A.A.D.Q.: L.J. Over/Under
Yesterday, we had a question about a Chiefs quarterback whose name I’m still not writing. Today, comes a question about the guy who lines up behind him–Larry Johnson. Take the over or the under on whether or not L.J. will rush for 1,400. I’m taking the over.
I think that Iron Man will average over 87.5 yards per game by season’s end, even if he has one of his traditional slow starts. In fact, when he went down last season he was really rounding into form. In his last six games, he only didn’t reach 100 yards against the Vikings (the Williams Sisters), Jaguars (John Henderson and Marcus Stroud) and Packers (got hurt well before the game ended). I don’t think many running backs would have under good circumstances, let alone Larry’s. Given a full preseason and much better circumstances? Definitely the over.
Over or under 1,400 yards rushing for L.J. in 2008, Addicts?
have to agree, much better circumstances going into this season… OVER
August 22nd, 2008 at 12:10 amI’ll say over as well, but mostly because I’m a huge LJ fan. It’s possible that we’ll have to accept that the days of 1750 yards seasons are over.
August 22nd, 2008 at 3:36 amunder…just because of how many capable backs we have..I think they will disperse carries more than you think…That possibility and that they seem determined to limit his carries…
plus if I keep my hopes low I will be more surprised if it happens…
August 22nd, 2008 at 4:15 amI’m with Woody on this one. I think UNDER because others, mainly J Charles, will get more carries and playing time, especially in third down situations.
August 22nd, 2008 at 8:24 amIf we try to win in the first half instead of trying not to lose in the first half. (Crossing my fingers for Chan’s offense.) Then we might get to see a lot more running, instead of passing/playing catch up in the second half. I’m going OVER… LJ says he’s healthy and he wants to play – they’ll give him however many carries he wants to handle.
August 22nd, 2008 at 8:53 amI’ll take the over – he’s still the feature back and I believe the stats tend to show that our odds of winning go up considerably when LJ goes over a 100 yds. Herm doesn’t ignore stats.
August 22nd, 2008 at 9:06 amOVER, every year they give us that “we’re going to limit his touches” then when the shit hits the fan in crunch time there he goes run after run killin the other defense. REMEMBER LJ ALWAYS GETS STRONGER IN THE 3rd AND 4th QTRS.
August 22nd, 2008 at 9:29 amJASON, I pretty much disagree with that entire comment.
First of all, I know last season seemed like an eternity, but that was the only season where they said anything about limiting LJ’s touches. So I’m not sure where you’re getting “every year”.
And as far as him getting stronger in the 3rd and 4th quarters, how do you figure? In his amazing 1750 yard, 9 start season, he tended to rack up most of his yards in the first half.
August 22nd, 2008 at 4:08 pmMy whole grain wheat side says under, our backups are plenty talented and the receiving core should be solid, but my frosted side says over with good blocking in Chan’s run heavy offense. Most of the time I’m frosted so over I guess.
I haven’t been around for a while, but you must have really changed your mind about Croyle. The name too sacred to utter is usually reserved for a deity.
August 22nd, 2008 at 5:03 pmSean, I think what he means is that LJ keeps the chains moving in the 4th quarters especially. He may not pop off his 20 yard runs. But he consistently got us 3-4-5-6 yard carries late in games when he NEEDED to get those yards. He stays consistent throughout most of the game, and by crunch time, the defenses are just too tired to put up with his bashing style of running. I also think zone blocking will help out a little bit, especially on our weaker right side. But I’m still going to take the under. NFL Network pegs him at about 1100 yards with 7-8 TD’s (can’t remember which, saw it earlier today as I was watching a game.) My guess would be between 1100-1400 yards.
August 23rd, 2008 at 4:09 am