Chiefs Gretz: L.J. Enjoys Homecoming Victory

**Tribal Warfare** · 10-19-2009, 09:48 AM

L.J. Enjoys Homecoming Victory
October 15, 2009 - Bob Gretz |

From FedEx Field

“I was getting calls and e-mails and texts all hours of the night. Guys that I played ankle-bitter football with, guys I played PAL (Police Athletic League) with, guys I went to high school with. It was great to come here and get a win in the city I was born in.”

Sunday was a homecoming for Larry Johnson. Yes he went to high school in State College, Pennsylvania, played his college ball there too at Penn State.

But it was in the Washington D.C. suburbs where Johnson was born and where he spent his formative years as his father was coaching high school football. Larry Sr. remains a legend in Maryland high school football for his nine seasons (1983-91) coaching at Maurice J. McDonough High School in Pomfret. That’s in Charles County, southeast of the District of Columbia. McDonough won three Maryland 3-A state championships under Larry Sr., and his record there was 139-36.

He went on to coach for two seasons (1992-93) at T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria, Virginia. That’s the program made famous in the movie Remember the Titans.

Larry Jr. was 17 years old when his father got a job on Joe Paterno’s coaching staff with the Nittany Lions. So a lot of childhood memories for L.J. came in places like Pomfret and Alexandria and other small burgs around the nation’s capital.

It was there that he watched all those NFL Films tapes about great running backs. The team he followed as a kid was the Redskins, not only because they were there, but because Larry Sr. had gotten a chance to make the Redskins when he came out of college as an NAIA All-America at Elizabeth City State in North Carolina.

“I enjoy seeing those uniforms of theirs and it brings back memories for me,” said Johnson. “They were a good team in the day, winning Super Bowls with all those guys like John Riggins and the Fun Bunch and the Hogs.”

That’s a lot of L.J. history. There are some Chiefs fans who think L.J.’s ability to run the football is history. It’s been a struggle to run the ball for this Chiefs team and the guy paying the price for that is Johnson.

Sunday was a better day however, although the final numbers do not look that impressive: 83 yards on 23 carries, a 3.6-yard per carry average. It was Johnson’s best rushing day of the season so far, but the overall numbers are not very pretty: 309 yards on 116 carries for a 2.7-yard average.

The Chiefs as a team are averaging just 98 yards rushing per game and 3.4 yards per carry.

“The rushing game hasn’t been what it has been,” Johnson said. “It’s been tough for those guys upfront in the last couple weeks. Those guys were awesome today. As long as they stay with me and I stay with them, it will all start to fall together and we can make things happen.

“The culture here, no matter the GM or coach, the Kansas City Chiefs have always been about the running game. Go back to Ed Podolak, to Marcus Allen, to Priest (Holmes) and Tony Richardson. The running game is what fuels this organization.

“Everyone who has come into the organization is starting to realize that now. It felt good to be able to crack some runs today and get some runs that were over five, six, seven yards.”

Johnson had a 17-yard run in the second quarter, and then came back and had a 12-yard run in the third period. Those are two of the longer runs on the season so far for him.

“We could have put them away a lot sooner,” said Johnson. “We didn’t have to drag on into the third and fourth quarter. Against a really good team we are going to have to learn how to put them away earlier. I’ve been here I’ve seen it all.

“It’s not exactly a perfect win,” Johnson added. “The defense did an awesome job of making plays when they had too.”

With that, Johnson was out the door headed to see some of those people who were calling, texting and e-mailing him all week.

“I’m going to enjoy this,” he said.

L.A. Chieffan · 10-19-2009, 09:54 AM

despite ljs heavily weighted 116 carries and 2.6 YPC the Chiefs as a whole STILL average 3.4 YPC. Imagine what it would be like if we actually had a guy who gave effort every down.

**Tribal Warfare** · 10-19-2009, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by L.A.Chieffan

despite ljs heavily weighted 116 carries and 2.6 YPC the Chiefs as a whole STILL average 3.4 YPC. Imagine what it would be like if we actually had a guy who gave effort every down.

More like if he had his legs from 4 years ago.

TEX · 10-19-2009, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by L.A.Chieffan

despite ljs heavily weighted 116 carries and 2.6 YPC the Chiefs as a whole STILL average 3.4 YPC. Imagine what it would be like if we actually had a guy who gave effort every down.

Or if he had a real OL blocking for him...

Reerun_KC · 10-19-2009, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TEX

Or if he had a real OL blocking for him...

Or if we had a real OL and a real RB that had vision and heart...

Hydrae · 10-19-2009, 10:20 AM

Quote:

“The culture here, no matter the GM or coach, the Kansas City Chiefs have always been about the running game. Go back to Ed Podolak, to Marcus Allen, to Priest (Holmes) and Tony Richardson. The running game is what fuels this organization.

“Everyone who has come into the organization is starting to realize that now. It felt good to be able to crack some runs today and get some runs that were over five, six, seven yards.”

It does make me wonder if Haley knows how to use a running back. He sure never did much with the talent he had in Az. He may be great with WRs but that is just one piece of an offense. Not to mention a smaller piece of the team as a whole.

CoMoChief · 10-19-2009, 10:24 AM

Arizona's running game was horrible when Haley was there.

Fish · 10-19-2009, 11:15 AM

Ankle-bitter football huh?

Hydrae · 10-19-2009, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoMoChief

Arizona's running game was horrible when Haley was there.

That was kinda my point.

**RealSNR** · 10-19-2009, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reerun_KC

Or if we had a real OL and a real RB that had vision and heart...

Have you seen Larry the last two games?

That guy is running angry and with passion. He's clearly stepped his game up this year, and if he had an offensive line even HALF as good as Vermeil's 2005-2006 line, he'd be looking like the old Larry.

Do you WATCH the Chiefs games, even?

L.A. Chieffan · 10-19-2009, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SNR

Have you seen Larry the last two games?

That guy is running angry and with passion. He's clearly stepped his game up this year, and if he had an offensive line even HALF as good as Vermeil's 2005-2006 line, he'd be looking like the old Larry.

Do you WATCH the Chiefs games, even?

yeah that 21 for 37 was so CONVINCING OF HIS PASSION.

**RealSNR** · 10-19-2009, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by L.A.Chieffan

yeah that 21 for 37 was so CONVINCING OF HIS PASSION.

Whatever.

He looks like a different back out there. I'm telling ya.

Titty Meat · 10-19-2009, 01:17 PM

lol @ people saying Lj isn't trying. Thats so 2008.

kcxiv · 10-19-2009, 01:35 PM

how does 1 have vision when you got 2 guys in the backfield when the ball has barely hit his hands. People dont seem to realize how ****ing shitty our offensive line is.

I know LJ is on the downside of his career, but even when they do draws and runs with the other guys, they usually get snuffed out as well. It doesnt matter who they put back there. Anyone will just flat out suck ass. The offensive line is about 90 percent of the problem on the offense.

Misplaced_Chiefs_Fan · 10-19-2009, 02:09 PM

I noticed Larry was the only Chiefs player to come over and talk to the fans after the game was over. Gave his gloves to a kid in the stands while I was there. Seemed pretty damn excited about the win and glad to see some people he knew in the stands.

*shrug*

Admittedly I only saw him for about three minutes, but he certainly didn't seem to be the thug most try to make him out to be.

Who knows?

10-19-2009, 09:48 AM
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $1012813	Gretz: L.J. Enjoys Homecoming Victory L.J. Enjoys Homecoming Victory October 15, 2009 - Bob Gretz \| From FedEx Field “I was getting calls and e-mails and texts all hours of the night. Guys that I played ankle-bitter football with, guys I played PAL (Police Athletic League) with, guys I went to high school with. It was great to come here and get a win in the city I was born in.” Sunday was a homecoming for Larry Johnson. Yes he went to high school in State College, Pennsylvania, played his college ball there too at Penn State. But it was in the Washington D.C. suburbs where Johnson was born and where he spent his formative years as his father was coaching high school football. Larry Sr. remains a legend in Maryland high school football for his nine seasons (1983-91) coaching at Maurice J. McDonough High School in Pomfret. That’s in Charles County, southeast of the District of Columbia. McDonough won three Maryland 3-A state championships under Larry Sr., and his record there was 139-36. He went on to coach for two seasons (1992-93) at T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria, Virginia. That’s the program made famous in the movie Remember the Titans. Larry Jr. was 17 years old when his father got a job on Joe Paterno’s coaching staff with the Nittany Lions. So a lot of childhood memories for L.J. came in places like Pomfret and Alexandria and other small burgs around the nation’s capital. It was there that he watched all those NFL Films tapes about great running backs. The team he followed as a kid was the Redskins, not only because they were there, but because Larry Sr. had gotten a chance to make the Redskins when he came out of college as an NAIA All-America at Elizabeth City State in North Carolina. “I enjoy seeing those uniforms of theirs and it brings back memories for me,” said Johnson. “They were a good team in the day, winning Super Bowls with all those guys like John Riggins and the Fun Bunch and the Hogs.” That’s a lot of L.J. history. There are some Chiefs fans who think L.J.’s ability to run the football is history. It’s been a struggle to run the ball for this Chiefs team and the guy paying the price for that is Johnson. Sunday was a better day however, although the final numbers do not look that impressive: 83 yards on 23 carries, a 3.6-yard per carry average. It was Johnson’s best rushing day of the season so far, but the overall numbers are not very pretty: 309 yards on 116 carries for a 2.7-yard average. The Chiefs as a team are averaging just 98 yards rushing per game and 3.4 yards per carry. “The rushing game hasn’t been what it has been,” Johnson said. “It’s been tough for those guys upfront in the last couple weeks. Those guys were awesome today. As long as they stay with me and I stay with them, it will all start to fall together and we can make things happen. “The culture here, no matter the GM or coach, the Kansas City Chiefs have always been about the running game. Go back to Ed Podolak, to Marcus Allen, to Priest (Holmes) and Tony Richardson. The running game is what fuels this organization. “Everyone who has come into the organization is starting to realize that now. It felt good to be able to crack some runs today and get some runs that were over five, six, seven yards.” Johnson had a 17-yard run in the second quarter, and then came back and had a 12-yard run in the third period. Those are two of the longer runs on the season so far for him. “We could have put them away a lot sooner,” said Johnson. “We didn’t have to drag on into the third and fourth quarter. Against a really good team we are going to have to learn how to put them away earlier. I’ve been here I’ve seen it all. “It’s not exactly a perfect win,” Johnson added. “The defense did an awesome job of making plays when they had too.” With that, Johnson was out the door headed to see some of those people who were calling, texting and e-mailing him all week. “I’m going to enjoy this,” he said.
Posts: 42,018

10-19-2009, 09:54 AM	#2
L.A. Chieffan PLAY GOOD FOOTBALL Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: American Gardens Building Casino cash: $4118654	despite ljs heavily weighted 116 carries and 2.6 YPC the Chiefs as a whole STILL average 3.4 YPC. Imagine what it would be like if we actually had a guy who gave effort every down.
Posts: 17,367

10-19-2009, 10:24 AM	#7
CoMoChief Mahomes Dynasty Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Parts Unknown Casino cash: $8052254	Arizona's running game was horrible when Haley was there.
Posts: 39,155

10-19-2009, 11:15 AM	#8
Fish Ain't no relax! Join Date: Sep 2005 Casino cash: $2378919	Ankle-bitter football huh? __________________
Posts: 47,452

10-19-2009, 01:17 PM	#13
Titty Meat Inmem 2.0 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: My house Casino cash: $2377558	lol @ people saying Lj isn't trying. Thats so 2008.
Posts: 75,003

10-19-2009, 01:35 PM	#14
kcxiv In Search of a Life Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Central Valley, Cali Casino cash: $8807996	how does 1 have vision when you got 2 guys in the backfield when the ball has barely hit his hands. People dont seem to realize how ****ing shitty our offensive line is. I know LJ is on the downside of his career, but even when they do draws and runs with the other guys, they usually get snuffed out as well. It doesnt matter who they put back there. Anyone will just flat out suck ass. The offensive line is about 90 percent of the problem on the offense.
Posts: 29,110

10-19-2009, 02:09 PM	#15
Misplaced_Chiefs_Fan I am Number Six Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Columbia, MD, USA Casino cash: $2069000	I noticed Larry was the only Chiefs player to come over and talk to the fans after the game was over. Gave his gloves to a kid in the stands while I was there. Seemed pretty damn excited about the win and glad to see some people he knew in the stands. shrug Admittedly I only saw him for about three minutes, but he certainly didn't seem to be the thug most try to make him out to be. Who knows? __________________ One of the lowest PPD of any of the original members of the Planet . . . and proud of it. My web site My writer's page
Posts: 6,563

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