See Ya, Larry

by IFChris on Mar 13, 2010 3:00 PM EST

Because CJ is a family-friendly site, I'll refrain from using the language I want to use. Let's just say Richard Pryor would be proud of my unedited departure speech for one Larry Alphonso Johnson, Jr.

For now, I'll merely offer this: Goodbye, Larry.

Don't let the door hit you where the good lord split you. Try not to spit drinks on any females who aren't feeling your rap; or stiff-arm any unwanted advances, either. Enjoy splitting time with Clinton Portis. Who knows, maybe you'll be the one who can successfully block for Jason Campbell.

If not, there's always check-down passes, right? Hell, maybe Mike Shanahan can ~~rejuvenate your sorry ass~~ revitalize your career.

I suppose I should be thankful for Larry's one really good game (his 22-carry/107 yard effort against the Browns) and for the fact he didn't create any waves during his brief tenure in Cincinnati, but then again, where's the fun in that? I was against this signing from the beginning, and it's only through the grace of injuries that Johnson's services were even needed.

Considering the fact he's gone without leaving a smoldering crater where his Bengals locker once stood, I'll call Johnson's tenure at Cincinnati a push -- meaning, I certainly didn't want it, but it wasn't as painful as it could've been.

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I thought he did ok here.

I wouldn’t diss the guy. He didn’t start shit. He didn’t totally screw up a game for us. He filled in pretty well I thought.

Thanks Larry. Good luck in DC.

by UpStateMike on Mar 13, 2010 3:34 PM EST reply actions

I'm shocked we didn't use him more than we did

I think we should draft a running back in the later rounds, again, as “Brat running Benson to death” insurance.

Also: did LJ and Britney go to the same haberdashery? Trucker caps ftw!

by Big Sky Bengal on Mar 13, 2010 3:44 PM EST reply actions

Seriously, what is the deal with that thing?

It’s massive.

by Jaegner on Mar 13, 2010 4:04 PM EST up reply actions

Re: "Brat running Benson to death,":

I agree. Bernard Scott is good, but I don’t think he’s Chris Johnson good (i.e. good enough to be that small and run that well for that long without getting killed). I look at Benson’s numbers from last year and have visions of Curtis Martin running through my head.

by Craig Conrad on Mar 13, 2010 4:22 PM EST up reply actions

Man,

you’ve been waiting to write this one. ha

by WHYUS!! on Mar 13, 2010 4:12 PM EST reply actions

I was wondering how this was going to come across. lol

by Craig Conrad on Mar 13, 2010 4:20 PM EST reply actions

C'mon MAN!

Give LJ a break. He came here, definately settled down and contributed. Can you honestly say you’ve never done stupid shit in your life, like in college, chasing ladies in bars or getting irrate with your wife or lady. Maybe you’re of a different persuasion. Anyway, if we forever cling to someones past disgressions can we ever allow redemption. I’d like to think we can and should live in the future.

by sofakinggood on Mar 13, 2010 4:39 PM EST reply actions

credit where credit is due

I didn’t like the signing of LJ when it happened, but I have to admit that he turned out to be a useful rent-a-player when Benson and Scott were injured, and wasn’t the disruptive presence I had feared. So the front office did what they needed to, LJ filled in as we needed him to, and now he gets what he was after: the chance to continue his career. Nobody expected the Bengals to keep him after this season with Benson, Scott, and Leonard under contract, so no big loss to us.

by Mr. X on Mar 13, 2010 5:42 PM EST reply actions

We could have used him at TE.. I'm so disappointed.

by 80%OFTHETIMEIMRIGHTEVERYTIME on Mar 13, 2010 6:21 PM EST reply actions

DAM WE LET A SOLID BACK! GET AWAY.

I was really hopeing the Bengals brought LJ back,with the signing of Braynt they would have been one weapon short {TIGHTEND} of being in TOP Three offensives in the N.F.L, maybe even one the strongest running back conbinations in the N.F.L ,AND HE IS AN EXCELLANT Blocker, plus in his prime,well try not to think about what might have been!.HIS STATS SPEAKS 4 ITSELF. Lets hope Scott & Leonard can handle a REAL work load IF Benson NEEDS Help.Thee upside is Braynt and Jones IF they really want to win ON THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF Football then Cincy will BE a real Force to deal with.BUT LJ is still a lost.

by kingbengal on Mar 13, 2010 6:23 PM EST reply actions

by "one really good game" you mean...

the only game he was given a chance to show what he can do?

Hard to have more than one good game when you only get significant carries in one game.

As I’ve said in other threads, Larry’s carries went for 4+ yards over 59% of the time in that game. By comparison, Cedric only managed 48.6% 4+ in his best game all season. His average on the year was 41.4%. One guy gets good yardage on 60% of his carries, the other guy doesn’t on 60% of his carries. Which one did we keep?

Yep, that’s the Bengals.

by indesignkat on Mar 13, 2010 11:10 PM EST reply actions

we kept the running back that isn’t past his prime, and you’re complaining? yep, that’s a bengals fan.

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

by Raging Clue on Mar 14, 2010 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions

I don't understand this post

I’ll leave it at that.

by Cedric Benson Boat Party on Mar 14, 2010 12:40 AM EST reply actions

The theme is perfectly clear.

After watching him f-up time and again in the KC social scene, on top of his talent eroding, not to mention, the pathetic me-first attitude he displayed over and over, I didn’t want him anywhere near the Bengals.

Sorry, but that will not change. If he goes on to be a great humanitarian and do Pro Bowl-level things for the Redskins, good on him. I still don’t want him on the Bengals. Running backs are a dime-a-dozen and I will never think someone like LJ is worth the risk.

JMO.

If you guys want a “big name” back up that badly, where’s the outcry for Tomlinson?

by IFChris on Mar 14, 2010 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Suprised by all the people defending LJ

I was with Chris on this, I did not like the LJ signing at the start. Mike Brown’s basement bargain hunting is looks great when it works out, but it’s one of those things that the more players you keep signing who have had issues in the past, the sooner one of them backfires on you.

After the season was over, I did change my mind. LJ came in, kept his nose down and appeared to work for the carries he got and ran hard. He lost me again once the offseason started though.

Yes we let a good back go. BECAUSE HE WAS ASKING TO GET PAID LIKE A STARTER. I wish we could have kept him, but he is not worth the money it would have taken to sign him. We already have our bell cow in Benson and a change of pace guy in Scott, and a (clutch) third down back in Leonard. Why in the hell should we pay him starter money?

What's up hurt guys? I don't talk to hurt guys.

Question #18- When do you not run a 40 with your shirt off?

by Bengals FTW on Mar 14, 2010 10:26 AM EDT reply actions

haters gonna hate

by kirby28 on Mar 14, 2010 12:23 PM EDT reply actions

And celebrate when he leaves.

by IFChris on Mar 14, 2010 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Quality Backup

Someone will have to explain to me how signing a quality backup to give your workhorse a few extra blows down the stretch was bad. He served his purpose, he has moved on with still something to prove after being humbled by KC. He will be a feature back in Washington & do well. The Bengals were opportunistic in signing him last year, ussually they miss the boat on these type of opportunities. What’s with the bitterness of this piece?

by Vman in Germany on Mar 14, 2010 4:15 PM EDT reply actions

It All Makes Sense....Except For That Cap

We needed LJ because Benson was banged up, but shelling out bucks for him to weep and moan in the locker room this season would have been foolish….What is up with that butt ugly cap ? Did he lose a bet or something ?

by laibach on Mar 14, 2010 7:39 PM EDT reply actions

You can hate the pickup at the time...

but you can’t complain on how he worked out. He kept his nose clean, the veterans in the locker room kept him in line and he contributed when called upon. Not bad for a rent-a-runner. Wish him well in da capital.

by Who dey in LA on Mar 14, 2010 8:49 PM EDT reply actions