Vick would be a great pick up for the Raiders. Still think they should have kept Garcia. He would have had a nice year with OAK had he played.

C'mon Rush: That's hardly a "fit" now, is it?
Besides, teams that already have a log-jam at RB that can only be alleviated via injury don't need "depth".

Thanks to Al Davis's tendencies the Raiders might still provide a home for many a bad-seed washed-up ballplayer whose better days are behind him. But there has to be some need for his position. Al can rationalize a lot of "needs" but accommodating Larry would take a lot of rationalization, and I don't think ol' Al has the capacity for that sort of invention at this point. He might consider the lads' suggestion of LJ as a mentor to JaMarcus, but then it would be time for "Wheel" and he'd forget all about it.


**************************************************************

By the way, for you fans of schadenfreude: I thought LJ had one more good season in him. Really did. I'd go into all the reasons why, except besides being clearly WRONG, Larry's tweet actually refuted a few all on its lonesome.

That makes me 1-2 in "One Last Great Year" calls in the last 5 seasons. (LDT W; LJ, SA L). In fact, I told gamers to stay away from Chris Carpenter this Spring and take a chance on LJ this Fall. Ouch. I think I better stick with breakout touts from now on.

Garcia ASKED OUT of Oakland. The Raiders only granted his request. Had they held onto him they would have been basically keeping him against his will.

Absolutely.
And-
I agree.

Vick would be a huge upgrade over Russell. Plus didn't Vick say something like he doesn't want to be part of the wild cat and wants to be a starting QB again. Jarmarcuss has been a major bust. If Oak. brought in Vick, that wouldn't be such a bad thing.

Remember that phone conversation we had a few weeks back, when the subject of Chiefs RB's came up?

Nope, not a word.

I didn't think so

So what you're saying is every NFL team would be a good fit then.

I understood what you were saying. In terms of team culture Oakland is probably the best place for him, they don't seem to care about taking on malcontents and their team is already about as dysfunctional as it gets. Although at this stage what's LJ's 40 time...could he even crack 6 seconds? Crazy Al won't like that.

No. Relying on the history and reputation of the Oakland Franchise as "Crazy Uncle Al's Home For Wayward Players" to deem someone a good "fit" for the team is a facile and strained interpretation of what the word implies.

Randy Moss, Javon Walker- Larry Johnson at this time and place is not in that same "risk/reward" category. Furthermore, even Al needs the player in question to, in his mind at any rate, fill a role. I'm not saying it can't happen-dude is Crazy Uncle Al after all- but Larry Johnson is ONLY a fit if you want to very narrowly categorize his personality as "Raider material". Nothing else about LJ "fits" into any equation the Raiders are working on. And we're not even factoring in a contract.

Besides, Dallas and especially Cincinnati have proven to be more suitable homes for Bad Boys these days.

IMO Seattle, Detroit and Cleveland are the best "fits". Personally, I don't know that he'll ever play again. He was supposed to have turned his act, his attitude around this year and it was the SOS. Someone might be willing to spend a dime on him- Cleveland maybe- but I'm not certain he'll generate much interest at all. Not worth the pathos.

Hey whatever you say. You're the expert, not me. I still think he'd fit right in wearing a Raiders uni.

Ha! I'm no expert. Not anymore.
But I do know a thing or two about franchises in my backyard.

I agree that going to Oakland, where there is a backload of backs doesn't make a whole lot of sense, doesn't mean I wouldn't want to see it. Cleveland may make some sense, Detroit doesn't really. He's not going to want to be a clear backup and they're rebuilding. At least in Cleveland, he'd have a shot at playing. Redskins are dysfunctional as they come and Portis is on his last legs. Snyder loves to collect "name" players, but I doubt it. I have to agree with Metal man though in that his career may be done. If he doesn't get picked up this year, he turns 30 in the offseason with tons of documented problems with teammates and management. This could be the end and certainly if he doesn't go to NE, I think it's most likely the end of his fantasy relevance if he gets released....

No way. Snyder does love signing hot names, but even he can see LJ sucks. We already have one RB with way too much tread on the tires, don't think he'd go for another one. But that's the beauty of a franchise run by Danny Boy, really nothing would shock me.

So now here's my dilema, do you just flat out drop Larry Johnson or do you wait for him to be picked up by another team. If he manages to get picked up by some team with a decent line he could have value right?

It's possible, but I doubt it. I haven't watched any Chiefs games(thank God) but I doubt he's as good as he used to be. He's getting pretty old for an RB. He also causes a lot of trouble and most teams don't like that.

Shaun Alexander, Deion Sanders, and Bruce Smith say "Hi".....

Did any of them go on tirades against the fans/coach/organization and use a homophobic slur?? Danny will definitely go after big names who are old, but he thinks have something in the tank(your examples). If that was LJ's only problem then he'd be prime Washington material. Too bad it's not.

Ha, ha, ha. That's not what you said, you intimated that LJ was too used up or old. The Shaun Alexander signing would be a great example of someone in the same physical situation that was a big name that Danny signed.....I don't know many players that carry exactly the same baggage has LJ....No one brings exactly the same story to any team...I already admitted it was a long shot, but most of these teams are and the Redskins have a history of similar signings...

I did say he was used up. I thought Shaun Alexander was used up too. But Shaun wasn't a total douche. Teams sign aging vets all the time to try and squeeze out a year or two of good production on the cheap. The Redskins do it more than most, the Pats do it alot too. This is my point: LJ has 2 strikes against him. Not only is he aging and looks like he sucks, he just had a huge meltdown and insulted lots of people and basically ruined his reputation. The other vets you cited were standup guys. Thus, I don't see the Redskins signing him. If Danny does I'll be very disappointed.

DeAngelo Hall, ironically a Hokie, has had multiple issues with team and teammates. Haynesworth certainly isn't an angel. They flirted with trading for Ocho last year when he was ripping the organization. Let's not turn this into a history lesson on the Redskins' signings, but they are a club that will take a character risk in the hopes of getting production on the field and I don't think there is any denying that. That said, it's probably a long shot as they already have one disgruntled, physical deteriorating RB who likes to wage battle in the media on the roster, however he has a long list of injuries including bone spurs in his ankles and if he can't go at some point, then LJ could make some sense just to the Redskins brain trust, just as SA did....

You know guys, I was just kidding about the LJ to oakland thing. Clearly, he doesn't meet the one requirement of Al Davis: extreme athleticism.

But, LJ could still show Jamarcus a few more pointers on how to alienate himself from his fanbase and teammates.

You're probably an Al Davis fan too

Two games....

Chiefs suspended RB Larry Johnson two games for conduct detrimental to the team.
Returning in Week 11 would be L.J.'s best case scenario because the Chiefs are on a Week 8 bye. He loses two game checks worth roughly $660K. The Chiefs probably didn't release Johnson because doing so would've satisfied his wish to get out of Kansas City. Instead, they'll evaluate L.J.'s response to the punishment in three weeks while considering Jamaal Charles' play in the meantime. We still wouldn't bet on seeing Johnson in a Chiefs uniform again.
Source: Kent Babb on Twitter

Nice. So Dhall doesn't get along with his teammates, and you're comparing that with calling out your coach, completely alienating the fans, and calling people a homophobic slur?? I'm not going to continue arguing about this because it's silly but that's quite a leap. And if Snyder is all about the talented bad character guys then where is Vick and Pacman? Only when it supports your argument I suppose...

By the way, at the end of your last post you say they probably won't sign him because they already have an old RB...isn't that what I said in the first place?? What exactly has this exchange been about then?

One would assume that this will involve a bit more tweeting for LJ to get his way.

You've gotten entirely too emotional about this....Chill out....Your Skins are a wreck, but no one is going after them needlessly....Let's focus on LJ...

According to kent babb on twitter, johnson is being suspended for 2 weeks...

http://twitter.com/kb_kcstar/status/5245283676

rotoworld's blurb states that he's suspended 2 games, but i think they're foolishly assuming that the suspension will start after the week 8 bye... nothing is official, but this would be quite a different tune haley (and pioli) would be tooting if this decision holds true (weak if you ask me)...

You're right. I checked out the release from the Chiefs website, and it says he will be back November 9th, or the Monday prior to week 10 games.

this is purely rotoworld's take based on babb's tweet... below is his tweet in full:

"The Chiefs are suspending Larry Johnson for two weeks. More to come."

that's a lot of info extrapolated from a simple tweet if you ask me... not to mention it says johnson is suspended for 2 weeks and not 2 games...

If you actually think I'm worked up at all I think maybe you need to chill w/ the msg board stuff. We're having a good debate on a football topic, that's what people do here I thought. If you'd like the debate to end just say "lets agree to disagee", you don't have to tell me to chill out.

Agreed. Agree to disagree.

There is one thing we're in complete agreement on, the Redskins are a wreck.

No, Just Oakland only.

Don't get what LJ is trying to do with this. Maybe he sees the writing on the wall is hoping to get his release sooner or he thinks he'll save himself one game check? Odd...


Larry Johnson will appeal his team-imposed one-game suspension immediately, according to agent Peter Schaffer.
"It is our belief that the action did not warrant the discipline," Schaffer said. "We'll be asking for an expedited hearing. Larry's desire is to get back to his teammates as soon as he can." L.J. probably should've accepted the suspension and moved on. The appeal won't endear him to the Chiefs (who will ultimately determine his fate on the roster) or the NFL.
Source: Profootballtalk on NBC Sports

It is only a matter of time for LJ to get his wish out of KC. They are pretty much fed up and had enough of his antics over there. I don't blame Tod Haley or the owner of the Chiefs one bit. He is a headcase and needs to go once and for all.

I tend to forget sarcasm doesn't translate too well across the web. But Al Davis isn't all bad. He introduced us to John Madden, and got Bo Jackson in the 7th round. Sick and sicker.

nail in the coffin...

The appeal is about money, with the bonus being him being released from the team. If you have a shot at having $660k or not having $660k, you try to make the money, especially if you don't care of what could happen as a result.

Johnson is just 75 yards shy of becoming the Chiefs all-time leading rusher, and has a salary esclator in his contract that will pay him a 7-figure bonus if he surpasses Priest Holmes as the leading rusher in team history.

interesting factoid Z06... so basically, KC is in a lose lose situation... it's going to cost them significantly regardless of whether or not they cut him...

Pat-
I understand your points from a purely logical point of view. But as has been suggested with the OAK and WAS scenarios, certain "intangibles" apply when discussing the Lions.

Detroit is in a perpetual state of rebuilding. They gave a home to Culpepper -who was complaining that HE had been blackballed- when he was beat to hell, past his prime and had unflattering things about his character circulated via media rounds.
I'm not certain Larry has the current cachet to claim a starting gig anywhere (tho I threw in CLE and SEA because they seemed most likely to that end). Kevin Smith looks like he could use a kick in the butt. And the franchise likes the appearance of "doing something".
That's why I threw Detroit out there, PB. Let's face it: At the current time it doesn't make sense for ANY team to throw this guy a line. Dude's experiencing a core meltdown right out there in the open.

I hear ya and you definitely could be right, Detroit has some history with malcontents. My thought was that most of that was under the last (Millen) regime. New GM (although not new to the team) and especially new coach are trying to rebrand the franchise and leave some of the negative things in the past. I don't know if bringing in a guy like LJ helps that rebranding effort. Culpepper was brought in because they had little else at the time, Lions currently have a very good young talent in Smith. If they had Stafford and Kitna, then I doubt Daunte is brought in, but you never know. If Kevin Smith goes down, then LJ may make some sense, but I was thinking about the new plan in Detroit and wonder if bringing in a guy like LJ would work for the new coach and GM, but certainly you never know, never hard to believe that franchise making a dumb decision. I agree, that he really doesn't make sense for ANY team, 29 year old malcontented RBs with major tread on the tires rarely do. Ha, ha, ha. It's going to be interesting if/when he gets cut....

Great little nugget on that escalator, Z06ette....

Nice find. So it's more than just $660k, and it's definitely about the money. It definitely will be interesting to see how this plays out Week 10.

But is that still in his contract?
Seemed to me I read that a lot of his incentives and salary structure had been negated by his behavior a season ago. After doing some digging I found this from April.

Included in that link is this line:
"Burbank ruled the running back has not yet earned $3.75 million in salary and bonuses due him over the next two seasons. Though the money was guaranteed as part of the contract Johnson signed in 2007, the Chiefs aren't obligated to pay the player if they release Johnson and determine he breached his contract for being suspended by the NFL for one game last season. Johnson is still on the Chiefs' roster."
Now, I take that as meaning if he was granted his release prior to the season.
Obviously he was not.

But were those incentives ever restored in full? I can't imagine they didn't renegotiate or otherwise rework his contract without conduct clauses attached, which means he knew damn well he was shooting off his own nose, since considering the April ruling he should have known before his latest 24HR ignorance spree.

Knowing this, man, this makes the guy an even bigger !diot than I thought. How is that possible?

According to Yahoo Sports' Charles Robinson, the Chiefs have not decided to release Larry Johnson in the immediate future -- despite reports to the contrary.

ESPN's Adam Schefter also considers LJ's release unlikely, as it would set a precedent for other veterans to push their way off the roster by acting out. Instead, it's expected that Johnson will be sent to "football purgatory" for the remainder of the year and then released during the offseason. LJ's suspension is only for two weeks, but he hasn't been an asset even while playing. Feel free to drop him in all redraft leagues.
Source: Yahoo Sports
Related: Jamaal Charles

Per RW

football purgatory what the hell is that?

It means he'll be an outcast and not sniff the field unless there is injury. Probably will be inactive of game days like I suggested. Or it could be that he wonders the earth searching for truth like Caine from 'Kung Fu'.....


May be trying to negotiate a buyout....

Larry Johnson and the Chiefs are working on a settlement that would decide Johnson's future in Kansas City.
Asked if the agreement would lead to a separation from the team, agent Peter Schaffer replied: "Not Necessarily." Schaffer was expected to appeal the two-game suspension, though settlement talks may have delay the action. Regardless of whether or not Johnson is released, he's likely played his last down as a Chief.
Source: Kansas City Star

Even if the pun wasn't intended that's a pretty funny line.