Now that Larry Johnson is a member of the Cincinnati Bengals, what’s next?
According to Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis Johnson’s role is going to be as a fourth running back. The impression given was that the Bengals were going to have Johnson on the 53-man roster, but inactive for games.
However, after Cedric Benson didn’t practice Wednesday, offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski said that Larry Johnson could play some in Oakland if Benson can’t go.
Pretty quick turnaround.
Now, according to Bengals.com, the team has brought in wide receiver Joey Galloway for a tryout. The team didn’t sign him this week, but that doesn’t mean that it won’t eventually happen.
Meanwhile, Chad Ochocinco says that he will jump into the “Black Hole” (Raiders fan section) if he scores Sunday.
Anyways, I would like to voice my opinion. Personally, I don’t dislike the signing of Larry Johnson. The Bengals risk very little and the reward could be great. If Benson needs time to recover, Johnson may help. Also, by playoff time, if both are playing well then you can use them at the same time. Overall, good move.
On the negative side, I know that most believe that if he causes a problem like he did in Kansas City that the Bengals would simply cut him. However, if history has told me anything the Bengals will give him every chance in the world to get his act together. If problems arise, I just hope the Bengals don’t hesitate and just cut him.
For now, we can only hope for the best.
Just for fun let’s take a look at Johnson’s numbers. This season, he has started seven games for the Chiefs rushing for 377 yards on 132 carries (2.9 yards per carry). He hasn’t been the same since his back-to-back 1,700+ seasons in 2005 and 2006. His 1,789 yard total in 2006 would best Rudi Johnson’s single-season team record by 331 yards. His 20 rushing touchdowns would best Ickey Woods’ single-season team record by five. Also, his 6,015 rushing yards as a Kansas City Chief would rank him third on the Bengals’ career rushing list. The point is, Johnson has already had a great career at age 29.
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Stripe, I don’t like this move. For some reason it is a slow sports news week and everyone is talking about it and the nation seems to be divided about 50-50. But even though I am a documented Mike Brown apologist, I don’t like it. I have no problem signing someone who has had a brush with the law but is trying to turn it around. So far so good with those guys (Tank, Ced, B. Scott, etc.). But this guy is a loser. One of my best friends is a KC resident and lifelong Chieves fan and even 4 years ago he was telling me how much he hated having to root for LJ. He said it broke his heart to root for such a jerk. LJ seems like an overall bad guy, he rips on everybody–even fans–and as you point out, his recent numbers are way down. If you told someone in 2007 you could get LJ in 2009 for 250K, they might tell you you’re crazy, but we’ve seen how quickly running backs fade in this league. Shawn Alexander, Rudi Johnson, Terrell Davis, we could all could name more. I think Mr. Brown was just infatuated with the perceived value of this move. I don’t believe that Marvin had anything to do with it. Anyhow, I agree that its fairly low risk but I hope he stays 4th string. I’ll take Benson, Scott, and Leonard any day over LJ. I don’t think we’ll miss Orien Harris too much, but we don’t need LJ.
Homer- I, above all, believe the NFL needs to be stricter with players who break the law, but citing his criminal record is not much of an argument when you look at our roster. And the attitude…well you do recall number 85, right? If we gave Chris Henry a third chance, why not LJ a second? Its a no risk situation. At the end of the season, we can release him, so the burden is on him. Remember, you’re dangerous when you have nothing to lose and everything to prove. That will be his new motto and his new nickname…courtesy of me…”Last Chance Larry”
As evidenced by Sunday’s game against the Browns, Larry Johnson can still play a key role, even playing backup.
He’s also back shouting out on LockerBlogger.com. Check it out!
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