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, 07:13 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.
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