Holmes, Johnson sharing carries for KC

Wile_E_Coyote · 09-17-2005, 03:52 PM

Versatile running back duo gives Raiders' defense much to ponder

Saturday, September 17, 2005
By PHIL BARBER
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

http://www1.pressdemocrat.com/apps/p...77/1010/SPORTS

ALAMEDA - The good news for the Raiders last year was that they didn't have to face Priest Holmes, the do-everything Chiefs running back who missed the second half of the 2004 season with a knee injury. The bad news was Larry Johnson, who registered his first 100-yard rushing game (20 carries for 118) against Oakland as Holmes' replacement Dec. 5.

Now comes the worse news: Both backs are healthy and ready to hurl themselves toward the Raiders' defense Sunday night. Last week, they combined for 195 rushing yards against the Jets, with Johnson picking up 110 and Holmes 85.

"Both Larry and Priest present challenges, especially in the run game," Oakland outside linebacker Tyler Brayton said. "They use them well on screen passes and all that, but the run, that's paramount." The runners are not carbon copies of each other; Holmes is a little more elusive, Johnson more of a power back. But their roles don't vary much in the ground game.

Clearly, either is capable of doing workhorse duty. Holmes, 32 in October, is the Chiefs' career leader in both rushing yards (5,482) and total yards from scrimmage (7,645). Johnson, 25, bears a streak of six consecutive games with two or more touchdowns; if he scores a couple against the Raiders, he will tie John Riggins' all-time mark of seven.

The Raiders, for all their Week 1 faults, did a good job in run defense, holding the Patriots to 73 yards on 31 carries. This week might require an even stronger effort.

To stop Kansas City's revolving attack, Oakland coach Norv Turner said the team has to handle the Chiefs' superb offensive line (which will probably be missing left tackle Willie Roaf) and then tackle properly, something New York did not do consistently Sunday. Defensive tackle Warren Sapp agrees.

"Running backs will lie to you, but linemen won't," Sapp said. "That's one thing you have to do is key on the linemen and how the blocking schemes affect each alignment that we have. Once you get the blocking scheme down, it's just a matter of having good technique and being able to tackle."

If the Chiefs' running attack gives defensive coordinators fits, it hasn't always been easy for coach Dick Vermeil and his staff to balance the opportunities on their end.

"We try to do it as efficiently as we can," Vermeil said by phone. "I'm not going to say it's a perfect scenario in terms of making both guys happy. ... If you have the right people involved in that kind of situation, you can make it work. If you don't have the right kind of people, the right attitudes within that position, then you have some problems."

Vermeil and his running backs coach, James Saxon, sat the two runners down to discuss the situation after training camp broke and again before the Jets game. The message: Holmes is our starter, but both of you should be prepared to play lead back.

"It's a situation Larry understands," Chiefs quarterback Trent Green said. "As long as Larry knows that going into every game he's gonna have some opportunities to make plays, I think he's comfortable with that. And I think Priest knows that if he doesn't perform at the level he needs to, Larry is breathing right down his neck. So I think this is a good problem to have."

The Chiefs hope Johnson's involvement in the run game can help prolong the career of Holmes, who has battled back from major injuries - including a torn ACL at Texas in 1995 and a strained MCL with the Baltimore Ravens in 1999 - several times during his football career. Vermeil said he sees the value in extending Holmes' longevity, but he believes his recent ailments have been flukes.

"Once (he got) drug down from behind after a long run against Denver (in 2002), and he hurt his hip," Vermeil said. "And this last year he got hit in midair, right on the knee, and had a medial collateral strain and he missed the rest of the season - all the injuries that if you were 24 years old would have happened, or if you were 32 years old would have happened.

"This guy is a phenomenally trained athlete. He reminds me of a Jerry Rice in terms of his professionalism in regards to preparation to play." And now he has a Terrell Owens to spell him.
EXTRA POINTS

Turner hinted that WR Doug Gabriel is unlikely to play Sunday.

09-17-2005, 03:52 PM	Topic Starter
Wile_E_Coyote avatar down for remodel Join Date: Jul 2001 Casino cash: $10004900	Holmes, Johnson sharing carries for KC Versatile running back duo gives Raiders' defense much to ponder Saturday, September 17, 2005 By PHIL BARBER THE PRESS DEMOCRAT http://www1.pressdemocrat.com/apps/p...77/1010/SPORTS ALAMEDA - The good news for the Raiders last year was that they didn't have to face Priest Holmes, the do-everything Chiefs running back who missed the second half of the 2004 season with a knee injury. The bad news was Larry Johnson, who registered his first 100-yard rushing game (20 carries for 118) against Oakland as Holmes' replacement Dec. 5. Now comes the worse news: Both backs are healthy and ready to hurl themselves toward the Raiders' defense Sunday night. Last week, they combined for 195 rushing yards against the Jets, with Johnson picking up 110 and Holmes 85. "Both Larry and Priest present challenges, especially in the run game," Oakland outside linebacker Tyler Brayton said. "They use them well on screen passes and all that, but the run, that's paramount." The runners are not carbon copies of each other; Holmes is a little more elusive, Johnson more of a power back. But their roles don't vary much in the ground game. Clearly, either is capable of doing workhorse duty. Holmes, 32 in October, is the Chiefs' career leader in both rushing yards (5,482) and total yards from scrimmage (7,645). Johnson, 25, bears a streak of six consecutive games with two or more touchdowns; if he scores a couple against the Raiders, he will tie John Riggins' all-time mark of seven. The Raiders, for all their Week 1 faults, did a good job in run defense, holding the Patriots to 73 yards on 31 carries. This week might require an even stronger effort. To stop Kansas City's revolving attack, Oakland coach Norv Turner said the team has to handle the Chiefs' superb offensive line (which will probably be missing left tackle Willie Roaf) and then tackle properly, something New York did not do consistently Sunday. Defensive tackle Warren Sapp agrees. "Running backs will lie to you, but linemen won't," Sapp said. "That's one thing you have to do is key on the linemen and how the blocking schemes affect each alignment that we have. Once you get the blocking scheme down, it's just a matter of having good technique and being able to tackle." If the Chiefs' running attack gives defensive coordinators fits, it hasn't always been easy for coach Dick Vermeil and his staff to balance the opportunities on their end. "We try to do it as efficiently as we can," Vermeil said by phone. "I'm not going to say it's a perfect scenario in terms of making both guys happy. ... If you have the right people involved in that kind of situation, you can make it work. If you don't have the right kind of people, the right attitudes within that position, then you have some problems." Vermeil and his running backs coach, James Saxon, sat the two runners down to discuss the situation after training camp broke and again before the Jets game. The message: Holmes is our starter, but both of you should be prepared to play lead back. "It's a situation Larry understands," Chiefs quarterback Trent Green said. "As long as Larry knows that going into every game he's gonna have some opportunities to make plays, I think he's comfortable with that. And I think Priest knows that if he doesn't perform at the level he needs to, Larry is breathing right down his neck. So I think this is a good problem to have." The Chiefs hope Johnson's involvement in the run game can help prolong the career of Holmes, who has battled back from major injuries - including a torn ACL at Texas in 1995 and a strained MCL with the Baltimore Ravens in 1999 - several times during his football career. Vermeil said he sees the value in extending Holmes' longevity, but he believes his recent ailments have been flukes. "Once (he got) drug down from behind after a long run against Denver (in 2002), and he hurt his hip," Vermeil said. "And this last year he got hit in midair, right on the knee, and had a medial collateral strain and he missed the rest of the season - all the injuries that if you were 24 years old would have happened, or if you were 32 years old would have happened. "This guy is a phenomenally trained athlete. He reminds me of a Jerry Rice in terms of his professionalism in regards to preparation to play." And now he has a Terrell Owens to spell him. EXTRA POINTS Turner hinted that WR Doug Gabriel is unlikely to play Sunday.
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