Larry Johnson Holdout Update (Sort of)

by Chris Thorman on Aug 13, 2007 2:47 PM CDT

Note: Check the comment section for Monday's latest updates on LJ.

I bless my future contract negotiations with...the power of Jay-Z!

I've been blogging about the Kansas City Chiefs intensely for just over a year now and one thing I've learned to take with a grain of salt is contract negotiation updates. So and so are X amount of dollars apart...the player and team only need to work out the details...player X is close to signing. I've read it all.

We had about a dozen false alarms with the Trent Green trade that made me just hold off on reporting anything new until it was solid. The same is true with the Larry Johnson contract situation, especially when one report comes out saying one thing and another comes out saying the exact opposite. For example, check out this article from Adam Schefter of NFL.com titled "Chiefs, Johnson getting closer to agreement":

Based on contact talks in recent days, the Kansas City Chiefs and running back Larry Johnson are bridging their differences and getting closer to a long-term contract extension.

The two sides have engaged in serious contract talks in recent days, making considerable progress as recently as Aug. 11, and further talks will take place in the coming days aimed at ending Johnson's holdout.

Now take a look at this WPI article disputing that fact. It's titled "Johnson, Chiefs Still Far Apart":

Last night a report circulated on NFL.com that the Kansas City Chiefs and Larry Johnson had begun the final stages of negotiations. According to a source within the Chiefs organization, that isn’t the case, as the two sides have yet to cross the line in the sand.

Who to believe? I'm not sure to be honest with you. Both sides have inside sources, the validity of which we'll never know. When dueling articles like this are put out, fans like me and are you left in the dark. I wish it wasn't the case but we really don't know at what point the Larry Johnson contract negotiations are at. I can tell you this- The only "major contract negotation update" I'm concerned with right now is the one that says Larry Johnson will begin playing for the Kansas City Chiefs.

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Comments

Not the same as the Trent ordeal

We all knew Trent was gone and wouldn't be the starter. And to me, there's not a huge difference between a 4th and 5th round pick so I didn't care a whole lot about the Trent ordeal. However, LJ directly affects us this year and (hopefully) many to come. Keep 'em coming with the updates, Chris. LJ is too busy in his NY and Las Vegas condos chillin' with John Salley on Best Damn.

by Joel Thorman on Aug 13, 2007 3:18 PM CDT reply actions

My point is

that there were a lot of false alarms with the Trent Green deal. I'll update when its necessary but if you've noticed, I haven't been putting up the obligatory "Johnson and Chiefs $14 million apart" stories up. You guys read all that on your own anyway.

by Chris Thorman on Aug 13, 2007 3:21 PM CDT up reply actions

Well

Of course I write this and then the Kansas City Star comes out with an article titled Chiefs close to deal with Larry Johnson.

Adam Teicher, who I do trust as a source of info, says that LJ could be back for the Saints preseason game.

From the article:

"I'm cautiously optimistic a deal will get concluded, but exactly when I can't tell you. I really can't," Peterson said. "I would say we're still communicating. Are we real close? Not from where I sit.

"We're still talking pretty much on a daily basis. There are things we're still stuck on and I can't say how long that's going to take."

Wait and I see I suppose...

by Chris Thorman on Aug 13, 2007 4:16 PM CDT reply actions

ESPN is reporting the same thing

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/nfl/specials/preview/2007/08/13/chiefs.johnson.ap/ind ex.html

"The Kansas City Star, citing multiple sources, reported Monday that Johnson and the Chiefs have narrowed their differences and could possibly strike a deal sometime this week."

by Joel Thorman on Aug 14, 2007 7:12 AM CDT reply actions