I want LJ gone NOW ... (found on the KCSTAR board)

[royr17]

Like I said i found this on the star and I thought it be interesting to see what some people have to say on this matter :

I have to agree that I Larry Johnson has an undeniable amount of talent. How much that is, no one really knows... But I do know this... He is bad for the Chiefs. Larry Johnson is bad for this team, PERIOD. This morning on a radio interview he was asked if he would rather win a Superbowl or be inducted into the Hall of Fame. His answer? "Definately the Hall of Fame." Later on today when he was talking to the media he was asked about Jake Plummer's gesture to the fan in Denver and he replied that he does it all the time on the road. He pokes fun at the opposing fans and that it doesn't matter because he's "not starting."
I'm telling you guys.. LJ is bad for this team. He's not a team player and everything he does he bases on HIM not playing or HIM getting this or that. He's not a team guy. The Chiefs would be best suited by letting LJ run the ball, and his mouth, as it were, run up a lot of stats and then trade his a$s in the off-season. He's not a team player... I'd rather see the Chiefs win a Superbowl then watch a Hall of Fame running back on a 6-10 team.

[Skip Towne]

Originally Posted by Vlad Logicslav

There is LJ is behind a runningback that has proven he has Hall of Fame talent. He is where he is at backing him up until Priest decides to retire. It really is that simple.

If Steve Young had listened to you he would have ridden the pine for a couple more years instead of unseating Montana.

[penchief]

Originally Posted by Vlad Logicslav

There is LJ is behind a runningback that has proven he has Hall of Fame talent. He is where he is at backing him up until Priest decides to retire. It really is that simple.

I don't dispute what you say at all. What I'm referring to is how it must have felt to have been a first rounder with the unique talent that Johnson has only to treated like a practice squad player.

Those long TD runs are not a fluke. That is his mode of operation. They will get longer. I'm still waiting for the first time he gets the ball on our own twenty after a touch-back and runs all the way to start a game. Just look at the statistics and you will see that there has never been a time that he didn't do what he does.

For me, the question is why an offensive genius like Saunders couldn't find a way to make use of LJ's talent in a system that prides itself in spreading the ball around. Can you imagine? If we had a top-notcher receiver think how impossible it would be to stop this offense. Find a way to get Priest, LJ, Gonzo, and a premier receiver in on the same play and it might not matter if we had a defense or not. Gamebreakers, all of them.

Heck, I love Kris Wilson, as well, but look at how differently he was treated than LJ. I mean he was already penciled in as our new secret weapon even before the season started. Whereas, Johnson was shat on by Vermeil (and apparently Saunders, too) from the moment his name left the lips of Paul Tagliabue.

The kid was a coaches son, he's a proud football player and a superb athelete. He's always played the game right, on and off the field. And he's always worked hard. He's had to earn everything he has.

And you know what? He lived every kids dream. He earned the right to be a first round draft pick in the NFL. All the hard work he and his dad had put in led to the realization of a that dream. To have finally earned him the respect he was due, "the old fashioned way." There has to be a lot of pride in a family like that.

The problem is that he expected to be welcomed by the team that drafted him. But he was made to feel unwanted. Even after all the negativity about drafting him, the kid decides he's just going to have to prove it. But when he gets to camp they tell him he's not going to get that chance because he needs to work on his blocking and learn how to play special teams before he can even think about showing off what he can do when you let him play.

In fact, that wasn't good enough for this coaching staff. They made him inactive for most of the season. So, not only did he not get to play, his hope of playing was seriously oppressed and he was most likely humiliated by the inactive status. To know that all you need is a chance to prove yourself yet you feel like you are being held back by the two most important people relevant to your success; that has to be a pretty tough situation for an eager young football player with his record-setting credentials. I might have felt some resentment, too.

Having said that, LJ needs to mature beyond those feelings if he is having them. He can still win the hearts of KC fans with his talent on the field and his demeanor off.

On the other hand, you have to wonder what Vermiel and Saunders were thinking when LJ is so obviously a potential impact player.

[Calcountry]

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

Geez..im so sick of people bashing this guy....so he has a little attitude..so what?? Its actually a little refreshing to get some "Attitude" on our team. You know all thoughout the 90's we would have killed for a back like any of the ones on our team now, and now we have THREE great backs! Now that we are blessed with all this talent at RB all some peeps can do is find new ways to bash this guy????? Sigh...

No, now I am just focussed on Bartee.

Alas, in a few years will will have one of the best CB's but suck at RB.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by penchief

I don't dispute what you say at all. What I'm referring to is how it must have felt to have been a first rounder with the unique talent that Johnson has only to treated like a practice squad player.

Those long TD runs are not a fluke. That is his mode of operation. They will get longer. I'm still waiting for the first time he gets the ball on our own twenty after a touch-back and runs all the way to start a game. Just look at the statistics and you will see that there has never been a time that he didn't do what he does.

For me, the question is why an offensive genius like Saunders couldn't find a way to make use of LJ's talent in a system that prides itself in spreading the ball around. Can you imagine? If we had a top-notcher receiver think how impossible it would be to stop this offense. Find a way to get Priest, LJ, Gonzo, and a premier receiver in on the same play and it might not matter if we had a defense or not. Gamebreakers, all of them.

Heck, I love Kris Wilson, as well, but look at how differently he was treated than LJ. I mean he was already penciled in as our new secret weapon even before the season started. Whereas, Johnson was shat on by Vermeil (and apparently Saunders, too) from the moment his name left the lips of Paul Tagliabue.

The kid was a coaches son, he's a proud football player and a superb athelete. He's always played the game right, on and off the field. And he's always worked hard. He's had to earn everything he has.

And you know what? He lived every kids dream. He earned the right to be a first round draft pick in the NFL. All the hard work he and his dad had put in led to the realization of a that dream. To have finally earned him the respect he was due, "the old fashioned way." There has to be a lot of pride in a family like that.

The problem is that he expected to be welcomed by the team that drafted him. But he was made to feel unwanted. Even after all the negativity about drafting him, the kid decides he's just going to have to prove it. But when he gets to camp they tell him he's not going to get that chance because he needs to work on his blocking and learn how to play special teams before he can even think about showing off what he can do when you let him play.

In fact, that wasn't good enough for this coaching staff. They made him inactive for most of the season. So, not only did he not get to play, his hope of playing was seriously oppressed and he was most likely humiliated by the inactive status. To know that all you need is a chance to prove yourself yet you feel like you are being held back by the two most important people relevant to your success; that has to be a pretty tough situation for an eager young football player with his record-setting credentials. I might have felt some resentment, too.

Having said that, LJ needs to mature beyond those feelings if he is having them. He can still win the hearts of KC fans with his talent on the field and his demeanor off.

On the other hand, you have to wonder what Vermiel and Saunders were thinking when LJ is so obviously a potential impact player.

[|Zach|]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Those hands are creepy.

[Coogs]

Originally Posted by Vlad Logicslav

There is LJ is behind a runningback that has proven he has Hall of Fame talent. He is where he is at backing him up until Priest decides to retire. It really is that simple.

Or we could trade Holmes for some defensive help. Keep him or trade him, Holmes is going to cost a lot of money next season. He is getting close to the point in his contract to where that figure is nearing the same dollar figure. The signing bonus amount is decreasing, but the base salary part we have to pick up is escelating. And rapidly starting next year.

If LJ closes out the year in grand fashion, I hope some thought is given to this at Arrowhead. Holmes could be a very attractive piece for a team that is close to being over the top. We could pick up some very valuable defensive help, and still have a marquee RB with youth on his side.

[Ultra Peanut]

OMG LJ IS A TROLL!

[Ultra Peanut]

Originally Posted by Vlad Logicslav

People be saying Leon a punk bitch. Leon no punk bitch, Leon is 1st round man, 1st round. Leon deserve to have Priest sit his azz down, you here me down. Priest be an old fucker and Leon haz the skilz. Leon say fuck Priest he ain't got shit on Leon, Leon could teach Priest a thing or two. Leon be Hall of Fame material. Don't be jammin on Leon about no piddly Super Bowl, lotz of folk got Super Bowl rings, hell yea, Priest that punk ass he's got himself a Super Bowl ring. Leon wants to know did that punk azz Priest get drafted in the first round? Hell no.

Give Leon his respect.

Now he's kicking so much ass, all that's left for you to do is call him Leon.

[Logical]

Originally Posted by Coogs

Or we could trade Holmes for some defensive help. Keep him or trade him, Holmes is going to cost a lot of money next season. He is getting close to the point in his contract to where that figure is nearing the same dollar figure. The signing bonus amount is decreasing, but the base salary part we have to pick up is escelating. And rapidly starting next year.

If LJ closes out the year in grand fashion, I hope some thought is given to this at Arrowhead. Holmes could be a very attractive piece for a team that is close to being over the top. We could pick up some very valuable defensive help, and still have a marquee RB with youth on his side.

As much as I admire and respect Priest, because of his age he has almost no trade value. I just don't see that panning out.

[Chiefnj]

Over at the Coalition someone posted an article saying that Priest met with DV and others, gave them the promise he would go on IR and miss most of his incentives this year AND return next, in exchange for (a) more money, and (b) a promise bythe team to be extremely active in signing defensive free agents.

[penchief]

Originally Posted by Vlad Logicslav

As much as I admire and respect Priest, because of his age he has almost no trade value. I just don't see that panning out.

Sadly, I agree. I think the best we could do is trade him to a contending team for a late first-rounder and a couple of marginal defensive players or maybe a couple defensive players with a good upside.

But, IMO, there will be a market for Priest and if we are smart we can maximize his value.

However, that type of speculation really depends on LJ's performance from here on out. Can he handle the prosperity and continue to blossom or will he wilt?

[Logical]

Originally Posted by penchief

Sadly, I agree. I think the best we could do is trade him to a contending team for a late first-rounder and a couple of marginal defensive players or maybe a couple defensive players with a good upside.

But, IMO, there will be a market for Priest and if we are smart we can maximize his value.

However, that type of speculation really depends on LJ's performance from here on out. Can he handle the prosperity and continue to blossom or will he wilt?

The other thing is LJ won't have been tested against any really good Defenses. In the only good one he faced Tampa Bay he sucked with only 2.1 ypc on 10 carries. The Chargers are better but unlikely to be playing all their best players a week before there playoff game with most likely nothing on the line.

[Frankie]

Trade Priest? ..... SACRILEGE!!

Priest shall retire as a Chief... So shall it be written... So shall it be done!

[penchief]

Originally Posted by Vlad Logicslav

The other thing is LJ won't have been tested against any really good Defenses. In the only good one he faced Tampa Bay he sucked with only 2.1 ypc on 10 carries. The Chargers are better but unlikely to be playing all their best players a week before there playoff game with most likely nothing on the line.

While I might agree with that assessment if I were an LJ detractor, I believe the big picture always tells a better story.

First off, how do you know LJ isn't just getting warmed up? Was the Tampa game before the Sandy eggo game or after? I can't remember. Either way, it doesn't matter because good defenses do what they do. 10 carries against a good defense when you've had very little game experience isn't really a reliable indicator.

If I'm not mistaken, he has had three good performances in a row. And it also seems like he is getting better with every game. Those are indicators of LJ's game regardless of the defenses in question.

Face it, the bastard chief leads the team in yards per carry (6.4) and leads all RBs with 12.0 yards per catch. This is just a hunch but I'll bet he leads the team TDs per touch. And it wouldn't surprise me if he were to lead the team in KO return average if he were allowed to return kicks.

None of that is a fluke. The guy leads in those statistics because he is a playmaker. And even more ironic is that his development has been stunted by the pettiness of a coaching staff the prides itself in being positive in nature and player-oriented.

[tk13]

I don't disagree that LJ should've gotten more carries and action than he has, but let's also not forget that one of the reasons he couldn't be used a ton is because he had problems in pass protection. I do think they could've found more ways to use him effectively, but until he was better in pass protection you just can't use him extensively because defenses would learn quickly we were running the football when he was in the game.