Larry Johnson In…Diamonds Are Forever

Well, you may have a point in our easy schedule. But alot of those games we're playing against other young hungry teams. It typically comes down to who wants it the most, if our guys can step up and make plays, and get a winning swagger about them, who knows. But I still don't see us in the playoffs. We'll be fighting the Jags, possibly Titans, Jets, Bengals and/or Browns for wild-card spots. Do you honestly think we'd beat out all those teams? I don't think we can harbor a better record than a few of those teams, in which case, we're screwed.

I'm with Sudden on this one.

Quarterback play will be the same or better as it was when we were leading the division at 4 and 3;

The defense is young and hungry - I think we start slow and finish strong-(opposite of last year) because of the youth making mistakes and learning. Our 'backers are hungry and really not much worse than last year (Nap Harris underperforming) and their load will be lighter with improved corners, albeit young.

The team is much the same as last year
OFFENSE
+plus at OL 1
=even at QB 0
=even at WR 0 - actually probably better here.
+plus at RB 1
=even at TE 0
=========== 2 ======= gains
DEFENSE
-neg at DE -1
+plus at DT 1
+plus at DB 1
=even at S 0
=even at LB 0
=========== 1 ======= gain
-/+ neg/plus for the youth 0
+plus for strength of schedule 1

Not sure what all this means, but it makes me start thinkin' playoffs... HOMER?

PLAYOFF CONTENDAH

I don't like our quarterback play and I think our defense will struggle at times. Our linebackers are weak (other than D.J.), and the rest of the defense is extremely young. I also think we'll lose a lot of close ones, because it typically takes a young team a while to figure out how to win. L.J. will give us a chance, though. But we won't be a playoff team.

Adam, one thing that I don't understand is how you can be so optimistic about LJ but still think we're a 6 or 7 win team at best. With LJ starting last season, we were 4-4, probably would've been 5-3 if he made it through that entire GB game. All of that is in spite of all the other problems with our OL and OC last year and while we had a pretty daunting strength of schedule. This season, we have a healthy LJ with a much improved OL, a proven OC, and an almost laughably easy schedule and, eventhough you think LJ is a 1,400 yard rusher this season, you've been fairly pessimistic about our final record. Healthy LJ getting 25 carries a game in a Chan Gailey offense with a much improved OL = playoff contender. That's right, playoff contender. I said it.

Sandya I don't know if it is much of an understatement as you think. I mean it's the pre-season, and any (good) coach will tell you the main priority during pre-season is to keep guys healthy. Of course LJ is going to run hard, but right now he's only been in the first couple of gears. Wait until the season starts to see him shift into something with a li'l more giddy-up.

I love all the running styles...the dead leg...the truck...the buck (Jim Brown)...the stiff arm (Sweetness, L.T.)...video game (Barry Sanders)...

But the stiff arm is pretty. I love L.J.'s style, however, because it so closely mimics Earl Campbell. Earl is the one running back that physically gets me jacked when I see his clips. You could rip that dude's jersey off and he would still stay up.

man I LOVE THE STIFF ARM and lj is starting to pull it off. i would MUCH rather see a stiff arm than him running someone over B E A utiful

I agree. Larry is back with a vengance, rested, and has something to prove. The O as a whole is better, so I see a better LJ than we have ever had.

L.J. also is an extremely low-mileage back considering his age. He's really only played three full seasons since high school. You can tack on a fourth if you combine the parts of other season, but not much more. I'm telling everybody...

HE...IS...GOING...TO...BE...FINE

Possibly was the operative word. I think he ran with the same reckless abandonment he displayed back from 2005-06. Also, keep in mind that he is better physically (has upped his offseason training the past two years), more patient, and I'm also guessing that his instincts and vision have improved as well. He's even started using the stiff arm more, which Quentin Jammer tasted last year. My guess is that papa's got a brand new bag.

Why does everybody think he can't be as good. He had so many things working against him last year. Missing camp, a worse offensive line, a joke of a coordinator, QB play that couldn't be much more inconsistent, he faced stout front sevens almost every week...then he got hurt.

Last year was an aberration, and anomaly. Trust me--Larry Johnson is back.

I think LJ is back but saying he is better than ever, is taking that way to far..Have we already forgotten how good he looked in 2005 season..He ran over people non stop..LJ's looked good thus far but he hasn't ran with the same intensity he once did..Now I think he can and I think LJ is in the top 5 backs in the league, but I kinda dissagree with the whole better than ever assertion..But hopefully I am proven wrong, cause I want nothing more than for LJ to run for 1700 yards again