Sportsline on LJ - Page 2

**007** · 12-09-2005, 04:22 AM

Where does Larry Johnson now rank among the NFL's top backs?

Pete Prisco

It's tough to say because the Chiefs have had so much success running the ball, no matter who's carrying it. Priest Holmes has been one of the best backs in the league the past couple of seasons, but when he goes out, the Chiefs don't miss a beat. Derrick Blaylock rushed for 186 yards last year against the Saints when he replaced Holmes, and now Johnson is putting up big numbers. Johnson runs hard and tough, something his doubters questioned. But he also plays behind a quality line, catered to run blocking. His numbers after taking over as a starter would say he's one of the five best in the game. But that's too high. Is he a top 10 back? He is now, but he's not quite among the elite. Funny thing is, a year ago the Chiefs were peddling him around the league in trade talks. And there weren't a lot of takers. You can bet some personnel guys are kicking themselves for not making a deal to get him last year.

Clark Judge

Larry Johnson is a promising back, but he's not an elite back. Not now. Not with a year-and-a-half of significant experience. Johnson has a bright future in Kansas City, and you can't ignore his past -- with five straight 100-yard games this season and 13 touchdowns in eight starts. But let's not get ahead of ourselves here. Timmy Smith set a Super Bowl rushing record and wound up in the discard pile. Icky Woods helped lead the Cincinnati Bengals to the Super Bowl before disappearing. Young running backs have flashed before us before, only to disappear. I don't think that happens here. Johnson is good enough that, if and when Priest Holmes returns, Johnson stays the starter -- and that's strong. But let's wait before anointing him the next ... well, the next Priest Holmes. The signs are encouraging, with Johnson last week showing atypical patience on that 4-yard touchdown run. Frankly, it reminded me of Holmes. Johnson is good. He could be great. But give me another four or five years before making that judgment.

12-09-2005, 04:22 AM	Topic Starter
007 Shaken. Not stirred. Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: London Casino cash: $13810126 VARSITY	Sportsline on LJ Where does Larry Johnson now rank among the NFL's top backs? Pete Prisco It's tough to say because the Chiefs have had so much success running the ball, no matter who's carrying it. Priest Holmes has been one of the best backs in the league the past couple of seasons, but when he goes out, the Chiefs don't miss a beat. Derrick Blaylock rushed for 186 yards last year against the Saints when he replaced Holmes, and now Johnson is putting up big numbers. Johnson runs hard and tough, something his doubters questioned. But he also plays behind a quality line, catered to run blocking. His numbers after taking over as a starter would say he's one of the five best in the game. But that's too high. Is he a top 10 back? He is now, but he's not quite among the elite. Funny thing is, a year ago the Chiefs were peddling him around the league in trade talks. And there weren't a lot of takers. You can bet some personnel guys are kicking themselves for not making a deal to get him last year. Clark Judge Larry Johnson is a promising back, but he's not an elite back. Not now. Not with a year-and-a-half of significant experience. Johnson has a bright future in Kansas City, and you can't ignore his past -- with five straight 100-yard games this season and 13 touchdowns in eight starts. But let's not get ahead of ourselves here. Timmy Smith set a Super Bowl rushing record and wound up in the discard pile. Icky Woods helped lead the Cincinnati Bengals to the Super Bowl before disappearing. Young running backs have flashed before us before, only to disappear. I don't think that happens here. Johnson is good enough that, if and when Priest Holmes returns, Johnson stays the starter -- and that's strong. But let's wait before anointing him the next ... well, the next Priest Holmes. The signs are encouraging, with Johnson last week showing atypical patience on that 4-yard touchdown run. Frankly, it reminded me of Holmes. Johnson is good. He could be great. But give me another four or five years before making that judgment.
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