Mending Fences - Page 3

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.

bricks · 05-13-2005, 08:23 AM

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.

that's a good plan. Mess with the defenses minds a little bit. I would like to see them throw in an extra back. Possibly Wilson or Richardson. Then we've got a jumbo package. I don't think the Chiefs have that type of formation involved in their playbook.

Frankie · 05-13-2005, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tk13

I don't know, LJ is always talking about his dad... he seems to have a lot of say in what LJ thinks.

Sounds like Barry Sanders part deaux.

jspchief · 05-13-2005, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brock

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

Me too. It started with a lot of questionable play calling last year. Now I hear about this sh*t with LJ and it really makes me wonder.

I don't like the thought that players may not be getting on the field because of grudges, pouting, or pre-conceived opinions by the coaches. It's great that he's "mending the fence" now, but the fact remains that he played a part in breaking the fence to begin with. How many more times will a talented player be wasted?

Frankie · 05-13-2005, 08:34 AM

I know I'm in a clear minority on this at the moment. But I prefer to keep Saunders (as future HC) than keeping LJ if the two can't get along. Don't get me wrong. If LJ keeps showing the stuff he showed last year I'd love to have him. But I'm afraid he's Carl's boy and Carl might decide to not hire Saunders as DV's replacement. That, I have a feeling, will be a bigger loss to the Chiefs. Saunders is one of the top assistants in the league and has previous headcoaching experience. His hiring will be crucial to the Chiefs offensive philosophy not being derailed.

All in all, my favorite scenario is for both parties to kiss and make up.

htismaqe · 05-13-2005, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brock

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

I've thought that for a long time.

I don't believe in trying to extend something just because you can.

**HemiEd** · 05-13-2005, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frankie

I know I'm in a clear minority on this at the moment. But I prefer to keep Saunders (as future HC) than keeping LJ if the two can't get along. Don't get me wrong. If LJ keeps showing the stuff he showed last year I'd love to have him. But I'm afraid he's Carl's boy and Carl might decide to not hire Saunders as DV's replacement. That, I have a feeling, will be a bigger loss to the Chiefs. Saunders is one of the top assistants in the league and has previous headcoaching experience. His hiring will be crucial to the Chiefs offensive philosophy not being derailed.

All in all, my favorite scenario is for both parties to kiss and make up.

I totally agree with this. Damn I love watching his offense play!

Kyle401 · 05-13-2005, 08:59 AM

I suprised that Saunders is catching so much flak here. He may have made some mistakes with LJ, but LJ may have made some mistakes also. At least Saunders is man enough to sack up and try to work out the relationship for the good of the team and the player. It's not easy to tell someone (particularly a subordinate i.e. boss/employee, coach/player) that you were wrong and you want to set things right.

kc1977 · 05-13-2005, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wile_E_Coyote

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.

Is he talking about 1970 or did I miss something very big that happened? Chiefs hoping to make another Super Bowl run?

I think the guy must have meant Vickie D making another Super Bowl run riding the tails of talented assistants to prop up his legend of being nothing more than merely a bizarre and occassionaly senile .500 coach.

**the Talking Can** · 05-13-2005, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kyle401

I suprised that Saunders is catching so much flak here. He may have made some mistakes with LJ, but LJ may have made some mistakes also. At least Saunders is man enough to sack up and try to work out the relationship for the good of the team and the player. It's not easy to tell someone (particularly a subordinate i.e. boss/employee, coach/player) that you were wrong and you want to set things right.

no shit, particularly when LJ is a whiny, pouting, wife beating prick...I'm glad LJ is a good player for us, I'm glad we drafted him, but he's had his ass kissed enough....AS is the best OC in the league and we want to throw him under the bus for LJ???

Frankie · 05-13-2005, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kyle401

I suprised that Saunders is catching so much flak here. He may have made some mistakes with LJ, but LJ may have made some mistakes also. At least Saunders is man enough to sack up and try to work out the relationship for the good of the team and the player. It's not easy to tell someone (particularly a subordinate i.e. boss/employee, coach/player) that you were wrong and you want to set things right.

Exactly.
Rep

Frankie · 05-13-2005, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the Talking Can

no shit, particularly when LJ is a whiny, pouting, wife beating prick...I'm glad LJ is a good player for us, I'm glad we drafted him, but he's had his ass kissed enough....AS is the best OC in the league and we want to throw him under the bus for LJ???

OK rep for you too.

BIG_DADDY · 05-13-2005, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the Talking Can

no shit, particularly when LJ is a whiny, pouting, wife beating prick...I'm glad LJ is a good player for us, I'm glad we drafted him, but he's had his ass kissed enough....AS is the best OC in the league and we want to throw him under the bus for LJ???

He probably thinks he's too good to eat his fruit out of can as well, ****ing elitist.

B_Ambuehl · 05-13-2005, 01:20 PM

LJ ran for a few hundred yard games and scored some touchdowns but so did Ruben Droughns. I believe they both amassed yards for the same reason.

I'm sure people weren't questioning Saunders choice at Blaylock as the 2nd string tailback when he was eating up the Saints defense for nearly 200 yards in his first start.

**Rausch** · 05-13-2005, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vlad Logicslav

Who you kidding as I recall you hated Gunther as a Head Coach as well.

Me I would just be incredibly sad, and maybe finally give up on the Chiefs.

I didn't hate Gunther.

I wanted Dom Capers hired. At the time he was hired Gun would have been my 3rd choice.

By the end I loved gun and absolutely hated the stooges. Was it time for a change?

Definitely.

Was Gun doing a good job?

Not if he couldn't see the stooges were holding his team back.

I think a guy like DV who DOESN'T think he can do it all by himself (and shows what I consider to be the proper way to delegate responsibility) is a great person to fill Gun in on what he didn't have as a HC.

And I hope Gun gets another chance at HC somewhere. Look at how long it's taken Al Saunders...

**Rausch** · 05-13-2005, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htismaqe

I've thought that for a long time.

I don't believe in trying to extend something just because you can.

Just out of curiosity, if DV and AS were to leave, what type of HC/Philosophy would you want?...

05-12-2005, 07:13 PM
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

05-13-2005, 08:34 AM	#34
Frankie Banned Join Date: Jul 2001 Casino cash: $10004900	I know I'm in a clear minority on this at the moment. But I prefer to keep Saunders (as future HC) than keeping LJ if the two can't get along. Don't get me wrong. If LJ keeps showing the stuff he showed last year I'd love to have him. But I'm afraid he's Carl's boy and Carl might decide to not hire Saunders as DV's replacement. That, I have a feeling, will be a bigger loss to the Chiefs. Saunders is one of the top assistants in the league and has previous headcoaching experience. His hiring will be crucial to the Chiefs offensive philosophy not being derailed. All in all, my favorite scenario is for both parties to kiss and make up.
Posts: 26,959

05-13-2005, 08:59 AM	#37
Kyle401 1st Round Bust Join Date: Feb 2005 Casino cash: $10004900	I suprised that Saunders is catching so much flak here. He may have made some mistakes with LJ, but LJ may have made some mistakes also. At least Saunders is man enough to sack up and try to work out the relationship for the good of the team and the player. It's not easy to tell someone (particularly a subordinate i.e. boss/employee, coach/player) that you were wrong and you want to set things right.
Posts: 788

05-13-2005, 01:20 PM	#43
B_Ambuehl Veteran Join Date: Apr 2005 Casino cash: $9705405	LJ ran for a few hundred yard games and scored some touchdowns but so did Ruben Droughns. I believe they both amassed yards for the same reason. I'm sure people weren't questioning Saunders choice at Blaylock as the 2nd string tailback when he was eating up the Saints defense for nearly 200 yards in his first start. __________________ Who's decision was it to fire Romeo" - Coleman C Hunt: "It was my decision but it was one that Scott agreed with" LOL
Posts: 2,613