Some Kansas City Chiefs fans and media members have blamed general manager Carl Peterson for superstar running back Larry Johnson‘s lengthy holdout. Other’s have blamed L.J.
If you ask me, we should all stop playing the blame game because this ended up being a win-win situation for both the Chiefs organization and Johnson.
Even owner Clark Hunt is behind blame here. Sometimes I’ve felt that he and Peterson have done just enough to continue selling out the seats. When you look at what the Chiefs have spent on Arrowhead rennovations, extensions (Damon Huard, L.J. and Tony Gonzalez) and free agent signings (Damion McIntosh, Donnie Edwards and Napoleon Harris), it’s hard to argue that they are spending the cash necessary to field a competitive team. You can’t really call them the Cheaps any longer.
Additionally, Carl did a helluva job keeping the amount of money L.J. is scheduled to receive reasonable. Some of you are probably rolling your eyes right now, but Adrian Peterson — yep, the talented rookie RB who was alway hurt in college — received more guaranteed money before he ever recorded one measly NFL rushing attempt. Two other rookies — offensive tackle Levi Brown and wide receiver Calvin Johnson — received way more money overall.
Will Johnson be the highest-paid running back in the NFL until someone else lands a bigger contract? Yes, but keep in mind that: A.) The best RB in the league, LaDainian Tomlinson, got way more money overall a few years back; B.) L.J. has came out of the gate just about as good as any NFL RB in the history of the game during his first two-and-a-half years of actual playing; and C.) Considering that he willed the Chiefs into the playoffs last year with his 416 carries, he has been grossly underpaid. There are guys who made way more than Johnson last year, who couldn’t even will themselves to make a play or two (ex-Chief Eric Hicks, for example).
Johnson is well worth the money, and he absolutely had to holdout to get what he deserved. This is especially true after the paydays other NFLers have received this offseason. He runs as hard and as effectively as as any back in the league, plus he shows up every single Sunday. He knows that NFL RBs don’t last forever, so he got his payday while he could. Can’t blame the man for that.
Applaud L.J. for taking less money to stay here as well. I’m positive there’s some franchise out there that would have given Johnson a record contract (Green Bay maybe?). He wanted to stay in Kansas City.
Johnson also should be applauded for getting into football shape before arriving, even though he was away from the team. Priest Holmes has been back for like three or four weeks now, yet hasn’t taken a hit. L.J. started taking contact today. Priest wants that L.J. money, but he’s not prepared to take the punishment L.J. absorbs. If anyone wonders why I love L.J. and am so hard on Priest, go back and read the previous sentence. I was even kind enough to bold and underline it for you.
All parties involved should also be commended for sparing L.J. the extra mileage training camp and the early preseason would have put on his tires, yet still getting him signed early enough to be at full strength for the season opener. L.T. hasn’t taken a preseason carry so far either — Johnson will be just fine. In fact, I think he was better suited working out in Arizona preparing his body for the long haul.
Everything worked out perfectly and everybody — save for a few delusional fans and out-of-touch sportswriters — is happy. The Chiefs best player has a new contract which satisfies him without breaking the bank, and he’s already looking good. Maybe we do have reason to remain optimistic after all.
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