Sounds Like Little to No Market for LJ if Released by Chiefs

by Joel Thorman on Nov 1, 2009 9:49 AM CST in 2009 Kansas City Chiefs Campaign

We've weighed in on the Larry Johnson situation quite a bit and gathered the opinions of some of the various reporters around the NFL. Names like Adam Schefter and Peter King believe LJ will be back with the Kansas City Chiefs following his suspension. The farther along this thing goes, the more I believe he will indeed be back with the team in some capacity.

If he were to be released, however, it appears there'd be little to no market for his services according to various reports.

ESPN.com surveyed nine GMs around the trading deadline gauging their interest in LJ's services. The report says that the Chiefs "would not have received many viable offers" for him. It's been reported by multiple outlets that the Chiefs would have been willing to ship him out with the right offer. Apparently that offer didn't come.

Steve Wyche of NFL.com also spoke with two GMs on Friday and reports that "there would not be much interest around the league because of his repeated character issues."

The only thing less attractive than a soon-to-be 30 year old running back with a historically bad yards per carry average that hasn't been effective in three years is a soon-to-be 30 year old running back with a historically bad yards per carry average that hasn't been effective in three years that also publicly calls out his head coach and mocks its blue collar fans.

Some people have asked what's the difference between LJ and Terrell Owens. There are plenty of differences in their situations but the biggest is that despite all the BS surrounding TO, he was still incredibly effective. His three years after his split with the Eagles included over 3,500 yards receiving and 28 touchdowns. People are willing to take a chance on talent.

The NFL community is pretty small, actually, so I would be curious to find a head coach that would be willing to take on a player that has a history of not getting along with head coaches.

Here's a list of the current free agent running backs. Can anyone really make a case that LJ is head and shoulders above everyone else on that list? Remember, as Todd Haley says, go by what you see, not what you hope.

All that said, the old adage still rings true - It only takes one.

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Comments

No Suprise

LJ will most likely never be seen playing football after this year IMO

by tomahawk44 on Nov 1, 2009 10:10 AM CST reply actions

Unless The Chiefs Are Stupid Enough To Keep Him Next Year Too

At this point, I’m not ruling it out.

But nobody else is likely to sign him once he’s done here.

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 9:05 PM CST up reply actions

I agree that he won’t see the field as a $4.5 mil a year running back, but he sure will if that is cut in half.

Don’t let them fool you folks, he will play for another team if they cut him.

by kcbh on Nov 1, 2009 10:18 AM CST reply actions

I think someone will eventually pick him up

But for the veteran minimum, and maybe not this year.

Remember, we’re in week 8 when teams have been together for 4 months installing an offense….I don’t think it’s that easy to step right in. Especially for someone performing so horribly.

Arrowhead Pride

by Joel Thorman on Nov 1, 2009 10:19 AM CST up reply actions

WTF???

ESPN just reported NFLPA will file a grievance if LJ isnt restored to starter status after suspension!

"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 Nov 1, 2009 10:30 AM CST reply actions

Run him once at the start of every game, then bench his ass,

Hell, tell the linemen not to block for him, so he will get slaughtered

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 Nov 1, 2009 10:33 AM CST up reply actions

Good deal.

Props to the NFLPA.

by kcbh on Nov 1, 2009 10:31 AM CST reply actions

let em file a grievance how the hell would he win that all the chiefs have to do is slap down the stats and show that he is the 3rd best back on this roster and that they are doing whats best for the team by starting the most productive guy.

besides im sure in no players contract it is guaranteed that he be the starter so how can they even try to file a grievance

lol " My client has so far put down one of the worst seasons for a rb in league history i cant understand why the chiefs dont want him starting" im sure that will stand up in appeals

by Bleedzredngold on Nov 1, 2009 10:45 AM CST reply actions

You're right, good luck NFLPA.

by idahochieffan on Nov 1, 2009 10:52 AM CST up reply actions

3rd best back on this roster

Haha … what are you talking about?

by kcbh on Nov 1, 2009 10:56 AM CST reply actions

2.7 yards per carry

I’m sure anyone including Cassel can beat that.

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 Nov 1, 2009 11:48 AM CST up reply actions

Yeah

No way it’s clear that he’s better than anyone else on the roster.

Arrowhead Pride

by Joel Thorman on Nov 1, 2009 12:43 PM CST up reply actions

Cassel already IS beating that.

Air Cassel - approved for takeoff

by kabrink on Nov 1, 2009 7:04 PM CST up reply actions

We are going to find out next week if Charles can do better, so let’s just wait and see.

by kcbh on Nov 1, 2009 12:51 PM CST reply actions

I just have to ask

Why are you such an LJ supporter, a couple of years ago I could understand it but now after all that’s happened why support him?
All He has done was hold out after the draft, have a couple of big years, get a huge contract, that we are still paying for then we get to all the drama. 4 arrest for spitting on women, assault, getting into an agrument in which he felt the need to brandish a gun. Demanded to be traded, and now we get a twitter war? At that point he insults the head coach, talks horribly about the fans and how much he makes compared to him. Then just to be sure he gets his headlines he makes a derogatory slur about someone he doesn’t know sexuality. Then to top that off just to be sure it was not missed he slept on it and said it again to the media. If your being asked about your behavior repeating the same mistake in front of the media is just about as dumb as it gets.

So I ask again Why support LJ, what has he done to earn your support. Or are you here just to raise some hell and stir some shit up, for your own shits and giggles?

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 Nov 1, 2009 1:23 PM CST up reply actions

Back-to-back 1700-yard seasons

Back to back 1700-yard seasons may earn some support — two of the best consecutive seasons a RB has put together in NFL history. I agree that LJ is struggling, but he did average 4.5 YPC last year and supposedly had a great offseason. I think Pioli made the right call keeping him here.

I blame Herm Edwards for making LJ carry it 416 times in 2006.

by Nick Britt on Nov 1, 2009 3:31 PM CST up reply actions

It's Not 2006 Anymore

It’s 2009. And he’s no longer an effective player now. Getting 1,700 yards three years ago means nothing.

Moderator - Arrowhead Pride
Predictions for 2009

by UCrawford on Nov 1, 2009 9:06 PM CST up reply actions

kcbh IS Carl Peterson!!??

Air Cassel - approved for takeoff

by kabrink on Nov 1, 2009 7:05 PM CST up reply actions

I am a chiefs fan and I support the team, what you say LJ has done off the field isn’t a big deal to me. How much time has he spent in jail for what he “has done.” None that I know of.

Did he trash the team and coaches, I say no he didn’t. He is pissed because he is losing. I am too. You are. Everyone is. But to think it’s LJ’s fault is silly.

So let’s drop the crybaby crap and try to win the next game.

by kcbh on Nov 1, 2009 5:32 PM CST reply actions