Tucker:Chiefs RB still unhappy

Wile_E_Coyote · 10:10 PM

Chiefs RB Larry Johnson still unhappy

DOUG TUCKER

Associated Press

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercu...l/14502302.htm

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Larry Johnson wants everybody to know he is still not happy.

Not after going to the Pro Bowl. Not after rushing for a Kansas City Chiefs record 1,750 yards. Not after having fans approach him on the streets of New York and Las Vegas and tell him how great he is. Not even after hobnobbing with celebrities as a newly minted celebrity himself.

"No, I'm never happy," the running back said Thursday.

"When I feel like I'm successful in my own right, I will never be happy with anything, period. I haven't started one full season yet. I haven't gotten this team to a Super Bowl. As far as my career, it's still starting off late, I feel. So I can't overall be happy about where I'm at right now, 'cause like I said, I feel like I'm still playing catch-up."

One thing the fourth-year Penn State product has caught up with is a job as a starter. When three-time Pro Bowler Priest Holmes went out last season with neck trauma, the sullen backup finally got the chance he always said he deserved.

He started nine games and went over 100 yards each time, topping 200 twice. His 1,627 yards from scrimmage in games played on or after Nov. 1 were the most in NFL history.

Even if Holmes decides to come back and resume his career, new head coach Herman Edwards has assured Johnson that he, not Holmes, will go into camp as the starter.

That much does make him happy. So does having Edwards as his head coach instead of the retired Dick Vermeil. He and Vermeil clashed repeatedly during his first three stormy years after being taken in the first round in 2003. But now, he says, he has a head coach who's in his corner for the first time since he was a high school senior.

"For (Edwards) to come out and say that, and make it be known to everybody when we really haven't had our first minicamp yet - it's new to me. Usually, I would have to wait and wait and wait and try to figure out myself if I was going to start or not," he said. "But he stepped up and told me I was going to be a starter.

"I'm not really surprised. But at the same time, I am. I haven't had a coach like that."

Holmes, as mysterious as always, has sent word he will not participate in the Chiefs' mandatory minicamp May 19-21 because he still does not have medical clearance. Team president Carl Peterson has said that he still expects Holmes to return.

Holmes was one of the NFL's top running backs when Johnson was drafted. Nevertheless, Johnson insists he still is bitter that he did not step right in as the starter.

"I'm still two and maybe three years behind," he said. "This will be my first time starting a regular season. All I have to prove is if I can carry the load for 16 games."

Now that he's finally won the job, does he think those struggles the first two years helped make him a better player?

"Not really," he said. "It just made me a little bit more frustrated, made me a little bit more (angry) that I had to go up to the season, that I had to make up for a lot of ground, that I missed my first two seasons here. I feel like I'm still playing behind the eight-ball.

"I still feel like I have a lot to prove."

---edit---from---KCChiefs.com-----------------------------

Q: Were you surprised that Herm Edwards named you the starting running back so quickly?

LARRY JOHNSON: “I was surprised because I’m not used to have a coach that can – especially not knowing if Priest (Holmes) was going to return or not – come out and say that and let it be know to everybody when we hadn’t had our first mini-camp yet. It’s new to me. Usually I would have to wait, and wait, and wait and try to figure it out myself if was going to be starting or not, but he stepped up and told me I was going to the starter.“

Q: What did that mean to you?

JOHNSON: “I knew that I was going to be the starter sooner or later, I just had to prove to everybody else that I could step up to the challenge to handle the job and try to get this team to the Super Bowl.“

Q: Do you think the struggles you’ve had have made you a better football player?

JOHNSON: “Not really, it just made me a little more frustrated and a little more upset a the fact that I needed to make up more ground that I missed my first two seasons here. It feels like I still have to get the ball rolling because I feel like I’m still playing behind the eight-ball.“

Q: What does it feel like to lose FB Tony Richardson to free agency?

JOHNSON: “It means a lot because Tony has been a really good friend. I didn’t talk to many players on the team besides Tony. His locker’s right next to mine and we kid and joke so much that it really hurts to lose a really good friend and a bigger brother to another team. It was a really bad loss.“

Q: Are you ready to be a leader on this team both on and off the field?

JOHNSON: “There are about six or seven leaders and I’m just one of many leaders on this team. All I have to do is keep doing what I’ve been doing and lead by example and do what I did the last nine games which is step up and be a leader on the field, not necessarily off the field, but be a leader on the field mostly.“

Q: Is rushing for 2,000 yards a goal for you?

JOHNSON: “There’s only one goal and that’s to get Will Shields, Willie Roaf, Trent Green and those guys a change to go to the Super Bowl. That 2,000-yard stuff doesn’t bother me much and it’s not really one of my goals. If it happens, it happens and if I doesn’t I’ve got about four, five or maybe seven or eight years left in me to try to get that record. But Willie Roaf and Will Shields obviously don’t have as much time as I do to try to get to a Super Bowl ring.“

Q: Willie Roaf said that it would be special to him if you were able to do something like rushing for 2,000 yards. Do you think about that?

JOHNSON: “They would be a big part of that, but I think it would be better as a team if we went to the Super Bowl and got a ring. If I got 2,000 yards it would be nice, but they don’t hand out championship rings for guys who block for guys that have 2,000 yards. So I’d rather give those guys a Super Bowl and have them go on with their career and life after football with a Super Bowl ring on their hand.“

Q: What did you mean by the comment that you’re still behind the eight-ball.

JOHNSON: “Other guys are already veterans like LaDainian Tomlinson or other guys that have had shots at starting already and getting through their first starts. I’m still two, maybe three years behind because I haven’t started until the last couple games of the season. So this will be my first start to the regular season. As far as being behing the eight-ball I still have a lot to prove if I can carry the load for 16 games.“

Q: Do you feel like there is added pressure on you?

JOHNSON: “There isn’t added pressure from other people, it’s more pressure on myself because I know what I can do. It’s just a matter of making everything fit and making everything gel in the right place for me to be successful.“

Q: Do you have to change your game any knowing that you’re starting 16 games and not just nine like last year?

JOHNSON: “No, not really. If we were still playing right now after nine games I would still continue for seven more games with the same attitude I had when I started at Oakland. Nothing’s going to have to change except maybe being a little smarter as far as practice goes or as far as what I do when I’m not playing football.“

Q: Do you think the offense is going to change at all this year?

JOHNSON: “It’s basically going to stay the same. You don’t mess with greatness unless you have to do. Mike Solari knows the offense and we’re going to run the same offense we’ve been running since I’ve been here.“

Q: What were your thoughts when Mike Solari was named offensive coordinator?

JOHNSON: “I was really excited because I had a little bit more of a relationship with Mike Solari than I did with Al (Saunders). I think with Mike being more of an offensive line guy I felt better talking to him about certain things because he was the guy I had to talk to as far as what the offensive line was going to block and how they were going to block. So I was excited for Coach Solari to get that job.“

Q: Is it a legitimate concern that Mike Solari may not be as familiar with the passing game as some offensive coordinators?

JOHNSON: “It’s not a real big concern. Like I said, you don’t touch greatness and we’re going to do what I’ve been doing for the last couple seasons since I’ve been here and even before I’ve been here. We’ve always been good in different areas and tuning up different areas to make us even better.“

Q: What are your expectations of Ronnie Cruz possibly taking over the fullback position?

JOHNSON: “I expect Ronnie (Cruz) to do an outstanding job. Ronnie’s a lot younger than Tony is and is almost the same as me as far as experience but I think Ronnie knows what he has to do and knows what he wants to do. I have to make sure that he does it to the best of his ability and make sure that we sit down and have a relationship like Tony and I had. Hopefully it can last longer than four or five years.“

Q: Can you tell us about DE Tamba Hali?

JOHNSON: “My dad knows a little bit more about (Hali) than I do. I only played with him for a year when he was a freshman. I just knew that he was a great kid and obviously going back and watching the Penn State games he obviously stepped up in the Ohio State game and a couple other games that really had me watching him more than the other guys on the team.“

Q: How are you handling all the national attention you’re getting these days?

JOHNSON: “I answer questions when I need to and do interviews when I have to, but it really doesn’t bother me as far as the attention and stuff like that. I’m just having fun in the off-season and I do different things – not football-wise – that I never thought I’d get into. Now I’m going them and I’m having fun in my off-season.“

Q: Like what?

JOHNSON: “I was in Aspen, Colorado doing a Roca Wear photo shoot with Jay-Z and Beyonce. I had fun hanging out with them and then when I go to New York I hang out with him some more. There are a lot of good things that he and I talk about and it’s nice to sit down with him on that big of a stage as far as entertainment level to just kick back with and not worry about anything else.“

Q: QB Trent Green said he was impressed at how you handled yourself at the Pro Bowl. What was that experience like?

JOHNSON: “It was alright except for having to wait so late in the game to play. But I understand that we’ve got Edgerrin James and LaDainian (Tomlinson), so I’d rather not even play and just watch those guys play because they’ve been awesome in there careers. I’m just a first-timer in the Pro Bowl, so hopefully as the years go on if I make it to more Pro Bowls I can have somebody who made it for their first time say the same thing about me.“

Q: Are you enjoying being Larry Johnson?

JOHNSON: “I loved being Larry Johnson in the off-season my rookie and second year. This time I’m actually doing a little bit more stuff in the community and doing a little bit more stuff media-wise to better my career off the field. But as far as having fun, I’ve had fun my last three seasons because nobody really expected much of me. This year a lot of people expect a lot of me right now and with people coming up to me so I’ve just got to take it in stride.“

Q: Are you getting recognized in public a lot more now?

JOHNSON: “Yeah, if I have one more person say that I saved their fantasy draft I should be rich by now. It’s fun having guys recognize you. Expecially when I’m in New York and you have die-hard Giants, Yankees and Mets fans come up to you and say, ‘hey you saved my fantasy season.’ It’s funny but it’s nice to have those people rooting for you.“

Q: Are you happy overall now?

JOHNSON: “I’m never happy. When I feel like I’m successful in my own right I will never be happy with anything period. I haven’t started one full season yet, I haven’t gotten this team to a Super Bowl. As far as my career it’s still starting off late, so overall I can’t be happy where I’m at right now because I’m still playing catching up. I’m really looking forward to this season and getting things rolling because I feel like I still have a lot to prove.“

Q: Do you feel like you’ve ever had a head coach who believes in you like Coach Edwards does?

JOHNSON: “The only coach I had like that was Coach (Dave) Lintal, my high school coach my senior season. He and my dad, but he doesn’t count. He was the last guy that was really behind me when I was looking to get recruited. I wasn’t even really recruited then and he helped me out a lot as far as getting me into college and getting me where I needed to be.“

Q: You feel like Herm believes in you that way?

JOHNSON: “Yeah, it’s special. A lot of coaches that I’ve dealt with in the past and knew in the past, there are only two guys Herm and Coach Lintal that have really been behind me.“

Q: Are you happy with your current contract?

JOHNSON: “When the contract time comes I’ll answer that. Right now I’m just enjoying the off-season. I don’t have to get into contract talks until my contract’s up. That’s not even something that I even care to get into. I’m not the one who has to go to Carl Peterson and write down contracts. I don’t do that type of stuff. All they ask me to do is run the football.”

05-04-2006, 09:33 PM	Topic Starter
Wile_E_Coyote avatar down for remodel Join Date: Jul 2001 Casino cash: $10004900	Tucker:Chiefs RB still unhappy +LJ Q&A Chiefs RB Larry Johnson still unhappy DOUG TUCKER Associated Press http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercu...l/14502302.htm KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Larry Johnson wants everybody to know he is still not happy. Not after going to the Pro Bowl. Not after rushing for a Kansas City Chiefs record 1,750 yards. Not after having fans approach him on the streets of New York and Las Vegas and tell him how great he is. Not even after hobnobbing with celebrities as a newly minted celebrity himself. "No, I'm never happy," the running back said Thursday. "When I feel like I'm successful in my own right, I will never be happy with anything, period. I haven't started one full season yet. I haven't gotten this team to a Super Bowl. As far as my career, it's still starting off late, I feel. So I can't overall be happy about where I'm at right now, 'cause like I said, I feel like I'm still playing catch-up." One thing the fourth-year Penn State product has caught up with is a job as a starter. When three-time Pro Bowler Priest Holmes went out last season with neck trauma, the sullen backup finally got the chance he always said he deserved. He started nine games and went over 100 yards each time, topping 200 twice. His 1,627 yards from scrimmage in games played on or after Nov. 1 were the most in NFL history. Even if Holmes decides to come back and resume his career, new head coach Herman Edwards has assured Johnson that he, not Holmes, will go into camp as the starter. That much does make him happy. So does having Edwards as his head coach instead of the retired Dick Vermeil. He and Vermeil clashed repeatedly during his first three stormy years after being taken in the first round in 2003. But now, he says, he has a head coach who's in his corner for the first time since he was a high school senior. "For (Edwards) to come out and say that, and make it be known to everybody when we really haven't had our first minicamp yet - it's new to me. Usually, I would have to wait and wait and wait and try to figure out myself if I was going to start or not," he said. "But he stepped up and told me I was going to be a starter. "I'm not really surprised. But at the same time, I am. I haven't had a coach like that." Holmes, as mysterious as always, has sent word he will not participate in the Chiefs' mandatory minicamp May 19-21 because he still does not have medical clearance. Team president Carl Peterson has said that he still expects Holmes to return. Holmes was one of the NFL's top running backs when Johnson was drafted. Nevertheless, Johnson insists he still is bitter that he did not step right in as the starter. "I'm still two and maybe three years behind," he said. "This will be my first time starting a regular season. All I have to prove is if I can carry the load for 16 games." Now that he's finally won the job, does he think those struggles the first two years helped make him a better player? "Not really," he said. "It just made me a little bit more frustrated, made me a little bit more (angry) that I had to go up to the season, that I had to make up for a lot of ground, that I missed my first two seasons here. I feel like I'm still playing behind the eight-ball. "I still feel like I have a lot to prove." ---edit---from---KCChiefs.com----------------------------- Q: Were you surprised that Herm Edwards named you the starting running back so quickly? LARRY JOHNSON: “I was surprised because I’m not used to have a coach that can – especially not knowing if Priest (Holmes) was going to return or not – come out and say that and let it be know to everybody when we hadn’t had our first mini-camp yet. It’s new to me. Usually I would have to wait, and wait, and wait and try to figure it out myself if was going to be starting or not, but he stepped up and told me I was going to the starter.“ Q: What did that mean to you? JOHNSON: “I knew that I was going to be the starter sooner or later, I just had to prove to everybody else that I could step up to the challenge to handle the job and try to get this team to the Super Bowl.“ Q: Do you think the struggles you’ve had have made you a better football player? JOHNSON: “Not really, it just made me a little more frustrated and a little more upset a the fact that I needed to make up more ground that I missed my first two seasons here. It feels like I still have to get the ball rolling because I feel like I’m still playing behind the eight-ball.“ Q: What does it feel like to lose FB Tony Richardson to free agency? JOHNSON: “It means a lot because Tony has been a really good friend. I didn’t talk to many players on the team besides Tony. His locker’s right next to mine and we kid and joke so much that it really hurts to lose a really good friend and a bigger brother to another team. It was a really bad loss.“ Q: Are you ready to be a leader on this team both on and off the field? JOHNSON: “There are about six or seven leaders and I’m just one of many leaders on this team. All I have to do is keep doing what I’ve been doing and lead by example and do what I did the last nine games which is step up and be a leader on the field, not necessarily off the field, but be a leader on the field mostly.“ Q: Is rushing for 2,000 yards a goal for you? JOHNSON: “There’s only one goal and that’s to get Will Shields, Willie Roaf, Trent Green and those guys a change to go to the Super Bowl. That 2,000-yard stuff doesn’t bother me much and it’s not really one of my goals. If it happens, it happens and if I doesn’t I’ve got about four, five or maybe seven or eight years left in me to try to get that record. But Willie Roaf and Will Shields obviously don’t have as much time as I do to try to get to a Super Bowl ring.“ Q: Willie Roaf said that it would be special to him if you were able to do something like rushing for 2,000 yards. Do you think about that? JOHNSON: “They would be a big part of that, but I think it would be better as a team if we went to the Super Bowl and got a ring. If I got 2,000 yards it would be nice, but they don’t hand out championship rings for guys who block for guys that have 2,000 yards. So I’d rather give those guys a Super Bowl and have them go on with their career and life after football with a Super Bowl ring on their hand.“ Q: What did you mean by the comment that you’re still behind the eight-ball. JOHNSON: “Other guys are already veterans like LaDainian Tomlinson or other guys that have had shots at starting already and getting through their first starts. I’m still two, maybe three years behind because I haven’t started until the last couple games of the season. So this will be my first start to the regular season. As far as being behing the eight-ball I still have a lot to prove if I can carry the load for 16 games.“ Q: Do you feel like there is added pressure on you? JOHNSON: “There isn’t added pressure from other people, it’s more pressure on myself because I know what I can do. It’s just a matter of making everything fit and making everything gel in the right place for me to be successful.“ Q: Do you have to change your game any knowing that you’re starting 16 games and not just nine like last year? JOHNSON: “No, not really. If we were still playing right now after nine games I would still continue for seven more games with the same attitude I had when I started at Oakland. Nothing’s going to have to change except maybe being a little smarter as far as practice goes or as far as what I do when I’m not playing football.“ Q: Do you think the offense is going to change at all this year? JOHNSON: “It’s basically going to stay the same. You don’t mess with greatness unless you have to do. Mike Solari knows the offense and we’re going to run the same offense we’ve been running since I’ve been here.“ Q: What were your thoughts when Mike Solari was named offensive coordinator? JOHNSON: “I was really excited because I had a little bit more of a relationship with Mike Solari than I did with Al (Saunders). I think with Mike being more of an offensive line guy I felt better talking to him about certain things because he was the guy I had to talk to as far as what the offensive line was going to block and how they were going to block. So I was excited for Coach Solari to get that job.“ Q: Is it a legitimate concern that Mike Solari may not be as familiar with the passing game as some offensive coordinators? JOHNSON: “It’s not a real big concern. Like I said, you don’t touch greatness and we’re going to do what I’ve been doing for the last couple seasons since I’ve been here and even before I’ve been here. We’ve always been good in different areas and tuning up different areas to make us even better.“ Q: What are your expectations of Ronnie Cruz possibly taking over the fullback position? JOHNSON: “I expect Ronnie (Cruz) to do an outstanding job. Ronnie’s a lot younger than Tony is and is almost the same as me as far as experience but I think Ronnie knows what he has to do and knows what he wants to do. I have to make sure that he does it to the best of his ability and make sure that we sit down and have a relationship like Tony and I had. Hopefully it can last longer than four or five years.“ Q: Can you tell us about DE Tamba Hali? JOHNSON: “My dad knows a little bit more about (Hali) than I do. I only played with him for a year when he was a freshman. I just knew that he was a great kid and obviously going back and watching the Penn State games he obviously stepped up in the Ohio State game and a couple other games that really had me watching him more than the other guys on the team.“ Q: How are you handling all the national attention you’re getting these days? JOHNSON: “I answer questions when I need to and do interviews when I have to, but it really doesn’t bother me as far as the attention and stuff like that. I’m just having fun in the off-season and I do different things – not football-wise – that I never thought I’d get into. Now I’m going them and I’m having fun in my off-season.“ Q: Like what? JOHNSON: “I was in Aspen, Colorado doing a Roca Wear photo shoot with Jay-Z and Beyonce. I had fun hanging out with them and then when I go to New York I hang out with him some more. There are a lot of good things that he and I talk about and it’s nice to sit down with him on that big of a stage as far as entertainment level to just kick back with and not worry about anything else.“ Q: QB Trent Green said he was impressed at how you handled yourself at the Pro Bowl. What was that experience like? JOHNSON: “It was alright except for having to wait so late in the game to play. But I understand that we’ve got Edgerrin James and LaDainian (Tomlinson), so I’d rather not even play and just watch those guys play because they’ve been awesome in there careers. I’m just a first-timer in the Pro Bowl, so hopefully as the years go on if I make it to more Pro Bowls I can have somebody who made it for their first time say the same thing about me.“ Q: Are you enjoying being Larry Johnson? JOHNSON: “I loved being Larry Johnson in the off-season my rookie and second year. This time I’m actually doing a little bit more stuff in the community and doing a little bit more stuff media-wise to better my career off the field. But as far as having fun, I’ve had fun my last three seasons because nobody really expected much of me. This year a lot of people expect a lot of me right now and with people coming up to me so I’ve just got to take it in stride.“ Q: Are you getting recognized in public a lot more now? JOHNSON: “Yeah, if I have one more person say that I saved their fantasy draft I should be rich by now. It’s fun having guys recognize you. Expecially when I’m in New York and you have die-hard Giants, Yankees and Mets fans come up to you and say, ‘hey you saved my fantasy season.’ It’s funny but it’s nice to have those people rooting for you.“ Q: Are you happy overall now? JOHNSON: “I’m never happy. When I feel like I’m successful in my own right I will never be happy with anything period. I haven’t started one full season yet, I haven’t gotten this team to a Super Bowl. As far as my career it’s still starting off late, so overall I can’t be happy where I’m at right now because I’m still playing catching up. I’m really looking forward to this season and getting things rolling because I feel like I still have a lot to prove.“ Q: Do you feel like you’ve ever had a head coach who believes in you like Coach Edwards does? JOHNSON: “The only coach I had like that was Coach (Dave) Lintal, my high school coach my senior season. He and my dad, but he doesn’t count. He was the last guy that was really behind me when I was looking to get recruited. I wasn’t even really recruited then and he helped me out a lot as far as getting me into college and getting me where I needed to be.“ Q: You feel like Herm believes in you that way? JOHNSON: “Yeah, it’s special. A lot of coaches that I’ve dealt with in the past and knew in the past, there are only two guys Herm and Coach Lintal that have really been behind me.“ Q: Are you happy with your current contract? JOHNSON: “When the contract time comes I’ll answer that. Right now I’m just enjoying the off-season. I don’t have to get into contract talks until my contract’s up. That’s not even something that I even care to get into. I’m not the one who has to go to Carl Peterson and write down contracts. I don’t do that type of stuff. All they ask me to do is run the football.” Last edited by Wile_E_Coyote; 05-04-2006 at 10:10 PM..
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