Post by MizzouTiger on Dec 9, 2007 10:38:23 GMT -5
www.kansascity.com/sports/story/395654.html
Psst … Have you heard LJ’s hurt?
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star
Say this for the Chiefs regarding the way they’ve dispensed information about Larry Johnson’s foot injury: They’ve been consistent.
They’ve said almost nothing other than to confirm the obvious: that Johnson has a right foot injury. Even their reasons for the secrecy are vague.
“It’s in the best interests of the organization,” coach Herm Edwards said. “That’s what we decided upon. I don’t want to get into why.”
Since leaving the lineup, Johnson hasn’t talked to the Kansas City media, his distrust stemming from issues unrelated to the injury. He has appeared on a couple of local radio shows he deemed as friendly, but he wasn’t asked the crucial question: What is the injury?
Plenty of speculation rushed to fill the void of solid information. One local TV report claimed Johnson would miss two games because of a sprained ankle. A Denver TV station said Johnson was finished for the season.
The best information seems to be what Johnson has been telling teammates since injuring the foot in a Nov. 4 game against Green Bay. He has a cracked bone in the foot but would return to play sometime before season’s end.
Johnson returned to practice in individual drills last week, giving credence to his claims.
Other signs would seem to indicate the same thing. Johnson still plays host to the regular Thursday-night running backs meeting. They eat barbecue and watch videos of that week’s opposing defense.
“One thing that makes him so great is that big chip on his shoulder,” fullback Boomer Grigsby said. “It makes him a great runner. That chip is affected when he sees somebody else getting his carries. Those could be opportunities for him to be out there and doing some of the superstar-quality things he knows he can do. Plus, he could help us win.
“If it was up to him, he would be back in there as soon as he could. He wants to be out there way more than anyone would ever give him credit for. I think he’ll play again (this season). They’re not going to rush it, not with where we’re sitting (4-8 record). Kolby (Smith) is doing a good job. But even though he’s doing a great job, when Larry comes back, it’s his thing. “
The Chiefs have retained a roster spot for Johnson, keeping alive the possibility of a return. The Chiefs have lost every game without Johnson in the lineup and are no longer in contention for a playoff spot, so having a healthy player instead of Johnson isn’t crucial.
But the Chiefs would like to finish this season by winning at least a couple of their four remaining games, and keeping Johnson on the roster makes little sense unless they believe there’s a significant chance he could play.
Taken together, it all adds up to an elaborate charade if Johnson doesn’t have a reasonable chance of playing in one or more of the Chiefs’ remaining games.
Smith, a rookie, has done well in Johnson’s absence. He rushed for 150 yards and two touchdowns, both better than anything Johnson or Priest Holmes had done this season, in his first start two weeks ago against Oakland.
Smith followed that up with 83 yards last week against San Diego, and he would have had more had the Chiefs not fallen behind and been forced to go away from their running game.
But there’s little doubt they are better with Johnson in their lineup.
“He got better this week,” Edwards said. “As the weeks go on, then you have to make that decision: Is it the right decision for the player? If he doesn’t get back, he doesn’t get back. I always want a guy to be safe when he comes back.
“It depends on how he feels. (Let’s) don’t put him in harm’s way. That’s the most important thing.”
Psst … Have you heard LJ’s hurt?
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star
Say this for the Chiefs regarding the way they’ve dispensed information about Larry Johnson’s foot injury: They’ve been consistent.
They’ve said almost nothing other than to confirm the obvious: that Johnson has a right foot injury. Even their reasons for the secrecy are vague.
“It’s in the best interests of the organization,” coach Herm Edwards said. “That’s what we decided upon. I don’t want to get into why.”
Since leaving the lineup, Johnson hasn’t talked to the Kansas City media, his distrust stemming from issues unrelated to the injury. He has appeared on a couple of local radio shows he deemed as friendly, but he wasn’t asked the crucial question: What is the injury?
Plenty of speculation rushed to fill the void of solid information. One local TV report claimed Johnson would miss two games because of a sprained ankle. A Denver TV station said Johnson was finished for the season.
The best information seems to be what Johnson has been telling teammates since injuring the foot in a Nov. 4 game against Green Bay. He has a cracked bone in the foot but would return to play sometime before season’s end.
Johnson returned to practice in individual drills last week, giving credence to his claims.
Other signs would seem to indicate the same thing. Johnson still plays host to the regular Thursday-night running backs meeting. They eat barbecue and watch videos of that week’s opposing defense.
“One thing that makes him so great is that big chip on his shoulder,” fullback Boomer Grigsby said. “It makes him a great runner. That chip is affected when he sees somebody else getting his carries. Those could be opportunities for him to be out there and doing some of the superstar-quality things he knows he can do. Plus, he could help us win.
“If it was up to him, he would be back in there as soon as he could. He wants to be out there way more than anyone would ever give him credit for. I think he’ll play again (this season). They’re not going to rush it, not with where we’re sitting (4-8 record). Kolby (Smith) is doing a good job. But even though he’s doing a great job, when Larry comes back, it’s his thing. “
The Chiefs have retained a roster spot for Johnson, keeping alive the possibility of a return. The Chiefs have lost every game without Johnson in the lineup and are no longer in contention for a playoff spot, so having a healthy player instead of Johnson isn’t crucial.
But the Chiefs would like to finish this season by winning at least a couple of their four remaining games, and keeping Johnson on the roster makes little sense unless they believe there’s a significant chance he could play.
Taken together, it all adds up to an elaborate charade if Johnson doesn’t have a reasonable chance of playing in one or more of the Chiefs’ remaining games.
Smith, a rookie, has done well in Johnson’s absence. He rushed for 150 yards and two touchdowns, both better than anything Johnson or Priest Holmes had done this season, in his first start two weeks ago against Oakland.
Smith followed that up with 83 yards last week against San Diego, and he would have had more had the Chiefs not fallen behind and been forced to go away from their running game.
But there’s little doubt they are better with Johnson in their lineup.
“He got better this week,” Edwards said. “As the weeks go on, then you have to make that decision: Is it the right decision for the player? If he doesn’t get back, he doesn’t get back. I always want a guy to be safe when he comes back.
“It depends on how he feels. (Let’s) don’t put him in harm’s way. That’s the most important thing.”