Morning Update (Sign LJ Edition)

by Chris Thorman on Jul 24, 2007 6:28 AM CDT in 2007 Kansas City Chiefs Season

Scout.com breaks down the Larry Johnson situation in fine form.
The Greg Wesley to Denver talk barely continues. KC Chiefs Fanatic weighed in on this last week.
Arrowhead Addict gives us their training camp preview of the offense.
The San Diego Chargers only need one more draft pick to sign.
MSNB has a list of the shakiest NFL backfields. Guess what? The Chiefs aren't even close to being on it. Sign LJ!
Pacman Jonesin' had a list of the worst NFL fan bases yesterday with St. Louis taking its appropriate place on the list. Wearing khaki shorts to a football game in December will do that to you. Oh, and so will artificial turf. Its even worse when the Mayor of St. Louis holds up giant bags of money and cackles violently.

San Diego has quite the jump on us as far as signing draft picks. I'm not particularly worried about our three remaining draft picks that haven't signed. They will sign eventually and this negotiation process has become part of the nature of the NFL. Guys want to get paid as much as possible and its apparent that's true when guys sign with certain agents. I understand Larry Johnson's need to get paid a lot of money. He's not exactly valued in the trade market as the no. 2 running back in the NFL, which is unfortunate for him and the Kansas City Chiefs. That means that LJ is looking to get the major contract of his career right now. And you still can't blame the guy. The Chiefs should pay him but not break the bank and mortgage our future ala Trent Green's contract that had him getting paid over $7 million when he was 37 years old (I know the contracts can go both ways). Larry Johnson will be one of the few running backs to buck the 370 carry then bust trend. I believe he has that competitive edge and drive necessary to do so. The guy doesn't have that much wear on him either. LaDainian Tomlinson has 500 carries more than LJ and there is no talk of his decline.

Larry Johnson is 27 years old and in the prime of his career. Don't let him get away.

Year	Team	G	GS	Att	Yds	Avg	Lg	TD	20+	1st
2003	Kansas City Chiefs	6	0	20	85	4.3	15	1	0	5
2004	Kansas City Chiefs	10	3	120	581	4.8	46	9	4	34
2005	Kansas City Chiefs	16	9	336	1750	5.2	49	20	15	97
2006	Kansas City Chiefs	16	16	416	1789	4.3	47	17	10	91
TOTAL		48	28	892	4205	4.7	49	47	29	227

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Comments

LJ isn't done

You're right, he doesn't have the same wear on him as most other backs in the league. He didn't play much in high school until his senior year, same with college, and never got a chance to start until the 2nd half of his third year with the Chiefs.

I would like us to give LJ a 4 year deal, with a team option on the last year. Give him in the range of $25 million with a hefty signing bonus. He would be worth that money in the prime of his career. I've been hearing he wants around $27 million guaranteed (just what I heard, don't have any sources)

by Joel Thorman on Jul 24, 2007 8:56 AM CDT reply actions

I've learned you

have to watch the numbers coming out of contract negotiations. At one point, the media reported that Trent Green and Miami were $4 million apart and Green basically ended up with his old contract in Miami. They also reported that Miami was looking to pay him the veteran's minimum.

by Chris Thorman on Jul 24, 2007 9:00 AM CDT up reply actions

Also

If LJ was another team and the Chiefs had a need at running back, I wouldn't be surprised if the LJ haters were clamoring to sign him. There just isn't a lot of evidence IMO to suggest he's a malcontent.

by Chris Thorman on Jul 24, 2007 9:03 AM CDT reply actions

People usually aren't that faithful to RBs

because their position is viewed as a dime a dozen around the league. Along with that, their NFL life is generally much shorter. Loyalties tend to lie more with QBs and OL as they can carry a team for 10+ years. I just don't want to sign LJ to too long of a contract, or hamper the rest of our team's development by wrapping a lot of money up in him.

by Joel Thorman on Jul 24, 2007 3:28 PM CDT reply actions

Give it to him

LJ has shown that he is willing to pay the punishment to take the Chiefs to the Super Bowl.

by ilamuku on Jul 25, 2007 3:30 PM CDT reply actions

Agreed

Welcome to the site.

by Chris Thorman on Jul 25, 2007 3:46 PM CDT up reply actions

LJ isnt a malcontent.

sure, he gets pissed off when our offense blows against SD, i was too. i love primetime's idea, give him a 4 year deal with a bunch of guranteed money. he will get the $$ he wants, be very productive for us through 2011 and he might even be able to continue his career afterwards (most likely elsewhere) for another decent sized contract. especially with priest coming back, his workload will go down and he will be able to be successful in the nfl for awhile longer.

by rockchalk on Jul 25, 2007 7:12 PM CDT reply actions