Johnson overrated

Larry Johnson was once considered a bust.

Then he was a star -- or a perceived one.

Now he's a disaster.

The Kansas City Chiefs released Johnson Monday, the day he was set to come off suspension for his use of a slur to reporters and also his questioning his head coach on Twitter.

Once he clears waivers, which he will, Johnson is free to sign with anyone.

You can bet someone will take a chance on this headache.

Why?

The perception is he can still run. I wonder if he was ever as good as his numbers. The Chiefs had arguably the best offensive line in football when Johnson was putting up amazing numbers in 2005 and 2006. In each season, he rushed for over 1,750 yards.

But that's it.

In his other four-plus seasons, counting this season's seven games, he has a total of 2,457 yards. That's not very good.

There are those who will say he's been stymied playing behind some bad offensive lines the past couple of seasons, and that's true. But he also was a beneficiary of good ones.

So who is the real Larry Johnson?

Is he a feature back anymore? Was he ever, aside from two years?

Johnson turns 30 next week, the age when back usually start to slow down. Then there's the baggage. Is this a guy you want in your locker room?

Remember when Dick Vermeil said he needed to outgrow the diapers, which led to questions about him in his early years. He was once available for a ham sandwich in trade talks, that's how bad the Chiefs wanted to dump him, and there were no takers.

Now it won't even cost that. He's there for anyone who wants him.

Does anybody?

Is this a case of bust to star to bust in seven seasons?

It just might be, or the reality is he was never as good as his numbers.

I lean toward the latter, but his name will get him signed. And some team and its fans will rejoice until he starts pulling his Larry Johnson act again.

This guy isn't worth a ham sandwich -- let alone a contract.

luck024 Reputation: 95 Level: Superstar Since: Sep 7, 2006	Posted on: November 9, 2009 12:18 pm Score: 107 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Thanks again, Carl Peterson Yet another example of why the Chefs are 1-7 and looking bad long term. Carl traded down in this draft to get this guy when we already had one of the best running backs in football at the time (Priest Holmes). Troy Polamalu was still available their original slot. The draft is where you build franchises and where brainless wonders like Carl Peterson destroy them. This is going to be a very long haul back to respectability. [ Reply to Comment ]
Flauge Reputation: 96 Level: Superstar Since: Mar 28, 2008	Posted on: November 9, 2009 12:44 pm Score: 81 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Johnson overrated This guy isn't worth a ham sandwich -- let alone a contractclassic. i bet there are alot of fantasy owners right now willing to deal him for a ham sandwich. [ Reply to Comment ]
M L Reputation: 95 Level: Superstar Since: Nov 14, 2006	Posted on: November 9, 2009 1:46 pm Score: 72 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Al Davis, where are you? This has a Raiders reclamation project written all over it. Especially since they've already got 3 backs - and it wouldn't make sense - that's why it will happen. [ Reply to Comment ]
bmw_chief Reputation: 96 Level: Superstar Since: Oct 10, 2006	Posted on: November 9, 2009 1:57 pm Score: 72 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Way to go, Carl! In the offseason last year, the Chiefs didnt have room for both jared allen and larry johnson, so they had to let one of them go. Carl Peterson felt jared allen's drinking and dui's were more of a risk, so he went with lj over allen. And that, Carl, is why you're not with us another! [ Reply to Comment ]
KCFAN in Dallas Reputation: 82 Level: All-Star Since: May 5, 2009	Posted on: November 9, 2009 2:08 pm Score: 92 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Johnson overrated Yes, Carl Peterson in his last years where not his best but remember the Chiefs of the 80's before King Carl? We were a perenial 4 - 12 team. With Carl came Marty Shottenheimer, then Derrick Thomas, Neil Smith, etc. The Chiefs became playoff team. I don't know what happened in the later years but I'm just saying Carl Peterson didn't just destroy the Chiefs, he also created a more winning attitude. [ Reply to Comment ]
NkyBengals Reputation: 98 Level: Superstar Since: Aug 30, 2008	Posted on: November 9, 2009 2:53 pm Score: 80 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Cedric Benson..... .....is the reason somebody will take a chance on him. The physical tools are there, so someone will. Yes I realize Benson's resurgence is a very rare occurance but for minimum wage if Johnson will sign for that, someone will take a chance on him. [ Reply to Comment ]
Deader Then Ax Reputation: 97 Level: Superstar Since: Aug 14, 2006	Posted on: November 9, 2009 2:56 pm Score: 89 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Johnson overrated Kinda funny how a hack, poor sports writer making around $60K a year can say that LJ (makeing millions) is not worth a ham sandwich. Prisco you can't even carry his jock even if all you want to do is sniff it. LJ was great and he is better then half the backs in the league. He will land somewhere and play great....New England....Better then a fragile Feddie. [ Reply to Comment ]
bevo16 Reputation: 98 Level: Superstar Since: Sep 8, 2006	Posted on: November 9, 2009 3:13 pm Score: 59 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Johnson overrated Benson's resurgence has more to do with the fiasco that is the Chicago Bears, than it does with Benson. Name one pro-bowl offensive player for the Bears during Benson's tenure their? [ Reply to Comment ]
cxs641 Reputation: 96 Level: Superstar Since: Oct 17, 2008	Posted on: November 9, 2009 3:41 pm Score: 118 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Misleading Article Let me just say that Pete Prisco writes some of the best stuff on cbssports.com, but this latest posting by him is pretty misleading. Pete is right in saying that aside from two great seasons that Larry Johnson's other seasons haven't produced anything. What is left out is that for many of those seasons Larry Johnson was sitting behind Priest Holmes at the height of Priest's career. Larry Johnson was brought into Kansas City as an insurance policy / heir apparent to Priest Holmes. When Priest went down with an injury Larry Johnson stepped in and had 2 of the best seasons a running back has ever had. Also left out was the fact that in 2004 Johnson started the final 3 games of the season becoming the first NFL running back to rush for over 150 yards in their first 3 starts. The Stats are right, but they really should be explained, Johnson never had the chance to put up big numbers early in his career, much like Michael Turner sitting behind LT. [ Reply to Comment ]
purewyte Reputation: 79 Level: Pro Since: Sep 5, 2009	Posted on: November 9, 2009 3:48 pm Score: -16 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Johnson overrated Name 1 starting running back that Larry Johnson is better than.. If you can name 1 Ill give you what you are waiting for.. That HAM SANDWICH!! Cuz that is ALL LJ is worth.. He is garbage and so are the Chiefs... Go Matt Cassel..LMAO!! WHO-DEY IS BACK!!!!!! [ Reply to Comment ]

Pete_Prisco

Prisco's Points

Thanks again, Carl Peterson