Kevin Johnson Coming for a Visit

[Archie Bunker]

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansas...s/11319912.htm

CHIEFS NOTEBOOK


Ravens receiver Johnson to visit

By ADAM TEICHER

The Kansas City Star


The Chiefs' meeting with Kevin Johnson, postponed from last month, was scheduled to begin with the free-agent wide receiver's arrival in Kansas City today.

Johnson represents the Chiefs' best chance to improve at wide receiver through free agency. They may also select a receiver in an early round of the draft later this month.

The Chiefs have long been interested in Johnson. They tried to trade for him when he was with Cleveland three years ago.

Johnson then was coming off a career-best season when he caught 84 passes for 1,097 yards and scored nine touchdowns. His numbers have since dropped, and he moved from the Browns to Jacksonville and Baltimore.

He had a career-low 35 catches last season, though even that led the passing-challenged Ravens.

“We're just taking a look right now,” Chiefs coach Dick Vermeil said. “I'm just curious as to why he can't stay on a roster. He's been a productive player.”

The Chiefs would like to add at least one more player to their receiving mix. Starters Eddie Kennison and Johnnie Morton are over 30. Samie Parker played well toward the end of his rookie season, but the Chiefs aren't convinced he's ready to be a full-time player.

The other leading receiving candidates are Dante Hall, Chris Horn and Marc Boerigter, who is coming off a knee injury that cost him all of last season.

“You always want to try to upgrade everything you do, including the players you coach,” Vermeil said. “You can say we're comfortable with our wide receivers, but in this business you don't know which guy is going to get hurt or which guy is all of a sudden not going to be as good as he was because he's getting older.”

• PUNTER WORKS OUT: The Chiefs' search for training camp competition for punter Nick Murphy led them Tuesday to veteran Chris Mohr, who worked out at Arrowhead Stadium.

Mohr, 38, is a 15-year veteran with Tampa Bay, Buffalo and Atlanta. Mohr is known for his towering punts that are easy to cover. The Falcons last year allowed the fewest punt return yards in the NFL.

[shaneo69]

Originally Posted by Cochise

After having his best season as a Chief, I have to wonder, if Morton sucked as bad as everyone around here says he does, wouldn't he be gone too?

Hey Cochise, in your little dream world, did the Chiefs win the Super Bowl last year?

[the Talking Can]

Here's the stats for Not-Johhny Morton:

games/catches/yards/avg. per catch/TDS

1999 Cleveland Browns 16 66 986 14.9 8
2000 Cleveland Browns 16 57 669 11.7 0
2001 Cleveland Browns 16 84 1097 13.1 9
2002 Cleveland Browns 15 67 703 10.5 4
2003 Jacksonville Jaguars 9 58 634 10.9 3
2004 Baltimore Ravens 5 35 373 10.7 1

[jspchief]

Originally Posted by the Talking Can

Johnson has 2 things going for him:

1. He's not Johhny Morton
1a. He's not gay like Johhny Morton
2. He's cheaper than a gay Johnny Morton

the dude has averaged about 60 catches a year, prior to last year....

So has Morton, and Morton averaged a hell of a lot more yards.

I'm not trying to stick up for Morton, but I don't see KJ having done anything to make me believe he's a definate improvement. Especially when you consider he'll have to learn the offense. It's a lateral move IMO, and I can't see a huge reason to fuck with chemistry over a lateral move. I guess it depends on price tag.

Personally, I'm still kind of crying over the spilled milk that was Keenan McCardell.

[Eleazar]

Originally Posted by shaneo69

Hey Cochise, in your little dream world, did the Chiefs win the Super Bowl last year?

No, but in the real world, he did put up 800 yards last year, something Johnson has not done since 2001.

[dtebbe]

Originally Posted by the Talking Can

Johnson has 2 things going for him:

1. He's not Johhny Morton
1a. He's not gay like Johhny Morton
2. He's cheaper than a gay Johnny Morton

the dude has averaged about 60 catches a year, prior to last year....

So basically you are saying Morton is a turd burgler

DT

[the Talking Can]

Originally Posted by jspchief

So has Morton, and Morton averaged a hell of a lot more yards.

I'm not trying to stick up for Morton, but I don't see KJ having done anything to make me believe he's a definate improvement. Especially when you consider he'll have to learn the offense. It's a lateral move IMO, and I can't see a huge reason to fuck with chemistry over a lateral move. I guess it depends on price tag.

Personally, I'm still kind of crying over the spilled milk that was Keenan McCardell.

I think the point is that everyone - fans, coaches, players - is sick of Morton and his insanely stupid plays...in terms of production it is a lateral move, but:

Johnson is younger, cheaper, and not gay....(I'm still waiting for Morton's cyber boy friend to show up screaming)

[Coach]

Originally Posted by the Talking Can

Here's the stats for Not-Johhny Morton:

games/catches/yards/avg. per catch/TDS

1999 Cleveland Browns 16 66 986 14.9 8
2000 Cleveland Browns 16 57 669 11.7 0
2001 Cleveland Browns 16 84 1097 13.1 9
2002 Cleveland Browns 15 67 703 10.5 4
2003 Jacksonville Jaguars 9 58 634 10.9 3
2004 Baltimore Ravens 5 35 373 10.7 1

Yikes.... however, I would like to give him the benefit of the doubt, becuase the fact that the Browns really suck big balls, we all know this. And that Baltimore isn't really a excellent passing team per se. But whatever happened to him in the Jacksonville and Baltimore seasons? Did he get injured?

[BigChiefFan]

I think he is a good receiver, but I don't think he is going to come in and put up 1200 yards receiving and 12 TDs per season. If cutting Morton SAVES us money, than I'm for it, but I don't think KJ is head and shoulders above Morton.

[shaneo69]

Originally Posted by Cochise

No, but in the real world, he did put up 800 yards last year, something Johnson has not done since 2001.

Yeah, and then he decided to take the last two games off.

Yes, KJ is about the equivalent of Morton as far as production goes, but that's all this offense needs. What it doesn't need is Morton's salary, attitude, and propensity to make stupid plays, like falling down when the ball's coming or fumbling inside the redzone. KJ is about 2-3 years younger, so if he can come in and put up 800 yards receiving for 3 years in a row, the Chiefs offense should continue to excel. DV doesn't want a primadona star WR who's going to come in here and whine about not getting the ball enough.

[C-Mac]

Originally Posted by shaneo69

Hey Cochise, in your little dream world, did the Chiefs win the Super Bowl last year?

No, but it wasnt due to Morton's lack of play.
Morton had a very good year and I wouldnt mind him staying on the team because of his knowledge of the offense. I think that Johnson would replace Dante Hall on the recievers list so he can focus on his return game.

[the Talking Can]

Originally Posted by shaneo69

What it doesn't need is Morton's salary, attitude, and propensity to make stupid plays, like falling down when the ball's coming or fumbling inside the redzone.

or failing to step out of bounds and costing us a FG, etc...

[shaneo69]

Originally Posted by C-Mac

No, but it wasnt due to Morton's lack of play.
Morton had a very good year and I wouldnt mind him staying on the team because of his knowledge of the offense. I think that Johnson would replace Dante Hall on the recievers list so he can focus on his return game.

What, are we gonna carry 9 WR's on the roster?

Morton and Kennison as starters, for their production and knowledge of the offense.

KJ and Chris Horn for 3rd down, 3-receiver sets.

Parker and McIntyre for 1st down, play-action bombs.

Dante for punt and kick returns.

Bo and Hill as gunners on the coverage teams.


Morton should've been gone after his woeful playoff showing against Indy. Then he went on to skip training camp and take the last two games of the season off last year, sandwiched around all his mental mistakes during the middle of the season. He's a 12 year vet making these mistakes, and at a Pro Bowl salary no less. And in addition, he's been called out in public as being gay and a steroid user. Why waste anymore time on this guy?

[TRR]

I think Kevin Johnson would be a great addition. He's nearly 5 years younger than Morton, and could put up the same type of numbers in this offense IMHO. KJ needs a coach like Vermeil, and a QB like Trent Green. For some reason, I could see KJ really resurrecting his career in KC. He has a ton of talent. Although he hasn't had a whole lot of talent around him.

[TRR]

Originally Posted by shaneo69

What, are we gonna carry 9 WR's on the roster?

Morton and Kennison as starters, for their production and knowledge of the offense.

KJ and Chris Horn for 3rd down, 3-receiver sets.

Parker and McIntyre for 1st down, play-action bombs.

Dante for punt and kick returns.

Bo and Hill as gunners on the coverage teams.

Morton may very well be released on June 1st.

McIntyre won't make the team/Practice Squad

Dante will fill his normal role.

KJ and Kennison could be your starters.

Boe will be the 3rd/4th WR if healthy.

It looks like this IMHO. (If KJ signs)...

Starters: KJ, Kennison
3rd/4th WR: Boe, Hall
5th WR/ST'er: Pick one between Horn, McIntyre, Hill, and Parker

[milkman]

Originally Posted by TRR

Morton may very well be released on June 1st.

McIntyre won't make the team/Practice Squad

Dante will fill his normal role.

KJ and Kennison could be your starters.

Boe will be the 3rd/4th WR if healthy.

It looks like this IMHO. (If KJ signs)...

Starters: KJ, Kennison
3rd/4th WR: Boe, Hall
5th WR/ST'er: Pick one between Horn, McIntyre, Hill, and Parker

I'd rather have Horn as the 4th receiver.
Hall just isn't a very good receiver, except against Denver for some reason.