Sam Hall
06-25-2007, 02:39 PM
L.J.'s fantasy value slips with talk of holdout
By Michael Fabiano
NFL.com Fantasy Expert
June 22, 2007) -- Larry Johnson has established himself as one of the top running backs in fantasy football. But several recent events, none more significant than talk of his potential holdout of training camp, now has Johnson's value headed south.
In an interview with the Kansas City Star, Johnson said he will hold out if he doesn't have a new contract. The talented back is scheduled to make a mere $1.7 million this season, and he and his agent, Alvin Keels, want an agreement that is more in line with the current market for the league's elite backs. The Chiefs have been one of the more frugal franchises in the NFL, so there's no guarantee the team will even make an attractive offer to their most productive offensive threat because of two main reasons: 1. His age (28), and 2. He carried the football an NFL-record 416 times last season.
L.J. has even started to brace himself for a holdout.
"I'm prepared," Johnson told the Star. "They (my agent and father) got me saving money. I'm hustling to get more money to put in the bank. They already started setting aside different accounts, if that would have to happen. They're already telling me to be cautious about how I spend, where I go and stuff like that. To make sure that if it goes down like that, then I've got to be able to pace myself so I won't be in trouble."
All of these discussions about a holdout must be worrisome for fantasy football owners, but other factors could also cause Johnson to experience a decrease in statistical success. First off, the trade of veteran quarterback Trent Green will leave the offense to Brodie Croyle, who has made seven regular-season attempts at the NFL level. Since most defenses won't respect Croyle until he proves himself, Johnson could be faced with far more eight-man fronts. Second, the retirement of guard Will Shields makes it two prominent components (tackle Willie Roaf) that the offensive line has lost in the past two seasons.
While we won't jump off the L.J. bandwagon completely -- there's still plenty of time for the Chiefs and Johnson to come to terms on a new contract agreement -- it is now time to move him to third among running backs in standard and PPR formats. As a result, owners who will hold their drafts before the start of training camp (or before a viable solution to this situation is found) should have LaDainian Tomlinson ranked first overall, Steven Jackson moved to second and L.J. third.
http://nfl.com/fantasy/story/10234199
By Michael Fabiano
NFL.com Fantasy Expert
June 22, 2007) -- Larry Johnson has established himself as one of the top running backs in fantasy football. But several recent events, none more significant than talk of his potential holdout of training camp, now has Johnson's value headed south.
In an interview with the Kansas City Star, Johnson said he will hold out if he doesn't have a new contract. The talented back is scheduled to make a mere $1.7 million this season, and he and his agent, Alvin Keels, want an agreement that is more in line with the current market for the league's elite backs. The Chiefs have been one of the more frugal franchises in the NFL, so there's no guarantee the team will even make an attractive offer to their most productive offensive threat because of two main reasons: 1. His age (28), and 2. He carried the football an NFL-record 416 times last season.
L.J. has even started to brace himself for a holdout.
"I'm prepared," Johnson told the Star. "They (my agent and father) got me saving money. I'm hustling to get more money to put in the bank. They already started setting aside different accounts, if that would have to happen. They're already telling me to be cautious about how I spend, where I go and stuff like that. To make sure that if it goes down like that, then I've got to be able to pace myself so I won't be in trouble."
All of these discussions about a holdout must be worrisome for fantasy football owners, but other factors could also cause Johnson to experience a decrease in statistical success. First off, the trade of veteran quarterback Trent Green will leave the offense to Brodie Croyle, who has made seven regular-season attempts at the NFL level. Since most defenses won't respect Croyle until he proves himself, Johnson could be faced with far more eight-man fronts. Second, the retirement of guard Will Shields makes it two prominent components (tackle Willie Roaf) that the offensive line has lost in the past two seasons.
While we won't jump off the L.J. bandwagon completely -- there's still plenty of time for the Chiefs and Johnson to come to terms on a new contract agreement -- it is now time to move him to third among running backs in standard and PPR formats. As a result, owners who will hold their drafts before the start of training camp (or before a viable solution to this situation is found) should have LaDainian Tomlinson ranked first overall, Steven Jackson moved to second and L.J. third.
http://nfl.com/fantasy/story/10234199