Johnson again says he wants chance to start somewhere

RedThat · 08-26-2005, 09:07 AM

By ELIZABETH MERRILL

The Kansas City Star

L.J. is growing. His teammates say so.

Once dubbed a loner, and an occasional pouter, Larry Johnson tears through tacklers, springs to his feet and is the first in the huddle. He’ll be a major contributor to the Chiefs’ offense, offensive coordinator Al Saunders said Thursday. He’s blossomed, Saunders says.

After hearing the group lovefest late Thursday, Johnson, with a straight face, said he hasn’t changed much at all.

“I’ve still got an attitude problem,” he said. “I still feel the same I’ve always felt. I see the draft, I see guys like Cedric Benson, Carnell Williams, all those guys who have a chance to be starters on their teams. I’m just looking for my chance.

“I don’t want to waste three or four years of my prime running behind somebody, period. I don’t care who it is. I feel like I should start somewhere in this league.”

That somebody Johnson runs behind is Priest Holmes, a three-time Pro Bowler who has 13 pages in the Chiefs’ media guide devoted to him. Johnson is friends with Holmes and understands that the man who set an NFL record for touchdowns in a season needs to get his playing time.

Johnson has just spent two long years waiting for his playing time. It came in the second half of 2004, when Holmes was out for the season because of a knee injury. Johnson ran for 541 yards and nine touchdowns in the last six games.

When Holmes worked out just once a day during training camp, Johnson was back with the No. 1 offense. He has bulled his way over defenders and has sharpened his pass-catching skills. Externally, Johnson, a 2002 Heisman Trophy finalist, has tried not to show his frustrations.

“If I internally show it,” Johnson said, “it’s (in) how I run with the ball. I’m a hard runner. When I’m out there trash-talking and trying to run over people and fighting and all of that, that’s my frustrations coming out.

“I’m ready to get my career on the road. There are some goals and things in my career that I want to shoot for as far as Walter Payton’s yardage and Emmitt (Smith) and all those things they got a chance to do. I just want my chance to do it.”

Saunders says Johnson will get his chances this fall. After starting 2004 as the No. 3 running back behind Derrick Blaylock, Johnson has solidified the No. 2 spot and will get significant playing time in Saturday night’s third preseason game against Seattle.

He’s been impressive in the first half of the preseason. Last weekend against Arizona, Johnson had 49 yards in nine carries. Johnson could always run. His senior year at Penn State, he led the nation with 2,087 yards rushing. But in Kansas City’s offense, running backs are asked to do more. They’re pass protectors and pass catchers.

Saunders says he’s noticed a different focus in Johnson this summer.

“He’s matured a lot, as everybody does,” Saunders said. “He understands the system much greater. His work ethic has been outstanding.

“The way he has performed this training camp, we expect him to be a major contributor to this offense.”

When asked what that meant, Saunders said, “It means he will contribute a lot.”

His work, Saunders said, will depend on the opponent. Johnson said he’ll do more passing routes and dabble at fullback. That’s all in the game plan, he said. Johnson is just happy he’s in the game plan.

He said he never blamed anybody, not the coaches, the front office or Holmes. He just blamed the situation. Guard Brian Waters said it was a tough situation for any rookie to handle. And that Johnson has grown from it.

“I’ve seen him since the first day he was here when he was a rookie until now,” Waters said. “And he’s a totally different football player. He’s motivated, he’s hungry, and he runs with passion.”

Branden Albert's Huge Balls · 08-26-2005, 09:09 AM

I kinda hope Priest retires after this year...don't want to lose Larry.

I think it will work out that way anyway.

WisChief · 08-26-2005, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gochiefs

I kinda hope Priest retires after this year...don't want to lose Larry.

I think it will work out that way anyway.

I'll take it a step further and say I'd be okay with LJ getting the vast majority of the work up to the 20. Redzone time, but PH in. LJ wants his td's - get 'em from 20+ out and I think he can.

StcChief · 08-26-2005, 09:13 AM

He'll get plenty this year and in future in KC.
I predicate Priest will hang up the cleats after 2005.

Biohazard · 08-26-2005, 09:15 AM

I hope he wants to be a starter. If he didn't, I'd question his passion for the game.

**BigRedChief** · 08-26-2005, 09:19 AM

I like to see LJ be more agressive. You want to be the "man" you have to go for it. Just make sure you have the talent to back it up. AKA Steve Young pushing Montana.

jidar1 · 08-26-2005, 09:19 AM

I doubt Priest retires. RBs at the end of their career, they always say they are going to retire but they rarely do. Priest will probably have to be forced out like all of the rest of them, I just hope we manage to keep LJ on the team while this is playing out.

PRIEST · 08-26-2005, 09:20 AM

Priest has said he want's to play two more years,the ten year mile stone.

Dave · 08-26-2005, 09:27 AM

I say next season, if LJ is actually better than PH in training camp and preseason, start LJ. As long as PH is healthy, I don't think LJ will take his spot 'til '07...

Branden Albert's Huge Balls · 08-26-2005, 09:28 AM

Taco John should be along shortly to tell us all how Diaper Boy is a cancer and headed for New York.

Chiefs_Mike_Topeka · 08-26-2005, 09:31 AM

I don't think Johnson needs to be talking about breaking any records right now. To mention Emmitt Smith and Walter Payton in terms of what he wants to accomplish might be a little over the top.

Chiefaholic · 08-26-2005, 09:31 AM

I want Priest to hang around as long as he wants to. He's actually EARNED my respect with his incredible play on the field and generousity off the field. Larry will get his carries THIS year. But, he won't be "THE MAN" till Priest decides to hand over the spot.

Ultra Peanut · 08-26-2005, 09:31 AM

Trade LJ for Scott Fujita!

jiveturkey · 08-26-2005, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiefs_Mike_Topeka

I don't think Johnson needs to be talking about breaking any records right now. To mention Emmitt Smith and Walter Payton in terms of what he wants to accomplish might be a little over the top.

Do you set goals after you've gotten half way there?

I usually set up my goals prior to setting out after them.

el borracho · 08-26-2005, 09:35 AM

Why can't Larry be more like Todd Collins?!!!

08-26-2005, 09:07 AM
RedThat Banned Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Earth Casino cash: $24799	Johnson again says he wants chance to start somewhere By ELIZABETH MERRILL The Kansas City Star L.J. is growing. His teammates say so. Once dubbed a loner, and an occasional pouter, Larry Johnson tears through tacklers, springs to his feet and is the first in the huddle. He’ll be a major contributor to the Chiefs’ offense, offensive coordinator Al Saunders said Thursday. He’s blossomed, Saunders says. After hearing the group lovefest late Thursday, Johnson, with a straight face, said he hasn’t changed much at all. “I’ve still got an attitude problem,” he said. “I still feel the same I’ve always felt. I see the draft, I see guys like Cedric Benson, Carnell Williams, all those guys who have a chance to be starters on their teams. I’m just looking for my chance. “I don’t want to waste three or four years of my prime running behind somebody, period. I don’t care who it is. I feel like I should start somewhere in this league.” That somebody Johnson runs behind is Priest Holmes, a three-time Pro Bowler who has 13 pages in the Chiefs’ media guide devoted to him. Johnson is friends with Holmes and understands that the man who set an NFL record for touchdowns in a season needs to get his playing time. Johnson has just spent two long years waiting for his playing time. It came in the second half of 2004, when Holmes was out for the season because of a knee injury. Johnson ran for 541 yards and nine touchdowns in the last six games. When Holmes worked out just once a day during training camp, Johnson was back with the No. 1 offense. He has bulled his way over defenders and has sharpened his pass-catching skills. Externally, Johnson, a 2002 Heisman Trophy finalist, has tried not to show his frustrations. “If I internally show it,” Johnson said, “it’s (in) how I run with the ball. I’m a hard runner. When I’m out there trash-talking and trying to run over people and fighting and all of that, that’s my frustrations coming out. “I’m ready to get my career on the road. There are some goals and things in my career that I want to shoot for as far as Walter Payton’s yardage and Emmitt (Smith) and all those things they got a chance to do. I just want my chance to do it.” Saunders says Johnson will get his chances this fall. After starting 2004 as the No. 3 running back behind Derrick Blaylock, Johnson has solidified the No. 2 spot and will get significant playing time in Saturday night’s third preseason game against Seattle. He’s been impressive in the first half of the preseason. Last weekend against Arizona, Johnson had 49 yards in nine carries. Johnson could always run. His senior year at Penn State, he led the nation with 2,087 yards rushing. But in Kansas City’s offense, running backs are asked to do more. They’re pass protectors and pass catchers. Saunders says he’s noticed a different focus in Johnson this summer. “He’s matured a lot, as everybody does,” Saunders said. “He understands the system much greater. His work ethic has been outstanding. “The way he has performed this training camp, we expect him to be a major contributor to this offense.” When asked what that meant, Saunders said, “It means he will contribute a lot.” His work, Saunders said, will depend on the opponent. Johnson said he’ll do more passing routes and dabble at fullback. That’s all in the game plan, he said. Johnson is just happy he’s in the game plan. He said he never blamed anybody, not the coaches, the front office or Holmes. He just blamed the situation. Guard Brian Waters said it was a tough situation for any rookie to handle. And that Johnson has grown from it. “I’ve seen him since the first day he was here when he was a rookie until now,” Waters said. “And he’s a totally different football player. He’s motivated, he’s hungry, and he runs with passion.”
Posts: 6,666

08-26-2005, 09:09 AM	#2
Branden Albert's Huge Balls ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGH Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: In the Soup Nazis Kitchen Casino cash: $152523	I kinda hope Priest retires after this year...don't want to lose Larry. I think it will work out that way anyway. __________________ Alex Smith's career record when the opponent scores at least 24 points: 2-27-1
Posts: 150,363

08-26-2005, 09:13 AM	#4
StcChief Playing for #1 Draft Pick Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Just West of Lambs land Casino cash: $1024708	He'll get plenty this year and in future in KC. I predicate Priest will hang up the cleats after 2005. __________________ sig test for this screwy schema
Posts: 25,902

08-26-2005, 09:15 AM	#5
Biohazard spelingspechalist Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Merriam Missouri Casino cash: $1000	I hope he wants to be a starter. If he didn't, I'd question his passion for the game.
Posts: 762

08-26-2005, 09:19 AM	#6
BigRedChief Brainwashed Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Swims with fishes Casino cash: $2264882	I like to see LJ be more agressive. You want to be the "man" you have to go for it. Just make sure you have the talent to back it up. AKA Steve Young pushing Montana. __________________ "Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain - and most fools do." Benjamin Franklin
Posts: 37,895

08-26-2005, 09:19 AM	#7
jidar1 Starter Join Date: May 2005 Casino cash: $1000	I doubt Priest retires. RBs at the end of their career, they always say they are going to retire but they rarely do. Priest will probably have to be forced out like all of the rest of them, I just hope we manage to keep LJ on the team while this is playing out.
Posts: 150

08-26-2005, 09:20 AM	#8
PRIEST Wtf now Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: S W Arkansas Casino cash: $1043525	Priest has said he want's to play two more years,the ten year mile stone.
Posts: 2,427

08-26-2005, 09:27 AM	#9
Dave New Hope Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Florida Casino cash: $171607	I say next season, if LJ is actually better than PH in training camp and preseason, start LJ. As long as PH is healthy, I don't think LJ will take his spot 'til '07...
Posts: 45,362

08-26-2005, 09:28 AM	#10
Branden Albert's Huge Balls ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGH Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: In the Soup Nazis Kitchen Casino cash: $152523	Taco John should be along shortly to tell us all how Diaper Boy is a cancer and headed for New York. __________________ Alex Smith's career record when the opponent scores at least 24 points: 2-27-1
Posts: 150,363

08-26-2005, 09:31 AM	#11
Chiefs_Mike_Topeka Rest in Peace Zachary Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Topeka Casino cash: $2955	I don't think Johnson needs to be talking about breaking any records right now. To mention Emmitt Smith and Walter Payton in terms of what he wants to accomplish might be a little over the top. __________________ Zachary, my little man; I miss you and I Love You.
Posts: 1,952

08-26-2005, 09:31 AM	#12
Chiefaholic Veteran Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Lebanon, MO Casino cash: $11882	I want Priest to hang around as long as he wants to. He's actually EARNED my respect with his incredible play on the field and generousity off the field. Larry will get his carries THIS year. But, he won't be "THE MAN" till Priest decides to hand over the spot. __________________
Posts: 2,703

08-26-2005, 09:31 AM	#13
Ultra Peanut The Realest Sport Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: University of Jah Casino cash: $174692	Trade LJ for Scott Fujita! __________________
Posts: 39,322

08-26-2005, 09:35 AM	#15
el borracho Bears fan since 2013 Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Albuquerque, NM Casino cash: $27900	Why can't Larry be more like Todd Collins?!!!
Posts: 9,973

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