LJ on their mind? Chiefs appear to be planning to draft a running back

[Hammock Parties]

http://www.kansascity.com/160/story/77543.html

LJ on their mind?

Chiefs appear to be planning to draft a running back to back up or replace Johnson.

By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star

Maybe the Chiefs are truly concerned about Larry Johnson’s welfare. Perhaps it’s a sign they believe he is ready to hold out or they’re preparing to trade him.

Or it could be just something as simple as the Chiefs doing their predraft homework.

Whatever the reason, they met this week at Arrowhead Stadium with at least four of the higher-profile running backs available in the coming draft: California’s Marshawn Lynch, Ohio State’s Antonio Pittman, Florida State’s Lorenzo Booker and Louisville’s Kolby Smith.

Oklahoma’s Adrian Peterson, widely considered the top running back available in the draft, did not visit with the Chiefs this week. Neither did some of the other top runners, including Arizona’s Chris Henry, Auburn’s Kenny Irons, Penn State’s Tony Hunt and Alabama’s Kenneth Darby.

The Chiefs were unavailable Thursday to speak about their motives. But the agents for all of the players said the Chiefs told them they planned to draft a running back in an early round.

“They’ve put that out there,” said Smith’s agent, Jerrold Colton. “They said they want the running-back duties shared a little more to save the wear and tear on (Johnson).”

That part makes sense. Johnson was the busiest NFL back ever last season when he set a league record with 416 carries, and coach Herm Edwards has said he would like to reduce the burden on Johnson.

Edwards also indicated recently there was a good chance the Chiefs would draft another running back.

The puzzling part is that the Chiefs are looking at some premier backs. Lynch probably will be selected by the time the Chiefs make their first pick, 23rd in the first round. Pittman is a likely second-round selection.

Booker and Smith, though, could be available in the latter half of the seven-round draft.

The Chiefs have an accomplished backup to Johnson in Michael Bennett. He didn’t help them much last year, mainly because of injuries.

But he once rushed for more than 1,000 yards with Minnesota. The Chiefs like that he’s fast and that he’s a good complement to Johnson.

Johnson and the Chiefs have worked on a new contract that would give him a raise, but they don’t have an agreement yet. Johnson has not threatened to hold out if he doesn’t get a new deal and has been participating in the offseason workout program.

The Chiefs also might be willing to trade Johnson if the right trade offer came along.

[ct]

Originally Posted by Laz

Trade Trent Green and Larry Johnson to Cleveland for the 3rd pick of the draft.


chiefs mock

Rd 1
#3 WR Calvin Johnson
#?? (trade down recoup a 3rd/4th) DT Justin Harrell

RD 2

#23 RB Antonnio Pittman

RD 3

#?? (trade from Rd 1) CB Jonathan Wade, Tennessee

#23 OG Manuel Ramirez, Texas Tech

RD4-7 BAA
...

Make it happen Laz! Maybe you could add in the Jared Allen trade to Washington for #6, and we can get this instead:

Round 1
#3 WR Calvin Johnson, else OT Joe Thomas
#6 RB Adrian Peterson
#23 DT Alan Branch, else trade down for DT Justin Harrell, recoup 3rd/4th

Round 2
#54 OT Doug Free, else WR Jason Hill (depends on pick #3)

Round 3
#84 DE Ikaika Alama-Francis
I like Wade with extra 3rd

Rounds 4-7
BAA, like to see an OG, and another DE

[The Poz]

Apparently the Chiefs have been looking at Kansas running back Jon Cornish. Don't know too much about him, don't get many Kansas games up here but we hear a bit about him just 'cause he's Canadian.
http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/sco...oncornish.html

This article (mid-way down) mentions that the Chiefs & Bears are looking at him.
http://www.torontosun.com/Sports/Oth...67293-sun.html

He'll be a late rounder.

[Tribal Warfare]

thinking about it, it would make the Joe Thomas comment that his agent thinks he's going to KC more relevant if a blockbuster LJ trade does go down.

[sedated]

Originally Posted by The Poz

Apparently the Chiefs have been looking at Kansas running back Jon Cornish. Don't know too much about him, don't get many Kansas games up here but we hear a bit about him just 'cause he's Canadian.

Cornish was so under-rated at KU.

He's got the straight-ahead speed, decent size, and good vision.

[Eleazar]

Originally Posted by The Poz

Apparently the Chiefs have been looking at Kansas running back Jon Cornish. Don't know too much about him, don't get many Kansas games up here but we hear a bit about him just 'cause he's Canadian.
http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/sco...oncornish.html

He's the next Jesse Haynes...

[ct]

Originally Posted by Tribal Warfare

thinking about it, it would make the Joe Thomas comment that his agent thinks he's going to KC more relevant if a blockbuster LJ trade does go down.

that was a mistake actually, chagrin meant to say Joe Staley, not Joe Thomas.

[CosmicPal]

This is no surprise.

The Chiefs NEED another RB. They also NEED another WR, another Tackle, another Guard, another Center, DE, DT, CB, and another WR, another DT, another CB, another....uggghhhh, does it ever end!

[kcchiefsus]

Originally Posted by Mecca

I don't really think you can "count" on undrafted players or really late picks to fill roles until they prove they can do it.

I don't think asking Jeff Webb to really be the return man is a good idea.....maybe it's just me.

That's like if every company in a certain job field required all new applicants to already have 3 years of job experience in that field. How are you going to have job experience if nobody will hire you in the first place?

How can a player prove they can do something until you give them the playing time? You can't.

[KevB]

Originally Posted by sedated

Cornish was so under-rated at KU.

He's got the straight-ahead speed, decent size, and good vision.

He ran a slow 40 in workouts, maybe a 4.65 or so (going off memory). I think he's a decent back, just not sure he has the quickness/speed necessary. Where he really improved in college and made his mark was his vision. He became very good seeing and anticipating the play in front of him. Even with the vision, I don't know if he's quick enough to take advantage of that skill.

[OctoberFart]

They might as well trade Cancer Diaper Boy since they are rebuilding anyway.

[go bo]

i don't get it...

why would you get rid of one of the very best rb's in the league?

we've been blessed with two in a row that are/will be among the best rb's of all time...

why in the holy hell would anybody want to trade one of the all time best rb's?

if they were gonna get rid of larry (in order to rebuild or whatever), why did they keep gonzo?

i think it's nuts to trade away one of the best players you've ever had, especially if all you get in return are draft picks, which may or may not work out...

most draftees don't reach their potential in the first or second years...

so even a good pick in the draft would probably not be able to replace larry's production for 2 or 3 years...

hell, if we can somehow put together a decent o-line, larry's production should improve...

now if someone could teach him how to block blitzing lb's or db's ...

and how to catch the ball...

he would truly be one of the best ever...

[Chief Roundup]

Well a RB would not be the "exciting" pick that we could make. So this makes me think that RB might be the BAA that everyone always wants us to draft or it is a way to see if get someone to trade up to our 1st.

[listopencil]

Didn't you guys draft LJ when Priest was still very effective?

[ChiefsCountry]

Originally Posted by listopencil

Didn't you guys draft LJ when Priest was still very effective?

Yeah Carl did, and Dicky V went ape shit over it.

[Hammock Parties]

Carl drafted LJ because he wasn't sure about Priest's hip.