A comparison of Priest "TD" Holmes vs. Larry "diapers" Johnson......

[Kris Kringle]

Priest Holmes
8 games started --
Rushing - 196 attempts, 892 yds, 4.6 avg, 14 TD
Receiving - 19 rec, 187 yds, 9.8 avg, 1 TD


Larry Johnson
3 games started --
Rushing - 120 attepts, 581 yds, 4.8 avg, 9 TD
Receiving - 22 rec, 278 yds, 12.6 avg, 2 TD

Priest played 7 1/2 games. Larry Johnson started 3 games and appeared in 7 others. It's hard to compare the two RBs by games played, therefore the comparison needs to be done by rushing attempts and receptions or one could just compare them by "touches".

Here we go. --------->

Rushing --
Let's give LJ 196 rushes like Priest had. He would have 949 yds and 14.7 TD. Wow! If we assume that is the equivelent of 8 games, then LJ would have had, over a 16 game schedule, 29 rushing TDs and 1898 yds rushing!!! Of course, one could argue that LJ wouldn't be able to keep up a 4.8 yd average over the course of a 16 game season. One could argue that it's easier to put up big numbers in 3 or 4 games, then over a prolonged 16 game season. That's a valid argument. But one must admit that those are gaudy numbers!!

Recieving--
It's harder to compare the two RBs when it comes to receptions. Priest had 19 in 8 games, while LJ had 22 in 3+ games. I'm going to compare their receptions in ratio to their rushes. (If some mathmetician can do a better comparison, please be my guest. I was terrible at math in H.S.) For every reception, Priest had 10.3 rushes. For every reception, LJ had 5.45 rushes. Using these ratios, Priest would have had 38 receptions and 392 rushes in 16 games. Now we'll compare LJ to Priest. If LJ had 396 rushes, like Priest, he would have had 71 receptions in 16 games. (Is my math correct?) And, if LJ had 71 receptions and maintained the same production level, he would have had 895 yds and 6 TDs!!!! I know that's some contorted and twisted math, but that's the best way I can figure it with my 8th grade education. (just kidding)

Touches--
Let's look at the two by "touches". This will be alot easier. Priest touched the ball 215 times for 1079 yards, 15 TDs and a 5.0 yd average. If LJ got 392 rushes like Priest and 71 receptions as we previously projected, he would have 463 touches for 2793 yds, 35 TDs and a 6.0 average!!! That's just nuts.

-- OK. I acknowledge that my math is probably flawed. Maybe there is a better way to compare the two. Also, I understand that these are just projections and no one can see the future. But, I am surprised at the numbers that LJ put up in just a few games. I didn't like the LJ draft pick. I didn't like LJ's attitude last year. I didn't like his production or the way he looked on the field last year. I still don't like his "smart mouth" when speaking to the media. But it's undeniable that LJ has put up some big numbers in a short period of time.

These numbers make LJ look like a Jamal Lewis type of runner that has good hands and can actually catch passes out of the backfield (Jamal Lewis doesn't). It's rare that you find a runner that is that good and can also catch passes.

Discuss.........

[alanm]

Originally Posted by Radar Chief

Not as much as I used to, mainly only interested in the Big 12, but I still don’t remember seeing anyone win a National Championship with it since OU in the ‘80’s.

Uh... Nebraska in 94-95 and 97.

[Coach]

MHM, you put up good points about trading away Priest and all that, however KC's cap would take a big hit if Holmes was traded or released, will it not?

[milkman]

Originally Posted by jollymon

Not gonna compare LJ and Priest. They are two entirely different backs. Plus if LJ was so freaking awesome why couldn't he get the starting job out of Priest? If LJ was outperforming Priest in practice then I would guess LJ would have won the position. But hey what do I know I just teach history....

I don't believe that coaches always make the right decisions, especially when a decision involves a rookie, or youg player and a vet.

I'm not suggesting that LJ is better than Priest, because I think that Priest is more reliable and consistent.

But when I look at a guy like Jared Allen, who was buried on the depth chart behind Vonnie Holliday, until Holliday went down with an injury, it's pretty clear that coaches don't always make the right decisions.

[whoman69]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

I find it interesting that Johnson's numbers look almost IDENTICAL to Priest's from the last couple of years when you extrapolate them out over a 16-game season.

Maybe it IS the line.

2 words why this isn't the case. Mike Cloud.