SBNation.com - The Larry Johnson Free Agent Sweepstakes Beginshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46737/sbn-fave.png2009-11-11T14:21:14-05:00http://www.sbnation.com/rss/stream/8673002009-11-11T14:21:14-05:002009-11-11T14:21:14-05:00Redskins Will Not Pursue Larry Johnson
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<p>Via <a target="new" href="http://twitter.com/RickMaese/statuses/5626015259">Rick Maese of the Washington Post</a> comes confirmation that the Redskins will not look to sign Larry Johnson.</p>
<p>This is a minor consolation for Skins fans: at least Dan Snyder isn't foolish enough to snatch up every washed-up big name available — just every other one.</p>
https://www.sbnation.com/2009/11/11/1126397/redskins-will-not-pursue-larryMatt O'Brien2009-11-11T09:47:37-05:002009-11-11T09:47:37-05:00Larry Johnson Tells His Side Of The Story
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<p><em>Former</em> Chiefs RB Larry Johnson spoke to Dan Patrick of <span class="caps">ESPN</span> Radio yesterday, and had some interesting thoughts on the problems in Kansas City, his own shortcomings, and his future. Sports Radio Interviews provides a <a href="http://sportsradiointerviews.com/2009/11/11/larry-johnson-is-homeless/#more-14075" target="new">full transcript</a>, and below, we give you some excerpts:</p>
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<p><strong>On if and why he was unhappy in Kansas City:</strong></p>
<p>“No I don’t think that was the accurate description. I think it was perception more than it was reality. I wasn’t upset. If anybody likes losing, they shouldn’t be playing this game or any game in matter of fact. It’s just for me, it left a bad taste in my mouth every game we were losing. Every game, and every situation was different, but it just felt like you were useless, it felt like you weren’t doing enough for the team to put them in a position to win. And if I was frustrated and upset, it was mainly with myself. Because you feel like for every carry you have to go 60, 70, 80 yards because that’s what it was going to take for us to have a chance, a great chance of winning. And that’s why I think the perception of I was always upset, I was mad, it was mostly that people who do know me, it was more I was putting all that stress on myself because I wanted to put the team on my back and try to take them the whole distance. But it was just wasn’t working out that way this season.”</p>
<p><strong>On if he thinks he has anger issues:<br>
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“Nah, it’s not anger issues. I have a competitive issue. I like to win and I like to put myself in situations where I always want to win, no matter what it is. And you know, I think sometimes that gets the best of me. And you know, I think sometimes that gets the best of me and I become overly competitive and try to control every little thing I can to make sure I’m winning or everybody around me is going to win. So, sometimes you know, I lose myself and that, and understanding that I don’t have to try to win every battle.”</p>
<p><strong>On why a team should give him a chance:<br>
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“I mean, I still feel I got a lot of tread left on my tires. I still feel I can play this game at a high level. If anybody’s ever looked at me block, well they used to say I couldn’t pass block. I think I pass blocked a lot better than I have in previous seasons. There’s certain things that weren’t working, like we had offensive linemen that were hurt, we had a new offense that was coming in. So there were a lot of adjustments that were made, but the one thing that is still true is I’m still going to try to run hard every play, and I’m still going to try to pick up blitzes no matter who they are or where they’re coming from. And I think that’s the bottom line when it comes to me. The biggest thing is you know you got $20, $30, $40 million dollar quarterbacks, and they’re not going to just put back there anybody who can’t pass protect. So I took a lot of pride in that trying to get that better as if I was going to get released – would somebody hang their hat on something, they’d hang their hat on me being a better pass blocker.”</p>
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<p>There are plenty of things about the Larry Johnson situation that are depressing, but this might be worst of all: here’s Johnson, formerly considered one of the two or three best running backs in the game, bragging about his pass blocking skills in hopes of catching on with a contender. Really? It’s come to that? Apparently so.</p>
https://www.sbnation.com/2009/11/11/1125902/larry-johnson-tells-his-side-ofAndrew Sharp2009-11-10T19:50:54-05:002009-11-10T19:50:54-05:00Bill Belichick 'Doubts' LJ Will Land With Pats, But Will Take A Look Anyway
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<p>New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick and his front office staff <a href="http://itiswhatitis.weei.com/sports/newengland/football/patriots/2009/11/10/patriots-officials-talk-about-larry-johnson/" target="new">have had internal discussions regarding signing Larry Johnson</a>, but nothing more than that:</p>
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<p>On a conference call with area reporters, coach Bill Belichick and director of player personnel Nick Caserio both addressed Johnson, who was released by the Chiefs earlier this week, by saying that they will talk as an organization, and then come to a decision.</p>
<p>"We’ll discuss that organizationally this afternoon," Belichick said. "We’ll decide then if there’s anything we want to do. To be honest with you, we’ve just been focused on Indianapolis, and our pro people are figuring that out.</p>
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<p>Belichick said earlier in the week he “doubts” the Patriots will sign Johnson:</p>
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<p>"Well, I haven’t seen the wire but I assume he’ll be on there — I would doubt it," Belichick said of Johnson. "First of all, I think a player like that that’s on the wire, similar to [wide receiver] Chris Chambers who came on last week, somebody will get ahead of us. Even if we claim him, I doubt that we would get him. We have to decide whether we would want him or not. Maybe that’s something we’ll talk about, but I would think he’d be claimed before he would get to us."</p>
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<p>Perhaps this means Belichick and the Pats will grab LJ and try to turn him around. The Patriots have gone that route before, most notably with Randy Moss. The Patriots acquired Moss for a 4th-round draft pick from the Raiders after Moss was seen as a distraction and past his prime. That trade has turned out to be one of the best the Patriots have ever made.</p>
https://www.sbnation.com/2009/11/10/1125282/bill-belichick-doubts-lj-will-landRandy Booth2009-11-10T19:41:43-05:002009-11-10T19:41:43-05:00Texans The 'Favorites' To Snag Larry Johnson
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<p>According to Jason La Canfora’s Twitter page -- and contrary to Adam Schefter's report earlier in the day -- the Houston Texans <a href="http://twitter.com/JasonLaCanfora/statuses/5604595716" target="new">are first in line to sign Larry Johnson</a>:</p>
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<p>Houston making a good push for Larry Johnson. favorites to get him at this point. Washington and Patriots possibilities, too.</p>
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<p>The Steelers, meanwhile, aren’t — <a href="http://twitter.com/JasonLaCanfora/statuses/5604624359" target="new">nor do they want to be</a> — in the running for LJ:</p>
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<p>Some people spending/wasting time talking about LJ wanting to go to Steelers. But they have no interest in him. Moot point.</p>
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https://www.sbnation.com/2009/11/10/1125269/texans-the-favorites-to-snag-larryRandy Booth2009-11-10T18:00:54-05:002009-11-10T18:00:54-05:00Texans Reportedly Bow Out Of LJ Sweepstakes
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<p>So much for the reports that the <a target="new" href="http://www.sbnation.com/2009/10/27/1103259/larry-johnson-chiefs-banned-team-activities#texans-interested-in-larry-johnson">Texans were considering bringing in Larry Johnson</a> to bolster their sputtering rushing attack. According to <a target="new" href="http://twitter.com/Adam_Schefter/status/5601558660">Adam Schefter</a>, the Texans have ruled out signing Johnson.</p>
<p>With Houston apparently out of the picture, it’s unclear which team, if any, would be willing to take a flier on the troubled former Chief. Considering Johnson’s toxic attitude, it’s difficult to imagine a team taking a chance on him unless they have a realistic shot at the playoffs. Unfortunately for Johnson, most playoff-caliber teams are set at running back. Schefter <a target="new" href="http://twitter.com/Adam_Schefter/status/5600979365">speculates</a> that Philadelphia or Pittsburgh could be potential destinations (the latter because of Johnson’s ties to the area), with Arizona and Green Bay as <a target="new" href="http://twitter.com/Adam_Schefter/status/5601034751">potential darkhorses</a>.</p>
<p>Still, given Johnson’s well-deserved reputation as a locker room cancer, and the fact that he’d have to learn a new playbook midway through the season (not to mention his <a href="http://www.arrowheadpride.com/2009/10/29/1107029/larry-johnson-having-worst-season" target="_blank">historically poor play</a>), it wouldn’t be altogether shocking to see him remain unsigned.</p>
https://www.sbnation.com/2009/11/10/1125133/texans-bow-out-of-lj-sweepstakesMatt O'Brien2009-11-10T17:34:00-05:002009-11-10T17:34:00-05:00Larry Johnson Reportedly Clears Waivers, Becomes Free Agent
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<p>ESPN’s Adam Schefter <a href="http://twitter.com/Adam_Schefter/status/5600718831" target="new">reports</a> that former Chiefs running back Larry Johnson went unclaimed on waivers, and will become a free agent.</p>
https://www.sbnation.com/2009/11/10/1125098/larry-johnson-reportedly-clearsMatt O'Brien2009-11-10T10:23:50-05:002009-11-10T10:23:50-05:00Texans Interested In Larry Johnson
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<p>While the Redskins have apparently <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/2009/11/9/1123206/redskins-interested-in-larry" target="new">thought better</a> of reaching out to embattled former Chief Larry Johnson, at leaset one other team is reportedly mulling bringing him in: the Houston Texans.</p>
<p>According to the <a href="http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/fb/texansfront/6711752.html" target="new">Houston Chronicle</a>, the Texans are in the midst of internal discussions over whether they should sign Johnson. The team’s struggles running the ball — particularly at the goal line and with holding onto the ball — could make Johnson worth the risk for a team trying to make the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.</p>
<p>SBN's Texans blog, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.battleredblog.com/">Battle Red Blog</a>, is not convinced, however, that Johnson is a <a target="_blank" href="http://www.battleredblog.com/2009/11/9/1123550/the-texans-to-try-out-larry-johnson">worthwhile gamble</a> for the Texans:</p>
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<p>I personally hope this is just Kubiak and company doing their due diligence. Larry Johnson is exactly the kind of person you try to keep out of your locker room. It isn't a recent development either; Johnson had a history of acting up with the Herman Edwards administration as well. And what do you get at this point in his career for your troubles? <a href="http://www.nfl.com/players/larryjohnson/profile?id=JOH399484"><b>2.7 yards per carry</b></a>. Granted, the Chiefs' offensive line is abysmal, so he might do better elsewhere, but I don't think he is worth the risk.</p>
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<p>Johnson will clear waivers at 4 P.M. today. If no team claims him, he will be free to sign with the team of his choice.</p>
https://www.sbnation.com/2009/11/10/1124392/texans-interested-in-larry-johnsonMatt O'Brien2009-11-09T13:28:16-05:002009-11-09T13:28:16-05:00What Will Larry Johnson's Legacy Be In K.C.?
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<p>SB Nation’s Arrowhead Pride is all over the release of Larry Johnson, which includes <a href="http://www.arrowheadpride.com/2009/11/9/1122742/the-trials-and-talent-of-larry" target="new">a look at what the legacy of L.J. in K.C. will be</a>. In part:</p>
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<p>Nearly 6,000 yards later, Johnson’s legacy is over. And it’s a tarnished one, for sure. The issues were many in the LJ years and made many within the fan base cringe with each statement to the press, each interview, each Tweet. From Dick Vermeil to Herm Edwards to Todd Haley, each coach had to deal with the baggage that came with one of the franchise’s greatest running back ever. And up until now, it’s always been worth it. It’s a shame it had to go down this way. […]</p>
<p>How LJ will be remembered is a perplexing situation. With final memories like the ones he most recently made, with Twitter references making stabs at gays and the working-class fan, it likely won’t be sunny anytime soon. It’s not like a Brett Favre situation where he was heavily booed earlier this year, yet we all know the cheers and heartwarming greetings will await him in Green Bay when he’s finally done in the <span class="caps">NFL</span>. For LJ, some are even already protesting his place in the Ring of Honor, even though those same fans enjoyed the success he brought on-field for the last several years.</p>
<p>Perhaps time will heal these wounds. And perhaps LJ will gain some perspective (or at least some PR advice) and say the right things once the tensions have settled.</p>
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<p>Regardless of his legacy, Johnson was certainly another example of the incredibly small window of greatness that <span class="caps">NFL</span> running backs have available to them. Although LJ experienced his decline a bit earlier than most (age 28 instead of 30-ish), it came after carrying the ball 752 times in 2005-06. In the three seasons since then, he attempted a combined total of just 483 carries.</p>
https://www.sbnation.com/2009/11/9/1122998/what-will-larry-johnsons-legacy-beChris Mottram