I understand the signing of L.J. We do need some extra insurance in case any of our running backs go downwith serious injuries. However I feel L.J should only be used as an insurance policy . The other guys have earned roles in our offense and earned the carries. Even if Benson cant play this upcoming game against Oakland I feel the combination of B.Scott and B.Leonard will be effective with out offensive line opening up wholes as theyve done all season. Overall, I feel L.J is a proven guy in this leauge therefore this isnt a bad pickup. But like i said only use him as an insurance policy, Benson and our other backs are good enough to carry us through the season should they stay healthy. In Marvin we trust, hell make sure L.J isnt a cancer in the locker room and continue our success. WHO DEY!

jamal charles averaged 5.9 yards against the raiders… that is not something to be comparing LJ too. he will be able to run very good behind our offensive line. come playoff time the 2 headed monster in LJ and Ced is going to be scary to our oppenents. and my money is on cutting scott kooistra again since i hear evan mathis is back to being healthy

Reports were out that LJ had been talking with The Bengals since last Thursday… the dire need to possibly sign a power back became more so on Sunday when Benson left the game. One thing that I have not seen anyone mention is did anyone think that MAYBE Cinci went after LJ to keep him from where he wanted to go? Yes, I’m talking about LOVELY PITTSBURGH. Yes, Cinci Put it ON PITT again but still The Steelers are RIGHT THERE in the Standings. Sure, Mendenhall had a monster game a few weeks back but he has had ‘fumble’ problems. LJ Could have and would have solved that problem in the Steel City.
But, bottom line is Cinci got LJ. And its a good thing they acted “NOW” because I am sure PHILLY would have offered him the world to come play there now that Westbrooks carreer may be a bit hazzy, no pun intended.

Again, Bottom line, Cinci bagged themselves an LJ and now lets see what happens next. I have heard that Cinci’s finest have already been put on high alert, but seriously Larry Johnson WILL PLAY. I really doubt you pick a guy up and put him on the Bench unless your whole plan was to keep him away from your rivals…and if that is the case Let me be one of the first to say Good Luck Bengals Cant wait to see what LJ Tweets First: something like: …“Man, This Place is a Jungle! We are up 42-3 , Huh, oh, gotta go, coach is putting me in… shoot what do I do with my cell?”

but why take a chance on disturbing a strength of the team- team chemistry. The Bengals might have contacted LJ last week, just like a handful of other teams, however without Benson’s injury LJ would not be a Bengal today. This move reaks of Benson having either a more serious injury than let on or an injury that is going to be nagging and problematic for the remainder of the season.

Best case senario Johnson fills in with 10+ carries a game until Benson is good. Worst case Benson never regains his power this season and LJ doesn’t have the motor to fill Benson’s shoes even in spot duty. Both senarios are predicated on LJ becoming a “good” Bengal reclaimation project (keeping mouth shut and out of trouble off the field) and assimilating into the 2009 Bengal culture.

I just don’t think Scott can take the pounding between the tackles.

Just wait til he has a 60 or 70 yard run and has a big role in the Bengals winning a game, and all the naysayers will be jumping off their bandwagon and jumping onto Larry Johnson bandwagaon. There is a great inner strength or core in that locker room. One man will not come in and disrupt that. Peko and the group will not allow it to happen. And another thing who with out a doubt knows Ced can continue with all those carrries? I dont. So you bring in a guy who didnt want to play where he was, give him a total different look and great things can happen. And also Scott is a great scat back, but he cant break tackles, he would be beat up running between tackles and then what? So sit back and relax and be thankful there is a guy named Larry Johnson available.

i don’t like this move. It has happened and i just hope LJ takes full advantage of it and keeps quiet and works hard.

I think i agree with what Wyche said in an NFL chat that this renting of LJ will see him on his best behaviour because he doesn’t want to be done with the NFL yet and as it is a short deal then LJ will be playing for a new contract from some team (playing for a contract always makes RBs better).

I don’t think he’ll ruin our locker chemistry because he isn’t THE team and he’ll be treated like any other guy… he won’t be THE guy.

Also, as he was meant to have been very impressive in his workout for the team i hope he has some juice left and i guess we just have to hope he runs like a beast if we have to give Benson some games off so that he is fresh for the playoffs (playoffs? dont talk to me about playoffs!)

Even TO is happy when they’re winning games. I would worry about LJ in years past but at this point he’s probably just happy to have a legitimate chance at a deep playoff run

I wouldn’t put it past Scrooge McDuck that this “insurance policy” is as much about gaining leverage with resigning Benson as it is about depth on the team.

ML says it is insurance and I believe him. Listen, Leonard is a very good player. He has not made a single bad play all year. If there was a yard to be made – he made it. He is tough and does not give up the rock. He is great in his role as a blocker, short yardage back and swing receiver. He is not a feature back and he will be the first to admit it.

The same is true of Scott. He is very capable in his role as a returner and as a speed back. Benson is our feature back but he is carrying a bit too big of a load. LJ will give him the occasional break he needs to stay strong for a playoff run. We still have a lot of work to do and a playoff spot is not in the bag yet.

Look at it from LS’s point of view. He leaves a bad team and goes to a playoff contender. He has a chance, maybe, to get a ring. He is going into a strong locker room from a weak one. He has one chance to show other prospective teams that he can still do it. If he is a disruption his career is practically over. He is a bit dumb but he is not stupid. Our team leaders will step on him big time if he gets out of line as will ML. He knows we do not need him but are willing to give him a chance. He has zero leverage because if he causes trouble ML will simple deactivate him and let him watch from the sidelines as his career evaporates before his eyes.

Benson has a two year contract.I don’t think it has anything to do with leverage. It is what it is, short term insurance.It’s a contract for the rest of the year at the league minimum. In other words the Bengals couldn’t get him or anyone else cheaper.If he starts to be disruptive they can let him go and it has minimal impact on the salary cap. I agree with earlier comments that one player cannot disrupt the team chemistry.I really think there is little risk in this transaction.My only concern is who has to go and I think it has to be Fui.Historically the Bengals carry four RBs on their roster.They now have six.

 Anderson has been in this league a looong time and through all the really bad years, one thing the Bengals have had is success with kind of re-tread RB (Icky, Brooks, Garrison Hearst, Corey, Rudi, Benson). Even the RB we drafted busted it was because of injuries (ie Perry & Ki-Jana), not due to lack of coaching.

Sooo, if Anderson can work his magic, get Larry to buy into his program and accept his role…then just maybe this works out for 7 weeks. maybe….I still think I’m going to be sick.

I think LJ is going to take full advantage of this opportunity. KC was holding him back with their perpetual rebuilding. LJ is not such a bad guy at all. I’ve been keeping up with him on this site lockerblogger.com. By the way, Cincy is looking great right now with Oakland, Cleveland, and Detroit standing in their way the next few weeks.

On Mike & Mike this morning they asked John Clayton about the LJ signing whether it would cause a disruption, and he said that this was a totally different Bengals locker room. They do their job and don’t expect much in the way of congratulations, and he said that the leadership in the locker room is much stronger than he’d ever seen. So he thought it was a good move only because Johnson should remain in a limited role and just provide quality depth through the end of the season, and if he acts up or causes any distractions they can cut him loose without losing a thing.

This doesn’t make me like this anymore, but at least is somewhat calming to hear this from an objective observer, and Clayton is one of the VERY few who qualifies.

I am sure it offended gay activists all over the world.

Bengals.com reports that Utech and Chatman have been released. Too bad those two experiments never really took off.

The Chiefs and Larry Johnson are in the middle of a case to determine whether or not the Chiefs have to pay Johnson this year’s installment of his signing bonus. The day before his suspension was supposed to up, Chiefs’ management had Larry Johnson released, though he probably won’t clear waivers. It’s rumored that he might get picked up later by the Washington Redskins, as they need a running back – but it isn’t anywhere close to certain. At any rate, aside from guaranteed quick cash from contracts, after the Chiefs had Larry Johnson released might have a more stable locker room, which might lead them to win a few more games.