Here's a Rumor I Do NOT Support

by IFChris on Nov 14, 2009 9:54 PM EST in Free Agency Visits Comment 49 comments

FILE -- This is a Sept. 20, 2009, file photo showing Kansas City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders, in Kansas City, Mo. The Kansas City Chiefs have released troubled running back Larry Johnson. A two-paragraph statement from the team Monday, Nov. 9, 2009, simply listed Johnson's statistics and announced his release. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)

3 months ago: FILE -- This is a Sept. 20, 2009, file photo showing Kansas City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders, in Kansas City, Mo. The Kansas City Chiefs have released troubled running back Larry Johnson. A two-paragraph statement from the team Monday, Nov. 9, 2009, simply listed Johnson's statistics and announced his release. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)

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OK, Cedric Benson, I understand, but if this particular rumor comes to fruition, you'll never hear the end of it from me. Apparently, Mike Brown is interested in disgraced Kansas City Chief running back, Larry Johnson. Let me be clear here, in no way is this a good idea. Absolutely zero. If you want to give Cedric Benson a breather -- and folks, the team has been riding him a great deal -- Brian Leonard or Bernard Scott are quite capable, and aren't nearly the headache Johnson has shown to be.

Sure, folks are allowed second chances in life, but as a resident of Kansas City, and therefore front and center for much of Johnson's shenanigans, he's already had them. Trust me. There's nothing else he brings to the table that justifies signing he and his 2.7 yards per carry to the Cincinnati Bengals.

Johnson is not a positive influence on the locker room.

Johnson is not a positive role model for the community.

Johnson's paltry performance does not merit signing him. In no way.

Josh and I have already written about Johnson for another publication, and he's a little more forgiving than I am. Don't get me wrong, as a single NFL running back who's supposed to be King Ding-a-Ling in KC, I'd probably get pissed if this lady turned me down -- but I don't think I'd spit a drink in her face as a response. Oh, and for those of you wondering, I'd feel the same if this was the 1700-yards/double-digit-touchdowns Larry Johnson we were talking about.

Cincinnati has a wonderful thing going. Furthermore, they struck gold with Cedric Benson (and Dhani Jones, Roy Williams, Chris Crocker, etc) but at some point, that well -- or mine, if you will -- is going to dry up and the returns could be less than desired. Judging by experience, Johnson represents one too many chances of trying to spin straw into gold.

The Bengals have plenty of depth at running back. Adding Johnson to the mix is not worth jeopardizing the precious chemistry the team has established this far.

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Oh please no

If you looked up “bad idea” in the dictionary, well, Ok, you wouldn’t find it because it’s a phrase and not a word but if it WAS there, this would be what they’d list as an example.

Needless to say, this didn't work and everybody died.

by SullivanSmith on Nov 14, 2009 10:41 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

said the same about Benson a year and a half ago

Whats your reasoning to say it’s a bad idea?

CB85......Collaros for Heisman

by TennBengalfan on Nov 14, 2009 11:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

benson didn’t have a whole lot of wear on him. lj is washed-up; his wheels fell off after the 400-carry season he had.

i'm going to go america all over your ass!

by Raging Clue on Nov 15, 2009 10:07 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

100% agree. Really dislike LJ’s character but putting that aside he is just over the hill. I mean some people wanted Shaun Alexander to be signed but he was also just over the hill (and LT is headed that way).

It also proves that the Bengals need to do a better job of giving Benson plays off (we don;t want Benson to run out of steam next year). They have to give Scott some carries. If he does get yards then we don’t have to draft a foil to Benson next year (as it is i still think we do because Benson is only averaging 2.1 yards a carry in one back sets and therefore indicates we need someone really explosive who can bounce outside and make people miss in the open field… how about drafting Dexter McCluster the RB/WR/KR from Ole Miss… that guy is like Sproles. Which would be sweet to have a home run hitter)

by Sheffieldbengal on Nov 15, 2009 10:18 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Sounds like a Cedric Benson to me

Except this guy has proven he can get it done. Not this year or last but he has gotten it done before. Yeah, he has A LOT of baggage. So did Ced. I’m not saying take him but if we don’t do you want Pittsburgh or Baltimore picking him up? But you’re right. We’re deep and talented at running back so it doesn’t make sense to pick him up. Hopefully he’ll land somewhere that doesn’t impact us (NFC please.)

by WhoDeyDerek on Nov 14, 2009 11:16 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

i would love Pittsburgh or Baltimore to pick him up. Yum yum 2.7 yard a carry avg.

On the same team Jamaal Charles averages 5.2 a carry… He has a quarter of the carries but half the yards of LJ. (Jamaal is also the third best reciever on the team as well).

The difference? One guy is young and has trend left on the tires and the other guy is a burnt out woman beating egoist.

by Sheffieldbengal on Nov 15, 2009 10:01 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

we don't need to rush into anything here

If someone goes down for the year, and he is still hanging around…why not. I think he could be productive and humbled after sitting in a lazy boy for about 3 weeks. the best running backs can look like turds behind a bad O line. just look at what Denver used to do when Shanahan was there. they had a great line and would plug in a different “Joe” every couple of years and make him look like a hero. not a bad back up plan if the need comes up. I wouldnt scrap either of our two young back ups for a guy that is looking at the down side of his career.

by steve whodey on Nov 14, 2009 11:27 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Chris, I like you but.....

I will have to disagree. A little over a year ago everybody said the same thing about Benson, now look at us. Hmmmm could be a dynamic duo with these two, maybe a one year deal just to see what he’s got left in the tank. It wouldn’t cost much except a roster spot and a minimum pay contract. what if Benson was to go down? and here you go, a guy that can step right in!! He is a power back with speed, Scott is a change of pace back. I agree he has been trouble, but he is trying to revive his career just like Benson did and you will get all he has got. This could be a real nice addition going into December. He wont act a fool here! Chad did and it got him nowhere, what happened in Kansas City stays in Kansas City. I know you live around that area and got to hear about him all the time, but right now its about winning football games, and he can help us do that.

CB85......Collaros for Heisman

by TennBengalfan on Nov 14, 2009 11:40 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

AND.......

it would give Benson more incentive to play harder, so he don’t lose his spot. We know he wont, but you know what i’m saying

CB85......Collaros for Heisman

by TennBengalfan on Nov 14, 2009 11:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

This might be true but..

Johnson is 30 years old which is like the fall off point for almost all backs these days. L.T., Edge James, Rudi, Corey Dillon, Shaun Alexander. Its hard to find a back that is a solid addition at that age. Benson was only 25 last year when we picked him up, so that is a five year difference, so the comparison might not fit.

by St. Esiason on Nov 15, 2009 2:03 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

yeah

this is the smart thinking right here

by cokane on Nov 15, 2009 2:16 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I did some digging

There have only been 41 1000 yard rushing season in history by players 30 or older. That number goes down to 20 1000 yard rushing season at 31 years old or older, so yeah Johnson is about done.

by St. Esiason on Nov 15, 2009 2:43 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I dont see the problem with trying it....

We wouldnt lose anything by doing it……..its not going to happen anyway so there is no reason in getting all worked up about it

CB85......Collaros for Heisman

by TennBengalfan on Nov 15, 2009 9:14 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Remember when Dick Vermeil said LJ needed to "take the diapers off?"

Yeah…at this point in his career, he’s pretty close to having to put the diapers back on!

Pass.

by TheWalrus1971 on Nov 15, 2009 9:15 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

"He is a power back with speed"

I think you forgot the word “not” and left the “out” off of “with”

;)

by IFChris on Nov 15, 2009 12:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I remember. Vermeil deserved to be punched in the face. LJ could have been a Hall of Fame RB, but he was drafted by a team that didn’t need him and forced to sit and watch for 2 years. That’s a HUGE chunk of his career wasted because a crybaby old man picked him up as an insurance policy.

by indesignkat on Nov 15, 2009 2:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't have any confidence in Larry

I recall just a few short years ago picking Johnson as my stud Fantasy back. It was a year when he and LT were neck and neck in the draft.

Guess which one did better that year.

Not only was he an early disappointment overall, he continues on with this mediocre running game since that time as well. Even this year, his numbers are piss poor. His mule days are over.

by UpStateMike on Nov 15, 2009 12:20 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

KC has a terrible O-line

dont forget that

CB85......Collaros for Heisman

by TennBengalfan on Nov 15, 2009 12:45 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

signing Benson at least made some sense

When we did that, (a) we didn’t have anyone to be a go-to running back, so why not take a chance; (b) Benson was not only a 4th year player, but one with relatively few miles on the odometer. Both of these factors mitigated all the character and locker room stuff that everyone worried about.

Now, we do have a go-to guy, we do have some (apparent) depth at the position already, and Johnson has been around the block many more times than Benson. Why mess with the team we have, in hopes that all of Johnson’s off-field AND on-field issues magically disappear.

Pass.

by Mr. X on Nov 15, 2009 2:50 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

What he said.

by TheWalrus1971 on Nov 15, 2009 9:13 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Were acting like we have already signed dude....

its mother F*^%^& steeler SUNDAY!!!!!!

CB85......Collaros for Heisman

by TennBengalfan on Nov 15, 2009 9:15 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

LOL...what HE said!

Thanks, man…back to reality!

by TheWalrus1971 on Nov 15, 2009 9:22 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Lets beat the Black and Gold out of these boys!!

WHO DEY!!!!!

CB85......Collaros for Heisman

by TennBengalfan on Nov 15, 2009 9:30 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You started playing Devil's advocate, so we had to retort

by St. Esiason on Nov 15, 2009 10:43 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

im always the bad guy

but im still sticking with my points, wouldnt mind having him

CB85......Collaros for Heisman

by TennBengalfan on Nov 15, 2009 10:59 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Mike Brown will make the right choice

He’s had great results with his last few rolls. Mike loves a good gamble!

by WhoDeyDerek on Nov 15, 2009 2:53 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

is big Andre Smith playin today?

by vottoholic on Nov 15, 2009 9:16 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

wish i knew that answer also

CB85......Collaros for Heisman

by TennBengalfan on Nov 15, 2009 9:16 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Benson was different

Benson went through an entire off-season where nobody picked him up and it humbled him. That caused him to lose all of the queen bee stuff that seemed to exist in Chicago.

Larry is not at that point. He has not shown humility or regret and if anyone signs him now he will just see it as a screw-you to KC and still think he rules the roost.

Also, of all the recycled players that we’ve picked up, most of them did not really have personality issues. You could make a point for Tank, Cedric, or Slim but that was really just perception. Those guys just did stupid stuff when they were young (like we all have) and have grown up since then. Larry is already grown up and doesn’t look interested in changing.

by JHarmann on Nov 15, 2009 9:07 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I really wouldnt mind

Larry is just like any player if his team doesnt win he complains.

by vottoholic on Nov 15, 2009 9:14 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

LJ is a world class assclown

Pass.

"Nate Silver is a genius" .... BK

by obc2 on Nov 15, 2009 10:36 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Chris Berman's player to watch today

Domata Peko

CB85......Collaros for Heisman

by TennBengalfan on Nov 15, 2009 11:01 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Saw that.

How cool was it to here that?

Blogger at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.

by Kirkendall on Nov 15, 2009 11:28 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Awesome! a little R-E-S-P-E-C-T

not much but some

CB85......Collaros for Heisman

by TennBengalfan on Nov 15, 2009 11:30 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

This is where Marvin has to put his foot down

If he is ever going to take a stand about “his team”, this is it: NO LJ. #1 because it just doesn’t make football sense. LJ is not a change of pace back, he is a workhorse, which means he only really gets going with 15-20 carries, the exact same as Benson. This would NOT work out, not even mentioning all the locker room baggage and the fact that he just isn’t as good anymore.

Please God do not let Mike Brown screw up this season.

by swebbIL on Nov 15, 2009 11:29 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I dont see how signing LJ would screw up the season

wouldnt cost anything really. what? cut a player that isnt playing anyway? we wouldn’t be signing him to a multi-year multi-million dollar deal either

CB85......Collaros for Heisman

by TennBengalfan on Nov 15, 2009 11:31 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

On LJ (kind of what swebbIL said except he hit "post" before I could)

I’m against the move, if it happens.

I honestly don’t think we have any place for him, as things stand. Even so, if you combine Scott and Leonard’s rushing attempts, you have 23 plays.

That’s not to say Johnson has hit rock bottom and might be a very productive backup running back, getting around 6-10 carries a game. But why break up the team’s dynamic right now?

I just don’t think Johnson brings enough to the table at this point in his career to really give us much.

Blogger at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.

by Kirkendall on Nov 15, 2009 11:32 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

bad idea

lots of CJ’ers are crucifying TJ and he’s still a productive player. hell, he’s never been suspended by his team or the nfl.

Pass. Double pass.

"Nate Silver is a genius" .... BK

by obc2 on Nov 15, 2009 11:34 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I dont even know why we even brought this up

he wont come here, he wont get the carries. better fit for him, would be Houston or Cleveland

CB85......Collaros for Heisman

by TennBengalfan on Nov 15, 2009 11:35 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

To play your own devil advocate... :-)

This would be a very opportunistic place for Johnson. He needs to be on a team that’s likely to be visible for a few weeks, and not be the feature runner. That way he can be on people’s minds and if he breaks a few runs, he might have a chance in 2010 to be a feature back.

Step one for Johnson, rebuild perceptions. Like I said earlier in the week, if Johnson wants to continue his NFL career, he needs to follow the Benson gameplan.

Sorry, had to be the argumentative type. ;-)

Blogger at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.

by Kirkendall on Nov 15, 2009 11:38 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

whats with the Devils Advocate?

I wouldn’t mind having him, you guys don’t its that simple. Ive been arguing my point all morning so i wont argue anymore. I want steeler talk

CB85......Collaros for Heisman

by TennBengalfan on Nov 15, 2009 11:41 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Ok one more point lol

if he did come here what would be the dowfall? somebody tell me? it wont cost much and if he doesnt perform cut him simple!!!

CB85......Collaros for Heisman

by TennBengalfan on Nov 15, 2009 11:42 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

i'd think he'd want to go somewhere he could win

scratch off cleveland

"Nate Silver is a genius" .... BK

by obc2 on Nov 15, 2009 11:57 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Hell Motherfracking No

LJ is not a long term or even a stopgap guy in this point in his career. Nor does he provide leadership. Also not a good mentor for our young core of RBs. Against this move for so many reasons. Please MB, don’t redeem LJ.

by Danimal, Destroyer of Worlds on Nov 15, 2009 11:33 AM EST reply actions 0 recs