Roaf wants to help LJ hit 2,000 (1 Viewer)

[drpill]

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=nfl&id=2430533

Chiefs' Roaf has put aside all thoughts of retirement

Associated Press

National Football League News Wire

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Willie Roaf's mammoth body just turned 36 and he's feeling spry as a cat.

No more sore hamstrings. No more aching knees. And, most importantly to Kansas City fans with dreams of a Super Bowl - or at least their first playoff win in 13 years - no more thoughts of retirement.

If Larry Johnson is going to rush for 2,000 yards and the Chiefs' aging offense is going to make one last run at a championship, then the Pro Bowl left tackle does not want to be left out.

He's even working about as hard as he ever did in postseason conditioning drills. Stopping for an interview on Tuesday after a vigorous workout, his massive upper torso was drenched with sweat.

"I feel good," he said. I'm working with the young guys. I'm still strong. I just have to make sure I keep running and take care of my conditioning."

He's also impressed with first-year head coach Herm Edwards. It was a conversation with his new boss that helped persuade Roaf - who turned 36 on April 16 - to come back for what is going to be his 14th season of trading body blows with very large, very aggressive men who every year seem to get younger and younger.

"I had a meeting with coach Edwards. He's a great coach," Roaf said. "He's been around, played in the league a long time. It made sense to come back next year and give it another chance. Talking to him, I just thought we had some unfinished business. We needed to get back and see what we could do."

With 12 Pro Bowl selections, the 320-pound Roaf can lay claim to being one of the best tackles in the game. Just as teammate Will Shields, also with 12 Pro Bowl selections, is considered one of the best guards.

At one time last year, it appeared both might be ending their careers. Roaf missed six games with various injuries, principally a pulled hamstring, and Shields battled arthritis in his lower back.

But first Shields and now Roaf have decided to take one more lap, one more shot at the Super Bowl appearance that has always eluded them.

"I thought about (retiring). I talked to Will and some of the guys," Roaf said. "Then last year we finished so strong at the end of the year. It was great seeing Will come back. That helped, too."

A 37-3 rout of playoff-bound Cincinnati in the regular season finale left the Chiefs with five wins in their last seven games and a 10-6 record. They were the only 10-win team not to make the postseason.

"We were laughing and having a good time when we played Cincinnati," Roaf said. "At the end of the year, guys were feeling good. We were having a lot of fun. I was feeling good"

Along with tight end Tony Gonzalez and left guard Brian Waters, Kansas City put four members of its offensive line in the Pro Bowl and paved the way for Johnson to become a star in his first season as a starter. Stepping in for an injured Priest Holmes the last nine games, Johnson rushed for over 100 yards each time, ending up with 1,750 yards and a Pro Bowl invitation.

Now, there will be an increased emphasis on the running game with new offensive coordinator Mike Solari. Johnson is guaranteed to be the starter from the opening kickoff of the season, whether Holmes decides to return or not. Many fans are speculating on the possibility of a 2,000-yard season for the fourth-year Penn State product.

"It would be great for me to be a part of Larry Johnson rushing for 2,000 yards, at this time in my career," Roaf said. "That's something I never imagined being a part of, and that would be exciting."

If this becomes a team goal and motivator, LJ is possibly in for a more monstrous season than most of us expect. Does this kind of talk solidify him as the number one fantasy running back?

 

[BigTex]

Roaf and I have something in common.

 

[CalBear]

This is no more likely to happen than LT's 2000 was last year, or Priest's in 2004. (LT finished with 1462, Priest with 892).

2000 yards requires a lot of very specific conditions, most of which don't appear to be present in KC. Their passing game is too good and their defense too weak. I don't doubt that LJ has the talent to run for 2000 yards, but he won't have the opportunity.

 

[BroncoFreak_2K3]

This is no more likely to happen than LT's 2000 was last year, or Priest's in 2004.    (LT finished with 1462, Priest with 892).

2000 yards requires a lot of very specific conditions, most of which don't appear to be present in KC.  Their passing game is too good and their defense too weak.  I don't doubt that LJ has the talent to run for 2000 yards, but he won't have the opportunity.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I was thinking the same thing about LT's prediction last year. He helped me out, that's for sure, but got nowhere near that 2K mark he set his sights on preseason.

 

[thayman]

This is no more likely to happen than LT's 2000 was last year, or Priest's in 2004.    (LT finished with 1462, Priest with 892).

2000 yards requires a lot of very specific conditions, most of which don't appear to be present in KC.  Their passing game is too good and their defense too weak.  I don't doubt that LJ has the talent to run for 2000 yards, but he won't have the opportunity.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

[Phlash]

This is no more likely to happen than LT's 2000 was last year, or Priest's in 2004.    (LT finished with 1462, Priest with 892).

2000 yards requires a lot of very specific conditions, most of which don't appear to be present in KC.  Their passing game is too good and their defense too weak.  I don't doubt that LJ has the talent to run for 2000 yards, but he won't have the opportunity.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The guy started week 7 and weeks 9 - 17Thats about 10 weeks of starting. A pretty good size for an evaluation

He had 1444 yards in those 10 weeks combined. That's average of 144.4 yards a game. Over a season, that's 2310 yards. His passing game also happened to put up 4k+ yards, so I don't think that was detracting from his overall rushing numbers all that much. The offense is so good it makes up for the lack of defense (which, btw, is going to get better this season with Herm as the coach). They keep drives alive, allowing Johnson to touch the ball 30+ times a game like he prefers.

2000 yards is around what I'd expect from the kid this season. He is so talented and just coming into his prime.

 

[thayman]

This is no more likely to happen than LT's 2000 was last year, or Priest's in 2004.    (LT finished with 1462, Priest with 892).

2000 yards requires a lot of very specific conditions, most of which don't appear to be present in KC.  Their passing game is too good and their defense too weak.  I don't doubt that LJ has the talent to run for 2000 yards, but he won't have the opportunity.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The guy started week 7 and weeks 9 - 17Thats about 10 weeks of starting. A pretty good size for an evaluation

He had 1444 yards in those 10 weeks combined. That's average of 144.4 yards a game. Over a season, that's 2310 yards. His passing game also happened to put up 4k+ yards, so I don't think that was detracting from his overall rushing numbers all that much. The offense is so good it makes up for the lack of defense (which, btw, is going to get better this season with Herm as the coach). They keep drives alive, allowing Johnson to touch the ball 30+ times a game like he prefers.

2000 yards is around what I'd expect from the kid this season. He is so talented and just coming into his prime.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes, but 2000 is VERY hard to do. I would never try to dispute his ability to rush for 2 grand, but he also has never carried the full workload of 30+ touches. That is 480 touches over the entire season.....If he stays healthy, and if the KC line stays healthy, and if they don't get into too many shootouts....so many variables, to say that you expect 2000 yds, I think you are setting yourself up for disappointment.

 

[Phlash]

This is no more likely to happen than LT's 2000 was last year, or Priest's in 2004.    (LT finished with 1462, Priest with 892).

2000 yards requires a lot of very specific conditions, most of which don't appear to be present in KC.  Their passing game is too good and their defense too weak.  I don't doubt that LJ has the talent to run for 2000 yards, but he won't have the opportunity.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The guy started week 7 and weeks 9 - 17Thats about 10 weeks of starting. A pretty good size for an evaluation

He had 1444 yards in those 10 weeks combined. That's average of 144.4 yards a game. Over a season, that's 2310 yards. His passing game also happened to put up 4k+ yards, so I don't think that was detracting from his overall rushing numbers all that much. The offense is so good it makes up for the lack of defense (which, btw, is going to get better this season with Herm as the coach). They keep drives alive, allowing Johnson to touch the ball 30+ times a game like he prefers.

2000 yards is around what I'd expect from the kid this season. He is so talented and just coming into his prime.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes, but 2000 is VERY hard to do. I would never try to dispute his ability to rush for 2 grand, but he also has never carried the full workload of 30+ touches. That is 480 touches over the entire season.....If he stays healthy, and if the KC line stays healthy, and if they don't get into too many shootouts....so many variables, to say that you expect 2000 yds, I think you are setting yourself up for disappointment.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

In my opinion, the chances of him not getting to 2k yards are about the same as him getting to 2k - 50%/50%Never has a RB been at the talent level or situation to do it since LJ. The reason guys like Holmes couldn't was because of lack of talent (I stand by my assessment that Holmes was just a good RB behind a godly OL) or lack of offensive help (LT has a good rush defense, good QB, great TE, but his OL left something to be desired). I know its improbable to predict a RB to get to 2,000, but if anyone is going to do it this season it is going to be Larry Johnson.

 

[thayman]

This is no more likely to happen than LT's 2000 was last year, or Priest's in 2004.    (LT finished with 1462, Priest with 892).

2000 yards requires a lot of very specific conditions, most of which don't appear to be present in KC.  Their passing game is too good and their defense too weak.  I don't doubt that LJ has the talent to run for 2000 yards, but he won't have the opportunity.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The guy started week 7 and weeks 9 - 17Thats about 10 weeks of starting. A pretty good size for an evaluation

He had 1444 yards in those 10 weeks combined. That's average of 144.4 yards a game. Over a season, that's 2310 yards. His passing game also happened to put up 4k+ yards, so I don't think that was detracting from his overall rushing numbers all that much. The offense is so good it makes up for the lack of defense (which, btw, is going to get better this season with Herm as the coach). They keep drives alive, allowing Johnson to touch the ball 30+ times a game like he prefers.

2000 yards is around what I'd expect from the kid this season. He is so talented and just coming into his prime.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes, but 2000 is VERY hard to do. I would never try to dispute his ability to rush for 2 grand, but he also has never carried the full workload of 30+ touches. That is 480 touches over the entire season.....If he stays healthy, and if the KC line stays healthy, and if they don't get into too many shootouts....so many variables, to say that you expect 2000 yds, I think you are setting yourself up for disappointment.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

In my opinion, the chances of him not getting to 2k yards are about the same as him getting to 2k - 50%/50%Never has a RB been at the talent level or situation to do it since LJ. The reason guys like Holmes couldn't was because of lack of talent (I stand by my assessment that Holmes was just a good RB behind a godly OL) or lack of offensive help (LT has a good rush defense, good QB, great TE, but his OL left something to be desired). I know its improbable to predict a RB to get to 2,000, but if anyone is going to do it this season it is going to be Larry Johnson.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Nice avatar by the way......and I would agree that IF anyone does it LJ has about the best shot. But then again, every off season some RB is going to hit that 2K mark. I seem to remember last year, that everyone was talking how LT couldn't miss hitting 2 grand.

 

[Phlash]

This is no more likely to happen than LT's 2000 was last year, or Priest's in 2004.    (LT finished with 1462, Priest with 892).

2000 yards requires a lot of very specific conditions, most of which don't appear to be present in KC.  Their passing game is too good and their defense too weak.  I don't doubt that LJ has the talent to run for 2000 yards, but he won't have the opportunity.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The guy started week 7 and weeks 9 - 17Thats about 10 weeks of starting. A pretty good size for an evaluation

He had 1444 yards in those 10 weeks combined. That's average of 144.4 yards a game. Over a season, that's 2310 yards. His passing game also happened to put up 4k+ yards, so I don't think that was detracting from his overall rushing numbers all that much. The offense is so good it makes up for the lack of defense (which, btw, is going to get better this season with Herm as the coach). They keep drives alive, allowing Johnson to touch the ball 30+ times a game like he prefers.

2000 yards is around what I'd expect from the kid this season. He is so talented and just coming into his prime.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes, but 2000 is VERY hard to do. I would never try to dispute his ability to rush for 2 grand, but he also has never carried the full workload of 30+ touches. That is 480 touches over the entire season.....If he stays healthy, and if the KC line stays healthy, and if they don't get into too many shootouts....so many variables, to say that you expect 2000 yds, I think you are setting yourself up for disappointment.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

In my opinion, the chances of him not getting to 2k yards are about the same as him getting to 2k - 50%/50%Never has a RB been at the talent level or situation to do it since LJ. The reason guys like Holmes couldn't was because of lack of talent (I stand by my assessment that Holmes was just a good RB behind a godly OL) or lack of offensive help (LT has a good rush defense, good QB, great TE, but his OL left something to be desired). I know its improbable to predict a RB to get to 2,000, but if anyone is going to do it this season it is going to be Larry Johnson.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Nice avatar by the way......and I would agree that IF anyone does it LJ has about the best shot. But then again, every off season some RB is going to hit that 2K mark. I seem to remember last year, that everyone was talking how LT couldn't miss hitting 2 grand.
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You have a damn good av by the way as well Anyways, I do remember everyone saying to draft LT #1 overrall because of how studly he was and the fact that he would be motivated towards 2K yards. However, just like then, there are going to be people who think this is a realistic possibility and those that do not. I guess I'm on the side that thinks he will get his 2K yards, although I know that many will disagree with me

 

[CalBear]

The guy started week 7 and weeks 9 - 17

Thats about 10 weeks of starting. A pretty good size for an evaluation

He had 1444 yards in those 10 weeks combined. That's average of 144.4 yards a game. Over a season, that's 2310 yards. His passing game also happened to put up 4k+ yards, so I don't think that was detracting from his overall rushing numbers all that much. The offense is so good it makes up for the lack of defense (which, btw, is going to get better this season with Herm as the coach). They keep drives alive, allowing Johnson to touch the ball 30+ times a game like he prefers.

2000 yards is around what I'd expect from the kid this season. He is so talented and just coming into his prime.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

This guy started weeks 10-17; he put up 906 yards in those 8 weeks in 2004. He must be good for at least 1500 in 2005, right? Nope, 664 total yards, no 100 yard games. (Kevin Jones).

I forget if it was Dodds or Yudkin who had a report on second-half splits, and found that the full-year performance in year n+1 of guys with great second-half splits in year n was only marginally better than the numbers put up in the second half of year n. (That is, the full-year performance was near the half-year performance of the previous year).

Larry Johnson got 336 carries last year; that's more than Priest Holmes or Marshall Faulk ever got in a full season. The most carries any **** Vermeil back has ever gotten was 338 (Wilburt Montgomery, 1979). If LJ gets 350 carries, he'd need to average over 5.7 yards per carry to hit 2000 rushing yards. He averaged 5.2 in 2005; if he averages 5.2 in a full season in 2006 (unlikely) he would need 385 carries to break 2000 yards. No running back in the league had 385 carries in 2004 or 2005; only two backs have had that many carries since Y2K (Williams and Lewis, both in 2002).

Johnson will not have 385 carries in 2006, and he will probably not average 5.2 ypc either.

 

[David Yudkin]

When extrapolating small samples into full seasons, people often forget that there are other components to review before simply saying PLAYER X WOULD HAVE HAD 2,400 YARDS RUSHING OVER A FULL SEASON.

In this case, Larry Johnson averaged 29 carries a game from Week 9 on when he took over as the #1 RB. The problem here, of course, is that 29 carries a game works out to 464 carries over a full season.

Only 4 RB have hit 400 carries in a season, with the single season record set by Jamal Anderson at 410.

The chances of any RB getting 400 carries is remote. Since 1960, as I mentioned there were 4 times that it's happened (out of 19,437 total seasons played by RB).

Even if Johnson were to keep his 5.2 ypc from last year, he'd still need 385 carries to eclipse 2K--and that's happened only 12 times.

The odds certainly are against Johnson getting 2,000 yards rushing--but he probably has the best chance out of any RB if he can stay healthy.

 

[Rig24]

Forget 2k yards, I want to see 25+ TD's.

 

[Fodasme69]

Forget 2k yards, I want to see 25+ TD's.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

[On The Rocks]

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=nfl&id=2430533

If this becomes a team goal and motivator, LJ is possibly in for a more monstrous season than most of us expect. Does this kind of talk solidify him as the number one fantasy running back?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

any player or team that talks about doing it before doing it.......it is the sure kiss of death.