Larry Johnson might play on Sunday if Cedric Benson is out
by Kirkendall on Nov 17, 2009 5:07 PM EST
in Analysis
48 comments
Larry Johnson is the fourth running back. Larry Johnson is an insurance policy. Larry Johnson won't play on Sunday as long as the other three running backs are healthy. These were the talking points from head coach Marvin Lewis, who carefully walked a minefield after reports surfaced that the Bengals were signing a player with potentially incendiary qualities. Signing Johnson wasn't a popular move with Bengals fans. Players are optimistically cautious -- some completely defer to Cedric Benson, which is a true sign of the respect players have of Benson in the lockerroom. Benson himself approves the moves, based on very good conditions. Help the team.
However, on Tuesday, head coach Marvin Lewis said that Johnson could play on Sunday, writes Geoff Hobson.
With former Chiefs running back Larry Johnson sitting next to him in a Paul Brown Stadium news conference Tuesday, head coach Marvin Lewis didn’t rule out using the newest Bengal this Sunday in Oakland if Cedric Benson can’t play.
Ah, one of the conditions. Good. Good.
What I really like out of all of this is the growing perception of Benson. In the 14 months, we went from wondering if he was what we're thinking of Larry Johnson now, to not only being one of the best players on the team, but respected and liked by all of the fans. And I really loved this:
“Once the hip is ready, I’m gone,” he said. “I’m running all the way to Miami and the Super Bowl.”
Benson is the man.
Like him or not, Johnson is in Cincinnati. He is a Bengal. Like him or not, he's here.
0 recs |
48 comments
|
Email
Print
Comments
SO MANY JOHNSON'S
by jbs62 on Nov 17, 2009 5:15 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
"Like him or not, Johnson is in Cincinnati. He is a Bengal. Like him or not, he's here."
I choose not.
by IFChris on Nov 17, 2009 5:42 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I'm shocked you don't like him!!!
I think you’ve made your point the last 200 posts. Stop complaining about it and start hoping he’ll help us win.
by pedro_oliveira on Nov 17, 2009 6:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm just hoping he doesn't f**k up.
Anything after that is gravy.
by IFChris on Nov 17, 2009 6:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
feedback
originally i was 100% against signing LJ……but, if Ced is out for a game or two it makes a ton of sense. The Bengals can’t afford to lose a game vs the upcoming dredges of the NFL. If Ced is out the running game is suspect, at best. With Carson having an injured thumb one can’t expect him to carry the entire offensive load.
LJ is an assclown, but i have a strong hunch he’ll bring his lunch pail to work the rest of the season, ie Corey Dillon in his first season in NE. He’ll want to be a team player to resurrect his NFL career. I think the Bengals have enough strong personalities in the locker room to hush his potential negativity. Dhani, Bobbie, Whit, Carson, Coles, Roy Williams, etc. And i think Zimmer and Marvin will get in his face if he is anything but an exemplary citizen and teammate. This team is toooooo close to a special season. I was VERY concerned re: the amount of carries Ced was hauling the ball and this is not an altogether bad signing.
That said, I hope he’s wearing a different uni next season.
"Nate Silver is a genius" .... BK
by obc2 on Nov 17, 2009 10:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Joey Galloway in town for workout
plus two other guys
CB85......Collaros for Heisman
by TennBengalfan on Nov 18, 2009 10:23 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
You know, Chris, he's not a great guy and whatever
But he did a decent job in his press conference, and he seems to recognize that he made some mistakes and he really wants to succeed here.
by jsl413 on Nov 17, 2009 5:45 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Sorry, but the benefit of the doubt ran out w/him a couple of seasons ago.
That said, I will gladly admit I was wrong if LJ gives me reason to.
by IFChris on Nov 17, 2009 6:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
joey galloway
I’m hearing Joey Old Man Galloway Has worked out for us:
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/11/17/bengals-kick-galloways-tires/
by ak513 on Nov 17, 2009 5:47 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
We need another Johnson
so Ed should be in
by St. Esiason on Nov 17, 2009 5:53 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I don't like this, it makes me feel like Benson injury might be worse than expected
It just keeps escalating from we might sign him, to we signed him, to he’s going to be fourth string and not dress, to he’s probablly going to play if Benson is out. What’s next? Benson is out and Johnson is the starter, not good.
by St. Esiason on Nov 17, 2009 5:52 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Benson said he'd miss one week at most.
But he thinks he’ll be able to go this week
by jsl413 on Nov 17, 2009 5:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
They should definately take it easy with Benson
It’s very important to rest him now when we are 7-2 and then have him fresh for the playoffs.
by pedro_oliveira on Nov 17, 2009 6:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, he was on pace for over 400 carries
It’s nice to have a guy, character issues aside, that has a track record of taking lots of carries. It makes me feel better about a 3-RB committee while Benson rests to have a veteran in there.
by jsl413 on Nov 17, 2009 6:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
But let me ask this one
What if LJ some how runs for over 100 yards this week against Oakland, then we start having a controversy in the media and all hell breaks loose. This is just asking for trouble. But of course LJ has to come through which I doubt he will.
by St. Esiason on Nov 17, 2009 6:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
There's no controversy.
And LJ won’t run for 100 this weekend. If he does, it’s because we’re way better than Oakland. But he probably will, if active, have no more than 10 rushes.
by jsl413 on Nov 17, 2009 6:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
There could be one very easily
Because the media will create one, but that doesn’t mean it will interally affect the team.
by St. Esiason on Nov 17, 2009 6:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
no way...
ced is the man, LJ is the policy
by GrooveLeg on Nov 17, 2009 7:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
In that case think Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams
Un-freaking-stoppable
by JHarmann on Nov 17, 2009 8:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
lets not go that far
i remember the 88 Super Bowl team very well. I see LJ as being the potential Stanley Wilson for this ballclub…pros and cons. I see Scott as much more Stanford Jennings than Ickey or Brooks.
"Nate Silver is a genius" .... BK
by obc2 on Nov 17, 2009 10:19 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
one would think
that if LJ runs for over 100 yards and helps the Bengals win there wouldn’t be a problem….you guys are trying to find problems where there aren’t any
by pedro_oliveira on Nov 17, 2009 7:19 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
The problem is
I have Benson on my fantasy team and I’m pissed!
by St. Esiason on Nov 18, 2009 11:22 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
you should stop playing fantasy football; you’ll find that you have much less stress in your life and you actually enjoy the games more. trust me, i retired from fantasy two years ago and it was the best decision i ever made.
i'm going to go america all over your ass!
by Raging Clue on Nov 18, 2009 10:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Its like the only way I stay in touch with my friends
So, I’d rather keep playing, I take a lot of pride in it, but I know its just for fun. If I win great I’m a genious, if not I can’t control the players so what.
by St. Esiason on Nov 19, 2009 5:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
oh, that’s probably why i never talk to my friends anymore. at least, i’m going to start using that as my excuse.
i'm going to go america all over your ass!
by Raging Clue on Nov 19, 2009 11:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Joey Galloway too?
CB85......Collaros for Heisman
by TennBengalfan on Nov 18, 2009 10:23 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
More Johnson, more fun
funny comment from Chick’s blog over on cincinnati.com
thirtytwo2 wrote:
- of Johnsons on Bengals Roster vs. Team Record under Marvin Lewis 2003-2009
2003: 4 (Chad, Jeremi, Riall, Rudi) Record: 8-8
2004: 4 (Chad, Rudi, Jeremi, Landon) Record: 8-8
2005: 5 (Chad, Rudi, Jeremi, Landon, Doug) Record: 11-5, AFC North Champions
2006: 4 (Chad, Rudi, Jeremi, Landon) Record: 8-8
2007: 4 (Chad, Rudi, Jeremi, Landon) Record: 7-9
2008: 2 (Chad, Brandon) Record: 4-11-1
From the above statistics, it is clear:
1. The Bengals need at least 4 Johnsons for a .500 record
2. Less than four Johnsons equals a horrible season
3. 5 Johnsons on the roster equals playoffs
Now let’s look at this year:
2009: 5 (Chad*, Jeremi, Brandon, Michael, Tank) Record: 7-2 (5-0 in the AFC North)
As of today, make it 6 Johnsons with the addition of Larry Johnson.
This signing may have put us over the top.
http://cincinnati.com/blogs/ludwig/2009/11/17/suddenly/?&s=d&page=2#pluckcomments
by swebbIL on Nov 17, 2009 6:22 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Bengals kick Galloway’s tires
Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on November 17, 2009 5:35 PM ET
Joey Galloway’s career may not be over quite yet.
Adam Schefter of ESPN reports the Bengals worked out the former Patriot/Buc/Cowboy/Seahawk on Tuesday, in addition to safety Mike Doss and defensive tackle Ed Johnson.
The Bengals have replaced Chris Henry from within to this point, but Galloway could be an option down the line if the team feels it needs another vertical threat.
Laveranues Coles has improved his play of late, but lacks the speed he had early in his career. Slot receiver Andre Caldwell is another traditional possession receiver. Galloway still appeared to have his speed with the Patriots, but struggled to adapt to their system.
by vottoholic on Nov 17, 2009 6:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
lol
We’re on our way to Miami
This is our year!
by Carsonorbust on Nov 17, 2009 7:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Oh yeah and welcome to the team LJ! You’re a Bengal now!
This is our year!
by Carsonorbust on Nov 17, 2009 7:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
are you saying
one more Johnson and we’re garaunteed the Superbowl?
by featherman on Nov 17, 2009 7:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
It looks like we get 2 wins for each Johnson
Maybe we should bring in another
by jim0ijk on Nov 17, 2009 9:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
haha
He’s willing to do whatever it takes to do that. Special teams, whatever. He’s looking to re-establish himself on and off the field.
my shiny asshole he’s going to play special teams… give us a god damn break…
by GrooveLeg on Nov 17, 2009 7:18 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
i dunno
he’s on his one more last chance. its humbling to be released outright by a team for the first time, and i dont think there was a lot of interest from the rest of the league. a world class athlete has a lot of pride and can swallow that in order to be a productive member of a winning team. being in KC the past decade had to have sucked….again, he may be Corey Dillon in NE for the Bengals.
"Nate Silver is a genius" .... BK
by obc2 on Nov 17, 2009 10:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
a lot of big RBs
play on kickoff return teams. i could see him in there.
by brandone on Nov 18, 2009 12:54 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Stop speculating
Support your new Bengal…for now….give him a nice welcome…..if he doesn’t feel welcome…he might start calling Mike Brown a faggot….ok nevermind….keep speculating
If you don't live like you wanna, you live like you shouldn't
by trotanoy on Nov 17, 2009 7:23 PM EST via mobile reply actions 0 recs
I heard a great point on the radio tonight.
It was basically, “Why not sign Larry Johnson?”
Seriously, Brian Leonard, though a great 3rd down guy, is not a feature back. He does what he does very well, but I don’t think that asking him to do more than that will really help a lot. If Benson were to go down, then this could spell trouble.
Bernard Scott, who admittedly has shown some good running, still hasn’t shown me, (and, I think, the Bengals) that he can handle being the workhorse. He’s great for a change of pace, and can really spark an offense, but I don’t think he’s capable either of running 25-30 times a game.
We know that Larry Johnson can do that. We know he’s capable of handling a load. Let Benson rest, get healthy while we play the dregs of the NFL, and get him back for the stretch.
"If it wasn't this, it'd be something else."
by ZJiff30 on Nov 18, 2009 12:17 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I agree,
Scott could be moved to just returning kicks and punts,
1.Benson
2.LJ
3.Leonard
by El_Danimal on Nov 18, 2009 8:59 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
LJ is Hungry
Larry Johnson is hungry to show himself & he should have a big appetite for yards! There is no reason the Bengals backfield shouldn’t have 2000+ yards for the season.
by Vman in Germany on Nov 18, 2009 3:27 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
L Who?
ask him what happened when he ran against the steelers last year and u bungholes will have some insight to a laughing stock that will do the same thing like last year. What did he do Wha Wha Wha Wha. He fits the team his playing for a bunch of crying bungholes that has no idea whats in store for them. have a fine time watching the play offs from gaygays house lu ferries
by pistonsteelers on Nov 20, 2009 3:06 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
2-0
i'm going to go america all over your ass!
by Raging Clue on Nov 22, 2009 9:19 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
Related FanPosts on Cincy Jungle
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2010 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
