Will Larry Johnson Bounce Back

[Farzin]

This is what I wrote in my most recent blog.

I was on the sidelines at Arrowhead Stadium this Saturday during the Chiefs practice. I will talk about the practices and who has made a big impression later this week. For today, I wanted to talk about Larry Johnson and why I think he will have a better year.

Last year heading into training camp, Larry Johnson was discontented with his contract as he was scheduled to make just below $2,000,000. Johnson and general manager, Carl Peterson both came to an agreement to make Larry Johnson the highest paid running back in NFL History. Johnson was coming off of back to back 1,700 yard performances. In 2006, he broke the record for most carries in a single season. However, that is not a record Chiefs fans were thrilled to see. Many running backs end up having a disappointing career after carrying the ball that many times. Johnson eventually made training camp, but he missed out on the trip to River Falls as the Chiefs were wrapping up camp in Kansas City. When I asked Herm how he feels Johnson will bounce back, he simply said “that he’s already done that.” He added that Johnson realizes that he is the key impact player on the team, because that is how this team is shaped.

When I asked Johnson himself how confident he felt heading into training camp, he responded saying that he is real confident and he is excited to head back into River Falls because of his absence last season. I also wanted his inputs on his confidence on this offensive line and he feels that with a young offensive line, things will look better for him when he takes the ball.

The second of two first rounders, Branden Albert, was here to change this dreadful offensive line. Albert has played left guard in college, but he and the Chiefs are convinced he can play the left tackle spot. While playing in Virginia, a lot of Albert’s big blocks came through when he made big blows to line backers and even safeties on the outside. Albert has also been given advice from former pro-bowler, Brian Waters, who will be playing left guard. Those are two proven lineman on this team that many have faith in.

Last season, LJ’s support team was not at it’s best. Michael Bennet has always had great speed, but the Chiefs were unpleased with his stamina and health issues as they sent him to Tamba Bay in exchange for draft picks. Priest Holmes did not play in the NFL in nearly two years due to injuries. When Holmes was out of action, Johnson stepped up and took over. But it was Holmes who made an attempt to step up while the number one running back in Kansas City got hurt. But it wasn’t long until Holmes suffered another injury on the neck which forced him to retire. Kolby Smith, a fifth round selection coming out of Louisville in the 2007 draft, had an outstanding performance as he made his first ever NFL start against the Oakland Raiders. But many questioned if Smith could continue the success, due to Oakland’s poor run defense, ranked second to last in the NFL. Smith also had thirty-one carries, which was also a concern. Smith lead all NFL running backs in yards rushing in week thirteen, but Smith was never able to execute another big game like that again. Smith eventually went out with an injury, having the Chiefs stick in their fourth running back. The Chiefs had five key running backs throughout the season.
The Chiefs feel like they have a solution as they added the “home run hitter,” Jamaal Charles, who was a big pickup for the Kansas City in the third round of the 2008 draft. Charles was named as one of the fastest backs heading into the draft coming out of Texas. The Chiefs also have Jackie Battle and Kolby Smith on this roster. But in the end, head coach Herm Edwards feels this is a good supporting cast to give Johnson relief.

Johnson has had legal issues in the past while being a Chief as he has been on probation for attacking his ex-girlfriend at a local bar outside of the Kansas City Plaza. Many reports described Johnson as a “cancer” in the locker room. From my experiences walking into the locker room and watching Chiefs practices on the sidelines, Johnson talks to many players on the team in the locker room and on the field. Before this year, a lot of veterans were around Johnson, but this year, there are a lot of young and new players who have never been around LJ before, and from my experience, he has been talkative to his teammates on the field and in the locker room.

Larry Johnson has a contract he is delighted with. The former Penn State running back also has a better offensive line and a better group of running backs behind him. He’s slowly building close relationships with several of the new players in the locker room. He is now a player many look up to. This is Larry Johnson’s year to get in and rebound. In the interview, Johnson made a statement saying that he’s ready to get this team back in the playoffs. Not many people are firm if the “centaur” is ready for a 1,700 yard season, but he has the tools to do so. Many say the Chiefs may be a team that runs more than passes, and that could be very well the case. Johnson is a skilled running back and he has a lot of weapons around him. He can use them to not only help himself get better, but to help this team improve. The Chiefs finished last place in rushing last season. Lets see what Larry Johnson can do this year.

Let me know what you think and how many yards/td's will LJ have this year?

[HMc]

How is it fact that the line is better at this stage?

The line certainly should be better but we wont know until September. And that's all thats really going to matter, IMO.

[Buehler445]

Not a bad read. You use lots of supplimentary words that make the read long. I am kind of partial to concise reads, but that is JMO.

Here is the only thing you need to change...

When I asked Johnson himself how confident he felt heading into training camp, he responded saying that he is really confident and he is excited to head back into River Falls because of his absence last season.

[Farzin]

Originally Posted by Buehler445

Not a bad read. You use lots of supplimentary words that make the read long. I am kind of partial to concise reads, but that is JMO.

Here is the only thing you need to change...

ok cool thanks man. This is actually my first blog so I'm just gettin started.

[Buehler445]

Originally Posted by Farzin

ok cool thanks man. This is actually my first blog so I'm just gettin started.

Cool man, sounds good. Don't take anything I say as gospel. I'm no language wizard.

[StcChief]

Nice I agree, LJ will bounce back, Smith,Charles will be contributors to spell LJ

Blog link ?

[Farzin]

Originally Posted by StcChief

Nice I agree, LJ will bounce back, Smith,Charles will be contributors to spell LJ

Blog link ?

ChiefsEndzoneShow.vox.com

[little jacob]

if he gets blocking he will. we have seen pretty clearly that with good blocking he's a great runner, but without good blocking he's not a great runner. he's a higher end running back but not one of those guys who is so good he can create holes for himself or make something out of nothing very often.

[Chief Chief]

Tamba Bay...Tamba Hali...

...Know the difference!


The OL shouldn't be any worse than last year.

I predict LJ will have 15 TDs and 1400 yards.

[FD]

1750 yards and 18 TDs

[Farzin]

Originally Posted by Chief Chief

Tamba Bay...Tamba Hali...

...Know the difference!


The OL shouldn't be any worse than last year.

I predict LJ will have 15 TDs and 1400 yards.

It happens hehe thanks.

[Pasta Little Brioni]

Originally Posted by HMc

How is it fact that the line is better at this stage?

The line certainly should be better but we wont know until September. And that's all thats really going to matter, IMO.

You are right...it is all speculation until they play well on the field when it counts. Of course it won't take much to be better than one of the worst O-lines in recent NFL memory.

[FAX]

Nice job, Mr. Farzin. Very nice. Thanks for posting. Mr. GoChiefs is in trouble, for sure.

I think you need to concentrate on your sentence construction a little, though. For example, "Larry Johnson has a contract he is delighted with." might be better phrased as, "Larry Johnson is delighted with his current contract." It's shorter, says the same thing, and doesn't leave that pesky "with" hanging out there.

FAX

[RustShack]

2,289 yards, 36 TD's.

[Deberg_1990]

LJ = 538 yards 3 TD's

Jaamal Charles = 1528 yards rushing 809 recieving 16 TD's