Chiefs Teicher:LJ can’t gain any ground against the Panthers - Page 2

**Tribal Warfare** · 10-06-2008, 12:48 AM

LJ can’t gain any ground against the Panthers
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star

CHARLOTTE, N.C. | Larry Johnson only thought things couldn’t get any worse than they were last month, when he rushed for 22 yards in a loss to Oakland.

That game was prosperity for Johnson compared with Sunday in the Chiefs’ 34-0 loss to Carolina. He had his lowest rushing total since becoming the Chiefs’ featured back in 2005, gaining only 2 yards on seven carries.

Unlike after the Oakland game, Johnson didn’t claim the Chiefs were phasing him out of the offense. He wasn’t even surprised at his lack of success, though he ran for 198 yards and two touchdowns in last week’s win over Denver.

“I’ve seen it coming,” Johnson said. “There are certain things in a game that you as a player know what’s going to happen. They’re going to gang up on the run because of the success we had the week before. That’s what you’ve got to live with. You’ve got to take it in stride and hopefully do better next week.”

“This is a young team, and this is what happens when you rebuild.”

The Chiefs had reason to believe Johnson and their running game was beyond a game like this. Johnson also rushed for more than 100 yards in the second half of a loss in Atlanta two weeks ago.

But the Panthers pushed the Chiefs around, stacking the line of scrimmage in wait for Johnson, and usually swamping him as soon as he gained possession. His longest run of the day was 4 yards.

The game started on an ominous note for the Chiefs. They began at their 18 after a Carolina punt. A false-start penalty on guard Adrian Jones pushed them back to the 13.

Johnson lost 2 yards on the next play. Damon Huard was sacked and fumbled on second down, but the Chiefs retained the ball after Johnson fell on it at the 3.

Huard’s third-down pass, a screen intended for Jamaal Charles, was instead knocked down at the line of scrimmage.

The Chiefs had wanted a fast offensive start like last week, when Johnson ran for 65 yards on their second play.

“We wanted to get Larry going early,” Jones said. “We’re always trying to get him going early. You always want to establish the running game. That’s part of our game plan every game. We just never got it done this time.”

Going nowhere
Larry Johnson had the lowest rushing total Sunday of all the games he has started for the Chiefs.

DATE OPPONENT CAR. YDS. TD
Oct. 5, 2008 Carolina 7 2 0
Oct. 7, 2007 Jacksonville 9 12 0
Sept. 14, 2008 Oakland 12 22 0
Oct. 15, 2006 Pittsburgh 15 26 1
Jan. 6, 2007 Indianapolis* 13 32 0
Oct. 8, 2006 Arizona 16 36 0
*indicates playoff game

InChiefsHeaven · 10-06-2008, 08:27 AM

Croyle, barring a miracle, is not the future of this team. Right now, he's auditioning for backup behind this years drafted golden boy. He can't play 16 games.

PRIEST · 10-06-2008, 08:30 AM

Blame the player all you want this pile of garbage belongs to Herm Edwards & CP, play calling everyone's mom knows whats coming ,LJ is a stud rb on any team that has Coaching staff that puts the time in to to keep the D off balance ,these fuc# tards could have the PATRIOTS & Fuc# it up

KCKY-Fan4life · 10-06-2008, 08:35 AM

when you get down by 21 points so quickly. I was at the game and had nothing to cheer about except TONY G's record breaking reception. They made a very quick announement about it and that was it. Unless you were a Chiefs fan and listening for it I doubt you even heard them mention it.

MOhillbilly · 10-06-2008, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCKY-Fan4life

when you get down by 21 points so quickly. I was at the game and had nothing to cheer about except TONY G's record breaking reception. They made a very quick announement about it and that was it. Unless you were a Chiefs fan and listening for it I doubt you even heard them mention it.

weird youd think itd be easier to run down by 21, and harder up by 21.

just sayin.

triple · 10-06-2008, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MOhillbilly

its time to bench LJ.

i agree. he's only about himself, his money and his stats. and if what i have read in the past is true, he's not well liked at all on the team.

let's use kolby smith and jamaal charles as a one-two punch. Larry Johnson can go pretend he's Jay-Z on the sideline

10-06-2008, 12:48 AM
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-2767187	Teicher:LJ can’t gain any ground against the Panthers LJ can’t gain any ground against the Panthers By ADAM TEICHER The Kansas City Star CHARLOTTE, N.C. \| Larry Johnson only thought things couldn’t get any worse than they were last month, when he rushed for 22 yards in a loss to Oakland. That game was prosperity for Johnson compared with Sunday in the Chiefs’ 34-0 loss to Carolina. He had his lowest rushing total since becoming the Chiefs’ featured back in 2005, gaining only 2 yards on seven carries. Unlike after the Oakland game, Johnson didn’t claim the Chiefs were phasing him out of the offense. He wasn’t even surprised at his lack of success, though he ran for 198 yards and two touchdowns in last week’s win over Denver. “I’ve seen it coming,” Johnson said. “There are certain things in a game that you as a player know what’s going to happen. They’re going to gang up on the run because of the success we had the week before. That’s what you’ve got to live with. You’ve got to take it in stride and hopefully do better next week.” “This is a young team, and this is what happens when you rebuild.” The Chiefs had reason to believe Johnson and their running game was beyond a game like this. Johnson also rushed for more than 100 yards in the second half of a loss in Atlanta two weeks ago. But the Panthers pushed the Chiefs around, stacking the line of scrimmage in wait for Johnson, and usually swamping him as soon as he gained possession. His longest run of the day was 4 yards. The game started on an ominous note for the Chiefs. They began at their 18 after a Carolina punt. A false-start penalty on guard Adrian Jones pushed them back to the 13. Johnson lost 2 yards on the next play. Damon Huard was sacked and fumbled on second down, but the Chiefs retained the ball after Johnson fell on it at the 3. Huard’s third-down pass, a screen intended for Jamaal Charles, was instead knocked down at the line of scrimmage. The Chiefs had wanted a fast offensive start like last week, when Johnson ran for 65 yards on their second play. “We wanted to get Larry going early,” Jones said. “We’re always trying to get him going early. You always want to establish the running game. That’s part of our game plan every game. We just never got it done this time.” Going nowhere Larry Johnson had the lowest rushing total Sunday of all the games he has started for the Chiefs. DATE OPPONENT CAR. YDS. TD Oct. 5, 2008 Carolina 7 2 0 Oct. 7, 2007 Jacksonville 9 12 0 Sept. 14, 2008 Oakland 12 22 0 Oct. 15, 2006 Pittsburgh 15 26 1 Jan. 6, 2007 Indianapolis* 13 32 0 Oct. 8, 2006 Arizona 16 36 0 *indicates playoff game
Posts: 43,419

10-06-2008, 08:27 AM	#16
InChiefsHeaven Rockin' yer FACE OFF! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Omaha, Nebraska Casino cash: $775437	Croyle, barring a miracle, is not the future of this team. Right now, he's auditioning for backup behind this years drafted golden boy. He can't play 16 games. __________________ We have a million reasons for failure, but not one excuse... Die Donks, DIE!! Holy Crap fellas!!! We did it!!! THREE TIMES!!!
Posts: 27,174

10-06-2008, 08:30 AM	#17
PRIEST Wtf now Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Cocoa Fl Casino cash: $533207	Blame the player all you want this pile of garbage belongs to Herm Edwards & CP, play calling everyone's mom knows whats coming ,LJ is a stud rb on any team that has Coaching staff that puts the time in to to keep the D off balance ,these fuc# tards could have the PATRIOTS & Fuc# it up
Posts: 2,946

10-06-2008, 08:35 AM	#18
KCKY-Fan4life KC Fan in Carolina Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Charlotte, NC Casino cash: $10004900	Hard to run... when you get down by 21 points so quickly. I was at the game and had nothing to cheer about except TONY G's record breaking reception. They made a very quick announement about it and that was it. Unless you were a Chiefs fan and listening for it I doubt you even heard them mention it.
Posts: 65