While We're Talking Fantasy…
…the good folks over at SI.com’s Fantasy Clicks also think Larry Johnson will tear it up for the Chiefs in ‘08. Good stuff:
I don’t have Larry Johnson on any of my eight fantasy teams – but it certainly wasn’t for lack of trying. I am one of the few, the proud fantasy writers (and I have 12 preseason annuals on my desk to prove it) who believe Johnson will have no difficulty returning to his circa-2006 glory days … you know, before all the injuries, holdouts and incessant whining about the demise of the Kansas City offensive line. In fact, here are five reasons to support L.J.’s uprising in ‘08:
1. Johnson can make sharp cuts without pain — something he couldn’t do at the end of last season, after coming back from a “freak” foot injury.
2. Johnson has regained his explosion within two steps of getting the ball.
3. Chan Gailey, a proven power-running specialist, is the Chiefs’ new offensive coordinator.
4. The continued development of receiver Dwayne Bowe and freakishly consistent play of tight end Tony Gonzalez will, in turn, create sizable running lanes for Johnson.
5. Backup tailback Kolby Smith surpassed the 100-total-yards mark three times in six starts last year, behind a supposedly suspect O-line … which now boasts Branden Albert, perhaps the best run blocking lineman in last April’s draft.
Unfortunately, I don’t own him either, as I always picked too early or too late. Nonetheless, I think Iron Man is back. Sing it…
Heavy boots of lead
Fills his victims full of dread
Running as fast as they can
Iron man lives again! – “Iron Man” by Black Sabbath
I have Larry in four of the five leagues I’m in including the most important league to me. And I’m NOT a homer. I actually only have two other Chiefs players in those leagues. In one league I have Tony, and in another I have Bowe. I just honestly believe in LJ, and think that, with our style of offense, it will be a big year for him. I also have him in a six team league whereas I have both LJ and Adrian Peterson. I’m going to go ahead and declare that one mine. Barring injury, of course.
September 4th, 2008 at 10:13 pmAh, Yes, lets hope our “War Pigs” don’t have to go to the “Wishing Well” to often, or this game could be “Heaven Or Hell” we don’t want there ” Ferries (who)Wear Boots,to have a Oz fest on us.
In Deo’s name!
LOL
September 4th, 2008 at 10:15 pmClassic song. Classic ‘Back.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:13 pmooooooo… NOOW I see… Chan is a God once again! LOL!!
September 4th, 2008 at 11:40 pmI never said he was or wasn’t. Besides, I didn’t write that. He will be better than Solari, and L.J. will be better than last year. Those are guarantees. How much better? We shall see. I’m still saying 1,400 yards for L.J.
September 5th, 2008 at 12:00 amI’d still say Larry first overall is homerific. These signs of his returning to studness, while nice to hear, aren’t proven yet. Branden Albert is a question mark to us -at an NFL level- D’Brickashaw Ferguson was supposed to be a nice first round tackle as well, and I see him as the weakest link on the Jet’s O-line.
Pleasant surprises of Taylor and Niswanger have come around, but even I, possibly the loudest advocate of Herbie on this site, am skeptical to see if he can handle the premier DE’s (or DT’s, if he heads back to RG) for a full 4 quarters. Handling them in one series, in a pre-season game where guys are naturally more timid, and thus holding back, to stay away from injury.. It goes a long way in verifying the guy has talent. The one thing it doesn’t do is let us see how much.
Don’t get me wrong, with an improved offense in virtually every way possible (O-line, FB, WR, TE (possibly, at least until Cottam gets hurt, like I’m telling you he will) and a new OC that (hopefully) won’t tether us down instead of helping us out, that points to him having a good year, but still, first pick overall kind of year? Nope. He wasn’t even the first pick overall *consensus-wise* when he was bustin’ out 1750 yard seasons.
It’s no offence to you, KCM, I took D-Bowe a bit early as well, just not.. that early; and only after the beasts were off the board. =/
September 5th, 2008 at 12:06 amWait… what do you mean that early? I took him in the 8th round. ???
September 5th, 2008 at 2:37 pm