Saving Larry Johnson - Page 3

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).

Mecca · 12-28-2007, 09:27 PM

The Rams oline has been in shambles all year...the 49ers Oline pretty well sucks too...Buffalo's is ok, Baltimore's is pretty blah...

TRR · 12-28-2007, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

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.

LJ's injury had absolutely ZERO to do with him carrying the ball 400+ times. It would have happened regardless.

The 400+ carry curse is just about as pointless as the Madden curse.

Mecca · 12-28-2007, 09:30 PM

Well you can keep telling yourself that but history says any backs that cross that carry plateau will suck, if they don't they are exceptions not rules..

Big difference in the Madden one which is well all coincidence and this one which is due to being overworked and beat down.

snatch · 12-28-2007, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

Well you can keep telling yourself that but history says any backs that cross that carry plateau will suck, if they don't they are exceptions not rules..

Big difference in the Madden one which is well all coincidence and this one which is due to being overworked and beat down.

We will find out more next season since LJ has had plenty of recovery time this season.

I would be more inclined to agree with you on this if he looked like he was suffering from the load the season before but he didn't. He looked as though he had no trust that the people in front of him could keep him from getting killed so he was being extremely hesitant. His injury had nothing to do with work load.

**the Talking Can** · 12-28-2007, 09:52 PM

if LJ isn't willing to block like he gives a damn - the way Smith does - he can go **** himself...

I don't want anyone on the field who isn't giving 100% every snap.

jidar · 12-28-2007, 09:53 PM

Man I don't know how this is going to go.
The only thing I know for sure is when I read this line:

Quote:

The real tragedy is the depressing revelation that Larry Johnson is not immune to history.

I realized it was true. Of all the disappointments I've dealt with this season, that was the biggest, QB problems, 4 wins, all of that I kind of expected, but not the LJ thing.
And now my biggest fear for the Chiefs is that nothing changes next season.

snatch · 12-28-2007, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the Talking Bong

if LJ isn't willing to block like he gives a damn - the way Smith does - he can go **** himself...

I don't want anyone on the field who isn't giving 100% every snap.

LJ's blocking is not as bad as people would like you to believe.

**the Talking Can** · 12-28-2007, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snatch

LJ's blocking is not as bad as people would like you to believe.

yes, it is...my eyes work fine, thanks...

blueballs · 12-28-2007, 09:59 PM

LJ doesn't do for the fans
what Gretz does for Carl
so they want him to **** off

snatch · 12-28-2007, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the Talking Bong

yes, it is...my eyes work fine, thanks...

He does not miss many more blocks that the already enshrined LT. He was never asked to block before he got to the NFL.

louie aguiar · 12-28-2007, 10:03 PM

Should have traded him when he was worth something. Everyone (but Carl) seemed to know that investing that much money in a back with that many miles was a terrible investment. Now we're married to Larry Johnson who's probably going to be a shell of himself the rest of his career.

Hammock Parties · 12-28-2007, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snatch

LJ's blocking is not as bad as people would like you to believe.

Dude, it's horrible. I watched LJ's blocking every week this year, I captured the game, put it on my PC and STUDIED it every week...there was very few good blocks. ONCE IN A WHILE he would lay a good block, but mostly it was a bunch of oles. The best he could usually do was get in a guy's way for a second.

It actually looks like he's trying. I just don't think he's very good at it.

**Easy 6** · 12-28-2007, 10:15 PM

Its impossible to say what he's still capable of until a real line is put in place & a real OC is at work.

Until then, EVERYTHING else is crystalline pure guesswork bullshit. If he continues to train hard, my $$$ says he will still be a top 5 back with those things in place.

But none of us will know 'til next year, so quit guessing.

Halfcan · 12-28-2007, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GOATSE

Dude, it's horrible. I watched LJ's blocking every week this year, I captured the game, put it on my PC and STUDIED it every week...there was very few good blocks. ONCE IN A WHILE he would lay a good block, but mostly it was a bunch of oles. The best he could usually do was get in a guy's way for a second.

It actually looks like he's trying. I just don't think he's very good at it.

I don't believe LJ is really hurt-yeah he sprain his foot-but to miss the rest of the year and quit showing up at Arrowhead-QUITTER!

**Easy 6** · 12-28-2007, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Halfcan

I don't believe LJ is really hurt-yeah he sprain his foot-but to miss the rest of the year and quit showing up at Arrowhead-QUITTER!

He wanted to play, he was shut down to save him for 08.

12-28-2007, 06:02 PM
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4150478	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: 279,776

12-28-2007, 09:27 PM	#31
Mecca Hockey Town Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Casino cash: $2077050	The Rams oline has been in shambles all year...the 49ers Oline pretty well sucks too...Buffalo's is ok, Baltimore's is pretty blah...
Posts: 111,280

12-28-2007, 09:30 PM	#33
Mecca Hockey Town Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Casino cash: $2077050	Well you can keep telling yourself that but history says any backs that cross that carry plateau will suck, if they don't they are exceptions not rules.. Big difference in the Madden one which is well all coincidence and this one which is due to being overworked and beat down.
Posts: 111,280

12-28-2007, 09:52 PM	#35
the Talking Can Supporter Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: street Casino cash: $10022208	if LJ isn't willing to block like he gives a damn - the way Smith does - he can go ** himself... I don't want anyone on the field who isn't giving 100% every snap. __________________ Clark Hunt: "Thank god for the Dominican pool boy"**
Posts: 51,585

12-28-2007, 09:59 PM	#39
blueballs Banned Join Date: Feb 2006 Casino cash: $10004900	LJ doesn't do for the fans what Gretz does for Carl so they want him to **** off
Posts: 14,233

12-28-2007, 10:03 PM	#41
louie aguiar Veteran Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Missoura Casino cash: $3663533	Should have traded him when he was worth something. Everyone (but Carl) seemed to know that investing that much money in a back with that many miles was a terrible investment. Now we're married to Larry Johnson who's probably going to be a shell of himself the rest of his career.
Posts: 4,330

12-28-2007, 10:15 PM	#43
Easy 6 pie is never free Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: the drivers seat Casino cash: $3167775	Its impossible to say what he's still capable of until a real line is put in place & a real OC is at work. Until then, EVERYTHING else is crystalline pure guesswork bullshit. If he continues to train hard, my $$$ says he will still be a top 5 back with those things in place. But none of us will know 'til next year, so quit guessing.
Posts: 92,299