Will the Chiefs’ addition of Matt Cassel help Johnson rebound? Will he be in Kansas City next season? Does it even matter? After logging 752 carries in 2005-06, the signs indicate that Johnson’s time as an elite rusher is come and long gone. Yes, he improved his rushing average last season and was a little bit healthier, but with the presence of running back Jamaal Charles, the Chiefs can afford to give Johnson the extended rests that he desperately needs. Go conservative with Johnson; he’s a No. 3 back.
('09 Proj: 200 att, 1000 total yds, 6 touchdowns) ~Stan Feldman
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Larry who? Unless he gets traded, won’t be on my draft board, because I don’t trust for a moment that he can make it a whole season without getting into the doghouse. And even if he does turn over a new leaf, I’m not convinced he will be able to last an entire season anyway, as he hasn’t been the same since 2006. Its 2009 now. That’s too long of a time gap for a running back to realistically become relevant all over again.
('09 Proj: 700 total yds, 6 touchdowns) ~Jon Rascon
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I may be drinking the red kool aid again but I like LJ in 2009. He had a 4.5 yard per average on a crappy team with a below average line. The team and the line have both improved and the best part is he should be available in round 3 of most drafts. I am not saying to go overboard but I look for him to get close to:
('09 Proj: 1,300 total yds and 12 touchdowns) ~Dave Fosdick
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Instead of the words yards, carries, touchdowns and receptions, the words associated with L.J. last season were assault, negligence, intentional infliction of emotional distress and deactivated! This is a dude that holds the all time NFL record for rushing attempts in a season with 416! Major gamble here and a very cloudy future in Kansas City.
('09 Proj: 800 yds, 6 touchdowns) ~Steve Cavanagh
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It’s hard to believe it was only three years ago when L.J. was putting up back-to-back 1700+ yard seasons to go along with 17 and 20 touchdowns. Since then he hasn’t combined to come even close to those numbers and now he’ll be 30 in November, has off-field issues, and may find his way out of KC before the season rolls around. At best, I see him putting up numbers similar to last season as back 1a for some new NFL team.
('09 Proj: 180 att, 702 yds, 4 touchdowns, 20 rec, 149 yds, 0 TD's) ~Robb Perkins
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Well, let’s see. If he is done spitting on women, I suppose he’ll be on the field in 2009. The question will be for which team? New GM Scott Pioli was one of the architects of the Patriots organization, which as we all know, doesn’t believe you need a superstar running back to succeed. Plus, L.J. has already publicly said he would like to leave the Chiefs organization. Yet another “Training Camp Special”.
('09 Proj: 200 att, 1,100 total yds, 4 touchdowns) ~Jeremy Fischer
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What a mess Johnson’s career has turned into. Formerly one of the league’s best rushers, he has now only managed to play 20 games over the last two seasons, will be turning 30 this year and it’s unclear where he’ll be playing in September. He probably still has the abilities to put together a solid year somewhere, but he’s quickly becoming “that guy you want someone else to draft.”
('09 Proj: 200 att, 900 yds, 4 touchdowns) ~Frank Mazzola
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The above sentiments are why I'll be keeping an eye on Larry Johnson in camp and throughout the preseason. I wholeheartedly agree that L.J. is no longer a standalone back and it is mildly concerning that he joins the 30-something crowd in November. Also, you can't underestimate his off-field stupidity. But as a pure fantasy player, we're still looking at a guy that was on pace for 1,166 yds and 7 touchdowns in '08 before his season came to a screeching halt. Those are #2 fantasy RB numbers folks. No way will I draft him as my #2, but in flex leagues if he's there at any point past the late fourth?
('09 Proj: 225 att, 1,250 total yds, 7 touchdowns) ~Rick Perkins
