Larry Johnson Would be Fourth Back With the Bengals

by Joel Thorman on Nov 16, 2009 2:38 PM CST in 2009 Kansas City Chiefs Campaign

Don't let anyone tell you the fall from being a NFL starting running back isn't quick. Per the official Bengals Twitter account, head coach Marvin Lewis has said if Larry Johnson does indeed sign, it would only be for insurance purposes and he would be the team's fourth running back.

LJ's agent, Peter Schaffer, has said multiple teams were interested in his services.

Are we supposed to believe that when the job it appears he'll get is as a fourth running back (after the starter was banged up yesterday)?

Also, Lewis says that LJ would be inactive if the team signed him and it would have no bearing on the team's first three backs.

Wow.

Starter Cedric Benson has been assured by the head coach that his role won't change if LJ is signed.

So for those of you that were clamoring for LJ to be benched based on performance, it appears you've been validated if the only job he can secure is as an inactive, fourth running back.

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that makes me happy :)

* "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
* Stats are for losers

by stagdsp on Nov 16, 2009 2:41 PM CST reply actions

Agent was pretty much owned. Why is he signing with the rival of his favorite team anyway? I think this makes his agent, and Larry, look like total dipshits

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 16, 2009 2:41 PM CST reply actions

By the way

I know I owe multiple hat tips for those getting the links to the LJ stories out….just been very busy at work this afternoon. You’ll get your hat tips…

Arrowhead Pride

by Joel Thorman on Nov 16, 2009 2:42 PM CST reply actions

MUAHAHAHAHAHA!

Regardless of the two high number seasons LJ had, I was never a fan. Good riddance.

by NorthwestChief on Nov 16, 2009 2:45 PM CST reply actions

Awesome...

now he can sit back and watch another old timer show him what it means to have heart and desire…while he gets coffee for everyone.

by krayfish on Nov 16, 2009 3:00 PM CST reply actions

LJ

I hope for the best for Larry. Maybe he will be happy. He should be, he doesn’t have to work one more day in his life. If hes smart and just lives off the interest what the Chiefs paid him.

by Digital on Nov 16, 2009 3:01 PM CST reply actions

Bullshit....

Larry is too good and too motivated to take a back seat to anyone but Benson. LJ is a mother fucking Sith. Fueled by fear and by hate he thrives on the negativaty and is poised to blow up in Cincinasty. Great signing for them. LJ has made it clear, both in words and on the field, that he prefers playing for a black coach. He is going to run wild with Lewis and behind a decent line.

"What?!?! I aint no Obama for the weed!"
-Turk McBride

by HIV 2 Elway on Nov 16, 2009 3:01 PM CST via mobile reply actions

i agree the statement by cinci is just for press

its bullshit…he’ll see some carries this season.

by Lucasjr5 on Nov 16, 2009 4:17 PM CST up reply actions

Holla...

Oh snap….keepin it real…fo shizzle

by Tomahawk_Chop on Nov 16, 2009 4:49 PM CST up reply actions

Dang LJ........

guess you are cak’n patna!

by Hail2DaChiefs on Nov 16, 2009 3:03 PM CST reply actions

LOL. Literally.

by Chief-Eli on Nov 16, 2009 3:05 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

No matter what happens...

I’m glad the guy no longer wears our uniform.

by Scott B. on Nov 16, 2009 3:11 PM CST reply actions

+1 gazillion

by Coady on Nov 16, 2009 3:16 PM CST up reply actions

How ironic.

I love that in the end he might get benched the rest of this year. Serves him right, for either not playing hard here, throwing the guy that gave him a second chance under the bus (Haley), or both.

I’ll believe they’ll 4th string his ass when I see it though.

Plus, here’s another thought:
Maybe they’re just trying to keep the Steelers from getting him?

It's years like this that I wish I was a bear. Hibernation would make it so much easier.

by Red N Gold Beast on Nov 16, 2009 3:17 PM CST reply actions

Second chance? More like 5th chance.

Toby is in HR, which technically means he works for corporate, so he's really not a part of our family. Also, he's divorced, so he's really not a part of his family.

by Rev. Slappy on Nov 16, 2009 3:45 PM CST up reply actions

I have a hard time believing LJ will be the #4 RB in Cincy.

If Bensons out for a period of time, LJ would be starting/splitting carries evenly by the second week there. If he has a decent line he can be marginally productive.

by jk86 on Nov 16, 2009 3:46 PM CST reply actions

I called it!

by I_Bleed_Red. on Nov 16, 2009 3:51 PM CST reply actions

Who was it that once said "Don't believe everything you read"?

It is probably true for Twitter or Tweets as well.

by BCRavenJHawkfan on Nov 16, 2009 3:55 PM CST reply actions

Another Penn State RB in Cincy... This has disaster written all over it.

by WesternChief on Nov 16, 2009 4:06 PM CST reply actions

Jay Glazer is saying they are working out the terms

target="new">http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/10381560/Bengals-close-to-signing-Johnson-as-RB-insurance

by Redleg on Nov 16, 2009 4:18 PM CST reply actions

Question-

If a number of teams wanted him like Schefter suggested, why would he go to one that sets him as a 4th RB?

Answer:
I call Bullshit on Schefter and the Bengals were the only team willing to take him.

Unless someone has a different view of this, I’d be curious to hear it.

Bill Parcell’s: "You are what your record says you are."

"My job is not to collect talent, but to build a team. Individuals make the Pro Bowl. Teams win championships. That is our goal."—Chiefs GM Scott Pioli.

by THE_TRUTH on Nov 16, 2009 5:03 PM CST reply actions

Not on Schefter

He just reported what LJ’s agent told him. I’m not sure he endorsed that.

Arrowhead Pride

by Joel Thorman on Nov 16, 2009 6:04 PM CST up reply actions

Oops meant BS on Schaffer (his agent), not Schefter

Schlameil….schlamozzle

Bill Parcell’s: "You are what your record says you are."

"My job is not to collect talent, but to build a team. Individuals make the Pro Bowl. Teams win championships. That is our goal."—Chiefs GM Scott Pioli.

by THE_TRUTH on Nov 16, 2009 6:19 PM CST up reply actions

I do believe 2.7 had other offers (I read the post, he's still 2.7!)

I would be very surprised if he didn’t hear from Cleveland and Tampa Bay. But I think he was more interested in getting on with a contender in hopes of making it long term.

I watched Marvin Lewis’ press conference today and it was amazing. Not only did he say 2.7 would be the #4 RB, but that he expected him to be like any other good #4 RB – to work hard on everything asked of him, including the kicking game. Since I seem to recall that 2.7 was never willing to play Special Teams, which was why he got deactivated so many times his rookie season, it would be incredible to see him doing that. I must admit I’m looking forward to seeing this play out.

"Bigamy is having one wife too many. Monogamy is the same." ~Oscar Wilde

by Big Chief on Nov 16, 2009 5:19 PM CST reply actions