LJ on their mind? Chiefs appear to be planning to draft a running back
 

http://www.kansascity.com/160/story/77543.html

LJ on their mind?

Chiefs appear to be planning to draft a running back to back up or replace Johnson.

By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star

Maybe the Chiefs are truly concerned about Larry Johnson’s welfare. Perhaps it’s a sign they believe he is ready to hold out or they’re preparing to trade him.

Or it could be just something as simple as the Chiefs doing their predraft homework.

Whatever the reason, they met this week at Arrowhead Stadium with at least four of the higher-profile running backs available in the coming draft: California’s Marshawn Lynch, Ohio State’s Antonio Pittman, Florida State’s Lorenzo Booker and Louisville’s Kolby Smith.

Oklahoma’s Adrian Peterson, widely considered the top running back available in the draft, did not visit with the Chiefs this week. Neither did some of the other top runners, including Arizona’s Chris Henry, Auburn’s Kenny Irons, Penn State’s Tony Hunt and Alabama’s Kenneth Darby.

The Chiefs were unavailable Thursday to speak about their motives. But the agents for all of the players said the Chiefs told them they planned to draft a running back in an early round.

“They’ve put that out there,” said Smith’s agent, Jerrold Colton. “They said they want the running-back duties shared a little more to save the wear and tear on (Johnson).”

That part makes sense. Johnson was the busiest NFL back ever last season when he set a league record with 416 carries, and coach Herm Edwards has said he would like to reduce the burden on Johnson.

Edwards also indicated recently there was a good chance the Chiefs would draft another running back.

The puzzling part is that the Chiefs are looking at some premier backs. Lynch probably will be selected by the time the Chiefs make their first pick, 23rd in the first round. Pittman is a likely second-round selection.

Booker and Smith, though, could be available in the latter half of the seven-round draft.

The Chiefs have an accomplished backup to Johnson in Michael Bennett. He didn’t help them much last year, mainly because of injuries.

But he once rushed for more than 1,000 yards with Minnesota. The Chiefs like that he’s fast and that he’s a good complement to Johnson.

Johnson and the Chiefs have worked on a new contract that would give him a raise, but they don’t have an agreement yet. Johnson has not threatened to hold out if he doesn’t get a new deal and has been participating in the offseason workout program.

The Chiefs also might be willing to trade Johnson if the right trade offer came along.

Moneyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy.

fill the stable

earlier when i was drinking pitchers of PBR i was thainking that at least herm would not select a kicker with the first pick(being that we signed one recently). then i thought "well **** he'll probably select a RB" and i read this. bastyard

I'd love to see them draft Booker. At FSU he didn't come close to meeting the hype he had coming out of high school, but he also played under a coordinator that would completely abandon the run as soon as they started losing.

He'd compliment LJ nicely, and then the Chiefs could move/cut Bennett down the road. I'd definitely welcome a RB corps of LJ, Booker and Ross.

Booker is an absolute role playing back......no one should take that as any sort of sign.

Wow am I missing something ? Why in the world would you not pay LJ

what he is worth , LJ is a beast ,stop giving him 400+ carries a fugging

year and the cat should hold up!!

Antonio Pittman isn't. He's a guy that could be a very productive pro.

By the way Teicher:


http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showpost.php?p=3907085

I just bought an LJ jersey.

Shit.

:banghead:

LJ's not going anywhere. If we draft a running back, I'll be pissed. We have WAAAAY more obvious needs before that...draft on in a late round on the second day if you must, but for God's sake, don't waste a pick on a position that is not a need...

Well, given the load LJ carried last year, Bennett's durability concerns and Brown's... well... not being very good, I can see it as a need. Going that way in the first round would kind of upset me though... ugh

Drafting a RB that would make it so he wouldn't carry 400 times again.........

If he carries as many times this year as last his career is over.

Guys like Booker are 3rd/4th rounders and also can return kicks.....

Yeah, but what about Ross? I mean, I get the feeling that he should be a possible nod for the 3rd back behind Bennett. I understand the concern over Bennett, but damn, sometimes you have to take a risk. When healthy, he's been pretty damn good. Also, I thought Webb was going to be our return guy, or at least that he could be our return guy, if we got rid of Dante.

We need other stuff before we need a RB.

If they draft a running back in the first three rounds, it a stronger indication to me that plan on starting Croyle than trading LJ.

I don't really think you can "count" on undrafted players or really late picks to fill roles until they prove they can do it.

I don't think asking Jeff Webb to really be the return man is a good idea.....maybe it's just me.