Chiefs Slap L.J. With Suspension
The Chiefs investigation is over and RB Larry Johnson has been suspended by the team.
Here’s the team’s statement:
“The Kansas City Chiefs have suspended RB Larry Johnson for conduct detrimental to the club effective immediately. Johnson will not be permitted to participate in any team activities or be on team premises until Monday, November 9th. The Chiefs will have no further comment on Johnson’s status at this time.”
Johnson’s suspension is related to his use of slur on a Twitter posting Sunday evening. He then used a similar slur when speaking to the Kansas City media on Monday.
It’s the second time in two seasons that Johnson has been suspended for his behavior. Last year, he was held out of three games by head coach Herm Edwards and suspended for one game by the NFL.
NFL players are paid on a 17-week schedule, so Johnson is in line to lose two weekly checks.
Now we can get a chance to see how Charles or hopefully Smith can do with the bulk of the carries. Mabey we get a 100 yard rusher at Jax. Sure would be nice to take some pressure of Cassel.
Now if they would suspend Cassel for 2 weeks to see if the QB is a problem also. This well draw some anger …….hey I don’t mean forever ……well that would depend on how he played .Then if he suc#…… I personally wouldn’t bring it up again…….promise….. wellllllllll.PnS
The problem doesn’t lie with Cassel, even though he was awful against San Diego. We could have Peyton Manning back there and still be 1-6 with this awful offensive line. What we desperately need is a good running game. It will be interesting to see if one of our other backs has any more success than LJ. If Jacksonville shuts us down on the ground, then that will lend credence to LJ’s bitching.
HOWEVER, LJ has caused too many problems in his career and there is no way he should play for us beyond this year. Even if he rebounds and finishes strong somehow, 2009 should be the end of his time wearing the red and gold. It honestly wouldn’t break my heart if they parted ways with him at this point. The rest of the year should be dedicated to see just how many players we have that fit into our plans for 2010 and beyond. Here’s who I want to see more of the second half of the season:
All RBs not named Larry Johnson.
WR Lance Long (his near TD catch was impressive)
TEs Leonard Pope and Jake O’Connell
Any O lineman under 30 who isn’t currently starting.
LBs Andy Studebaker, Jovan Belcher and Pierre Walters
Ss Jarrad Page and Dejuan Morgan
RS Dantrell Savage and Quentin Lawrence (if he ever makes it back to the 53 man roster)
I will be interested to see what happens with LJ after the suspension, if Smith/Charles/Savage turn in a good performance in Jacksonville. Just becausre he’s been suspended doesn’t mean there won’t be other action taken when the suspension is concluded.
Ok…I get it. Haley can drop over a dozen f-bombs on national TV to our back up QB the first game because he called time out to avoid too much time and that’s ok.
But, LJ says “fag” under his breath to a KC Star reporter in a NFL men’s locker room and “tweets’ the fact that Haley never played Fb in pads…. never… in pads… never, I still find that astonishing that Pioli would hire that.
2 week suspension for that?!? When Haley dresses and acts like a teenager on the sideline.
Signed, a 30 year Season ticket holder who has had it. Haley is a scruffy, immature, unqualified punk. Pioli… admit the mistake!
Can anyone tell me why management does not just release Johnson? They let go of Pollard just like that why can’t they do the same with Johnson? He has zero trade value so that can’t possibly be why they keep him. It must be money and contract issues.
LJ and his agent are going to appeal the suspension. I guess that $500-$660k (depending on who you believe) hit to the pocketbook didn’t sit too well, huh?
One game will probably not be enough to seriously evaluate the other RB’s…unless one of them just rips it up. But, you never know. With the starting job very possibly up for grabs…we should have a couple of highly motivated guys running with the ball next week.
True Red & Gold says:
“Can anyone tell me why management does not just release Johnson?”
With the suspension, LJ loses two weeks pay. Reportedly $500k to $660k…depending on who you believe.
If they just release him, he still gets paid.
I’d say there is a better than average chance they will release him after his suspension is up. But, you never know.
If this was Johnson’s only offense, then yes, it might be harsh. But he’s had multiple issues and was benched/suspended for 4 games just last year. This is a cumulative thing, not an isolated incident.
Okay…
Raise your hand if you could talk smack on YOUR boss like that…question his ability and qualifications to do his job…PUBLICLY…and nothing would happen.
Anybody?
I bet the Commish is going to add a bit more to the sentence for LJ. I wonder if he planned this so he would have a couple of weeks off, go to NY or Los Wages (with that stupid hat and pink watch, thanks for that picture earlier this year Bob). Gives LJ more time to take me up on that old fashion golf match, albiet with less money in his pockets. Time to exhale and let this team learn how to play better without “The Distractionn (TD).” Now we can call LJ, TD.
Wow, this is so weak.
larry johnson is hopefully gone for good i cant stand the guy he thinks way to much of himself hes not a hall of fame back hes just and eh running back i hope larry johnson stays gone
CK says,
“Signed, a 30 year Season ticket holder who has had it.”
Can I have your tickets?
GO CHIEFS!!!!!!!!!
I’m not going to discuss the Larry thing. Period.
Go Chiefs 2009
Larry has been more trouble than he’s worth. And he is worth less with every game he plays. Maybe it’s not all his fault…the o’line needs work….but I really don’t think LJ is that good. I’ll be glad when the Chiefs wave goodbye to him permanently…more because he is a lousy player than because of his mouth.
Interesting points by all:
1. I believe LJ garanteed money is gone. Game checks would stop if he was cut. But the salary cap hit is still big. But do you cut your only known quantity at RB. But do you offend your fans. But then you must deal with the NFL and players union. And on and on it goes, it is just a mess that the Chiefs would wish to go away.
2. I always like when people like to compare what would happen if LJ were at their job. Well being a RB in the NFL is not like welding at Claycomo. Be realistic, if you made your company millions and were the best available at your job, your boss might view you at a different level than the others in your work place.
3. I feel required to say I am not a LJ fan but just what has he done to you (unless you are a lady) to insult you so badly. For his last 10 years, everyone kissed Carls rear. Herm could not coach a lick and we all loved him. LJ did not let the OL fall apart. LJ did not trade Allen. But LJ gets all the hate, we may be a bit overboard in that.
4. How about a new subject? Haley “hopes” the Chiefs offense will be in the top five in the second half. I say wish in one hand and ***** in the other and see which happens first. He has not done enough to fix the Chiefs yet.