Mending Fences
 

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/3610994

Mending fences

I have heard of making peace with a player, but I've never heard of a NFL coach checking in with the player's father first. This happened recently when Kansas City offensive coordinator Al Saunders visited with Penn State assistant coach Larry Johnson, Sr. to talk about his son, the Chiefs' backup running back to Priest Holmes.

You see, Saunders was never a big fan of Larry Johnson, the running back. He preferred Derrick Blaylock as Holmes' replacement and stuck to that judgment until Johnson was forced on him late last season. Johnson was drafted in Round 1 of the 2003 draft because GM Carl Peterson wanted a talented young back should Holmes not recover from a hip injury. The player was also threatening a contract situation at the time.

Well, we all know that Johnson finished the season with 11 touchdowns and 581 rushing yards in three late-season starts. After being told that the kid had nothing in his tank, the whole world discovered that maybe Johnson was worthy of being selected in the first round.

But for two years, Saunders and Larry Johnson didn't speak much to each other; the player knowing that Saunders didn't believe he was worthy of playing time. Those beliefs have to change now, especially with the Chiefs hoping to make another Super Bowl run in probably coach Dick Vermeil's final season. Apparently, the father told Saunders that he should be talking to his son. The word in K.C. is that the running back was in Las Vegas and would check in with Saunders the next time he's in town.

This was a big move on Saunders' part, trying to patch up a sour relationship. It was probably a smart move for an assistant who hopes to replace Vermeil some day as head coach of the Chiefs.

Good. Saunders is an interesting cat. You'd never ever guess he was the general of the most prolific offense in the NFL if you met him on the street.

Strange.

Saunders said on the radio that he plans on using sets with LJ and Priest on the field at the same time this year.

Thanks for the info.

Saunders could give LJ some tips on the offense and LJ could him some tips on slapping his woman around.

Everybody wins.

Let's see the Maryland I, baby

I really think that's huge if Saunders wants to have a chance to coach this team. The way LJ talks, he has had more problems with Saunders than Vermeil... and I believe it was Carl that was quoted as saying "Why don't you ask the offensive coordinator" when a reporter asked him why LJ wasn't playing. Sounds like something that would put a nice rift between Carl's ego and Al and lead to somebody else getting the job after DV.

I'm not even sure what to think about that. It was obvious that DV didn't want to play him and I know LJ said that him and Saunders didn't talk, but damn, that is screwed up. You are a coach, sure they have positional coaches, but you better at least be trying to work it out with players.

The bit about LJ's father saying Saunders needs to be talking to LJ is right on the money, though. LJ is an adult. Stop treating him like a child. The visit with "Dad" could easily backfire if Saunders doesn't handle that well. How many other fathers has Al Saunders visited over the years? This isn't college ball.

Maybe it was Carl's idea, it worked so well with Tait.

I agree, but I think that LJ's dad has some serious pull and insight on the guy. If Saunders approached his father asking him for advice on how to best patch things up, that's one thing. If he approached his dad asking his dad to help patch things up, that's another.

I was all over Vermeil and Saunders for their treatment of LJ last year, but I've heard enough second hand information since then to say that LJ has an attitude problem. Maybe it's deserved, I don't know. I don't really care, I just want these bastards to get things patched up and get that locker room chemistry going again.

I don't know, LJ is always talking about his dad... he seems to have a lot of say in what LJ thinks.

Can't wait to see that.

I'd believe it, look at some of the quotes he made after he was really starting to play well and they aren't real flattering.

I'm guessing that will be as wildly successful as the Marcus Allen/Bo Jackson and Tony Dorsett/Hershel Walker duos....Always sounds great in theory, always works like $hit on the field.

I think this could work if they came out in a pro set or even the I, Have Tony and Wilson at tight end and Bo in tight, then sent priest in motion or split him out and what do you have, a running formation, apassing formation. Teh opposing "D" wouldn't know what package to have on the field and Green could audible to whichever played agianst the personnel on the field for the "D". I start drooling thinking about Priest one on one with a LB or Safety, or LJ splitting the seam like agianst the donkeys or Wilson or Tony trying to be covered by a single player. I have no problem with breaking the single season scoring record. :p GO CHIEFS

I'm going LMAO when Peterson goes with "his guy" Gunther after DV and the planet ****ing crashes... ROFL

Good news, so long as no one is taking his diapers off.

He may have an attitude, but I think I probably would have developed a shitty attitude if I had his talent, was drafted in the first round, and only got to suit up for 5 freaking games in my rookie season.

Thats a bigtime slap in the face to a guy with his ability. Riding the bench and playing backup is one thing, being completely inactive is a whole other ballgame.


Dick's little "rebellion" against Carl Peterson, not activating Johnson for most of the season did quite a bit of damage to the player/organization relationship. Vermiel was just pissed he didnt get his way, and instead of taking it up with Carl, he took it out on Larry Johnson.

Its not like he was an unknown either. He played well in pre-season, he took a kickoff back for a TD, he showed that he was deserving of a spot on the active roster. The only flaw in his game seemed to be his pass protections.

Then Vermiel running his mouth in the media with the diapers comment just made things worse.

If I were Johnson, Id probably have a bit of a chip on my shoulder as well after being fed a gigantic shitburger for my first two seasons. He was out to prove he could play, and when he did, he had every right to come out and say something equivalent to "I f'ing told you so."

I find it hard to fault Johnson for having a bit of ill will towards Vermiel and Saunders.

I agree completely.

Who you kidding as I recall you hated Gunther as a Head Coach as well.

Me I would just be incredibly sad, and maybe finally give up on the Chiefs.

I would be sad too but could never give up on the Chiefs. I doubt you could either. What would we do during football season?

I agree, though I think you're underplaying the importance of being a good pass blocker, especially when you have an aging QB and an offense like we do. I remember LJ then Trent getting blown up on a play when they let LJ in earlier in the season. And hell, we really don't know. LJ might have been acting like he didn't care about blocking in practice. He might have been refusing the tips he was being given. He might have been supremely uncoachable. Dick and Saunders definitely came out looking like asses through their stupid public comments, but I'm not sure that LJ was exactly sunshine and sweetness with the organization either.

It's great to see him mending fences for the future. Maybe he shouldn't have been so close minded and egotistical in the first place. Of course he was only trying to please his head coach. :shake:

It would definately dilute my passion until my perception of his inability to succeed as H/C was proven wrong.

This thread title sounds like the name of a Country Album.

Mending Fences, by Garth Sucks

Good point. A lot of the running game success comes from T-Rich paving the way, and I'm not sure which one of these guys has the ability/willingness to fill that role.

I think an effective running game results from a rhythm the back and the o-line develop during the game. Not sure you can get that with LJ and Priest in the backfield. If it's for specific situations or just to change it up, that's one thing. To have them both on the field for a big chunk of the game is another.

I'm guessing that was the plan. Just to put Priest and LJ in on occasion to mix things up. Not on a regular basis. I'm sure Saunders realizes how valuable T. Rich is in the run blocking scheme of things. ;)

I'm beginning to think Al Saunders should leave with Vermeil.

I have read LJ didn't want to play special teams & his run blocking sucked until he got some playing time.

When LJ got his first rushing TD in his rookie season, the dude fell to the ground & you could tell it meant the world to him. I have read he sets in on the O-line meetings & those players respect him for that.

There is probably plenty of blame on both sides. It's time to move forward

edit: and it's not just LJ that DV has spoken not so kindly about. He was on Roaf's ass alot until last season

that's a good plan. Mess with the defenses minds a little bit. I would like to see them throw in an extra back. Possibly Wilson or Richardson. Then we've got a jumbo package. I don't think the Chiefs have that type of formation involved in their playbook.

Sounds like Barry Sanders part deaux.

Me too. It started with a lot of questionable play calling last year. Now I hear about this sh*t with LJ and it really makes me wonder.

I don't like the thought that players may not be getting on the field because of grudges, pouting, or pre-conceived opinions by the coaches. It's great that he's "mending the fence" now, but the fact remains that he played a part in breaking the fence to begin with. How many more times will a talented player be wasted?

I know I'm in a clear minority on this at the moment. But I prefer to keep Saunders (as future HC) than keeping LJ if the two can't get along. Don't get me wrong. If LJ keeps showing the stuff he showed last year I'd love to have him. But I'm afraid he's Carl's boy and Carl might decide to not hire Saunders as DV's replacement. That, I have a feeling, will be a bigger loss to the Chiefs. Saunders is one of the top assistants in the league and has previous headcoaching experience. His hiring will be crucial to the Chiefs offensive philosophy not being derailed.

All in all, my favorite scenario is for both parties to kiss and make up.

I've thought that for a long time.

I don't believe in trying to extend something just because you can.

I totally agree with this. Damn I love watching his offense play!

I suprised that Saunders is catching so much flak here. He may have made some mistakes with LJ, but LJ may have made some mistakes also. At least Saunders is man enough to sack up and try to work out the relationship for the good of the team and the player. It's not easy to tell someone (particularly a subordinate i.e. boss/employee, coach/player) that you were wrong and you want to set things right.

Is he talking about 1970 or did I miss something very big that happened? Chiefs hoping to make another Super Bowl run?

I think the guy must have meant Vickie D making another Super Bowl run riding the tails of talented assistants to prop up his legend of being nothing more than merely a bizarre and occassionaly senile .500 coach.

no shit, particularly when LJ is a whiny, pouting, wife beating prick...I'm glad LJ is a good player for us, I'm glad we drafted him, but he's had his ass kissed enough....AS is the best OC in the league and we want to throw him under the bus for LJ???

Exactly.
Rep

OK rep for you too.

He probably thinks he's too good to eat his fruit out of can as well, ****ing elitist. :cuss:

LJ ran for a few hundred yard games and scored some touchdowns but so did Ruben Droughns. I believe they both amassed yards for the same reason.

I'm sure people weren't questioning Saunders choice at Blaylock as the 2nd string tailback when he was eating up the Saints defense for nearly 200 yards in his first start.

I didn't hate Gunther.

I wanted Dom Capers hired. At the time he was hired Gun would have been my 3rd choice.

By the end I loved gun and absolutely hated the stooges. Was it time for a change?

Definitely.

Was Gun doing a good job?

Not if he couldn't see the stooges were holding his team back.

I think a guy like DV who DOESN'T think he can do it all by himself (and shows what I consider to be the proper way to delegate responsibility) is a great person to fill Gun in on what he didn't have as a HC.

And I hope Gun gets another chance at HC somewhere. Look at how long it's taken Al Saunders...

Just out of curiosity, if DV and AS were to leave, what type of HC/Philosophy would you want?...

This is an extraordinarily beautiful post....

However, it is wrong, but eloquently written.

11 TDs in 3 games is just sick.