Whitlock: Productive LJ could be costly

[tk13]

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.

[Mr. Laz]

Originally Posted by Reerun_KC

I honestly hope LJ shoves it to Carl.. I would like to see Carl finally get bent over the barrel for his 5 year superbowl plan.

year what?

F Carl!

only problem is that if carl gets screwed so does the chiefs salary cap.



i would rather just have carl get fired and spare my chiefs from sharing his deserved punishment.

[PastorMikH]

I have no problem paying someone big that produces big. I'd much rather do that than pay someone big that doesn't produce - or worse yet sits on the bench as a backup (ahem).

[Hammock Parties]

Funny how Whitlock saw into the future.

[morphius]

Originally Posted by Reerun_KC

I honestly hope LJ shoves it to Carl.. I would like to see Carl finally get bent over the barrel for his 5 year superbowl plan.

year what?

F Carl!

Ahhh, so you want the cap so screwed that we can't win even after Carl is gone. Sounds brilliant.