(Fresh off of adding a weekly dose of Chris Kolb of K.C. Chiefs Fanatic, we’re adding another member to our staff. Yes, we are hellbent on being the best NFL team blog on the Net…and global domination. CurtMerzFan is a longtime commenter and fan of the Chiefs who offers a unique opinion on the Chiefs, one which views the franchise through the prism of their history. CMF is also a musician, and I think his unique talents will be a great fit. Let’s welcome him to A.A. along with Chris! – Adam)
Well if the Chiefs‘ pre-season has taught us anything it’s we are inundated with at least three above average running backs – one already a superstar (LJ), and two others (Kolby and Charles) beating down the door. We also have two more that will most certainly not clear the waiver wire to make it onto the practice squad. What to do… what to do?
I say we can keep four of the five on the active roster if we give the return job to Savage. So, how do we do that without exposing Julian Battle to the waiver wire?
I really think we should explore the possibility of trading Larry Johnson.
Now, before all of you fall over dead from apoplexy, listen closely to my reasons. We absolutely will lose Julian Battle if we try to slip him through to the practice squad. LJ is the oldest of the five, and he costs us the most against the salary cap. Also, while KC gave him a pretty fat deal last year… in terms of today’s contracts, it’s fairly reasonably priced. In spite of his large load two of the last three years, he’s a low mileage guy for the time he’s been in the league, and he’s proven he can carry a team on his back if they have a decent offensive line. He is signed through the end of the current CBA, so there will not be a problem with him if the CBA expires and the league goes into a uncapped year. All of this makes LJ an attractive addition on several levels.
If we could get a decent young offensive lineman, a 2009 1st round pick, as well as a 4th or a 5th round pick for Larry Johnson, I think we should seriously consider pulling the trigger on that deal. There are certainly teams around the league who believe they’re ready to contend for a Super Bowl this year, but do not have a back as talented as LJ. I believe we might be able to find a taker.
Trading LJ would open up a ton of dollars under the cap, and would allow us to start Kolby and bring Charles in for the change of pace. It will relieve the pressure of getting all three of them enough touches, and it will give us the opportunity to better develop Battle and Savage in real time game situations. It’s not a deal I would make without a lot of thought, but it solves the problem of losing one of our fine young backs to a numbers game.
What does everyone else think?
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*Jackie Battle, Julian was a DB for us a couple years ago
This ain’t Madden, and it’s not going to happen, at least any time soon, but to counter this:
I think we’re only a season or two away from having a dominating (well, above-average to great, maybe not dominating) O-line for years to come (assuming Albert plays like the mid 1st round pick he was.) LT is shored up one way or the other. LG is too, obviously. Niswanger has looked great. If Albert locks up LT, Herb Taylor has either of the right side positions covered. That leaves one spot. I don’t think we really need another guy though. Barry Richardson hasn’t done a bad job, so far. Give us a year to gel, get experienced, and familiar with one another, and the O-line will be nice. As you said, LJ can carry a team on his back when the line is good. Our line IS good, we’re just too young at the moment. We’ve seen flashes of brilliance, over the course of this year we should see sparks. By next year there could be a well-tended and brightly burning flame. Best in the league? No. Good enough to get us to the playoffs with LJ/DBowe/Tony G? Mmmhmm, assuming our defense plays well.
If we trade any back, I say it should be Kolby. He’s looked good, and a teams like St. Louis, Chicago, Green Bay, etc, could probably use a guy like him. A bonafide 2nd option that can start and be productive in a pinch, if needed. We could easily get a 3rd or 4th, in my opinion, and wasn’t he a 5th round guy? If worse comes to worse, we cut our losses with Battle. He looked good, but damn, he came to KC at the wrong time, brotha. Last year it was LJ/Priest/Kolby. This year it’s LJ/Kolby/JC. Just bad timing, Jackie.
You’re right about our line xxxlp, the guys we have are starting to play well and they’ll get better. My point was about quality depth. After Wade Smith behind Waters/Niswanger… we dont have much in the way of real quality depth. And my point about trading LJ is two-fold: LJ has the most trade value and his value will never again as high as it is right now. Kolby is obviously ready to start. I’m not saying we should definately make a trade, only that we should examine the idea closely as we will never be able to get as much for LJ as we can right now.
No way I trade Kolby for a 4th or 5th round pick now. MAYBE for a first day pick, but even that doesn’t appeal to me. He’s a 2nd year guy and he’s out performed everyone else at RB this preseason.
I am sorry, but Kolby has looked good in the Pre-season. We have a lot of good talent there, and I am sure they all have the ability to be good (not great) running backs. Do you seriously see Kolby being a top 5 NFL fantasy draft pick someday? Do you see him Taking the ball for 200 carries a year? I am just not sold. If Kolby commands the kind of respect out of oposing teams as LJ this season then maybe its time to look for a trade. But I seem to remember Smith starting most of the season LAST YEAR and he got OKAY numbers. Look. Kolby is great and I think he has MJD kind of abilities. But LJ commands people on the line to stop him. This opens up the ABILITY to have a passing attack. No other RB on our team carries that yet.
kinda changing subject here but charles wearing 25 SUCKS. the guy gave me a heart attack last night on the sidelines with his hair and the #… well lets just say i had flashback to the wes… damn
Trade LJ and we will go 1-15. Keep him and we might just go 8-8.
The Chiefs are among the teams with the most free cap room in the league. We don’t need any more cap room.
I do like the idea of drafting another OL high next year as we continue to re-build this line. It will be interesting to see how it all plays out, but KC will not be trading LJ.
CMF:
Welcome to the role of writer here on AA. You can make a case for trading LJ as you have. I don’t agree with it, but it is a valid point of view. However, you can’t dance alone. LJ has a big cap number. So, you have to come up with a team that A] Has a need for a stud RB B] Has the cap room to take LJ’s salary and C] Has a talented young offensive lineman and the picks you identified to trade. What team do you have in mind?
I think trading Smith makes better sense because of his proven value and the fact that we appear to have 2 good change-of-pace backs, Charles and Savage, to compliment LJ’s pounding style. Also, neither Smith, Charles, nor Savage can step in as an every down back. Battle is the only guy we have who can do that in case LJ goes down. He’s also the kind of guy you want to have in there when we’re ahead in the 2nd half to avoid unnecessary wear and tear on LJ.
I say we shop Kolby.
And we already shopped one of KC’s top players for draft picks, lets not play like the Royals here and trade anyone who has talent. I dont think at this point we need draft picks as much as just some experiance for our young studs.
I am wondering how different the young, talented, but unexperienced players will look come game 14-16 this year.
It’s doubtful that we’d be able to find a buyer at all, let alone before the final roster cuts are due, thus nullifying the argument of doing it to keep the other four guys on the roster.
Call me crazy, but I have a hunch we’ll keep all 5 RBs with Savage serving primarily as an RS, at least until Sams (if he is in fact out with a hamstring) and/or Robinson get healthy. I just don’t see any way we let go of Battle considering how well he has performed and the dimension he adds.
Remember also that even though other teams may not need a RB right, things can and do quickly change in this league. As much as I like him, I still say Kolby is the right guy to put on the block should the opportunity arise.
I thought I heard Peterson say last night that they were looking at keeping 5 R.B.s, I don’t know how the #’s will work if we do but that would make this a non issue, But I was hoping Chiefs would trade LJ before they resigned him because at the time we were desperate for draft picks, but now I’m not so sure. Sudden is right, there’s not enough time to get a deal done before 5pm tomorrow [unless] it’s already been in the works.
Yeah I am not sure I would trade LJ either. I am actually suprised Adam has not blasted you for even suggesting it. Yes the younger guys “look” good, but are they a top 2 RB like LJ? Forget the top 5 business. In his top form and with no injuries and a decent line, LJ is second only to LT in SD. However, if Purple Jesus comes out this year like he did last year…. Anyway, I think it is waaaayyy to late to try and trade LJ or Kolby…or ANY of our backs to keep from losing them on the waiver wire. I was a fan of making this trade prior to the draft, but not after resigning him. That would just be too big of a cap hit, no matter how far under it we are.
Double D,
I still think BJ Sams is a bum and should be dropped as quick as we can. I didn’t understand why they signed him in the first place. Savage and Robinson, MAYBE even JC can handle the KR and PR duties just fine!
I don’t disagree with anything you say. To his credit though, Sams really stepped up last night.
Sams isnt good enough or tuff enough to make this roster!
Again I’m going to ask a question that is not on topic….. IS ANYONE ELSE PI$$ED THAT THE CHIEFS MAY RENAME ARROWHEAD????
I dunno about you guys, but to me that is dang near sacrilegious, It really does bother me, I know it’s the way things are in the modern day NFL and yes it will help the team pay for the restoration on Arrowhead but I’ve been proud that we hadn’t sold out to big corporate America,(I was bragging to my wife just the other nite about that)
Maybe it’s not a big deal to many people but to me it is, maybe I’m just old and set in my ways (probably one of the oldest guys here)I Love the name ARROWHEAD and to me it will always be ARROWHEAD!!!
As I believe somebody pointed out a while back, the solution to what to call the stadium is simple. Sell the naming rights to Arrowhead Water.
Off topic – Barth’s been cut.
I definatley believe it would be a good option! I was honestly kinda hoping they would do it when the rumors were flying last year.
Kolby has proved he can suceed in this league, and do very well. With a horrible line last year, he averaged more yards per rush than larry did. I am not saying that’s the determining factor.. but between that, and what how he’s looked this preseason it is something serious to consider. If we solidify the offensive line, we can put anyone back there and they will succeed. Just look at what the Broncos did for years.
You add Charles in the mix and his potential, why not? Why not get rid of LJ before time takes over, while we can get close to max value out of him? With they way we have been drafting, imagine two more first round pics next year..with a total of 3 or 4 first day picks! A linebacker, offensive lineman, D Line, another receiver etc..
We are not winning the superbowl this year, however I do believe we have an outside shot at the playoffs.. but imagine next year with extra picks and another great draft what this team will look like for years to come.
PS: Shopping Kolby right now makes no sense.. what would we get? A 3rd round pick? LJ we could either get a solid player and a 1st round pick, or a 1st and 2nd pick etc..
I can totally see Smith landing us a 2nd round pick later in the season if he gets off to a solid start.
The biggest problem I see with trading away LJ is that neither Smith, Charles, nor Savage can replace him as a feature back – none of those guys are built for it. So that just leaves Battle and as much as I like the kid, I’m not ready to promote him to the #1 RB slot.
I’m also rather skeptical that anyone would gamble a #1 pick for LJ right now. From a GM’s perspective, I would have to think there are still too many questions about LJ that have yet to be answered.
Nobody will take LJ!! They see the same thing everyone else should. When he was running behind Priest, he ran with an attitiude…like someone auditioning for a job. Also, Willie Roaf leaves, Will Shields leaves–13, 14 pro bowls a piece. Minus those great “allmighty giant holes” in any given defensive line for him to explode through LJ hasn’t produced yards like he did behind those retired vets. Let’s be honest, if this is a rebuild year, I’ve liked enough of what I’ve seen from Battle, & the other backs, to at least attempt to trade LJ away for money that could be spent on another stellar draft next year and the year after that! I’m not talking smack, mind you, but I’m gonna have to see what LJ can pull off week1 at New England. I’m a pessimist. 50 yrds, tops…and I’m the biggest Chief TEAM fan I know!
where are you getting your info at Double D?
sorry, on the cuts???
Barth update comes from KC Star. http://www.kansascity.com/385/story/773000.html
Everyone makes good points on this topic, and I agree with a lot of them. Still the average career for a running back in the NFL is just short of 5 years, and LJ is past his ’sell by’ date. I believe he’s the only back we have currently we can get real value for. The facts he is the oldest and costs the most is just fuel for the fire.
No, we don’t need the cap space NOW… but next year is a new story. DJ is going to get a new deal next year and it’s going to be a doosie. And we’ve all be talking about staying out of the BIG Free Agent mkt until we’re one player away from the show. Any dough we can stash along the way to help pay keep our own developing talent and bring in the gunslinger we need is a good policy.
We were never going to be able to trade LJ before we signed him: he was viewed far and wide as a moody malcontent, a potential locker room cancer, he was hanging out with Jay Z and recording gangsta rap, and GM’s around the league figured him for a head case. Besides all that, without a contract – there was no good way for potential trade partners to calculate the actual cost of trading for him.
To LJ’s great credit, he has proved to be a man of high character and is becoming a leader in the locker room according to all sources. In fact, this would be my number one reason for not trading him. He’s a Chiefs kind of man on and off the field. And I love him for proving the haters wrongs about him.
I was surprized at the actual value of LJ’s contract when we resigned him – particularly in terms of guaranteed money. He did not get the ‘growth value’ in his deal that several others around the league got in the same off season. Basically he signed a deal for less than LT got a year earlier in an off season that saw TWO free agent O-Tackles sign 50 million dollar deals with more guaranteed dough. By comparison, LJ’s deal felt like a bargain.
I suspect the reason he took the deal is he and his agent could not find a sign and trade partner for better dough.
I would rather not trade any of the five if we cannot find a deal for LJ that gives us the kind of value we got for Jared and includes a 26 year old proven olineman. I’m glad to hear they’re actually looking for ways to keep all 5. If they have to waive anyone, I prefer they keep Battle over Savage as Battle has better size. At the same time, I’d hate to see us lose Savage. He may be a walking disaster as a return man, but he’s learning and I like his skill set.
12Vrod74-MikeSD, I think Adam is being gentle with me cuz it’s my first time…
How many yards did LJ have in just 8,9 games after that season Priest got hurt, & he took over? How many has he had in a season since then? Or since our O-line went to shit (not too many pro-bowls coming from there these days)? LJ got his million dollar contract so no longer has to look like LT,Jr. Only way he’ll break for decent yards this season is if we never pass the ball at all! Which might be a good idea!
JNd – I posted a link but it’s currently “awaiting moderation.” In the meantime, you can find it on the Kansas City Star’s website.
Not a chance in the world any team gives up a first round pick, a lineman, and a 4th or 5th for LJ, or just about any back for that matter. RBs do not carry that kind of value (at least not anymore).
No No No…Does anyone remember that we we’re in first place last year before LJ got injured and that we we’re beating the Green Bay Packers..What happened after that injury? We lost every single game..We would have likely finished 8-8 OR 7-9 last year had we had LJ..We need him..Yes we’re stocked at RB and that is great but I don’t like us trading any of those backs for atleast a couple years.
Thanks Double D
Congrats on making the AA writing staff CMF! Wow, we have some different viewpoints around here. Now all we need is the contoversial, argumentative writer a la Whitlock. Where you at SBC?
I agree on not trading LJ. Jared Allen was an exception because of his previous trouble history, hatred for management, and command of a RIDICULOUS contract. There’s no reason to trade away the stars of the team when it’s on the rise. Especially LJ who’s supposed to be such a low-mileage guy despite his age. Tell me you wouldn’t be pissed if we traded DJ after this year for draft picks.
P.S. – j/k Sean. That was a low blow. I’d never compare anyone to Jabba the Shitlock and mean it.
Well here we go.. couldn’t find a way to post
What I have gathered from this Preseason is that we have the capability to win at least 9 games this season.
I have seen CROYL slowly learn the game. COX will and should be our FB, DVD (hmm) I’m a little mixed with him. One thing I will say not just about DVD is pretty much what I have seen 70% of the time from our WR’s is that they don’t get open. Few times I watched where one of our two quarterbacks have scrambled out and not a one of the WR’s in that process looked back at the QB to maybe give some support,cut back in, PUSH OFF even if need be (I say two because lets face it HUARD is slow on his feet).
Back to DVD. One of two things here. Either we are holding him back some because we don’t see him in practice or the guy just doesn’t have a natch for the ball. I like him, but the few (very few times) he was thrown too he wasn’t either open or didn’t make the catch. All of our others have at least 1 catch. PRICE very good and should be on our squad. To this I believe DVD should be trade bait rather then IRON MAN or KB as Charles will remain on the team sure handedly.
COX..wow that man can block and catch. Have been really pleased with his performance! Just hate the last name. POLLARD is without a doubt the ‘Bonecrusher’ but I was extremely pleased the other night with the RAMS to see him strip the ball rather then just try to lay the guy out. He needs to do that.
So I am rambling as I could go on and on. So I will end this short so to say.
Here is what I foresee or hope to see.
LJ, KB, JC (BATTLE) trade bait or practice squade.
D-Bowe, PRICE, FRANKLIN, WEBB (SIPPIO) could push for roster over WEBB and DVD as mentioned above should be traded.
OKAY.. I am done for now.. got a kid crying.
CHIEFS!!!
personally, i thin we should have traded johnson after the 2007 when the packers offered us their 1st rounder abd their 4th and 5th rounder but wwe didnt and hear we are, i do not like lj and would love to see him out of KC.
Hey everyone:
Thanks so much for the congenial welcome… I’m really tickled to become a part of the staff here at AA. I appreciate the welcome and good will from all of you! I suspect we’re just beginning to scratch the surface of what this website can be and do for Chiefs fans all over the world. Let’s see what all of us can do to make this place into something we can all claim as our own like we do our Chiefs.
Regards,
CMF