Mending Fences

Wile_E_Coyote · 05-12-2005, 07:13 PM

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.

05-12-2005, 07:16 PM

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.

**Bowser** · 05-12-2005, 07:16 PM

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.

Eleazar · 05-12-2005, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bowser

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.

Let's see the Maryland I, baby

Inspector · 05-12-2005, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bowser

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.

Can't wait to see that.

NaptownChief · 05-12-2005, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bowser

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.

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.

MichaelH · 05-13-2005, 05:51 AM

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.

SCTrojan · 05-13-2005, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NaptownChief

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.

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.

**Lzen** · 05-13-2005, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCTrojan

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.

Brock · 05-13-2005, 08:15 AM

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

Wile_E_Coyote · 05-13-2005, 08:17 AM

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

craneref · 05-12-2005, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bowser

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.

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

or Wilson or Tony trying to be covered by a single player. I have no problem with breaking the single season scoring record.

GO CHIEFS

T-post Tom · 05-12-2005, 09:31 PM

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

Wallcrawler · 05-12-2005, 11:26 PM

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.

**Skip Towne** · 05-12-2005, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wallcrawler

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.

05-12-2005, 07:13 PM	Topic Starter
Wile_E_Coyote avatar down for remodel Join Date: Jul 2001 Casino cash: $10004900	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.
Posts: 6,009

05-12-2005, 07:16 PM	#2
Phobia Guest Casino cash: $	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.
Posts: n/a

05-12-2005, 07:16 PM	#3
Bowser sorta mod-ish Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: KC North Casino cash: $-178384	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.
Posts: 106,813

05-13-2005, 05:51 AM	#7
MichaelH Go Chiefs! Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Gastonia, North Carolina Casino cash: $9192006	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.
Posts: 3,187

05-13-2005, 08:15 AM	#10
Brock Say hello to my little friend Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Larryville Casino cash: $9598422	I'm beginning to think Al Saunders should leave with Vermeil.
Posts: 47,314

05-13-2005, 08:17 AM	#11
Wile_E_Coyote avatar down for remodel Join Date: Jul 2001 Casino cash: $10004900	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 Last edited by Wile_E_Coyote; 05-13-2005 at 08:35 AM..
Posts: 6,009

05-12-2005, 09:31 PM	#13
T-post Tom Busy in a Kohl's restroom Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Milk/Honey/Gazland Casino cash: $1757293	Good news, so long as no one is taking his diapers off. __________________ You seem nice!
Posts: 22,376