Chiefs Fix: Offseason in Full Force

See, King Carl has us sparring with each other instead of with him. Taking a page out of the speeches from last night… their are L.J. fans, and non-L.J. fans, but we’re all Chiefs fans! We need to remember to keep applying this kind of heat towards Carl, and not just each other.

I said a few choice words when I saw your response, too, so I guess we're even :)For the record - King Carl will ALWAYS be the bad guy.  That's the way he likes it.  Keep up the good work - this was fun.

I can see that, Ryan. And maybe I should have omitted the "hell" part?

Anyway, I think Larry was just really hitting his stride when he went down. He really looked pretty damn good against Green Bay before he went down. I think he's going to have to be more of a lead-by-example guy. I think if he tones down his off-the-field stuff and his demonstrative on-field reactions, he'll be fine. I definitely think he has a leader's work ethic, as he trains as hard as anyone in the league.

I don't think King Carl helped things either. Peterson kind of manipulated the situation and made him the bad guy last summer, when, in reality, the Chiefs were just being the Cheaps at the expense of their fans. Hard Knocks didn't help either. It brought a lot more attention to the contract dispute.

Thanks for commenting, Ryan, usually I really dig your work, and even did this one except the "Larry Johnson Disease" comment. I literally jumped out of my chair and started arguing with the screen.

No offense taken - well, maybe a little (I'm still stinging from the "doesn't know what the hell he's talking about" line - but I'm over it :) )I don't dislike LJ - the team is obviously weaker without him.  We win when he's successful.  However, I think that he, like a LOT of professional athletes, lost his drive when he got the big money contract.  That holds true for the NFL, MLB, or the NBA.  You see it all the time in pro sports - that's why it's called a "contract year".  I'm hoping that LJ comes back and tears up the league (and no - Kolby Smith is NOT better than LJ).  But right now, due to his huge contract, he's a leader on the team whether he wants to be or not.  I wish he would act more like one.   

I dont think people have a huge problem with his performance off the field, I think most have a problem with what the percieve off of it. I think no one will argue that he is a top 3 back in the NFL when healthy and doesn't have the worst offensive line in Chiefs history blocking for him.

I think Larry shows his emotions differently than some people and that ruffles people feathers. To me, I am just glad someone on this team shows some emotions about a team that went 4-12. Yes that is a direct shot at the OL and QB that looked like they couldn't wait for this off-season to be here.

I think everyone will see an improved OL and a healthy Larry Johnson in '08 which will led to another great season for LJ. But it doesnt matter if LJ has a 2,000 yd performance some Chiefs fans will hate him no matter what. Hey I hate fantasy players for crazy reasons so I guess they have their right....

Adam, I see where you are coming from. I think we have enough weapons to force the D to defend more of the field than they can cover well. Now, if we can piece together a good line and maybe develop a second WR, our offense will be good (assuming LJ is healthy). I don't think we are far from contending.

Merlinn, I think the key will be being conservatively aggressive, if that makes any sense. Instead of aggressively conservative, which we were this season. Basically -- playing not to lose, game managing.

Adam:Nice post. I am with you a great deal. I like alot of the moves, but I didn't see the Waters to center coming.  I like that the Chiefs are looking for upgrades in many areas. Now, if we can get an OC who wants to be aggressive, I will be happy. I am refraining from doing much predicting about our offensive personnel until we get an OC. As you know, styles make a big difference. I do like what Herm was saying about what he wants in an OC. Sounds better than the 'control the clock' philosophy

Argh. I respect your opinion MAWK, and you obviously know your Chiefs. But this Kolby Smith has outperformed L.J. stuff has got to stop. The rushing stats are very close, but the stats that really matter are that the Chiefs didn't win a game with Smith as the starter, yet went 4-4 with Larry as the feature back.

The biggest stat proving L.J. worth: The Chiefs are 22-6 all time when he gets 20 carries. How come nobody talks about that?

And talking about the NY party is fine, but it was dude's birthday and I've seen plenty of Chiefs players out during the season in the past, most notably Tony Gonzalez.

Sure, I'm a little biased, but not as biased as the anti-L.J. crowd. If you want to just come out and say you don't like him, fine, do that. But don't say he's overrated, overpaid, invaluable or a lesser running back than Kolby Smith. And don't suggest that we trade him. That's when Chiefs fans really sound like spurned lovers.

Don't take my comments to heart, Ryan. I typically really enjoy your stuff, but I get crabby quick when people bag on L.J. I honestly feel like people just don't like him.

I don't get it; Tony G and Eddie Kennison get onto their teammates and the coaching staff and it's called leadership. L.J. does the same thing -- albeit maybe in a more demonstrative fashion -- and he's labeled a cancer. It's bullshit if you ask me, and I've made decided that I'm going to be very critical of anyone and everyone who unfairly goes after L.J.

I have a problem with LJ because he held out for THE LARGEST CONTRACT IN CHIEFS HISTORY, then proceeded to fail to get 2.4 yards per carry, then decided the best way for him to react in that situation is to spike the ball and cost us penalty yards inside the redzone.  The injury wasn't his fault, and is obviously a result of the pounding he's taken over the years.  But then instead of being with his team and rehabbing and working to get back on the field, he's in New York throwing a monster party. Add to this the list of rumored problems inside the locker room, his issues with Vermeil, and everything else, and he doesn't exactly seem like a great leader or locker room guy. Also, if you're a self-proclaimed Larry Johnson fan, doesn't that automatically remove your ability to be objective? I mean, I love the site, but honestly, when you say you like something, that in and of itself implies bias.  I can steadfastly admit that after quality guys like Marcus Allen being in the clubhouse, LJ strikes me the wrong way. But just as your preference for Larry doesn't make your point about him carrying us into the playoffs and suffering for it physically any less valid, my dislike of his lack of effort this year (pre-injury) isn't invalidated by my negative attitude towards him. Kolby Smith ran behind the same line, out-performed LJ, and didn't bitch constantly about it.

 When people bag on L.J. like this they sound like a spurned lover, or, better yet, a fan who doesn’t know what the hell they are talking about. As the author of that post, I must say - well done.  I will take issue with your "A fan who doesn't know what the hell they are talking about" line, though.I would call this an instance of "agree to disagree" - I feel like LJ was pouting for most of the year, that he wasn't trying as hard as last year, and suffered from a horrible offensive line.  Once he got paid, he lost his edge, that chip on his shoulder.  That was what made him the most powerful back in the league - and I hope he gets his mojo back in 2008.