Saving Larry Johnson - Page 2

Hammock Parties · 12-28-2007, 06:02 PM

http://kan.scout.com/2/714779.html

What is the tragedy of Kansas City’s 2007 season? Is it the 4-11 record, the wilting of the defense, the complete and total collapse of the offense? Is it the empty seats at Arrowhead Stadium or the bitter end to the winning streak against the Oakland Raiders?

Is it really any of these things?

In truth, it is none of them. The real tragedy is the depressing revelation that Larry Johnson is not immune to history.

Everyone cringed when Johnson was loaded down with 416 carries a year ago, knowing the danger of that history – Jamal Anderson, Eddie George, James Wilder, Eric Dickerson – and what it might mean for LJ's NFL future. There was hope that Johnson might be the exception to the “Curse of 400,” especially after he trained hard with legendary power lifter Joe Carini last offseason and enjoyed a rest while waiting on a new contract.

Sorry, said history. No exceptions. Mr. Hawk is here to break your foot.

Sure, it was a freak injury, but Johnson gained 43 yards in his first game of the year. He limped to 53 in his last game of the year. In between there was just four total touchdowns, a few spiked balls and plenty of missed blocks. The curse lives on.

This is not the Larry Johnson Kansas City had come to know and (occasionally) love. The old Larry Johnson, the one who seemed to roll out of bed and gain 150 yards like it was nothing, has not been seen for almost a year now.

But forget 150-yard games. How about the clutch Larry Johnson who used to save KC’s bacon in the fourth quarter every week? Remember the mad dash to the one-yard line and the goal-line plunge against the Raiders in 2005? Remember the 78-yard screen-and-run against Arizona and the late-game touchdowns against the Raiders (again) and Seahawks in 2006? Remember the 30-yard, fourth-quarter dash and subsequent touchdown against Denver in 2005, capping a 90-yard performance over the final 15 minutes?

After that very game (a 31-27 Chiefs win), Johnson would say, “Everybody, including the media, expects me to fold.”

Well, it finally happened. Johnson looked at his hand and threw the cards down on the table this year, especially late in games. He scored only two touchdowns and averaged only 3.4 yards per carry (which looks really bad when you factor in a stat-padding 37-yard run against San Diego) in the fourth quarter this year. To put it bluntly, Larry Johnson folded just like his foot did against the Packers.

In his place, the Chiefs turned to rookie wide receiver Dwayne Bowe. It was Bowe who scored the winning touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 3. It was Bowe who hauled in a 58-yard grab on third-and-long against the Oakland Raiders in Week 7, setting up Johnson’s 1-yard touchdown plunge. It was Bowe who put Kansas City ahead against the Chargers in Week 4, scoring from 51 yards out. Just this last week, it was Bowe again, giving fans hope with a 34-yard score late in the game against Detroit.

All told, Dwayne Bowe was Mr. Clutch this year, catching 17 passes for 359 yards and scoring three times in the fourth quarter. No Kansas City Chief gained more combined yards in the final frame in 2007. That used to be Johnson’s role.

So how does Larry Johnson re-capture the magic? Wilder, George, Anderson – none of them really managed to find their way back down the path to gridiron greatness. Only Eric Dickerson (6,291 yards and 35 touchdowns after his encounter with the 400-carry beast) seemed to have some gas left in the tank.

We certainly have no answers, and it’s doubtful Joe Carini can provide anything more, either. You can say Johnson is rested after a low-mileage year, or that he’ll be inspired by Kolby Smith’s success, but none of that will really make a difference. The only thing that can help Johnson now is the 52 players around him.

The Chiefs must assemble a competent offensive line. They must put it to work in tandem with a competent - and experienced – offensive coordinator. They must avoid, at all costs, overworking Larry Johnson again, because there would certainly be no turning back after that.

They must do all of these things, because a franchise running back is a terrible thing to waste. And so is $45 million dollars ($19 million guaranteed).

BigRock · 12-28-2007, 06:47 PM

Yahoo! fantasy rankings are already predicting LJ to have a 14+ TD and 1800+ total yard season in 2008. What they're basing that on, I don't know.

el borracho · 12-28-2007, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GOATSE

http://kan.scout.com/2/714779.html

What is the tragedy of Kansas City’s 2007 season? Is it the 4-11 record, the wilting of the defense, the complete and total collapse of the offense? Is it the empty seats at Arrowhead Stadium or the bitter end to the winning streak against the Oakland Raiders?

and

Pablo · 12-28-2007, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRock

Yahoo! fantasy rankings are already predicting LJ to have a 14+ TD and 1800+ total yard season in 2008. What they're basing that on, I don't know.

Our All-Pro line?

ChiefsCountry · 12-28-2007, 06:50 PM

I'm ready to watch the Whine & Cheese backfield next year.

HIChief · 12-28-2007, 07:36 PM

The pontificators and prognosticators once again overreact. Why, you just need to look at what Fred Taylor has done this year to realize this article about a 400-carry curse is a lot of hooey. Just fix our O-line, and get an offensive coordinator who can draw up a decent and imaginative game plan, and LJ will be off to the races again.

Mecca · 12-28-2007, 07:39 PM

Fred Taylor never carried the ball 400 times.....

I like how the history came true and some people still refuse to acknowledge that you beat a back into the ground you shorten his career by a huge degree.

Mecca · 12-28-2007, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRock

Yahoo! fantasy rankings are already predicting LJ to have a 14+ TD and 1800+ total yard season in 2008. What they're basing that on, I don't know.

I didn't draft him this year, and I'll never draft him again unless it's as my 3rd or 4th RB.

snatch · 12-28-2007, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

HAHA really? I'm an idiot? Well I'm not the guy that paid an overworked RB a bunch of money or wanted them to for that matter...

That just makes me laugh to think he's even remotely close to a top 5 RB anymore, or will be ever again.

He's been passed by a good number of guys headed by LT and Peterson.

Was it stupid to give him the contract he was given? Yes.

If he is put behind a respectable O-Line that can open holes he is still capable of being a dominating RB.

Will he be LT or Peterson? Probably not. But there are not three more than are clearly more dominating than what LJ is capable of.

Mecca · 12-28-2007, 07:49 PM

I can give you probably at least 10 RB's that I'd rather have on my team than Larry Johnson right now...

snatch · 12-28-2007, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

I can give you probably at least 10 RB's that I'd rather have on my team than Larry Johnson right now...

As of this day I can think of at least 30. But with a healthy LJ and a good O-line he is a top back. You can not deny that.

Mecca · 12-28-2007, 08:00 PM

Healthy LJ after last year and this year... there's at least 10 that I'd rather have, probably more when I think about it.

Halfcan · 12-28-2007, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

HAHA really? I'm an idiot? Well I'm not the guy that paid an overworked RB a bunch of money or wanted them to for that matter...

That just makes me laugh to think he's even remotely close to a top 5 RB anymore, or will be ever again.

He's been passed by a good number of guys headed by LT and Peterson.

yep- does ANYONE think LJ will be anything more than a Cancer??

**BigMeatballDave** · 12-28-2007, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

I can give you probably at least 10 RB's that I'd rather have on my team than Larry Johnson right now...

2 of them are in Jacksonville...

Mecca · 12-28-2007, 08:03 PM

LT, Peterson, Westbrook, Barber, Lynch, Maroney, McGahee, Portis, Jacobs, Taylor, Jones-Drew, Addai, Gore, Jackson

That's just off the top of my head I could probably name more if I really went through it.

snatch · 12-28-2007, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

LT, Peterson, Westbrook, Barber, Lynch, Maroney, McGahee, Portis, Jacobs, Taylor, Jones-Drew, Addai, Gore, Jackson

That's just off the top of my head I could probably name more if I really went through it.

Look at that. You named all guys who have a good o-line in front of them. They also have coaches that are not morons.

12-28-2007, 06:02 PM
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4140478	Saving Larry Johnson http://kan.scout.com/2/714779.html What is the tragedy of Kansas City’s 2007 season? Is it the 4-11 record, the wilting of the defense, the complete and total collapse of the offense? Is it the empty seats at Arrowhead Stadium or the bitter end to the winning streak against the Oakland Raiders? Is it really any of these things? In truth, it is none of them. The real tragedy is the depressing revelation that Larry Johnson is not immune to history. Everyone cringed when Johnson was loaded down with 416 carries a year ago, knowing the danger of that history – Jamal Anderson, Eddie George, James Wilder, Eric Dickerson – and what it might mean for LJ's NFL future. There was hope that Johnson might be the exception to the “Curse of 400,” especially after he trained hard with legendary power lifter Joe Carini last offseason and enjoyed a rest while waiting on a new contract. Sorry, said history. No exceptions. Mr. Hawk is here to break your foot. Sure, it was a freak injury, but Johnson gained 43 yards in his first game of the year. He limped to 53 in his last game of the year. In between there was just four total touchdowns, a few spiked balls and plenty of missed blocks. The curse lives on. This is not the Larry Johnson Kansas City had come to know and (occasionally) love. The old Larry Johnson, the one who seemed to roll out of bed and gain 150 yards like it was nothing, has not been seen for almost a year now. But forget 150-yard games. How about the clutch Larry Johnson who used to save KC’s bacon in the fourth quarter every week? Remember the mad dash to the one-yard line and the goal-line plunge against the Raiders in 2005? Remember the 78-yard screen-and-run against Arizona and the late-game touchdowns against the Raiders (again) and Seahawks in 2006? Remember the 30-yard, fourth-quarter dash and subsequent touchdown against Denver in 2005, capping a 90-yard performance over the final 15 minutes? After that very game (a 31-27 Chiefs win), Johnson would say, “Everybody, including the media, expects me to fold.” Well, it finally happened. Johnson looked at his hand and threw the cards down on the table this year, especially late in games. He scored only two touchdowns and averaged only 3.4 yards per carry (which looks really bad when you factor in a stat-padding 37-yard run against San Diego) in the fourth quarter this year. To put it bluntly, Larry Johnson folded just like his foot did against the Packers. In his place, the Chiefs turned to rookie wide receiver Dwayne Bowe. It was Bowe who scored the winning touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 3. It was Bowe who hauled in a 58-yard grab on third-and-long against the Oakland Raiders in Week 7, setting up Johnson’s 1-yard touchdown plunge. It was Bowe who put Kansas City ahead against the Chargers in Week 4, scoring from 51 yards out. Just this last week, it was Bowe again, giving fans hope with a 34-yard score late in the game against Detroit. All told, Dwayne Bowe was Mr. Clutch this year, catching 17 passes for 359 yards and scoring three times in the fourth quarter. No Kansas City Chief gained more combined yards in the final frame in 2007. That used to be Johnson’s role. So how does Larry Johnson re-capture the magic? Wilder, George, Anderson – none of them really managed to find their way back down the path to gridiron greatness. Only Eric Dickerson (6,291 yards and 35 touchdowns after his encounter with the 400-carry beast) seemed to have some gas left in the tank. We certainly have no answers, and it’s doubtful Joe Carini can provide anything more, either. You can say Johnson is rested after a low-mileage year, or that he’ll be inspired by Kolby Smith’s success, but none of that will really make a difference. The only thing that can help Johnson now is the 52 players around him. The Chiefs must assemble a competent offensive line. They must put it to work in tandem with a competent - and experienced – offensive coordinator. They must avoid, at all costs, overworking Larry Johnson again, because there would certainly be no turning back after that. They must do all of these things, because a franchise running back is a terrible thing to waste. And so is $45 million dollars ($19 million guaranteed).
Posts: 279,790

12-28-2007, 06:47 PM	#16
BigRock Pritay Pritay Pritay Good Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: The State of Euphoria Casino cash: $2965412	Yahoo! fantasy rankings are already predicting LJ to have a 14+ TD and 1800+ total yard season in 2008. What they're basing that on, I don't know.
Posts: 6,861

12-28-2007, 06:50 PM	#19
ChiefsCountry The Insider Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Lake of the Ozarks Casino cash: $1748752	I'm ready to watch the Whine & Cheese backfield next year.
Posts: 49,909

12-28-2007, 07:36 PM	#20
HIChief Since '70 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Hawaii Casino cash: $10004997	The pontificators and prognosticators once again overreact. Why, you just need to look at what Fred Taylor has done this year to realize this article about a 400-carry curse is a lot of hooey. Just fix our O-line, and get an offensive coordinator who can draw up a decent and imaginative game plan, and LJ will be off to the races again.
Posts: 296

12-28-2007, 07:39 PM	#21
Mecca Hockey Town Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Casino cash: $2077050	Fred Taylor never carried the ball 400 times..... I like how the history came true and some people still refuse to acknowledge that you beat a back into the ground you shorten his career by a huge degree.
Posts: 111,280

12-28-2007, 07:49 PM	#24
Mecca Hockey Town Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Casino cash: $2077050	I can give you probably at least 10 RB's that I'd rather have on my team than Larry Johnson right now...
Posts: 111,280

12-28-2007, 08:00 PM	#26
Mecca Hockey Town Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Casino cash: $2077050	Healthy LJ after last year and this year... there's at least 10 that I'd rather have, probably more when I think about it.
Posts: 111,280

12-28-2007, 08:03 PM	#29
Mecca Hockey Town Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Casino cash: $2077050	LT, Peterson, Westbrook, Barber, Lynch, Maroney, McGahee, Portis, Jacobs, Taylor, Jones-Drew, Addai, Gore, Jackson That's just off the top of my head I could probably name more if I really went through it.
Posts: 111,280