Larry Johnson signed by Cincinnati Bengals / Image: Zuma Press

I figured the only other team that would even take a look at this guy would be the Oakland Raiders. The Bengals might be playing better football, but they still make some very questionable decisions when it comes to the character of the players they involve themselves with. It’s almost as though that aspect isn’t even a consideration.

Nevertheless, Larry might bring some needed depth at the running back position. Cedric Benson left Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers with a sore abductor muscle. His status for this weekend is still up-in-the-air. Backup rookie running back Bernard Scott was a training camp phenom and performed very well in Ced’s absence. Plus there’s hard-nosed running back who looks like a fullback Brian Leonard. So, I’m not really sure where Larry fits in, but if he can keep his mouth shut (and his Twitter under control) and let his game do the talking, the Bengals will have a very solid group of runners in their offensive backfield.

Source: Bengals.com

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Cincinnati Bengals Sign Larry Johnson

Larry Johnson released by Kansas City Chiefs / Image: Zuma Press

Head coach Todd Haley explained the decision making process during his presser today:

“Over the last couple of weeks, Scott (Pioli) and I have been spending a lot of time and energy, along with Clark Hunt, in talking about this and trying to figure out the direction that we wanted to go. We decided that it is the best interest of the Kansas City Chiefs organization to move forward at this time. It wasn’t any one thing. It was the totality of the situation, and even before I was around here. At this time, we felt that this was best for the Kansas City Chiefs as we moved forward and continue to turn this team in the direction we need to go. The totality of the situation was factored in. It was everything across the board, and again, what we felt was best for the Kansas City Chiefs.”

This was the right decision for the Chiefs. No team needs a distraction like this in their locker room. And Larry has pretty much burned every bridge he’s been on—during his college days at Penn State, and with two different coaches at Kansas City during his seven-year National Football League career. Which leads me to believe he will have a hard time finding work these days. Of course, any team with a desperate need at running back might take a chance on a player considered over-the-hill at his position. But I don’t expect Larry’s phone to be ringing off-the-hook.

Source: KCChiefs.com

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Kansas City Chiefs Release Larry Johnson

Larry Johnson, Kansas City Chiefs / Photo: Newscom

After yesterday’s 37-7 drubbing at the hands of the San Diego Chargers, Larry went off on his Twitter, obviously belittling Chiefs head coach, Todd Haley, by writing:

“My father got more creditentials than most of these pro coaches. My father played for the coach from ‘rememeber the titans’. Our coach played golf. My father played for redskins briefley. Our coach. Nuthn.”

(OK, he doesn’t really know how to spell, either.)

In an unrelated but equally ill-considered tweet, he made a reference to someone’s Twitter profile picture, calling it a “fag pic” and referring to the person as a “Christopher street boy,” apparently a reference to a predominantly gay section in New York’s Greenwich Village. LJ’s Twitter profile has since been switched to private and some of the offending posts were deleted.

As if that wasn’t enough, he followed those Twitter remarks with a gay slur to reporters outside his locker today, saying: “Get your faggot asses out of here.” Nice, Larry. How old are you?

The Chiefs and the NFL are in the process of gathering all the facts in this mess. But LJ’s behavior is inexcusable. And because he has prior off-the-field incidents (he previously violated the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy and has since been involved in multiple incidents in which law enforcement was required to intervene), I expect the league to take serious action in this case. Larry’s an outstanding running back with a ton of talent, but who cares? Because he’s also a black eye for the NFL. The league can’t tolerate this kind of behavior from one of its players. And I’m sure they won’t.

Source: KansasCity.com, ESPN.com

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Larry Johnson Blasts Head Coach on Twitter

Kansas City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson received a one game suspension (without pay, which is $147,000) for violating the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy. Larry was deactivated the past two weeks by head coach Herm Edwards and he will also be held out of a third game this Sunday against Tampa Bay. The game he’ll miss because of the suspension is November 9 at San Diego. Larry is not allowed to report back to the team until November 10. Chiefs president Carl Peterson made the following statement today:

“We respect the decision of commissioner Goodell. The NFL player conduct policy sets forth a set of standards that all NFL players, coaches and staff members must abide by. Upon the completion of his suspension we sincerely hope that Larry will be ready to return to the field for the Chiefs determined to make a positive contribution to our team and, with the assistance of the people around him, turn his life around.”

This is the best thing that could’ve happened to Larry. He’s a good guy from a good family. I believe he’ll prove that. Larry knows his life has been kind of spiraling out of control. And this was his wake-up call.

Source: KCChiefs.com

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NFL Suspends Larry Johnson

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

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

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Larry Johnson Charged With Assault

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

Kansas City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson made a public apology today for behavior that’s led to an NFL investigation and to his being benched for a second straight week (with pay, mind you). In a pseudo press conference setting, Larry gave the following statement but didn’t invite any questions:

“I want to start off by saying I apologize to the Hunt Family and my family, first and foremost and to fans, my teammates, coaches and players. This is the first time in my life that I actually woke up and was kind of disgusted with myself and disgusted as far as the way my life and my career is headed right now.

“I can’t speak any further on the legal issues at this time other than to say that the truth will come to light and promise not only to the fans, not only to teammates, players, coaches, GMs and my own family, that I do anticipate seeking help to get better as far as getting my life on track and knowing what I want out of this life, not necessarily football and just work on, as hard as I can, not only being a good football player, but obviously being a son of the National Football League, a son of my own family, hopefully a brother, a father and a future husband.

“I’m going to work to that point to get my life back on track and know that I and I alone put myself in these critical situations and environments to where things don’t come out favorably to me. All I can do is promise to you guys and to people who are watching that as a man, I’m still growing and as a man everyone makes mistakes. In times of darkness, you’ve got to look for the light. That’s what I plan on doing, regardless of what suspensions and fines are being handed down. I will take them as sincerely as they give them out.”

I guess this is the first step in getting over whatever problems Larry has. And becoming a productive member of society first and foremost, then a productive member of the Kansas City Chiefs. Otherwise, it’s just a life and talent wasted. It sounds like Larry is on the right path.

Source: KCChiefs.com, Photo: Newscom

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Larry Johnson Apologizes For Behavior

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

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Larry Johnson Under Investigation

Kansas City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson has been deactivated one game for violating team rules. Chiefs head coach Herm Edwards refused to specify what team rules Larry broke, but did say his decision had nothing to do with the charge of simple assault filed against Larry earlier this week:

“This is the first time it’s happened to him, and hopefully it’s going to be the last time. Hopefully it’s going to be the last time I have to do it with anybody on this football team. I had to do it one time (as head coach of the New York Jets) in five years. I hope it never has to happen again.”

This doesn’t bode well for the 1-4 Chiefs who will host the undefeated Tennessee Titans Sunday. They will get starting QB Brodie Croyle back from a shoulder injury, but I question whether the Chiefs will have enough firepower to score against the NFL’s stingiest defense (11.2 ppg).

Source: ESPN.com

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Larry Johnson Deactivated

Kansas City Chiefs RB Larry Johnson’s season started late because of contract negotiations. Now it looks like it’s going to end early due to an injury. After what was first reported as a foot sprain and one-week leave of absence, Fox 31 out of Denver is reporting (citing team sources) that the foot is actually broken and that Larry will miss the remainder of the 2007 season. If this is true, it’s a crushing blow to an already anemic offense (third to last statistically) in Kansas City. Without their most explosive weapon at running back, it’s going to be a long second half of the season for KC.

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Larry Johnson’s Season Might be Over

Kansas City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson is looking for a new contract. And he’s willing to boycott training camp to get one. But rather than try to wage a losing battle in contract negotiations with this fantasy favorite, the Chiefs should consider trading LJ while his stock is so high.

I like that LJ’s agent, Alvin Keels, made it clear that greed is not why they are looking for more money:

“The point I’d like to get out is that if we were to have to hold out, it would be for the sake of good business, not being greedy. It’s not good business for a player who rushes the ball 416 times in a season, back-to-back Pro Bowl seasons, back-to-back 1,700-yard seasons, back-to-back broken Kansas City Chiefs records, it’s not good business for him to come back in and play for $1.7 million. And that’s a sensitive area because $1.7 million is a lot more than most people in Kansas City make.”

Even a premiere running back’s shelf life in the NFL is shorter than at any other position. And at 27 years old, if LJ plays for longer than five more seasons I’d be surprised. Especially considering the number of carries he had last season, a record-setting 416. I know it might sound absurd to attempt to trade a player of this (current) caliber, but in what’s expected to be a rebuilding season for the Chiefs, it might just make the most sense. NFL Europa offensive co-MVP Derrick Ross will be in camp along with Priest Holmes (remember him?), Michael Bennett, Marcus O’Keith, and Kolby Smith, so it won’t be the end of the world, especially if the trade includes another running back. I say go for it. Send him to a RB-hungry playoff contender like the Eagles, Giants or Packers and get a good return — a really good return — on one of the best running backs in the NFL.

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Should the Chiefs Trade Larry Johnson?