Report: LJ, Chiefs Working on a 'Settlement'
Photo courtesy the Kansas City Star
Kent Babb of the Kansas City Star has been all over this Larry Johnson story. Tonight he reports that LJ and the Chiefs are "working on a settlement to decide the running back's future."
The Star spoke with LJ's agent, Peter Schaffer, and asked if the settlement meant his client was leaving the Chiefs and he responded, "Not necessarily."
Per Babb, the settlement talks could push back LJ's appeal which was reported to be filed today.
"Schaffer said Johnson's side is working on an appeal of the two-week suspension the team handed down Wednesday for detrimental conduct," Babb writes. "Schaffer said Wednesday night that he hoped an appeal would be filed early Thursday, and it's possible that settlement talks could delay that appeal."
These talks could lead to LJ eventually being released from the Chiefs or remain on the team in some capacity that would benefit the Chiefs.
The Chiefs declined comment on the report.
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Remove him from the NFL or he wins.
If this is the sort of person the league is going to allow to remain, why support it? Where will he get to go next and crush another teams’ fans? It’s one thing to be totally unproductive (save the excuses, it has nothing to do with the issue at hand), but it is entirely another to show your ass season after season.
Please do the right thing and send the right message. He made his money. Now go away.
In wondrous beauty, once again, shall the golden tables stand mid the grass, which the gods had owned in the days of old.
by Chiefs_Ragnarok on Oct 29, 2009 5:37 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I'm listening to LJ's agent right now
and I want to put my fist through the computer. The guy is spinning so fast I’m dizzy.
by nycchief on Oct 29, 2009 5:51 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
This is about as messy and I could possibly imagine
I remember when he signed his new deal. I was ecstatic. I was an idiot. I was one of those with the opinion of give him the money and everything will be fine. Well they gave him the money and nothing has worked since. Its amazing how this malcontent can command so much attention and I’d give almost anything to get rid of him. I’d rather have a low paid, run of the mill running back that can pass block over this guy. For those of you that kept saying it was a mistake to re-sign this guy you were right. Its to the point now that I think he must be bipolar or something. With that contract I’d play the game, drive the bus to the airport, wash the uniforms, and load the baggage. I’m on board with Pioli and Haley for three seasons. I won’t complain again until the end of the 2012 season.
I just want my favorite team to win some games without compromising its integrity.
by stram#1 on Oct 29, 2009 5:53 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
He Just Needs To Go
Some might be of the opinion that Johnson will somehow “win” if he gets cut, but honestly the Chiefs lose more by keeping him around. He isn’t productive, he doesn’t care about the team, and he’s already shown he doesn’t respect the coaching staff.
If the “settlement” involves bringing Johnson back in any capacity, then Haley and Pioli are the ones who need to go. They’ve already screwed up once with Johnson by not dumping him when they could have done so for free and it’s been a disaster. Twice shows that they’ve got no clue how to run a football team (not that the team they’ve built so far doesn’t point that way anyhow).
Moderator - Arrowhead Pride
Predictions for 2009
1. Todd Haley's going to struggle with managing his staff in his rookie year as head coach.
6. The Chiefs will go 7-9 in 2009, good for 2nd in the AFC West. Revision: We go 5-11 and finish behind Oakland.
7. Ryan Succop will not perform better in 2009 than Connor Barth did in 2008.
8. The Chiefs will have a bottom 10 defense this year.
9. RB will be a problem area this season on offense.
by UCrawford on Oct 29, 2009 6:00 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I agree with you
Just rip the bandaid off and get it over with. Its a classic case of addition by subtraction. Let Smith run between the tackles as best as he can and let Charles/Savage work the edges. Plus going forward NO first round picks on running backs.
Also you are right on items 1,8 and 9. Succop is already better than Barth ever was. If they go 5-11 I will be OK since that shows some actual progress in the 2nd half of the season.
by stram#1 on Oct 29, 2009 6:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm Glad To Have Been Wrong On Succop So Far
He’s been a good kicker…glad to see the Chiefs finally got one with a strong leg who can hit consistently.
Moderator - Arrowhead Pride
Predictions for 2009
1. Todd Haley's going to struggle with managing his staff in his rookie year as head coach.
6. The Chiefs will go 7-9 in 2009, good for 2nd in the AFC West. Revision: We go 5-11 and finish behind Oakland.
7. Ryan Succop will not perform better in 2009 than Connor Barth did in 2008.
8. The Chiefs will have a bottom 10 defense this year.
9. RB will be a problem area this season on offense.
by UCrawford on Oct 29, 2009 6:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Kudos Crawford
you have been right on LJ forever :)
We Will kick at least 4 Teams Asses in 09
And Succop will be the Key in two of them.
" Think and talk positive football off the field." Hank Stram
by Steve_Chiefs on Oct 29, 2009 6:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I Wish I Wasn't
But the man is simply a woman-beating spoiled team cancer. And guys like that never change. And Pioli was a moron for not realizing this before the season started.
Moderator - Arrowhead Pride
Predictions for 2009
1. Todd Haley's going to struggle with managing his staff in his rookie year as head coach.
6. The Chiefs will go 7-9 in 2009, good for 2nd in the AFC West. Revision: We go 5-11 and finish behind Oakland.
7. Ryan Succop will not perform better in 2009 than Connor Barth did in 2008.
8. The Chiefs will have a bottom 10 defense this year.
9. RB will be a problem area this season on offense.
by UCrawford on Nov 1, 2009 3:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Please be kind
I wrote this while 2/3 of the way though a bottle of Merlot.
by stram#1 on Oct 29, 2009 6:00 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
…or remain on the team in some capacity that would benefit the Chiefs.

I've been rapping for about seveteen years okay? I don't write my stuff anymore I just kick it from my head you know what I'm sayin? I can do that. No disrespect but that's how I am.
by soybon on Oct 29, 2009 6:10 PM CDT reply actions 4 recs

"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 29, 2009 6:20 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
nice shot, soybon
I said it earlier today: use LJ as a tackling dummy … they have to pay him anyway, might as well put him to SOME use, just as long as he’s on the bench for the actual games
Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisiton!
by upamtn on Oct 29, 2009 8:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
So if he stays on the team the rest of the year we pay his salary for 09 right?
BUT if we release him, we still have to pay the 09 salary and some other team can pick him up? I just say we keep him until the end of the season that way we can trade him after the season is up. And we wouldnt be paying for his release pretty much.
by Wrestler189s on Oct 29, 2009 6:49 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
that's true...
thus the “settlement” talk… maybe they can agree on a smaller figure, and release him
* "I doubt anyone will miss Connor Barth except UCrawford"
* the LB corps may become the biggest strength of the Chiefs in 2009
* The OL is NOT as bad as you think it is... give it time, and you'll see improvement this season
by stagdsp on Oct 29, 2009 6:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I sure do hope so
"There are few secrets in football. So execute." ~Coach Stram
"I think it's the fans. The place is crazy. It's a good crazy, if you're Kansas City." ~Coach Schottenheimer
by Bad Medicine on Oct 29, 2009 7:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
settlement
just hearing that word sounds to me like they are trying to agree on a lesser dollar amount to pay him, and grant his release.
The Chiefs don’t need to “settle” on anything else. They are in complete control of the situation if they keep him.
* "I doubt anyone will miss Connor Barth except UCrawford"
* the LB corps may become the biggest strength of the Chiefs in 2009
* The OL is NOT as bad as you think it is... give it time, and you'll see improvement this season
by stagdsp on Oct 29, 2009 6:50 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
But if teams showed interest in him
then why not just wait till after the season to where we can trade him? I have been an LJ fan but its getting pretty ridiculous now lol…
by Wrestler189s on Oct 29, 2009 6:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
My thought
He wants to play the rest of the year. They Chiefs either want something for him or they want to pay him next to nothing to let him go. That’s where LJ settling on a smaller figure to get cut comes into play. Otherwise he will be third string till the end of the year then we will try to trade him for a 7th rd conditional.
by Bra on Oct 29, 2009 7:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeah... but
What leverage does he have to try and make KC play him the rest of hte year?
none.
I cant’ think of any “settlement” other than a release.
I also don’t believe that teams showed enough interest in him to be able to trade.
Remember, they couldnt’ get a trade done for Pollard or McBride… why in the heck would anyone trade for LJ?
* "I doubt anyone will miss Connor Barth except UCrawford"
* the LB corps may become the biggest strength of the Chiefs in 2009
* The OL is NOT as bad as you think it is... give it time, and you'll see improvement this season
by stagdsp on Oct 29, 2009 7:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Another Settlement idea is this...
Larry Johnson serves out his 2 week suspension with partial pay. As a result of agreeing to this Larry Johnson will stay away from the Arrowhead for these 2 weeks.
After that anything can be a crapshoot.
by ravenhawk on Oct 29, 2009 8:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
again, why would the Chiefs do that?
they already have him “away from Arrowhead” with NO pay…
what leverage does LJ have to get “partial pay” ?
* "I doubt anyone will miss Connor Barth except UCrawford"
* the LB corps may become the biggest strength of the Chiefs in 2009
* The OL is NOT as bad as you think it is... give it time, and you'll see improvement this season
by stagdsp on Oct 29, 2009 8:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
the only thing i can think of is
if its go to arbitrator it might get reduced (money or time), so KC is hedging its bets.
"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 29, 2009 9:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
If that's the case
then what’s the point of the suspension when he would have to stay away and not get the game-day checks?
To be honest, I am somewhat puzzled by this ‘settlement’ scenario. Can they even attempt to pay him less with the intent to release or keep him? I was under the impression that regardless if kept or released this year’s salary to LJ was set.
"There are few secrets in football. So execute." ~Coach Stram
"I think it's the fans. The place is crazy. It's a good crazy, if you're Kansas City." ~Coach Schottenheimer
by Bad Medicine on Oct 29, 2009 8:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
well...
IF they release him, he gets his full salary, and gets to play for another team, if he can find one
IF they keep him “inactive” for the rest of the year, he loses roster bonuses each week, and “rots” on the shelf.
My guess is that they are negotiating a scenario where they could release him for less than his full year’s salary
* "I doubt anyone will miss Connor Barth except UCrawford"
* the LB corps may become the biggest strength of the Chiefs in 2009
* The OL is NOT as bad as you think it is... give it time, and you'll see improvement this season
by stagdsp on Oct 29, 2009 8:31 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
I think you're right stagdsp!
It wouldn’t surprise me if LJ’s contract gets restructured for a fraction of the total & we release him tomorrow so that he can sign elsewhere & start practicing for them come next week. That scenario would be a win for both sides as far as I’m concerned. Who cares if he gets his way & gets to go elsewhere as long as we’re not held liable for his contract this year & we get rid of him.
by ttownmikey on Oct 29, 2009 8:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks for the clarification
My guess is that they are negotiating a scenario where they could release him for less than his full year’s salary
If this is the case then damn…sounds like he played right into their hands…again
"There are few secrets in football. So execute." ~Coach Stram
"I think it's the fans. The place is crazy. It's a good crazy, if you're Kansas City." ~Coach Schottenheimer
by Bad Medicine on Oct 29, 2009 8:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
could be win-win
Chiefs save money, and get rid of LJ’s issues
LJ gets out and starts over somewhere else
* "I doubt anyone will miss Connor Barth except UCrawford"
* the LB corps may become the biggest strength of the Chiefs in 2009
* The OL is NOT as bad as you think it is... give it time, and you'll see improvement this season
by stagdsp on Oct 29, 2009 8:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
At this point I’d rather just have the roster spot for someone else, like Kolby.
by bh13 on Oct 29, 2009 7:05 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Settlement leads me to believe
he is on his way out the door. How could they keep him, as Crawford said he disrespected the coaching staff, who knows how he acts in the locker room, we all see how he acts on the field. With LJ gone maybe there will be a new fire within this team. That 416 carry season spelled the end for him, wish everybody would have noticed sooner.
LJ realy screwed up this time, he has had many chances, suspend him for the season, keep him out of Chiefs facilities.
by Eric Allen on Oct 29, 2009 7:21 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
And he is a head case!
LJ really screwed up this time, he has had many chances, suspend him for the season, keep him out of Chiefs facilities.
by Eric Allen on Oct 29, 2009 7:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Settlement could be he stays
and get the record. that would be his way of sticking it to us.
by Charles # 1 chiefs fan on Oct 29, 2009 8:08 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Blasphemer
"There are few secrets in football. So execute." ~Coach Stram
"I think it's the fans. The place is crazy. It's a good crazy, if you're Kansas City." ~Coach Schottenheimer
by Bad Medicine on Oct 29, 2009 8:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
but, what's in that for the Chiefs?
why would they “settle” on that?
* "I doubt anyone will miss Connor Barth except UCrawford"
* the LB corps may become the biggest strength of the Chiefs in 2009
* The OL is NOT as bad as you think it is... give it time, and you'll see improvement this season
by stagdsp on Oct 29, 2009 8:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

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