Kansas City Star columnist Jason Whitlock has an interesting suggestion for the Chiefs:
I’d consider trading Larry Johnson rather than handing him a lucrative contract extension.
Most of the article is given over to discussion of how Johnson is a TO-like clubhouse cancer, but then he gets to the part that I find most compelling (attention fantasy football owners who have LJ <
Johnson carried the ball an NFL-record 416 times last year. In the history of the league, nine running backs have accumulated 390-plus carries in a season. Only one, Eric Dickerson, continued to ascend after toting the rock that many times. Everyone else faded quickly.
What do we think the odds are of LJ playing double-digit games next year?
February 15th, 2007 at 6:15 pm
I think they’re pretty good. While I am a casual believer the quasi curses (Super Bowl, Madden, Most Carries) I think LJ will make it through at least 13 games next year.
February 15th, 2007 at 6:41 pm
LJ’s what, like 25/26 years old? I think he’ll be around awhile. Sure, ANYONE can get injured, and his chances probably go up carrying the ball that many times. But is anyone gonna punt on LdT because HE gets too many touches? I highly doubt it. So too I think KC is nuts to actually trade LJ - when I highly doubt they’d get the proper value for him. The days of the Herschel Walker deals are LONG gone…
But, the rage of the future (ok, maybe the present) is the two-headed-monster in the backfield, or the (fantasy dreaded) RBBC. So, LJ needs a competent backup. No doubt Michael “Oww, oww, my toenail! And it’s IR for you” Bennett needs to have more than 36 carries for 200 yards next year, if KC is gonna be a legit contender, and keep LJ fresh down the stretch.
February 15th, 2007 at 10:48 pm
As one of those LJ owners, I hope the answer to your question is 16, but those extra carries are scary.
February 16th, 2007 at 10:02 am
It’s been my experience over the years…that Whitlock is a certifiable moron.