
Now I got the email around 10:30 or so yesterday morning telling me the Chiefs had released Larry Johnson. My first thought, as it usually is, was “how would this guy look as a Patriot?”. Those dreams were dashed pretty quickly when I got home and found this report by NBC:
A league source predicted to Profootballtalk.com that the Patriots will not pursue Larry Johnson once he clears waivers.
Many observers have compared a potential L.J.-New England match to the Pats’ 2004 acquisition of Corey Dillon, but Dillon was running with more power and speed at the time than L.J. has left. Johnson can only get what’s blocked, is poor in pass protection, and would be a much bigger threat to locker room “chemistry” than Dillon was. He’ll struggle to play before 2010.
Then it was apparently confirmed by Coach Belichick when he called into WEEI (who?):
Bill Belichick said on WEEI radio Monday that the Patriots are unlikely to pursue waived RB Larry Johnson.
Profootballtalk.com has reported as much, but Belichick basically confirmed that L.J. won’t be a Patriot. “I would doubt it,” he said when asked about the possibility. Houston and Washington are more probable landing spots, but we’re still betting against L.J. making an impact anywhere this year.
He’ll be 30 in a couple weeks. His yards per game have steadily declined as the team around him declined in Kansas City. He had an impressive 4.5 yards a carry last season in spite of his bad team but this year has managed only 2.7 yards a carry. In his defense his team has been playing from behind a whole lot this season.
Now Corey Dillon was also 30 when he came to this team but the Patriots roster doesn’t have the room right now for another running back. By not putting Fred Taylor on IR and Sammy Morris also injured they can’t carry a sixth running back.
Would I welcome him in? Sure, the Patriots really have that locker room that checks the egos at the door. They’re able to have guys like Dillon and Moss who were viewed as “trouble guys” because they’re all about the team. Everyone on the team has their job or assignment and if they do what they’re supposed to, the team wins. Bringing in a guy like Larry Johnson, who I think still has something in the tank, I think would be a good move to not only get something from him, but light a spark on Maroney’s ass at the same time. But like I said, something would have to be done with Morris or Taylor.
So I believe Belichick when he says that they’re not interested. Johnson will probably end up in Chicago. For now we concentrate on the Colts and Sunday.


