They refuse to look at their team’s roster through anything except a Red-and-Gold-colored prism. This is why guys like Brodie Croyle, Jeff Webb, Kris Wilson and Samie Parker got defended for way longer than they should have. This is why I coined the phrase “earn your Arrowhead” (and, ironically enough, Todd Haley is essentially using that very concept with his players).

Speaking of earn your Arrowhead, L.J. has lost his. Permanently if you ask me.

Look, I want the Chiefs to be good just as desperately as you all do. But if I didn’t come on here and tell you what I thought was the honest truth, nobody would read this site. I’m telling you right now that Larry Johnson is all but done in Kansas City.

We’ve seen this in Oakland with Randy Moss. We’ve seen this in Indiana with Ron Artest. The Big Apple with guys like Plaxico and Starbury. Beantown with Manny. We’ve reached the point of no return with L.J. I’m convinced he’s worn out his welcome and that bridge can no longer be mended. And that’s before you consider that he is likely damaged goods with a suspension looming. These things never work out well. Trust me.

Look, L.J. is only desperately trying to save his career at this point. I’ve always said you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, especially a diva of an old dog with a chip on his shoulder bigger than pal Jay-Z’s bank account. He’s not going to become Thomas Jones in pass protection out of the blue. He’s not going to all of a  sudden magically transform into Reggie Bush as a pass catcher. He’s not going to stop resenting the Chiefs franchise and its fans, along with the rest of Kansas City.

If Larry Johnson resurrects his career, it will be somewhere else. I doubt he can at this point, by the way. He’s about as wanted as Matt Jones and Travis Henry are nowadays. In fact, I’m not so sure he’s not just still on the roster as trade bait. There’s no real rush to cut him. None at all. And Larry would still show up even if he had a feeling he was going to get cut. He’s auditioning for the rest of the NFL as we speak, practicing his Carlito Brigante “ya Honor, I’m a changed man” speech in the mirror every night.

So, when I say Edgerrin James would be a cheaper, better fit for the 2009 Chiefs than Larry Johnson, it’s not because I’m stupid. It’s because it’s the truth. I can handle it. Can you?

1. Edge is a much better blocker and receiver than L.J., which makes him far more valuable in Todd Haley’s pass-happy offense.

2. Edge already knows Haley’s system.

3. The abovementioned financial reason, and that’s assuming Edge would get paid less than the nearly $4 million L.J. is due to make this year. I think that’s a fair assumption.

4. Get Larry Johnson’s malcontent ass out of the locker room, which would cost us nothing after the Chiefs won their grievance against him. This would send a warning shot to the players and a positive message to Chiefs fans.

Are we interested in signing Edge and cutting Larry? According to Kent Somers of AZCentral.com, some teams definitely are interested in James. Then again, this could just be Drew Rosenhaus inflating his client’s value.

I exchanged some text messages with Drew Rosenhaus, Edgerrin James’ agent, today and he thinks Edge won’t be a free agent for long.

“So far several teams have expressed interest and we may have a deal in place in the very near future,” Rosenhaus said.

Signing Edge to a one-year contract — which would make next year a contract year for Edge — is a smart move. The same kind (Jamal Lewis) of move carried the Cleveland Browns to their best season in recent history two years ago. Additionally, I think Edge is more versatile than Jam with better wheels. Edge could help us be competitive this year, and then both parties could sit down afterward and see if bringing him back makes sense.

Addicts, sound off on the thought of Edge to K.C.?

Here’s a thought; the Chiefs and Cardinals exchange problems by trading Edgerrin James for Larry Johnson, or one problem for another. Both players obviously need a change of scenery, and both teams would be better off without the distractions.

The Chiefs get a versatile feature back who knows Todd Haley’s offense and is more reasonably priced. The addition of Edge would keep the Chiefs competitive while they search for their feature back of the future. Jamal Charles is best suited as a third-down back, so this allows him to play a more natural role. Edge also performed very well during the Cards’ Super Bowl run, and is a much better blocker than L.J. He not only can see incoming blitzers, he actually makes an effort to pick them up.

The Cardinals get a younger back who’s potential upside gives them a better shot at making another Super Bowl run. With J.J. Arrington out of AZ and the Cards waiting to cut Edge to keep him from landing in the wrong hands, it’s apparent they will need more than just Tim Hightower. Johnson could be that guy.

Considering that neither player has any trade value right now, this deal makes a lot of sense to me. Otherwise, both teams could just end up cutting their former star running backs. Plus, the Chiefs have already shown a willingness to deal with the new brain trust’s former teams. With all the problems these two franchises are dealing with, it would make a lot of sense for both teams to solve one by making this swap.

Am I taking crazy pills, or does this make sense to everybody else?