Whitlock: Productive LJ could be costly

tk13 · 11-13-2005, 02:23 AM

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansas...s/13153185.htm

Productive L.J. could be costly
Johnson steps into starring role as only young offensive talent the Chiefs have

JASON WHITLOCK
Kansas City Star

Intelligence and backbone can be a football player’s greatest curses.

You can know too much and be too willing to express what you know. As Larry Johnson begins his reign as Kansas City’s go-to offensive weapon today in Buffalo, it will be interesting to track how Johnson’s backbone and intelligence affect his dealings with the Chiefs.

The early word is that L.J. is in the process of shopping for a new agent, cutting ties with Marvin Demoff, which is an indication that L.J. will soon be shopping for a restructured contract from the Chiefs. His rookie deal expires in 2008.

With Priest Holmes on injured reserve once again, finished as an every-down back and quite possibly headed for a San Antonio retirement home, Johnson has unprecedented leverage. He’s the only Kansas City offensive regular with major upside who is an ascending player.

Willie Roaf, Will Shields, Trent Green, Tony Richardson, Casey Wiegmann and Eddie Kennison are all descending players because of age and experience. Tony Gonzalez and Brian Waters can maintain their status as arguably the best tight end and best guard in football, respectively.

Johnson is the most valuable and most rare resource the Chiefs have. He’s a young, offensive playmaker, the only one the Chiefs have. The Chiefs desperately need a happy and productive Larry Johnson.

The problem for the Kansas City Chiefs is that L.J.’s intelligence and backbone might make it impossible for L.J. to ever be happy here, particularly without a new contract.

You see, I can envision a scenario in which L.J. seeks punitive damages in his next contract. Intelligent people with backbone are often cursed with a long memory and an unforgiving spirit. An apology isn’t good enough. They want an apology, a public admittance of the error and what led to it, and a $acrifice as a sign that it won’t happen again.

You follow?

For two years, Dick Vermeil and Al Saunders treated Johnson like they were doing him a favor letting him suit up and practice with their record-setting, playoff-winless offense. You’d have thought L.J. ran a 5.5 40-yard dash the way Vermeil and Saunders treated him. They took Johnson for granted.

Johnson, a first-round pick, was third string behind Derrick Blaylock. Is there anyone left who believes Blaylock is a better running back than Johnson?

Johnson hasn’t forgotten. He runs with anger and resentment. His public comments don’t even attempt to mask his anger and resentment. He has a right to be mad. Nothing is more maddening to an athlete/competitor than sitting on the bench behind an inferior player because of politics. It leaves deep scars.

Johnson got caught in the middle of a draft-day personnel disagreement between Carl Peterson and Vermeil. For two years, Johnson was never objectively evaluated or properly developed.

Vermeil and Saunders, if they’re back next season, will have to do more than apologize to L.J. in private to make things right. Vermeil made the diapers comment in public. To square things with Johnson, Vermeil will need to admit publicly that he mishandled Johnson, and Peterson will have to pony up some more of Lamar Hunt’s money.

Or maybe it will take a new coach to straighten things out in Kansas City. Vermeil came to Kansas City with the idea of taking this team to the Super Bowl in two or three years. We’re halfway through year five, and the Chiefs don’t appear to be on the road to the Super Bowl.

About the only thing that could get this squad on track would be Johnson making the absolute most of this opportunity to be the man. He could be the consistent spark Vermeil’s offense needs, the spark that could save Vermeil’s dying Super Bowl plan.

L.J. could save Vermeil. Now that’s funny, and it’s some new-contract leverage that I’m sure L.J. will use.

**RealSNR** · 11-13-2005, 02:26 AM

As long as Johnson makes his case for more money on the field, I have no problem. Show him the dough, Carl!

Chiefs Pantalones · 11-13-2005, 03:41 AM

If LJ plays great, pay the man.

I have no problems, either.

mikey23545 · 11-13-2005, 05:57 AM

Nothing but Fatlock's usual attempt to sow discord anywhere he can...

Otter · 11-13-2005, 06:16 AM

I'm going to make Whitlock and taco "squeels like a pig" john dinner reservations at KC Masterpiece so they can discuss how nothing good will every come out of a Chiefs Running Back.

fuck you Whitclock you obese shit stirring pig. You're a dinner away from choking on a wing bone.

Otter · 11-13-2005, 06:28 AM

For the record you fat turd, I graduated from Penn State Johnson’s freshman year. I probably know more about him than you do.

He's going to make you eat your words. But that shouldn't be a problem for a man of your girth.

Hell, you could probably swallow him whole like a duck does with a trout.

**HemiEd** · 11-13-2005, 06:46 AM

Once again, he is trying to be destructive. Larry finally gets what he wants, and Fatlock has to jack with him.

you arrogant, Fatlock

**the Talking Can** · 11-13-2005, 06:48 AM

Whitlock is giddy...he had this article written a long time ago and filed under "Priest Retires".

Color Red · 11-13-2005, 08:01 AM

Hey give Johnson the franchise player tag. That'll make him happy. But no one owes LJ an apology. Whitlock acts like Larry gets to show his comparitive value by matching his best seasoned performance against Priest's worst injured day. There are reasons why Holmes played and Johnson sat in those early days of the two, reasons that are usually lost to fans in the stands. Whitlock acts like the reasons didn't exist and he has written an article hoping to capitalize on people's ignorance of them. Not a responsible journalistic service.

CHIEF4EVER · 11-13-2005, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Color Red

Whitlock acts like the reasons didn't exist and he has written an article hoping to capitalize on people's ignorance of them. Not a responsible journalistic service.

That would be that hacks M.O. in any given article. Just throw some BS out there and see what kind of a rise it gets out of fans. He is just bitter that CP didn't hire his secret lover Jeff George to "save the franchise".

Ebolapox · 11-13-2005, 08:19 AM

DO IT, CARL!!!!!

-EB-

Extra Point · 11-13-2005, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Otter

fuck you Whitclock you obese shit stirring pig. You're a dinner away from choking on a wing bone.

Yeah, a vulture wing.

jspchief · 11-13-2005, 08:29 AM

We'll be lucky if all LJ wants is more money.

IMO, he's going to want out of town.

**Skip Towne** · 11-13-2005, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jspchief

We'll be lucky if all LJ wants is more money.

IMO, he's going to want out of town.

I'm afraid you're right.

Extra Point · 11-13-2005, 08:42 AM

No, he'll just want DV out of town.

11-13-2005, 02:23 AM
tk13 ... Join Date: Nov 2001 Casino cash: $-1837500	Whitlock: Productive LJ could be costly http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansas...s/13153185.htm Productive L.J. could be costly Johnson steps into starring role as only young offensive talent the Chiefs have JASON WHITLOCK Kansas City Star Intelligence and backbone can be a football player’s greatest curses. You can know too much and be too willing to express what you know. As Larry Johnson begins his reign as Kansas City’s go-to offensive weapon today in Buffalo, it will be interesting to track how Johnson’s backbone and intelligence affect his dealings with the Chiefs. The early word is that L.J. is in the process of shopping for a new agent, cutting ties with Marvin Demoff, which is an indication that L.J. will soon be shopping for a restructured contract from the Chiefs. His rookie deal expires in 2008. With Priest Holmes on injured reserve once again, finished as an every-down back and quite possibly headed for a San Antonio retirement home, Johnson has unprecedented leverage. He’s the only Kansas City offensive regular with major upside who is an ascending player. Willie Roaf, Will Shields, Trent Green, Tony Richardson, Casey Wiegmann and Eddie Kennison are all descending players because of age and experience. Tony Gonzalez and Brian Waters can maintain their status as arguably the best tight end and best guard in football, respectively. Johnson is the most valuable and most rare resource the Chiefs have. He’s a young, offensive playmaker, the only one the Chiefs have. The Chiefs desperately need a happy and productive Larry Johnson. The problem for the Kansas City Chiefs is that L.J.’s intelligence and backbone might make it impossible for L.J. to ever be happy here, particularly without a new contract. You see, I can envision a scenario in which L.J. seeks punitive damages in his next contract. Intelligent people with backbone are often cursed with a long memory and an unforgiving spirit. An apology isn’t good enough. They want an apology, a public admittance of the error and what led to it, and a $acrifice as a sign that it won’t happen again. You follow? For two years, Dick Vermeil and Al Saunders treated Johnson like they were doing him a favor letting him suit up and practice with their record-setting, playoff-winless offense. You’d have thought L.J. ran a 5.5 40-yard dash the way Vermeil and Saunders treated him. They took Johnson for granted. Johnson, a first-round pick, was third string behind Derrick Blaylock. Is there anyone left who believes Blaylock is a better running back than Johnson? Johnson hasn’t forgotten. He runs with anger and resentment. His public comments don’t even attempt to mask his anger and resentment. He has a right to be mad. Nothing is more maddening to an athlete/competitor than sitting on the bench behind an inferior player because of politics. It leaves deep scars. Johnson got caught in the middle of a draft-day personnel disagreement between Carl Peterson and Vermeil. For two years, Johnson was never objectively evaluated or properly developed. Vermeil and Saunders, if they’re back next season, will have to do more than apologize to L.J. in private to make things right. Vermeil made the diapers comment in public. To square things with Johnson, Vermeil will need to admit publicly that he mishandled Johnson, and Peterson will have to pony up some more of Lamar Hunt’s money. Or maybe it will take a new coach to straighten things out in Kansas City. Vermeil came to Kansas City with the idea of taking this team to the Super Bowl in two or three years. We’re halfway through year five, and the Chiefs don’t appear to be on the road to the Super Bowl. About the only thing that could get this squad on track would be Johnson making the absolute most of this opportunity to be the man. He could be the consistent spark Vermeil’s offense needs, the spark that could save Vermeil’s dying Super Bowl plan. L.J. could save Vermeil. Now that’s funny, and it’s some new-contract leverage that I’m sure L.J. will use.
Posts: 56,683

11-13-2005, 03:41 AM	#3
Chiefs Pantalones GO CHIEFS!!!!!! Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $6868717	If LJ plays great, pay the man. I have no problems, either. __________________ Don't be fooled by my username, I'm white.
Posts: 26,653

11-13-2005, 05:57 AM	#4
mikey23545 MVP Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $10015321	Nothing but Fatlock's usual attempt to sow discord anywhere he can...
Posts: 12,314

11-13-2005, 06:46 AM	#7
HemiEd Supporter Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ozarks Casino cash: $-449436	Once again, he is trying to be destructive. Larry finally gets what he wants, and Fatlock has to jack with him. you arrogant, Fatlock
Posts: 34,864

11-13-2005, 06:48 AM	#8
the Talking Can Supporter Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: street Casino cash: $9222208	Whitlock is giddy...he had this article written a long time ago and filed under "Priest Retires". __________________ Clark Hunt: "Thank god for the Dominican pool boy"
Posts: 51,585

11-13-2005, 08:01 AM	#9
Color Red Starter Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Colorado Casino cash: $9975245	Hey give Johnson the franchise player tag. That'll make him happy. But no one owes LJ an apology. Whitlock acts like Larry gets to show his comparitive value by matching his best seasoned performance against Priest's worst injured day. There are reasons why Holmes played and Johnson sat in those early days of the two, reasons that are usually lost to fans in the stands. Whitlock acts like the reasons didn't exist and he has written an article hoping to capitalize on people's ignorance of them. Not a responsible journalistic service.
Posts: 434

11-13-2005, 08:19 AM	#11
Ebolapox remember, remember Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: como Casino cash: $-1720097	DO IT, CARL!!!!! -EB-
Posts: 26,523

11-13-2005, 08:29 AM	#13
jspchief BAMF Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Your Face Casino cash: $9998710	We'll be lucky if all LJ wants is more money. IMO, he's going to want out of town. __________________ Courage is not the absence of fear but rather the judgment that something is more important than fear. The brave may not live forever but the cautious do not live at all.
Posts: 27,207

11-13-2005, 08:42 AM	#15
Extra Point MVP Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Prairie Village, KS Casino cash: $10004900	No, he'll just want DV out of town. __________________ "Sometimes I sits and thinks, and sometimes I just sits." --Satchel Paige
Posts: 7,845