Could Larry Johnson become the next Cedric Benson?

by ChiefsnotChefs on Oct 29, 2009 6:40 AM CDT

ESPN's John Clayton said on Sirius NFL Radio yesterday that "more than a few teams are interested in Larry Johnson's services should he be released". As previously mentioned on here in the last few years the line has fallen apart and coupled with injuries, LJ's numbers have been pretty rocky since the 06' 1700+yd season. Let's look at Cedric Benson...26yo so a little younger. After the Bears Super Bowl run the line starts to fall apart and Benson has a bad year and coincidently gets busted on back to back alcohol offenses in a 5 week span. In turn the Bears released him and received nothing in return only to get torched by Benson last week for almost 200yds behind a decent o-line. Do we want to make that same mistake? Chances are we we will have to....but let's get something out of him in a trade given that there are other teams interested.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Arrowhead Pride's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Arrowhead Pride writers or editors.

Tweet Comment 25 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Age is a MAJOR difference

No RB (with the exception of Walter Payton) has been productive after the age of 30 and with LJ’s number of carries on a consistent basis…why would LJ be the exception?

You can’t compare the two because of the age.

Arrowhead Pride

by Joel Thorman on Oct 29, 2009 7:21 AM CDT reply actions

Roger that

Couple his age with his personal problems and I seriously question John Clayton’s statement. Of course, you can’t realistically challenge him on it. Not many teams would publicly admit having interest in LJ. If KC releases or cuts him, then they get him for free…

I doubt that we see any LJ moves even after his suspension. Foolish to cut him since they have to pay his contract anyway. But, this has been mulled over a few times in the past couple of days… :)

"Every day is an evaluation and if you’re not out there how can we depend on you? If you’re out there and you don’t know what to do, how can we depend on you?" Accountability -- Haley-style...

by Chief_Elmo on Oct 29, 2009 7:41 AM CDT up reply actions

Isn't LJ still...

29 technically…Benson is about to turn 27…not that big of a difference

If you will it dude....It is no dream - Jeffery Lebowski

by ChiefsnotChefs on Oct 29, 2009 7:49 AM CDT up reply actions

It is though

it has been pretty well documented that running back tend to have a major slow down at the age of 30.

That doesn’t mean it is the rule but it seems to happen to most.

I am of the opinion that if you have a good O line you can turn almost any running back into a productive player. As long as they are young, fast and are not injury prone, if they have blocking they will do well.

Put LJ on a team with a good line right now and maybe he can run for a 1000 yards but I doubt he’ll ever go off again.

Please help send my girlfriend to Broadway! Visit http://magonbroadway.blogspot.com/

by Patrick Allen on Oct 29, 2009 7:54 AM CDT up reply actions

Compared to other RB's his age...

LJ really doesn’t have that many carries under his belt…

LT -2718
Edgerrin James -2982
LJ-1375

I’m not saying he still has it…he is on a decline and a little slower but to say he is completey done isn’t correct. He might be done in KC but I still think he could put up another 1000 yards season.

The Chiefs were actually good the last time Kenny Smith has played in a game. Gives you an idea of how long ago that was. lol

by Chiefsfan85 on Oct 29, 2009 8:08 AM CDT up reply actions

LJ turns 30 in like three weeks

Arrowhead Pride

by Joel Thorman on Oct 29, 2009 9:24 AM CDT up reply actions

Here's a few after 30 and still running and productive

Curtis Martin
Terry Allen
Emmitt Smith
Jerome Bettis
Corey Dillon
Warrick Dunn
John Riggins
Ottis Anderson
Tony Dorsett
Joe Perry

and our own Marcus Allen

Predictions as of 06.24.2009.

Larry Johnson will be a top 3 fantasy pick once again in 2010 (after a monster season in 2009.)
Dwayne Bowe will be a 2009 Pro Bowl selection.
Brandon Flowers will have at least 6 INTs in 2009 season.
Todd Haley will have a sideline shouting match caught on TV yelling at one of his asst. coaches.

by 58 was my friend on Oct 29, 2009 1:32 PM CDT up reply actions

Do you think posting a list filled with hall of famers is a great way to predict the career arc of LJ after he turns 30?

See Data Differently.
beyondtheboxscore.com | Twitter: @ justinbopp

by Justin Bopp on Nov 4, 2009 9:39 PM CST up reply actions

Isn't Thomas Jones still pretty decent for being 31?

Not saying their production doesn’t fall off after 30, but maybe once in a while one can still be productive.

by worc on Oct 29, 2009 2:02 PM CDT up reply actions

I think LJ

still has it with a good line, I don’t think he will ever put up 1700 yards in a season but I think he has a couple 1000+ plus seasons under his belt with a decent line. I do think we should trade him for whatever we can get or just release him in the offseason. We don’t need a power running back anymore. I would rather have a great line an two crap rb’s then a crap line and a great rb.

by thigpenis on Oct 29, 2009 8:26 AM CDT reply actions

Eeeeehhhhhhhh.............. headscratch N-nice name?

Before you judge a man, walk a mile in his shoes; after that, who cares?! He's a mile away and you've got his shoes!

by SuperTurtle on Oct 29, 2009 2:38 PM CDT up reply actions

Why no way?

LJ is the type of guy who knows where the hole is supposed to be and if it is there he is good to go. The problem here is the hole isnt where it is supposed to be most times. That is why Charles and Savage have done better…they are improvising. Johnson goes where he is supposed to and usually runs in to the blocker and falls down. That would be different with a line.

Don't forget to be an AP-vangelist...Tell A Friend...

by woodman212 on Oct 29, 2009 2:14 PM CDT up reply actions

The answer is

a resounding “who cares?”

Maybe he’s washed up and maybe he isn’t. Maybe with a better OL he’d look like the LJ of old. Maybe the LJ of old looked that way only because of Roaf, Shields and the gang, I couldn’t possibly care less. I see many posts that want us to find a way to punish LJ, take away his money….ruin what’s left of his career. Again, I wonder why anyone would care.

The fact is that LJ is no longer fit to wear the Red and Gold. He is undeserving of the uniform worn by Priest, Marcus, The Nightmare and the late, great Joe Delaney. We bought his jerseys and chanted his name and all we ever heard from him was that we didn’t love him enough. He says we didn’t want him and at long last he now has gotten his wish. Good riddance to you Mr. Johnson and congratulations on your self-fulfilling prophecy. You are truly the Nostradamus of egotistical assholes.

It makes no difference where he goes or what he does next. The LJ train only has only one stop and it’s personal misery and self loathing. I believe he will die penniless and alone. I am sure that he will die a miserable person. It’s in his nature. I don’t care if it’s what he wants and I don’t care if we get anything in return. The sooner he leaves the better I’ll feel. The women of KC will be safer and the team will be worthy of respect once again.

Goodbye Mr. Johnson. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.

This is my signature line. It is full of awesome and win.

by KCSatchmo on Oct 29, 2009 11:19 AM CDT reply actions

My question is...

What is a Larry Johnson worth?

He makes quite a bit of money.

If you can’t trade him because of his salary or poor disposition, are the Chiefs and their fans okay with just cutting him? Is Mr. Peterson okay with it? I’m going to say by what I read here that the answer is yes.

There are a lot of jerks, a-holes, and all around bad dudes in the NFL.

He would most likely go to the Patriots.

by precisiontint on Oct 29, 2009 12:05 PM CDT reply actions

Not sure who this Mr. Peterson is...

…but just in case he’s the guy I think you mean, I sure hope he’s not calling any shots.

by burntorangehorn on Oct 29, 2009 12:34 PM CDT up reply actions

i agree

We have to stop just letting guys go………..damn cant we get something for them?They should think ahead and package them together for a pick!

by CPT.Caveman on Oct 29, 2009 1:51 PM CDT up reply actions

4 years difference is approximately 1200 carries difference...

Thats a lot of hits….

Don't forget to be an AP-vangelist...Tell A Friend...

by woodman212 on Oct 29, 2009 2:09 PM CDT reply actions

Less, I guess...since he was hurt one season...but still

Don't forget to be an AP-vangelist...Tell A Friend...

by woodman212 on Oct 29, 2009 2:16 PM CDT up reply actions

Don't care.

All I care about is that he is gone out of KC. Once that is done, he could become king of the world for all I care.

by ChiefsFan90s on Oct 29, 2009 5:54 PM CDT reply actions

never

by dgoddard on Oct 29, 2009 7:00 PM CDT reply actions

It totally depends on where he goes..

Is he a Benson? No.

Could he be productive elsewhere? Yes.

Yes he had a lot of carries, but seriously stop making excuses for his performance. He is a big guy, if he wants 3 yards he should be able to get them easily no matter how many times he has been hit.

I think he isn’t playing well because he doesn’t want to and doesn’t care. He has no competition and is still riding on the coattails of one good season. He is going to be release, get a ridiculous contract he doesn’t deserve, and depending on who he plays for, he will be successful or will quit on that team too.

I agree with some of the other posters… who cares as long as we don’t have to watch him every week?

by Lucasjr5 on Nov 4, 2009 9:08 PM CST reply actions