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Cowboys don't need Johnson in backfield
By CHAREAN WILLIAMS
Star-Telegram staff writer
Forget Larry Johnson.
There are 27 million reasons the Chiefs might decide to trade their Pro Bowl running back, but there are at least that many why Johnson won't be playing in Irving this fall.
Johnson is unhappy with his contract, which has one year and $1.7 million in salary remaining, and he recently told The Kansas City Star that he is prepared for a long holdout. He is seeking at least $27 million in guaranteed money.
There is no doubt Johnson would give the Cowboys a fantasy football team. Tony Romo, Terrell Owens, Terry Glenn and Jason Witten, paired with Johnson, would compare with the 1990s offense of Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, Michael Irvin, Alvin Harper and Jay Novacek. The 2006 Cowboys offense -- with barely a 1,000-yard rusher -- had more yards (5,772) and more touchdowns (52) than the Cowboys' 1992 and '93 Super Bowl teams, so imagine what the Cowboys could do with Johnson in the backfield.
In the past two seasons, Johnson had 3,539 rushing yards and 37 rushing touchdowns, which is almost as many rushing yards (3,797) and more rushing touchdowns (34) than the Cowboys had as a team the past two seasons.
No wonder Cowboys fans can't quit talking about, blogging about and dreaming about Johnson with a star on his helmet and the ball in his hands.
But the Chiefs aren't going to give away Johnson. He will cost a lot in money, draft picks and maybe a veteran player -- too much for a soon-to-be 28-year-old running back who had an NFL-record 416 carries last season.
Thus, Cowboys fans can resign themselves to another season of Julius Jones and Marion Barber. Neither Jones nor Barber is in Johnson's class, of course, but together they're good enough for the Cowboys to win a playoff game for the first time since 1996.
The Cowboys lost their love for Jones, if not their faith in him, a while ago, and he will move on after he plays out his contract this season. That's when the Cowboys might finally find Emmitt Smith's replacement.
This off-season, Dallas inquired about trading for Michael Turner, but the Chargers wanted first- and third-rounders for LaDainian Tomlinson's backup. Turner, 25, becomes a free agent after this season. He comes with low miles, and new Cowboys coach Wade Phillips is a big fan.
But when the Cowboys obtained Cleveland's first-round pick on draft day, they had a running back in mind. If the Browns are one of the league's worst teams, as expected, they will bring a top pick to the Cowboys and possibly Arkansas running back Darren McFadden. The Heisman candidate would have to bypass his senior season, but if it's the Cowboys holding the top choice, that's a given.
So, Cowboys fans, feel free to start talking about, blogging about and dreaming about Darren McFadden.
cjwilliams@star-telegram.com
Charean Williams, 817-390-7760
By CHAREAN WILLIAMS
Star-Telegram staff writer
Forget Larry Johnson.
There are 27 million reasons the Chiefs might decide to trade their Pro Bowl running back, but there are at least that many why Johnson won't be playing in Irving this fall.
Johnson is unhappy with his contract, which has one year and $1.7 million in salary remaining, and he recently told The Kansas City Star that he is prepared for a long holdout. He is seeking at least $27 million in guaranteed money.
There is no doubt Johnson would give the Cowboys a fantasy football team. Tony Romo, Terrell Owens, Terry Glenn and Jason Witten, paired with Johnson, would compare with the 1990s offense of Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, Michael Irvin, Alvin Harper and Jay Novacek. The 2006 Cowboys offense -- with barely a 1,000-yard rusher -- had more yards (5,772) and more touchdowns (52) than the Cowboys' 1992 and '93 Super Bowl teams, so imagine what the Cowboys could do with Johnson in the backfield.
In the past two seasons, Johnson had 3,539 rushing yards and 37 rushing touchdowns, which is almost as many rushing yards (3,797) and more rushing touchdowns (34) than the Cowboys had as a team the past two seasons.
No wonder Cowboys fans can't quit talking about, blogging about and dreaming about Johnson with a star on his helmet and the ball in his hands.
But the Chiefs aren't going to give away Johnson. He will cost a lot in money, draft picks and maybe a veteran player -- too much for a soon-to-be 28-year-old running back who had an NFL-record 416 carries last season.
Thus, Cowboys fans can resign themselves to another season of Julius Jones and Marion Barber. Neither Jones nor Barber is in Johnson's class, of course, but together they're good enough for the Cowboys to win a playoff game for the first time since 1996.
The Cowboys lost their love for Jones, if not their faith in him, a while ago, and he will move on after he plays out his contract this season. That's when the Cowboys might finally find Emmitt Smith's replacement.
This off-season, Dallas inquired about trading for Michael Turner, but the Chargers wanted first- and third-rounders for LaDainian Tomlinson's backup. Turner, 25, becomes a free agent after this season. He comes with low miles, and new Cowboys coach Wade Phillips is a big fan.
But when the Cowboys obtained Cleveland's first-round pick on draft day, they had a running back in mind. If the Browns are one of the league's worst teams, as expected, they will bring a top pick to the Cowboys and possibly Arkansas running back Darren McFadden. The Heisman candidate would have to bypass his senior season, but if it's the Cowboys holding the top choice, that's a given.
So, Cowboys fans, feel free to start talking about, blogging about and dreaming about Darren McFadden.
cjwilliams@star-telegram.com
Charean Williams, 817-390-7760
