Making the Case for Larry Johnson

Today, the Kansas City Chiefs made a bold transaction and released veteran Pro-Bowl runner Larry Johnson. The 7th-year player (pictured) was constantly involved in controversies within the organization, and despite his great career and contributions to the Chiefs, was cut in order to free up both team salary space as well as any more potential trouble with the Running Back. For some reason, it is typical that when a player of high value in the league is moved to the free agent market or rumored to be involved in a trade, the Eagles are mentioned as possible pursuers of the certain player, and once again, they have been listed as one of several clubs interested.

Johnson was selected in the 1st round of the 2003 NFL Draft by the Chiefs, and quickly overcame then-starter Priest Holmes as the team’s leading Running Back. Through Week 9 of this season, the 7th-year player has compiled just under 6,000 career rushing yards, 61 total touchdowns, and a pair of Pro-Bowl appearances in 2005 and 2006. The primary reason the Chiefs chose to let the veteran go was because of the disputes that occurred between the team and him. Such questionable incidents include a contract disagreement in 2007, several charges of assault and misdemeanor off the field, and most recently, a suspension for the RB after he used inappropriate slurs during a press conference and via the Twitter online social website.

Now before you write off this article as another pointless gossip story, I suggest you read ahead to get a glimpse of why Larry Johnson would make a good fit in the Philadelphia Eagles’ organization, as well as some reasons as to why it would not be a smart move to sign the troubled back, with my take on the entire situation based upon the listed reasons at the conclusion of the article:

Why the Eagles should sign Larry Johnson…

• Johnson played his collegiate football career at Penn State University, located not too far from the home of the Philadelphia Eagles. Although this fact might not play a big factor in Johnson’s preferred area of signing, he has expressed interest in returning to the place he became a football star. If Johnson is comfortable where he’s playing, it is more than likely he won’t be as upset when things go wrong and he experiences times of difficulty.
• The Eagles are undoubtedly a better team than the Chiefs, record-wise and management-wise. Therefore, Johnson would certainly be attracted to a winning organization since he’s been stuck with one that primarily hasn’t for six and a half seasons in the league. Of course, this isn’t guaranteed, but it’s quite obvious that after suffering through years of dismal losses, staff changes, and barely any postseason play, Johnson would like to be on a victorious franchise before closing out his career. With the Eagles sitting at 5-3 and in a fierce battle for their division, there is plenty reason to believe L.J. would be wide-eyed at the chance of playing for the Birds, ruled by some as potential deep playoff contenders.
• Over the course of the last two seasons, the Eagles are ranked as the worst team in terms of converting on short 3rd and 4th-down situations. Part of this disappointing statistic can be blamed on the lack of a true power Fullback since the addition of Leonard Weaver in this past offseason, but either way, the Eagles need to be able to pick up a few yards (or sometimes even less than a yard) to succeed in close games such as last night’s. At 6 foot, 1 inch and 235 pounds, Johnson would provide the Eagles with a physical runner who has proven to be capable of carrying the ball up the heart of the field for tough, short yards.

Why the Eagles shouldn’t sign Larry Johnson…

• Johnson might not take well to being reduced to a backup role after serving as the Chiefs’ starter for most of his career. Because the Eagles already have Brian Westbrook and rookie LeSean McCoy solidified as the top two backs, the team would have either Eldra Buckley or P.J. Hill to shed from the roster (assuming they would remove another runner to allow Johnson to be on the team), and that would place the athletic Johnson in the official 3rd-string spot. Of course, it’d be likely the Birds would use him frequently as the 3rd rusher, but even so, it doesn’t seem likely he will want to play as a reserve after leaving Kansas City as the longtime starter.
• In addition to his likely wish of starting, Johnson is also expected to want a hefty contract. After all, there were constant issues made out of his money status in Kansas City, and the Eagles might not be willing to part ways with a large amount of salary space for what would likely be a backup runner. As mentioned in the previous reason, they are already attempting to satisfy Brian Westbrook and LeSean McCoy as significant parts of the offense, and it would be hard to fit Johnson on the field as a backup, especially with a starter’s contract.
• Johnson must first pass through the NFL waiver process before becoming available for the league franchises to compete for his services. This means that because of the way the Chiefs released him (it has to do with contractual details and other NFL league rules), specific teams will have a chance at claiming him and his current contract before any other team can. If one of these teams has any interest whatsoever, they might snatch him up as their own free agent signing, and obviously the Eagles would have little shot at acquiring him.

Honestly, I believe the addition of Johnson to the already-explosive Eagles offense would be phenomenal, but I don’t think a move for him is necessary, and we really do not need to add someone of his caliber, despite his big play ability. As long as we can work on converting on those short-yard situations and be sure that Westbrook is able to play consistently without pain, as well as some other factors, there is not much reason to pursue the former Chief. However, his presence on the team would surely boost the stock of the Eagles’ weapons.