is on the line, you want the best player with the ball. He carried it once and then was out for the next two or three snaps.

 

[TheFanatic]

When your team is down early and you're not the best receiving and blitz pick-up RB on the team odds are you are going to sit on passing downs. LJ needs to perform with his actions, not his mouth. As a great man once said, it's time to "take the diapers off".

I thought LJ had great hands?

 

[Banger]

When your team is down early and you're not the best receiving and blitz pick-up RB on the team odds are you are going to sit on passing downs. LJ needs to perform with his actions, not his mouth. As a great man once said, it's time to "take the diapers off".

I thought LJ had great hands?

he does.

 

[Wildcat]

Any guess on how he will do against Atlanta this week? My guess is more of the same. With no threat of a passing attack, the Falcons should key off Johnson all day.

 

[Statcruncher]

When your team is down early and you're not the best receiving and blitz pick-up RB on the team odds are you are going to sit on passing downs. LJ needs to perform with his actions, not his mouth. As a great man once said, it's time to "take the diapers off".

I thought LJ had great hands?

LJ has good hands, but that's only half of the equation. He's not the best receiving and blitz pick-up RB on the roster. In obvious passing downs they don't want LJ trying to protect what fragile little talent is still standing in the pocket.

 

[Otis]

Serious question: why does Herm Edwards have a job in professional football?

It's like an investment banker keeps losing billions for his companies, and yet he's offered up another job at the next big company. Guy is awful. Scratch the QBs, scratch the coach, start over.

/thread

 

[MDSkinner]

Serious question: why does Herm Edwards have a job in professional football?It's like an investment banker keeps losing billions for his companies, and yet he's offered up another job at the next big company. Guy is awful. Scratch the QBs, scratch the coach, start over./thread

He is there because he is friends with Carl Peterson. Nothing more to it than that.Probably a lot like those investment bankers. Good networking.

 

[Deuce'sWild]

LJ's situation is awful. He fell to me in the late 2nd round and I just felt like I had to take him there. I didn't want him to be there, but had to do it. I have Forte J. Stewart on the bench having good games. I give LJ one more week to produce then he's getting replaced.

 

[mozzy84]

I guess there was a reason he was there in the third...he's not seeing my starting lineup for awile anyways.

 

[TitusIII]

They should have traded hom while they had the chance, for their benefit and Johnson's. There is still plenty of talent left in the tank, but it will go to waste in KC. Are they pretty much stuck with his contract?

 

[T Bell]

When your team is down early and you're not the best receiving and blitz pick-up RB on the team odds are you are going to sit on passing downs. LJ needs to perform with his actions, not his mouth. As a great man once said, it's time to "take the diapers off".

I thought LJ had great hands?

he does.

Yep. If you want someone to make a diamond shape with their hands, he's your man!

 

[PatsFan72]

Serious question: why does Herm Edwards have a job in professional football?It's like an investment banker keeps losing billions for his companies, and yet he's offered up another job at the next big company. Guy is awful. Scratch the QBs, scratch the coach, start over./thread

He is there because he is friends with Carl Peterson. Nothing more to it than that.Probably a lot like those investment bankers. Good networking.

He takes teams on the bubble, and bursts them. He's a tax write-off machine.

 

[inca911]

LJ's situation is awful. He fell to me in the late 2nd round and I just felt like I had to take him there. ... I give LJ one more week to produce then he's getting replaced.

Don't wait one more week. Put him on the bench now until he starts producing.

 

[aburt19]

what is the Chiefs future? They seem about 3 years away from being average.

The Chiefs will be average 3 years AFTER Herm Edwards leaves.

 

[T Bell]

LJ's situation is awful. He fell to me in the late 2nd round and I just felt like I had to take him there. ... I give LJ one more week to produce then he's getting replaced.

Don't wait one more week. Put him on the bench now until he starts producing.

It's amazing to say but LJ is obviously below LenDale in fantasy value right now simply because LenDale's offense actually gives him goalline opportunities, and while LJ gets more carries, neither guy gets much ypc such that the extra carries don't help much anyway.

 

[Kitrick Taylor]

Week 2 was LJ's worst game as a pro. I know things don't look very rosy right now, but I don't think its time to over react. Oakland was coming off of a dismal performance vs. Denver's passing game. They showed up this week and played much better. Much the same as the Lions defense showed up to play against Ryan Grant (15 carries 20 yards) this week after Turner burned them for 220 the week before.

Atlanta has not fared well against RBs yet. They gave up 80/1 combined to Kevin Smith week 1, and 16/128/1 to Earnest Graham week 2. Warrick Dunn even chipped in with 15/70/1 combined.

Larry Johnson started off the season poorly last year too. His first three weeks were similar to what we have seen so far this year. Then he put up:

(combined yardage)

28/148

14/15

33/143/1

28/133/1

22/95/2 in the game where he broke his foot.

I am not saying he's going to be great this year. I have my concerns too. I do believe much better weeks lie ahead.

 

[mphtrilogy]

Week 2 was LJ's worst game as a pro. I know things don't look very rosy right now, but I don't think its time to over react. Oakland was coming off of a dismal performance vs. Denver's passing game. They showed up this week and played much better. Much the same as the Lions defense showed up to play against Ryan Grant (15 carries 20 yards) this week after Turner burned them for 220 the week before. Atlanta has not fared well against RBs yet. They gave up 80/1 combined to Kevin Smith week 1, and 16/128/1 to Earnest Graham week 2. Warrick Dunn even chipped in with 15/70/1 combined. Larry Johnson started off the season poorly last year too. His first three weeks were similar to what we have seen so far this year. Then he put up: (combined yardage)28/14814/1533/143/128/133/122/95/2 in the game where he broke his foot.I am not saying he's going to be great this year. I have my concerns too. I do believe much better weeks lie ahead.

consider me overreactingI've moved him for the headache knows as Chad J.. I am stocked at rb, and will take .10 on the dollar at this point, I need help at wr.. so I'm done with Herm and company now.

 

[H.K.]

Week 2 was LJ's worst game as a pro. I know things don't look very rosy right now, but I don't think its time to over react. Oakland was coming off of a dismal performance vs. Denver's passing game. They showed up this week and played much better. Much the same as the Lions defense showed up to play against Ryan Grant (15 carries 20 yards) this week after Turner burned them for 220 the week before.

Atlanta has not fared well against RBs yet. They gave up 80/1 combined to Kevin Smith week 1, and 16/128/1 to Earnest Graham week 2. Warrick Dunn even chipped in with 15/70/1 combined.

Larry Johnson started off the season poorly last year too. His first three weeks were similar to what we have seen so far this year. Then he put up:

(combined yardage)

28/148

14/15

33/143/1

28/133/1

22/95/2 in the game where he broke his foot.

I am not saying he's going to be great this year. I have my concerns too. I do believe much better weeks lie ahead.

Last year was a long time ago. Look at the bolded numbers in your post.

LJ won't get anywhere near that level of touches this season, nor is he getting any scoring opportunities.

After two games last year, LJ had 10 receptions for 76 yards on 13 targets. Those receiving numbers made him viable.

This year he has one catch in two games...one target.

This situation has devolved to make LJ completely useless in any scoring format.

 

[harryhood]

Week 2 was LJ's worst game as a pro. I know things don't look very rosy right now, but I don't think its time to over react. Oakland was coming off of a dismal performance vs. Denver's passing game. They showed up this week and played much better. Much the same as the Lions defense showed up to play against Ryan Grant (15 carries 20 yards) this week after Turner burned them for 220 the week before.

Atlanta has not fared well against RBs yet. They gave up 80/1 combined to Kevin Smith week 1, and 16/128/1 to Earnest Graham week 2. Warrick Dunn even chipped in with 15/70/1 combined.

Larry Johnson started off the season poorly last year too. His first three weeks were similar to what we have seen so far this year. Then he put up:

(combined yardage)

28/148

14/15

33/143/1

28/133/1

22/95/2 in the game where he broke his foot.

I am not saying he's going to be great this year. I have my concerns too. I do believe much better weeks lie ahead.

Last year was a long time ago. Look at the bolded numbers in your post.

LJ won't get anywhere near that level of touches this season, nor is he getting any scoring opportunities.

After two games last year, LJ had 10 receptions for 76 yards on 13 targets. Those receiving numbers made him viable.

This year he has one catch in two games...one target.

This situation has devolved to make LJ completely useless in any scoring format.

It's weird, how does a QB(croyle, thigpen, ect) who has no real talent, NOT rely on this guy to just dump the ball off and move the chains. I didn't watch the last game but here is Thigpen's second series after taking over for Huard. At this point in time it was only 6-0 Oakland1-10-KC 20 (10:57) 4-T.Thigpen pass incomplete short right to 10-M.Hagans [56-D.Burgess].

2-10-KC 20 (10:50) 4-T.Thigpen pass incomplete short left to 82-D.Bowe (21-N.Asomugha).

3-10-KC 20 (10:43) (Shotgun) 4-T.Thigpen pass incomplete short right to 80-J.Webb (24-M.Huff).

4-10-KC 20 (10:39) 2-D.Colquitt punts 66 yards to OAK 14, Center-51-J.Darche. 15-J.Higgins to OAK 33 for 19 yards (56-D.Johnson).

To me that is just not smart football, but maybe I am blinded being a LJ owner.

 

[joffer]

When your team is down early and you're not the best receiving and blitz pick-up RB on the team odds are you are going to sit on passing downs. LJ needs to perform with his actions, not his mouth. As a great man once said, it's time to "take the diapers off".

I thought LJ had great hands?

LJ has good hands, but that's only half of the equation. He's not the best receiving and blitz pick-up RB on the roster. In obvious passing downs they don't want LJ trying to protect what fragile little talent is still standing in the pocket.

wait, you think Kolby Smith and/or Jamaal Charles are better at picking up the blitz than LJ?

 

[Statcruncher]

Kansas City's team average yards per carry year

2001 4.5 (QB Trent Green)

2002 5.1 (QB Trent Green)

2003 4.3 (QB Trent Green)

2004 4.6 (QB Trent Green)

2005 4.6 (QB Trent Green)

2006 3.8 (WITHOUT QB Trent Green for 8 games)

2006 4.6 (QB Trent Green for 8 games)

2007 3.2 (WITHOUT QB Trent Green)

2008 3.4 (WITHOUT QB Trent Green)

I really think the situation has very little to do with the RB's and more to do with the passing game. We all know for a while the KC O-line was dominant and that fueled some of the success of Priest Holmes, Larry Johnson, and even some scrub named Kolby Smith had over the years. However many people way underestimate Trent Green and KC's overlooked passing attack which kept D's honest.

Without Green in the pocket go the passing attack has never been respected and D's can more easily stack the run. Green's first two years were statistically his worst but still better than what they've done without him:

2001 3,783 yards 17 TD's and 24 INT's

2002 3,690 yards 26 TD's and 13 INT's

Each of the other 3 full seasons he played he averaged 4,214 yards 23 TD's and 13 INT's. Without that threat at QB I think any Chiefs RB is in a very bad situation. I agree LJ will still have some good games, but I'm very glad he's not on my roster. The Chiefs QB position is probably worse than the Bears, and that's not good.

 

[Statcruncher]

When your team is down early and you're not the best receiving and blitz pick-up RB on the team odds are you are going to sit on passing downs. LJ needs to perform with his actions, not his mouth. As a great man once said, it's time to "take the diapers off".

I thought LJ had great hands?

LJ has good hands, but that's only half of the equation. He's not the best receiving and blitz pick-up RB on the roster. In obvious passing downs they don't want LJ trying to protect what fragile little talent is still standing in the pocket.

wait, you think Kolby Smith and/or Jamaal Charles are better at picking up the blitz than LJ?

Yes. And I'm not the only one who thinks so. From Fanball:

September 16, 2008

After complaining about his lack of carries in the Chiefs Week 2 loss to Oakland, Kansas City running back Larry Johnson will be toting the rock quite a bit, according to the Kansas City Star. "He’ll still our starter and still the guy we’re going to most often. We’d like him to touch the ball 20, 25 times every game," Chiefs coach Herm Edwards said.

Our View:The problem is that the Chiefs were playing from behind and had to throw the ball Week 2. They also used other backs in passing situations in order to overcome Johnson's shortcomings at pass blocking. Fantasy owners may be in for a long season with Johnson, however, as the Chiefs will probably be playing from behind often this year.

September 14, 2008

 

[Disco Stu]

When your team is down early and you're not the best receiving and blitz pick-up RB on the team odds are you are going to sit on passing downs. LJ needs to perform with his actions, not his mouth. As a great man once said, it's time to "take the diapers off".

I thought LJ had great hands?

LJ has good hands, but that's only half of the equation. He's not the best receiving and blitz pick-up RB on the roster. In obvious passing downs they don't want LJ trying to protect what fragile little talent is still standing in the pocket.

wait, you think Kolby Smith and/or Jamaal Charles are better at picking up the blitz than LJ?

Yes. And I'm not the only one who thinks so. From Fanball:

September 16, 2008

After complaining about his lack of carries in the Chiefs Week 2 loss to Oakland, Kansas City running back Larry Johnson will be toting the rock quite a bit, according to the Kansas City Star. "He’ll still our starter and still the guy we’re going to most often. We’d like him to touch the ball 20, 25 times every game," Chiefs coach Herm Edwards said.

Our View:The problem is that the Chiefs were playing from behind and had to throw the ball Week 2. They also used other backs in passing situations in order to overcome Johnson's shortcomings at pass blocking. Fantasy owners may be in for a long season with Johnson, however, as the Chiefs will probably be playing from behind often this year.

September 14, 2008

The only problem with that theory is that it was Charles failing in blitz pick-up that got their starting QB hurt in week 1.

 

[Banger]

Kansas City's team average yards per carry year

2001 4.5 (QB Trent Green)

2002 5.1 (QB Trent Green)

2003 4.3 (QB Trent Green)

2004 4.6 (QB Trent Green)

2005 4.6 (QB Trent Green)

2006 3.8 (WITHOUT QB Trent Green for 8 games)

2006 4.6 (QB Trent Green for 8 games)

2007 3.2 (WITHOUT QB Trent Green)

2008 3.4 (WITHOUT QB Trent Green)

I really think the situation has very little to do with the RB's and more to do with the passing game. We all know for a while the KC O-line was dominant and that fueled some of the success of Priest Holmes, Larry Johnson, and even some scrub named Kolby Smith had over the years. However many people way underestimate Trent Green and KC's overlooked passing attack which kept D's honest.

Without Green in the pocket go the passing attack has never been respected and D's can more easily stack the run. Green's first two years were statistically his worst but still better than what they've done without him:

2001 3,783 yards 17 TD's and 24 INT's

2002 3,690 yards 26 TD's and 13 INT's

Each of the other 3 full seasons he played he averaged 4,214 yards 23 TD's and 13 INT's. Without that threat at QB I think any Chiefs RB is in a very bad situation. I agree LJ will still have some good games, but I'm very glad he's not on my roster. The Chiefs QB position is probably worse than the Bears, and that's not good.

It has everything to do with the line and a little to do with the QB. Look at Minn with TJax..is he much better than Croyle, Huard, me? It's all about the line and as soon as their line started showing cracks Green turned into a crappy QB overnight.Look at Garrard this year...he was great last year and picked teams apart while throwing only a few picks..fast forward to this year, their line is decimated and they can't move the ball on the ground and he looks horrible. Same thing goes for Bulger. He was one of the best QB's in the league and now he can do anything. It starts and ends with the line. If a QB isn't given time to throw or RB isn't given space to run it changes everything. You talk about Green in the pocket and you don't get a pocket without a line...right now it's like a jail break at the snap and all the d-lineman/lb'ers meet at the QB. It's a joke.

 

[Wildcat]

When your team is down early and you're not the best receiving and blitz pick-up RB on the team odds are you are going to sit on passing downs. LJ needs to perform with his actions, not his mouth. As a great man once said, it's time to "take the diapers off".

I thought LJ had great hands?

LJ has good hands, but that's only half of the equation. He's not the best receiving and blitz pick-up RB on the roster. In obvious passing downs they don't want LJ trying to protect what fragile little talent is still standing in the pocket.

wait, you think Kolby Smith and/or Jamaal Charles are better at picking up the blitz than LJ?

Apparently the Chiefs think so too as inferred in the last two paragraphs in this article:http://www.kansascity.com/385/story/796791.html

The Chiefs take Johnson out of the game in passing situations because they believe he is not as proficient as Charles or Smith as a pass receiver or blocker. Johnson was late to block the blitzing linebacker Thomas Howard in the first quarter, and Howard sacked Damon Huard for an 8-yard loss.

“I’m 7 yards back,” Johnson said. “I can’t fly up there. It’s just not going to happen.”

 

[T Bell]

Kansas City's team average yards per carry year

2001 4.5 (QB Trent Green)

2002 5.1 (QB Trent Green)

2003 4.3 (QB Trent Green)

2004 4.6 (QB Trent Green)

2005 4.6 (QB Trent Green)

2006 3.8 (WITHOUT QB Trent Green for 8 games)

2006 4.6 (QB Trent Green for 8 games)

2007 3.2 (WITHOUT QB Trent Green)

2008 3.4 (WITHOUT QB Trent Green)

I really think the situation has very little to do with the RB's and more to do with the passing game. We all know for a while the KC O-line was dominant and that fueled some of the success of Priest Holmes, Larry Johnson, and even some scrub named Kolby Smith had over the years. However many people way underestimate Trent Green and KC's overlooked passing attack which kept D's honest.

Without Green in the pocket go the passing attack has never been respected and D's can more easily stack the run. Green's first two years were statistically his worst but still better than what they've done without him:

2001 3,783 yards 17 TD's and 24 INT's

2002 3,690 yards 26 TD's and 13 INT's

Each of the other 3 full seasons he played he averaged 4,214 yards 23 TD's and 13 INT's. Without that threat at QB I think any Chiefs RB is in a very bad situation. I agree LJ will still have some good games, but I'm very glad he's not on my roster. The Chiefs QB position is probably worse than the Bears, and that's not good.

. . . unless the losses of Trent Green in those seasons was the direct result of the very o-line problems plaguing LJ those same years . . .