Chiefs Brass Has History of Dealing With These Problems
by Joel Thorman on Oct 27, 2009 10:53 AM CDT
in 2009 Campaign
41 comments
Photo courtesy the Kansas City Star
In the Scott Pioli era, the Kansas City Chiefs have reacted appropriately and relatively quickly to off-the-field trouble. This is one of the reasons I expect a decision, whether it be a suspension or an out-right release, on Larry Johnson to come down by next week.
The Chiefs have had two players arrested under the Pioli regime:
Michael Merritt: On February 5th, news breaks that Merritt was arrested for marijuana possession. (I can't mention this without repeating Merritt's best line to a police officer: "All this for a little bit of weed?")
19 days later, Merritt was released.
David Macklin: On March 13th, reports surface that Macklin was arrested for DUI.
5 days later he was released.
The Chiefs have also had another release due to violation of NFL rules:
Vince Redd: On August 24th, the Chiefs released linebacker Vince Redd. Later that night we learn that he had tested positive for a banned NFL substance.
***
These are three situations that the Chiefs have acted on. LJ's situation is kind of unique since he technically hasn't broken any laws (neither did Redd). However, he is possibly in violation of the personal conduct policy which may as well be the law as far as NFL players and teams are concerned.
The Denver Broncos WR Brandon Marshall acted immature and disrespectful in practice and he was suspended by the team. LJ's situation isn't much different.
CBS Sports Clark Judge has an idea of how the Chiefs should react.
"So make this quick and decisive," Judge writes. "Someone needs to step in here and remind Larry Johnson that he is wrong for what he did and how he did it. I don't care that he's frustrated. I don't care that his offensive line can't open holes for him. I don't care that he's not the back he was two or three years ago. I don't even care that the Chiefs can't win. What I do care about is that he behaved in a reprehensible way, daring someone, anyone, to do something about it.
"So do something."
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OVER
It’s a little over kill on the whole Larry Johnson situation. People love to live for the DRAMA.
by Knocknheads on Oct 27, 2009 11:12 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
One of the team's highest paid players
And most visible has been attracting the attention of GLAAD and the NFL conduct department….I don’t think it’s being overblown. You’re a public figure, you use slurs, people are going to explode. It’d be silly to think he shouldn’t have known this.
by Joel Thorman on Oct 27, 2009 11:13 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
+1
no different if something was saying anything against an African-American person. NAACP would do the same thing.
"I will fight you!"
"What is your weapon?"
"My bare hands!"
"That is stupid. I will use a sword and I will cut off your bare hands."
by CT Chief Fan on Oct 27, 2009 12:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Do it now!!!
Get him out of the locker room and the franchise. Any back that you have now can give you 2 yards per carry and not have any of the drama. Also save the apology. We have heard enough empty apologies from him in the past.
by DHiler on Oct 27, 2009 11:15 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
This gives us an out!
I’m not really easily offended by language, but Im sure others are. This guy has been a baby since we drafted him. I honestly think he knows he sucks, he got the big contract and is now just trying to stay in the media spotlight for his post-nfl career as a hardcore rapper. pfffff.. whatever dude…
Do whatever it takes to keep him off the field, suspend, release, trade, whatever. LJ stinks, period. He was only good behind the Roaf and Shields era line. I think Charles and Savage give us the best chance to win. They just need more reps and maybe playbook that doesn’t consist of attempting 10 draws a game.
Sackoff (McIntosh,Goff) like Brangelina.
by DaChefs on Oct 27, 2009 11:16 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
One Thing
The thing that pisses me off about the whole deal? I have a feeling that this is exactly what LJ wants. He doesn’t want to play for the Chiefs anymore…and this is his way of getting what he wants.
I could be a mile off…but I just have that feeling that this was a calculated move by LJ.
I still don’t want to ever see him in a Chiefs uniform again, though. Didn’t before the start of the season, actually.
by Scott B. on Oct 27, 2009 11:18 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Yep
I think the same and I think that this is a terrible, terrible way to go about it. Maybe even a career killer.
There wasn’t much that was desirable about a soon-to-be 30 year old running back who is averaging 2.7 yards per carry. Now, there’s definitely nothing desirable about a soon-to-be 30 year old running back that bad mouths his coach and uses gay slurs in the media.
by Joel Thorman on Oct 27, 2009 11:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The problem is, he will find a home somewhere
He probably has more tread left on his tires than Edgerin James, and he found a job.
I ♥ Dick Vermeil
by craig in calgary on Oct 27, 2009 11:44 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Keeping the bench warm in Seattle
The Chiefs are on their way to an 11-5 season...I think....
Okay, so it'll be 10-6, I can live with that...
by mushin on Oct 27, 2009 11:48 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
But Edge didn't have the problems LJ did
He wasn’t a repeat offender and hasn’t been known as a major problem child.
by Joel Thorman on Oct 27, 2009 11:48 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
i dont know about that
Vick still has some salvagable talent (debatable I know), LJ has shown the following:
1) He can’t stay out of trouble
2) If he isn’t with a winner, hes a whiner
3) He has little in the gas tank even if he made a miraculous change in his personality.
This guy is a cancer.
"I will fight you!"
"What is your weapon?"
"My bare hands!"
"That is stupid. I will use a sword and I will cut off your bare hands."
by CT Chief Fan on Oct 27, 2009 12:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Does it matter?
I really don’t care if he goes somewhere else & rushes for 1200 yards next year. Unlike a lot of people here (apparently), I don’t hold anything personal toward him….and honestly wouldn’t feel bitter toward him if he went somewhere else & did well. No matter what, his days as a high paid runner are over. He may get the veteran minimum somewhere else next season, and if he does well he may get a bit more the following year, but it’ll never be close to the money he’s lost due to poor judgement over the past 48 hrs. It’s amazing, but those tweets (along with everything else) probably cost him more money than he can hope to make over the rest of his life.
For KC, he’s more trouble than he’s worth at this point. The disrespect he’s shown toward his coach and the fans outweighs anything he could do on the field. He’s not rushing for 1,700 yards anymore & his biggest asset at this point is that he doesn’t fumble the ball much….which makes him pretty much worthless for a guy on a 1-6 team & on the downside of his career.
by jmcgoblue on Oct 27, 2009 12:20 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Nail, cover your head
You’ve been met with the hammer.
I wish I coulda rec’d you twice.
-cw
Watching the 2009-2010 Chiefs 12 hours ahead of you (in Taipei, Taiwan).
Twittering my every move. Don't act like you're not even slightly interested.
by webby37 on Oct 27, 2009 7:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
More like his agents idea
I don’t think that LJ looks that far ahead. His agent came up with this if anyone did in the hopes of a new team and a new contract or extension.
is it me? or isn't about time the Lamar Hunt trophy belonged to His team?
I’m a Chiefs fan Dammit and I’m damn proud of it!
by KC Fanatic on Oct 27, 2009 11:44 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think this idea is ridiculous.
Sorry.
See Data Differently.
beyondtheboxscore.com | Twitter: @ justinbopp
by Justin Bopp on Oct 27, 2009 11:48 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
LJ's agent wants him in KC
He knows that’s the only way LJ makes any money. The only way his agent makes any money off of this is if he’s interested in making 3% commission on a 7 year veteran minimum salary (which is what LJ will get if anyone actually signs him).
by Joel Thorman on Oct 27, 2009 11:49 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's why I don't think he should
be released. Suspended then benched for the season. His new agent probably convinced him to behave and he’d get him traded. A coincidence that this happened so soon after the trade deadline? I think not.
by nycchief on Oct 27, 2009 11:50 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Except He Won't Get Paid
If the team suspends him, he’ll lose a lot of money. He hasn’t proven to be an effective back in several years, and if there are still guys like Warrick Dunn and Sean Alexander out there sitting by phones, Larry Johnson won’t get ANY play. He’s already been suspended a couple of times for the personal conduct policy of the NFL. Look at Matt Jones, he’s got a huge upside as a wide receiver, but even teams that are decimated at the position won’t sign him… don’t want to commit money to a guy who’s a silly mistake away from being done.
by Chief-Eli on Oct 27, 2009 11:23 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I don't feel sorry for the guy.
He alienated his coach, his fans, the rest of the NFL, the sports writers, and the gay community all in one fell swoop. Jeez, did he leave anybody out? Is there someone who is not offended?
by G.L. on Oct 27, 2009 11:25 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
It Ain't Over
Johnson’s past conduct and his recent deplorable actions will not allow this situation to be over until action is taken. The Chiefs need to move swiftly and suspend Johnson immediately. Get it off their plate and move it to the commish’s office since everyone knows it is going there. The story won’t go away and the team doesn’t need this to deal with. I don’t recall the sportswriter that predicted that Mt. Larry would blow before seasons end, but he was right. The Chiefs took a chance on LJ and he has blown it, whether it was deliberate or just stupid doesn’t matter, he should go and the quicker the better.
by chief66 on Oct 27, 2009 11:27 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I just hope they do something soon...
I’m tired of talking about this loser over and over and over again. Is he the best back we have? Possibly. Will things get worse with him gone? Highly unlikely.
Cut the cord.
by Johnny Chimpo on Oct 27, 2009 11:34 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
deft hands needed
do i think LJ deserves to stay with/play for Chiefs? Heck no. What should Chiefs do? Problem with releasing LJ outright is he gets paid for the year anyway ( as a veteran) and comments of Haley, golf putty will continue, albeit silently. Also LJ will yap in another city about KC. Another problem with release is precedent, what if another star player does same next year, must we release everyone?
Best option is suspension without or with pay & release at end of year. Second option is keep on team, not dress on Sundays for rest of year. Let him stew. If he keeps yapping, then suspend. He will be accountable to teammates and will not like being on sideline.
by Remember Marv Levy on Oct 27, 2009 11:36 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I want to see what RB is running with the 1st squad when they start practicing again
The Chiefs are on their way to an 11-5 season...I think....
Okay, so it'll be 10-6, I can live with that...
by mushin on Oct 27, 2009 11:37 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
The Chiefs can't cut LJ or they will be rewarding him.
The NFL needs to, and will, suspend him for conduct detrimental to the league (is that a viable suspension?).
The Chiefs should be able to suspend him as well, judging from last year’s precedent of separate suspensions.
Either way, if he’s cut, he gets what he wants. The question eventually becomes: how petty do the Chiefs want to be with this guy?
Do they need to suspend him for some period of time over and above what the NFL suspends him for in order to punish him?
At what point does the social cost of keeping that clown on the team, even if suspended, become greater than the satisfaction of knowing he won’t be rewarded for his behavior?
See Data Differently.
beyondtheboxscore.com | Twitter: @ justinbopp
by Justin Bopp on Oct 27, 2009 11:54 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
It think your looking at this wrong. Who cares if LJ gets payback
This is about the Chiefs, not LJ. Don’t let any player determine what should be done, especially in a revenge scenario.
If suspending him is the best thing for the team, then do it. Screw what LJ deserves.
The rest of the team, Kansas City and the fans deserve more than that.
The Chiefs are on their way to an 11-5 season...I think....
Okay, so it'll be 10-6, I can live with that...
by mushin on Oct 27, 2009 11:58 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
+1
I really think they should have a business-like approach to doing this (no doubt that they will). I would imagine that Pioli is currently working with the league to determine if LJ can be released or suspended without pay under the current agreement with the Player’s Association.
The message should be clear; you can talk your way off the team if you want, but there will be severe financial consequences for doing so.
by jmcgoblue on Oct 27, 2009 12:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Drop him
As a coach… would not want that guy on my team. He doesn’t even have the best rushing average on the team. They will not miss him and they will benefit from not having that negative mentality in the lockeroom and on the field. Vermil was right… the guy is a baby.
by SwimCoach on Oct 27, 2009 11:54 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
NFL's reaction
What will the league do? That is the question. If they suspend him then how long will that be 1 or 2 games? If they suspend him for 2 games then the Chiefs could suspend him for the same. Then set him on the bench.
by Aejfan on Oct 27, 2009 12:02 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
we will find out soon enough
Remember 2 weeks ago Roger stated the NFL does not stand for “divisive comments”
Your move Roger.
"I will fight you!"
"What is your weapon?"
"My bare hands!"
"That is stupid. I will use a sword and I will cut off your bare hands."
by CT Chief Fan on Oct 27, 2009 12:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nothing
My guess is, the league will do nothing. Can you suspend a player for something he says? Even though what he did say was ignorant, obviously…I don’t think the league needs to go down that road. This is a team issue, and should be handled as such.
by Scott B. on Oct 27, 2009 12:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
They will at the very least fine him
For actions detrimental to the league.
But with his history they might have grounds to suspend. It might depend on what the Chiefs do.
The Chiefs are on their way to an 11-5 season...I think....
Okay, so it'll be 10-6, I can live with that...
by mushin on Oct 27, 2009 12:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
when a minority organization gets involved
its a league issue. PETA being the most recent example.
"I will fight you!"
"What is your weapon?"
"My bare hands!"
"That is stupid. I will use a sword and I will cut off your bare hands."
by CT Chief Fan on Oct 27, 2009 12:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
True
But…
Vick broke the law. LJ just ran his mouth. Big difference.
by Scott B. on Oct 27, 2009 12:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
agreed
but still, remember he didnt go to jail for killing dogs, and yet a condition for his return to the NFL included a plan for speaking out about dog fighting and working with people involved in rescuing dogs.
That was all done to appease the public and PETA.
"I will fight you!"
"What is your weapon?"
"My bare hands!"
"That is stupid. I will use a sword and I will cut off your bare hands."
by CT Chief Fan on Oct 27, 2009 12:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
"Can you suspend a player for something he says?"
I was going to say “Of course, he used a derogatory, demeaning, term toward a fan and towards the media.”
Then again, I’m not so sure…the hypocrisy would almost be comical coming from a league that counts “Redskins” amongst it’s team names.
by jmcgoblue on Oct 27, 2009 12:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't know
It just depends on what is in the conduct policy. I’m sure there is some language in there they can use against him. As someone who is part American indian, the term Redskins was just a description by early settlers. The term didn’t become derogatory until it was used in conjunction with the genocide. Just based upon experience, AI’s are not afforded the same PC considerations as others mainly because many or our went to war with the Fedgov and that is a major no no in our state worshipping society.
by chief66 on Oct 27, 2009 12:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh, I totally agree
I’m not nearly as familiar with the history (thanks for the lesson!), but I find it hard to believe that a football team would purposely use a mocking term for their identity. And unlike the Cleveland Indians, the ’Skins have a very dignified warrior logo, in my opinion. BUT, I do think that if AIs (In general) find the team name offensive today, then it should be changed…if for no other reason than simply out of respect.
by jmcgoblue on Oct 27, 2009 1:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think...
They are all waiting for LJ’s “apology” before they pull the trigger… Just a formality before they shaft him.
by idahochieffan on Oct 27, 2009 12:08 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
isnt that ironic?
We have to wait for an apology? Its more like we have to wait for the agent and PR person to devise an apology.
Thats not just for LJ thats any athlete really. So silly.
"I will fight you!"
"What is your weapon?"
"My bare hands!"
"That is stupid. I will use a sword and I will cut off your bare hands."
by CT Chief Fan on Oct 27, 2009 12:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I doubt it
I really doubt the Chiefs org is taking it personal. They are working to determine what their options are for getting him out the door at the least financial cost to the team.
by jmcgoblue on Oct 27, 2009 12:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He did break the law.
If you look at it the right way he did break the law. he slandered the gay people with his words. I think one of those people on twitter should file a civil case on him. take some of that money away.
by Charles # 1 chiefs fan on Oct 27, 2009 2:49 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
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