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Larry Johnson to Cincinnati (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter yoadrian
- Start date
PantherPower
Footballguy
something more to Benson's hip that we thought? 
Significant Shrinkage
Footballguy
This is not good if true. Benson & Scott not good enough?
Buffaloes
Footballguy
winning has a tendency to cure a lot of ails. Benson seems to have worked out ok and there were the same types of question marks surrounding him before he signed w/ the Bengals. I think LJ fits that offense well and would be a decent replacement should Benson miss a few weeks.
Larry Johnson, RB KC
News: ESPN reports that RB Larry Johnson is on his way to Cincinnati to sign with the Bengals. Johnson, who was released by the Chiefs last Monday, was expected to sign with a playoff contender. Johnson's signing might signal that starting RB Cedric Benson's hip injury is worse than the team is letting on.
Analysis: If Johnson's signing in Cincinnati becomes official, he'll have the chance to start taking touches away from Benson almost immediately. Johnson will be running behind a fantastic offensive line, and even though he won't see every carry like he pretty much did in Kansas City, he should be able to pitch in and find the end zone. He's worth claiming off waivers and stashing on benches for the time being.
News: ESPN reports that RB Larry Johnson is on his way to Cincinnati to sign with the Bengals. Johnson, who was released by the Chiefs last Monday, was expected to sign with a playoff contender. Johnson's signing might signal that starting RB Cedric Benson's hip injury is worse than the team is letting on.
Analysis: If Johnson's signing in Cincinnati becomes official, he'll have the chance to start taking touches away from Benson almost immediately. Johnson will be running behind a fantastic offensive line, and even though he won't see every carry like he pretty much did in Kansas City, he should be able to pitch in and find the end zone. He's worth claiming off waivers and stashing on benches for the time being.
yoadrian
Footballguy
Or maybe Benson's legs just gave out on him. Knew this could happen sooner or later with the amount of work he was getting..something more to Benson's hip that we thought?
jurb26
Footballguy
Why allow your season to fade away because your running game is going to fizzle down the stretch (if Benson is out for a significant amount of time)? I could easily see Cinci signing LJ to a 1 year deal as a stop-gap for the remainder of this season. If he doesn't shape up when he's there they cut him like KC did, only much cheaper.LJ's timing seems to be uncanny right now. Several RBs went down to injury this week and his value is no doubt on the way up bug time.
Significant Shrinkage
Footballguy
Any chance that Benson is okay, and they just want to have a capable backup to reduce his carries/be an injury replacement instead of relying on a rookie?
Banger
Footballguy
I'm not sure how to read this. I have to assume that Benson's hip is worse than advertised or possibly they are looking for him to come in and take 8-10 carries a game. It'll be interesting to hear what Benson's status is. What's odd is that he's not really a complementary back in that he's got a pretty similar game as Benson, i.e. workhorse, pounder, not a great receiver, etc.. so there wouldn't be much of a change of pace between the two backs.This has the potential to be absolute gold though if Benson is out because the Bengals have a cake schedule down the stretch with Oak, Clev, Det, Minn, SD and KC. There's only 1 good defense and the rest are pretty bad.
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yoadrian
Footballguy
I kind of agree here, but I think Larry is better at catching the ball than Cedric.
I was thinking the same thing. Maybe they just think LJ is a better backup than Scott.
Banger
Footballguy
probably but they are pretty similar backs which makes it kind of odd unless they aren't looking to modify the offense at all and are just looking to plug in a similar back.
steviey
Footballguy
If Benson's injury is minor like they are letting on there is no way they are bringing in LJ to replace him as the starter is there? The guy is running lights out, is quite a bit younger and has way less mileage on him. So if he is healthy he may lose some carries to LJ but surely he will remain the feature back. Someone please agree with me on this 
steviey
Footballguy
I sure hope so.
Banger
Footballguy
I mean it is possible but I thought it was kind of odd in their biggest game of the year, he goes out with a hip problem, doesn't come back, and then they say he should be fine for next week? If he was so fine, why not come back in what is essentially the battle for the division and playoff berth.
Significant Shrinkage
Footballguy
Hypothetical: Let's say the Vikings didn't have Chester Taylor and are standing at 8-1. AP is dinged but not going to miss any time and has been getting a heavy workload recently. Their backup is an unproven rookie w/ less than 25 career carries. Would it not make sense to sign Larry Johnson? Seems like that is the situation here. Agreed?
certificate
Footballguy
Presumably whoever does a better job will be the feature back. Most people think that will be Benson.If Benson's injury is minor like they are letting on there is no way they are bringing in LJ to replace him as the starter is there? The guy is running lights out, is quite a bit younger and has way less mileage on him. So if he is healthy he may lose some carries to LJ but surely he will remain the feature back. Someone please agree with me on this
bcr8f
Footballguy
A chance of this? Sure, but LJ would probably want a chance to start.
Avery
Footballguy
Agreed expect Benson is no Peterson and we don't know if Benson is simply "dinged but not going to miss any time".Except for that, spot on.
Banger
Footballguy
who knows. Who was Benson before last year? He was a step away from being out of the game after essentially being a bust in Chicago. He was in the same spot as LJ midway through the season after being cut by his team. Now he landed in a very good spot and got ALL the touches but there's no reason for me to think that LJ couldn't be just as effective in that offense (I know I'll get a parade of "he's done"'s). We'll see soon enough...If Benson's injury is minor like they are letting on there is no way they are bringing in LJ to replace him as the starter is there? The guy is running lights out, is quite a bit younger and has way less mileage on him. So if he is healthy he may lose some carries to LJ but surely he will remain the feature back. Someone please agree with me on this
Casting Couch
Footballguy
Benson has been one of the top RBs in the league this year.LJ has virtually ZERO chance to start unless Benson is injured.And I do think Benson is injured more than they had originally thought.good signing.
certificate
Footballguy
That's a good point, I really doubt LJ signed to be a backup. I'd be willing to bet that at least he thinks that he's going to get quite a few carries, or else why sign?
Banger
Footballguy
if that's the case, why not sign him last week? They had the same need right? The difference between last week and this week was their starting RB left the game with an injury.
MCguidance
Footballguy
Casting Couch
Footballguy
precisely.LJ is nothing more than insurance for a playoff bound team.
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Banger
Footballguy
well insurance or their new starting RB.
certificate
Footballguy
That's the view from the perspective of the Bengals, but it takes two to sign a contract. Why does LJ sign with a team that is using him as nothing more than insurance?
yoadrian
Footballguy
Facts:-LJ is 30 yrs olds-Bernard Scott seems to be locked in the special teams role-Benson is no spring chicken-Benson was averaging 25 carries per game in the first 8 games-Benson has been running with a stout OL all seasonI think if anything, barring a season ending injury from Benson (which I doubt), LJ will split with Benson or take some of his carries away. Which honestly doesn't make either choice look great IMOIf Benson's injury is minor like they are letting on there is no way they are bringing in LJ to replace him as the starter is there? The guy is running lights out, is quite a bit younger and has way less mileage on him. So if he is healthy he may lose some carries to LJ but surely he will remain the feature back. Someone please agree with me on this
Casting Couch
Footballguy
Which takes me back to my original post that Benson's injury is more serious than they thought yesterday.With a healthy Benson and a healthy LJ, Benson is the unquestioned starter.
thats why i avoid Benson every year. We know he's a bust, soft and will get hurt at some point.
Sammy Traveller
Footballguy
this legitimizes LJ's behavior in Kansas City. If he can verbally discriminate against a group in order to get out of a bad team and sign with a better team, then other players would want to follow his example.
the Bengals, with their history of malcontents, almost seem like the perfect fit for him.
the Bengals, with their history of malcontents, almost seem like the perfect fit for him.
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Project Mayhem
Footballguy
As a Bengal fan, I'm totally into this. If Benson is down for any stretch of time, LJ and Scott share the load. Like someone else said, we get to see if LJ was washed up or just in a horrific situation. If Benson is fine, hes a good insurance policy as well. As much as I like Scott, I don't want him to carry the full load, regardless of the "seemingly easy" schedule going forward.
I'm also of the opinion that "team chemistry" is overrated.
I'm also of the opinion that "team chemistry" is overrated.
Banger
Footballguy
it's possible that he doesn't/didn't have the options that we assumed he had or that Benson is hurt worse than they are letting on and he is the starter.
Banger
Footballguy
I don't know that.
Casting Couch
Footballguy
Sell Sell Sell
Banger
Footballguy
this is the NFL...You have guys that shoot people, dui's, beat their girlfriends, hit and runs, run dog killing operations, use/sell drugs, and on and on and if people seriously thought what he did was going to keep him from another job they are naive. The only thing that was going to keep him from getting another job is if he had no skills left.
B-Deep
Footballguy
Has anyone else made an offer? I doubt there's a starting RB job waiting for LJ out there or they woulda made the call already
Tenacious
Footballguy
Not that I agree with LJ's behavior. But there is MUCH worse behavior in the NFL year in and year out.(unwelcomed)GUEST
Footballguy
Cinci is poised to make a run, who knows how deep into the playoffs? Maybe LJ was sold on the idea of a possibility of a ring before his career is done. HC Lewis has built this team much like the Ravens ala 2000-2001 but with a much better QB & rec. core. Lewis was also in Bmore when RayLewis was on trial and if memory serves me correctly, when Jamal Lewis was on trial for cocaine trafficking. Both had record breaking seasons coming out of those incidents. Not saying those things are direct correlations but doesn't hurt when trying to get LJ on board, even in a back-up role. Great risk for the Bengals depending on the contract with huge upside. Its also a relatively easy sell to Benson. He knows that LJ aint a spring chicken that will challenge his role in future years but does have the potential to help this team succeed this year if he's injured.
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Beetlejuice
Footballguy
Nothing to see here beyond pushing Bernard Scott out until next year as the primary backup to Benson. This ends no differently than the Shaun Alexander stint in Washington. Age, declining YPC...many similarities between the two. If Ced is truly injured now or in the future LJ being the bellcow will not end well for the Bengals.
Sammy Traveller
Footballguy
according to Ocho Cinco Network:
@OGOchoCinco OCNN BREAKING NEWS: LJ hasn't signed with Bengals, when and if he does ill tweet the ROC is n bldg
@OGOchoCinco OCNN BREAKING NEWS: LJ hasn't signed with Bengals, when and if he does ill tweet the ROC is n bldg
Buzzbait
Footballguy
As someone who follows the team closely & is a season tix holder here's my take.
1. There is zero..ZERO chance that LJ takes Benson's job. The coaches love his work ethic & he has done everything right both on AND off the field.
2. Benson's legs aren't giving out on him. Despite his heavy work load he 25 and we are only 9 games into the season. Not an issue. The thought that LJ's signing has anything to due with this idea is wild speculation.
3. The Bengals aren't going to promise LJ a shot at starting.
The only scenario that makes sense is that Benson is hurt more than they are letting on & they don't trust a rookie as the full time starter. If this offense was built for a RB load of 15 carries...maybe. However Cincy has turned into a smash mouth team that is built on the run to set up the pass. That means either trusting Scott to carry the ball 20-25 times a game or shifting offensive philosophy in min-season to pass more. I don't think they are interested in changing their offensive identity. Scott has proven to be a nice back to spell Benson and they trust him in that role but no more than that at this point.
I also don't agree with comments that LJ wouldn't come into a situation where he was promised a chance to start. He was just cut mid-season from a crappy team. I'm sure he's tired of losinig and he has a chance to hitch himself to a team that's playoff bound. How many other opportunites (i.e. teams) are there who appear to be playoff bound, who need a RB and who would be willing to pick up a trouble makers like LJ. Not many...maybe exactly one. LJ may be a jerk but he's in no position to demand squat right now unless he'd rather sit the rest of the season. He signs a contract for the rest of the year. plays a role to whatever degree the Bengals need, goes to the playoffs and then looks for employment for next year when the year is over.
1. There is zero..ZERO chance that LJ takes Benson's job. The coaches love his work ethic & he has done everything right both on AND off the field.
2. Benson's legs aren't giving out on him. Despite his heavy work load he 25 and we are only 9 games into the season. Not an issue. The thought that LJ's signing has anything to due with this idea is wild speculation.
3. The Bengals aren't going to promise LJ a shot at starting.
The only scenario that makes sense is that Benson is hurt more than they are letting on & they don't trust a rookie as the full time starter. If this offense was built for a RB load of 15 carries...maybe. However Cincy has turned into a smash mouth team that is built on the run to set up the pass. That means either trusting Scott to carry the ball 20-25 times a game or shifting offensive philosophy in min-season to pass more. I don't think they are interested in changing their offensive identity. Scott has proven to be a nice back to spell Benson and they trust him in that role but no more than that at this point.
I also don't agree with comments that LJ wouldn't come into a situation where he was promised a chance to start. He was just cut mid-season from a crappy team. I'm sure he's tired of losinig and he has a chance to hitch himself to a team that's playoff bound. How many other opportunites (i.e. teams) are there who appear to be playoff bound, who need a RB and who would be willing to pick up a trouble makers like LJ. Not many...maybe exactly one. LJ may be a jerk but he's in no position to demand squat right now unless he'd rather sit the rest of the season. He signs a contract for the rest of the year. plays a role to whatever degree the Bengals need, goes to the playoffs and then looks for employment for next year when the year is over.
steviey
Footballguy
Translation of ROC please?according to Ocho Cinco NetworkOGOchoCinco OCNN BREAKING NEWS: LJ hasn't signed with Bengals, when and if he does ill tweet the ROC is n bldg
Avery
Footballguy
Nothing personal, I don't think because you happen to be a fan and season ticket holder gives you any special knowledge if Benson is wearing down or not.The dude has a boatload of carries through nine games (leading the league with 205 even after missing most of last week's game) and a hip injury, that reportedly has been a nagging issues for a few weeks, may well be a sign that he is in fact wearing down a bit.
