Worst Case Scenario: Larry Johnson (#1) (1 Viewer)

[MLBrandow]

I wanted to start a forum series here of worst case scenarios on big injuries to key players. I'll start a new one every few days or so, and I'll try to keep track for anyone interested.

NOTE: THIS THREAD IS JUST PRETEND. DONT HOLY CRAP YOUR PANTS!

Okay, here's the situation:

It's week 1 and Larry Johnson just broke his leg after 7 rushes for 90 yards and a TD. You're safe this week and you eek out with a win in your ever-important redraft money-league. There's a chance he could play again in ten weeks, but if the Chiefs are not in the playoff race, he's lost for the season. Priest Holmes announced his team-anticipated retirement days before training camp began. You had no handcuff RB. Your other RBs are Jamal Lewis, Mike Anderson and TJ Duckett, plus whatever's available on the waiver wire (you have priority pick). In your super competitive league, your friends and co-workers would sooner laugh at you than hear anything close to a fair trade offered their way.

Okay, frustrated that our #1 pick could be lost for the season, we start to sort things out.

Who replaces him? Is it RBBC or next in line? How effective are they this season? Could they be a gem? What will tthe coaches do? Pass more? Throw in the white flags and go home? Failure is not an option with that $1000 pot and a year's worth of bragging rights laughing at you through the computer screen....

...Let's fix this mess! Find all the stats, old newspaper clippings and wire taps in Arrowhead Stadium and figure out the solution before one of the other owners!

 

[Armando]

It's time to break out the Reebok Pumps again for Dee Brown.

 

[MLBrandow]

It's time to break out the Reebok Pumps again for Dee Brown.

Third-year running back joined the Chiefs on April 21st … Well-traveled performer has spent time on the active roster of three different clubs, serving with Carolina (2001-02), Pittsburgh (2003) and Cleveland (2004) ... Expected to compete for a reserve role at running back and on special teams … Versatile player who can return kickoffs in addition to contributing on offense … Has shown the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield … Owns 21 games (three starts) of NFL experience … Has 102 carries for 360 yards (3.5 avg.) with four TDs and 17 receptions for 86 yards (5.1 avg.) with a score … Also has one pass attempt, 26 kickoff returns for 496 yards (19.1 avg.) and six special teams tackles … All of his offensive stats came as a member of the the Panthers in 2002. Link

This does not look promising!

Anyone know anything about this guy, how he was in college? Says he's a good receiver, what are his prospects under the best OL and FB in the league? Can he keep the Chiefs competitive until LJ gets back?

 

[Slinger]

Okay, so I did crap in my pants, but my backup plan, if Larry Johnson were to break both of his legs tomorrow, would be Adrian Peterson in 2007.

 

[Peyton Marino]

OMG NOOOOO!!!!!

 

[MLBrandow]

Let's get creative.... this is a perfectly plausible problem.... surely we can't tank our seasons after week 1?

Anyone have any info on how the coaches see Brown?

 

[Anonymous Internet User]

In other words -- who is LJ's backup?

The correct answer is Quentin Griffin.

 

[Chaos Commish]

In other words -- who is LJ's backup?

The correct answer is Quentin Griffin.

Could be, but nothing is definite yet. KC RB2 could end up anyone of four people at the moment. Q and Dee probably have the first crack, but two big bruising hard running rooks are in camp. One could emerge. Howard should make the team as a fullback if nothing else and could end up being the best RB option should LJ (heaven forbid) break his leg. All the guesswork in the world is useless at this point. We just need to be patient and follow training camp.

 

[MLBrandow]

Given that, I'd vote some sort of system close to the Priest/LJ system of last year.

Griffin would be an intriguing handcuff, and practically free in all but the largest drafts.

 

[Slider]

I guess you just say this is what I deserve for taking him #1. Why would you do that in the first place?

 

[Shrek]

How do you have priority on the waiver wire when you won your first week's game?

 

[MLBrandow]

How do you have priority on the waiver wire when you won your first week's game?

Some of my leagues base it on who has made what roster moves. Say everyone else made a move and you didn't, you'd have the priority waiver pick.

 

[Bizkiteer]

All those with Priest Holmes will likely win their league because they got a 100+ yd & multiple TD RB late in the draft, plus their high pick used on another RB.

Those in re-draft that used their #1 pick overall on him out SOL because their 2nd RB was picked 2.10,2.12 or worse. OUCH! Pack it up, pack it in look forward to next season to begin!

Those in Dynasty, hopefully they were smart and got Priest as a handcuff (since most got LJ to handcuff Priest a few yrs ago) or anotehr real RB option to at least give them a chance at this season. Here's hoping that they have some flex formation option too.

 

[MLBrandow]

All those with Priest Holmes will likely win their league because they got a 100+ yd & multiple TD RB late in the draft, plus their high pick used on another RB.

Those in re-draft that used their #1 pick overall on him out SOL because their 2nd RB was picked 2.10,2.12 or worse. OUCH! Pack it up, pack it in look forward to next season to begin!

Those in Dynasty, hopefully they were smart and got Priest as a handcuff (since most got LJ to handcuff Priest a few yrs ago) or anotehr real RB option to at least give them a chance at this season. Here's hoping that they have some flex formation option too.

Even though this is a hypothetical situation, the actual chances of Priest playing football again are very low.

 

[thecardiackid]

How do you have priority on the waiver wire when you won your first week's game?

Our WW system (applicable post week 1), is W/L (losers get preference), then of those 8, total points (lowest gets the nod - and so on...). Pre-season, it's FCFS.

 

[Shrek]

How do you have priority on the waiver wire when you won your first week's game?

Our WW system (applicable post week 1), is W/L (losers get preference), then of those 8, total points (lowest gets the nod - and so on...). Pre-season, it's FCFS.

I understand that, and I play in leagues with these rules. I also am not trying to ridicule the hypothetical situation. I am simply saying it would be unlikely because most leagues operate as you stated. Before the start of week 1, FCFS. After week 1 games have started, worst record (with points scored as tie breaker) getting priority. So to assume that most people could start remedying their situation by getting the first pick off the waiver wire after week 1 is not being realistic. The scenario should probably include options that examine who might go off the waiver wire before you get to choose.

ETA: I see that the thread originator has now edited the situation in the first post. I am interested to see what solutions are offered now.

 

[renesauz]

There is no perfect answer to this scenario. This EXACT type of scenario is exactly why I'd prefer not to have a top three pick most years!

The answer is MOSTLY in the draft. If you've drafted well, you have at LEAST one other Rb CAPABLE of being a #1. With luck, you may have two worthy to start.

If you don't have two other starters, then either you have plenty of WR depth to trade from, or you are no shark and shouldn't be in these forums anyway!

(I lost my #2, #3, and #5 picks to injury early last year, and still went to my SB)

 

[Shiver44]

I'd already have Dee Brown as my backup, in case, so I wouldn't need to pick him up. Same with LaDainian Tomlinson (Michael Turner) and Shaun Alexander (Maurice Morris + Madden Curse). If i'd have one of those elite backs, in great situations, I would handcuff them for sure.

As for Dee Brown;

Chiefs | D. Brown No. 2 for now

Sat, 24 Jun 2006 21:25:28 -0700

Sports Xchange reports Kansas City Chiefs RB Dee Brown emerged from spring drills as the backup to starting RB Larry Johnson. However, head coach Herm Edwards also made it clear that he still thinks Johnson's backup may be a more established player, RB Priest Holmes. "I'm still anticipating Priest coming back," Edwards said again this week. "If he does, then we've got two starting running backs, and not many teams have that luxury. If Priest isn't the guy, then Dee Brown gets the first shot. If he can't do the job, we look some place else."

 

[ChampBailey24]

Larry Johnson just broke his leg

 

[MLBrandow]