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Kansas City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson was charged with simple assault today for allegedly spitting a drink in a woman’s face and threatening to kill her boyfriend. He turned himself in and posted a $500 bond.

Simple assault is like getting a traffic ticket. It’s a municipal charge and carries a maximum penalty of a $500 fine and 180 days in jail. But that’s the least of Larry’s problems. He was already facing a possible suspension by the NFL for a number of off-the-field incidents and will meet with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell at league headquarters in New York tomorrow to decide his fate. Chiefs president and GM Carl Peterson announced that the team will continue their season without Larry in the foreseeable future:

“The case with Larry Johnson has been and continues to be in the hands of the NFL office in New York. We will defer further comment on the matter until that process has run its due course and the league has concluded its own independent investigation. As we have previously indicated, it is in the best interest of both Larry and the Chiefs that Larry focuses his attention on addressing his personal issues. At present, we do not believe Larry can contribute to our team on the field until those issues are resolved.”

Larry owned up to his mistakes in a press conference statement last week and said he would accept whatever punishment the league handed down to him. You can bet there will be a suspension. The question will be how long. Most importantly, though, Larry understands that his behavior was wrong and seems to be determined to change his ways. Even if he doesn’t see the field again this season, he will hopefully return to the team a new man in 2009.

Source: NFL.com, Photo: Newscom

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Larry Johnson Charged With Assault

It would appear that Kansas City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson has issues. He’s being investigated for allegedly spitting a drink in a woman’s face at a nightclub, the fourth time in five years (and second in the past couple weeks) he’s been accused of assaulting a woman. Kansas City police are looking into a report of non-aggravated assault against Larry for telling a woman that he was going to kill her boyfriend, then spitting in her face. Larry hasn’t been charged and the case has been assigned to a detective and will be investigated as resources allow. Chiefs team president Carl Peterson issued the following statement:

“We are aware of the most recent incident involving Larry Johnson and we are very disappointed with his involvement. We will cooperate fully with the Kansas City authorities who are investigating the matter. We have also made the NFL office in New York aware of the incident and officials there are conducting their own independent investigation. Based upon the NFL Player Conduct Policy, we will have no further comment.”

Larry was deactivated for yesterday’s game against the Tennessee Titans, but according to Chiefs head coach Herm Edwards it had nothing to do with any of these recent alleged charges. He merely violated unspecified team rules. Which makes you wonder all the more what the heck is going on with this guy. I know enough about his family (his dad is well-respected on Joe Paterno’s staff at Penn State) to understand this isn’t the way they raised him to behave. And while we don’t know all the facts, the history of allegations involving his violence against women is disturbing.

Source: ESPN.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Larry Johnson Under Investigation

Just minutes after the National Football League’s 4 p.m. ET trade deadline this afternoon, Kansas City Chiefs head coach Herm Edwards said nine-time Pro Bowl tight end Tony Gonzalez was still with the team:

“He’s going to be at practice tomorrow. That’s what he’s paid to do. He a professional football player ….. Tony’s going to give 100 percent as a professional football player. He always has. That’s one thing you can count on him. He takes a lot of pride in being who he is. If not, he couldn’t have achieved all the goals that he’s achieved thus far in his career. I’m not worried about that.”

Still, I have to think Tony is pretty disappointed. He made public his desire to play for a contender at this late stage of his career and asked the team to explore any and all trade possibilities to a team that had a shot at going to the Super Bowl. Chiefs President Carl Peterson is known as a tough negotiator and obviously wasn’t hearing what he wanted from the teams (N.Y. Giants, Buffalo, Arizona, Philadelphia) that were interested in Tony’s services.

Source: KCChiefs.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Tony Gonzalez Stays in Kansas City

With the NFL’s trade deadline fast approaching (October 14), one potential deal that is gaining momentum is Kansas City Chiefs perennial All-Pro tight end Tony Gonzalez to the N.Y. Giants. It makes sense. Tony’s not getting any younger. He’s done his time in K.C. and it’s fairly evident the schizophrenic Chiefs are in a rebuilding mode (although Chiefs offensive lineman Adrian Jones and I discussed this as kind of bogus last week). The Giants could use a TE and red zone threat to replace Jeremy Shockey (who was traded to New Orleans, of course) because they haven’t gotten much from the position so far this season. Kevin Boss has five catches for 60 yards and a touchdown. Further down the depth chart, TEs Michael Matthews and Darcy Johnson haven’t registered any stats.

Would Chiefs President/GM/CEO Carl Peterson go for it? I think so. He and Tony are pretty close so I think he would be more apt to do what’s right for Tony’s career. Of course, he’ll make sure the Chiefs are properly compensated. If the Giants are serious about making another title run, it could happen. Shall we say a second- and a fifth-round Draft pick in 2009?

Source: Fox Sports

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Tony Gonzalez to N.Y. Giants?

Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL

The Kansas City Chiefs are talking with the Minnesota Vikings and Tampa Bay Bucs about a possible trade for All-Pro DE and NFL sack leader Jared Allen. As the Chiefs’ non-exclusive franchise player, Jared is free to talk with other teams. But it seems only the Vikes and Bucs have stepped to the forefront with serious interest. Jared and his agent were in Minnesota today to hash out some possibilities. According to ESPN’s Michael Smith, the Vikings are the front-runners because they are willing to part with what Kansas City demands — 2008 Draft choices.

Minnesota knows what Jared is capable of firsthand. Last season, he had nine tackles, two sacks, a QB pressure, a pass defensed and a forced fumble in a regular season win against the Vikings. But KC general manager Carl Peterson hasn’t seen any legitimate action on Minnesota’s part:

“We’re talking in speculation right now. At this particular point, nothing has been done or consummated ….. I don’t know at this point. I haven’t seen any contract offer.”

Giving up Draft picks for Jared makes sense for Minnesota, but so far it’s unclear exactly what the Chiefs are asking for. Obviously, a first-rounder in this year’s Draft is a must. But what else? As far as the Vikings are concerned, they want to know how low they can go.

Jared’s the aforementioned NFL sack leader and he just turned 26-years-old, so he’s in the prime of his career. Minnesota most likely won’t get a player close to what Jared is capable of with the 17th overall pick next Saturday. So that works. But will they be willing to give up a second- or third-round pick as well?

I realize Jared was suspended the first two games of last season by Commissioner Goodell for multiple DUI convictions, but Jared says he has stopped drinking entirely, a claim backed up by close friends. If the Vikings are convinced he’s ready to get serious about his career and life (and it seems he has), they should make the trade happen. With an elite pass rusher to offset the Vikes’ stingy run defense, suddenly Minnesota is talking playoffs or better.

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Chiefs Talking Trade for All-Pro Jared Allen