Comments on: AADQ: What Would You Do With L.J.?

By: Adam Best

Adam Best — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 20:45:12 +0000

The question is not whether Kolby can take carries, but whether he can do jack with them.

By: ilamuku

ilamuku — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 20:22:53 +0000

Larry is not a good pass catcher? Where were you when he took a pass down to the 1 against the Raiders with Vermeil and then leaped into the endzone for the win. He just doesn’t get passed to all that often. They rather see him, as you said, hit the hole and punish. He is a throwback to the great runningbacks of times past. They didn’t pussy-foot around to pick up more yards, they punished the defense to wear them down. Neither Kolby Smith or Jamaal Charles can take as much touches as LJ. Charles got hurt already!

By: snarf

snarf — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 17:22:31 +0000

I’ve never been an LJ fan. The reason has little to do with his attitude. The Chiefs pull him out of third down plays because he cannot protect the passer and has not had great success as a pass catcher.

His running style is upright and for all the talk about how big and hard he is to tackle he sure seems to go down easy.

His best year was when he was behind a line that could produce a large hole that he simply ran through. When was the last time you can recall LJ “making something out of nothing” such as evading tackles and picking up a nice gain. He picks his hole and runs to it. Any back in the NFL can do that and make much less money. The only reason he is making the money that he makes now is because he was on Carl’s good side.

Let’s assume that LJ was a rookie right now, would you want the Chiefs to draft him in the first couple of rounds? Then why pay him as if he were worth a first round pick?

Add his bad behavior to the mix and you have to scratch your head as to why the Chiefs would sign him to the largest contract ever.

When he is in the game the defense knows one of two things, either the Chiefs will hand the ball to him or there will be a short pass because he cannot block. That gives the defense an advantage.

Look for the Chief’s offense to get significantly better with him out of the system. Part of this is not his fault due to poor play calling but what is the offensive coordinator to do when he is a one dimensional player?

By: Dr. Paine

Dr. Paine — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 14:04:41 +0000

You could argue for either sitting him or starting him in this case. Unfortunately, I think Herm made an example of LJ for the young guys. I know they are grown men and aren’t little tikes, but young and talented NFL players can become anything on the spectrum of total monumental bust or 1st ballot HOF. What makes them busts? Being idiots. What happened with Ryan Leaf? A lot of things, but mainly too much grandpa’s cough syrup and late nights partying. Herm is sending a message to his team that no matter who you are or what you have done, nobody is above the long cock of the law and when you become a pro football player, act accordingly.

I support LJ through this tough time in his life and hope for the best. I’m not jumping ship on one of my favorite players or on my favorite team. He won’t be traded and this will all go away, like Steve “I’ll beat you up” Smith at the beginning of the year.

Sudden, I also have LJ on my fantasy team. Luckily I drafted Earnest Graham for insurance later in the draft.