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Will Larry Johnson be the new RB?
With Clinton Portis likely missing Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos, the Commanders could have a new running back on the roster in the next few days. What's not as clear: whether Larry Johnson will be that new running back.
Johnson was released this morning by the Kansas City Chiefs. If he clears waivers, he'd become an unrestricted free agent and any team would be free to negotiate for his services.
There are several reasons the deal could go down. First, Portis' status is unknown. Coach Jim Zorn was essentially guessing that Portis would be unavailable this weekend. He said the running back did suffer a concussion in Sunday's loss at Atlanta. The two spoke this morning and Portis told Zorn he still had a headache. The league is taking concussions more seriously than ever, evidenced most recently by the fact that the Eagles' Brian Westbrook missed his second straight game last weekend since suffering a concussion against the Commanders on Oct. 26.
Johnson, who leaves Kansas City after a drama-filled couple of weeks, turns 30 later this month. He wouldn't be a long-term solution for the Commanders, but neither was Shaun Alexander, whom the Commanders signed last October when Ladell Betts was banged up.
Speaking to reporters today, Zorn did not rule out the possibility of the Commanders pursuing Johnson. He said the team has had internal discussions this morning and will continue to talk about the troubled running back.
Zorn said the team will likely sign a running back if Portis can't play -- he specifically mention Quinton Ganther, whom the team released last Friday. As for Johnson, "I don't know," Zorn said.
"I need to have a longer conversation than I've had to make a decision," Zorn said.
Because of his Johnson's salary -- he'd be paid a prorated sum of $4.55 million base salary for the remainder of the season -- Johnson is expected to clear waivers.
"A part of him is excited and a part of him is very regretful," Johnson's agent, Peter Schaffer, told The Associated Press today. "There's a lot of feelings going on right now. It's analogous to breaking up with a girlfriend. Maybe you saw it coming, but it still hurts when it happens."
Johnson hasn't had a 1,000-yard season since 2007. This season he had 358 yards on 132 carries before the Chiefs suspended him two weeks ago. On Oct. 25, Johnson insulted fans on his Twitter account, questioned coach Todd Haley and used a gay slur. The following day, in the Chiefs' locker room, he repeated the slur to reporters, prompting the suspension.
Johnson has plenty of local ties to the area. He was born in Pomfret, Md., his father, Larry Johnson Sr., coached high school football in Southern Maryland for years at Maurice J. McDonough High -- followed by two seasons at T.C. Williams -- before taking an assistant coaching job at Penn State in 1996.
By Rick Maese | November 9, 2009; 1:38 PM ET
With Clinton Portis likely missing Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos, the Commanders could have a new running back on the roster in the next few days. What's not as clear: whether Larry Johnson will be that new running back.
Johnson was released this morning by the Kansas City Chiefs. If he clears waivers, he'd become an unrestricted free agent and any team would be free to negotiate for his services.
There are several reasons the deal could go down. First, Portis' status is unknown. Coach Jim Zorn was essentially guessing that Portis would be unavailable this weekend. He said the running back did suffer a concussion in Sunday's loss at Atlanta. The two spoke this morning and Portis told Zorn he still had a headache. The league is taking concussions more seriously than ever, evidenced most recently by the fact that the Eagles' Brian Westbrook missed his second straight game last weekend since suffering a concussion against the Commanders on Oct. 26.
Johnson, who leaves Kansas City after a drama-filled couple of weeks, turns 30 later this month. He wouldn't be a long-term solution for the Commanders, but neither was Shaun Alexander, whom the Commanders signed last October when Ladell Betts was banged up.
Speaking to reporters today, Zorn did not rule out the possibility of the Commanders pursuing Johnson. He said the team has had internal discussions this morning and will continue to talk about the troubled running back.
Zorn said the team will likely sign a running back if Portis can't play -- he specifically mention Quinton Ganther, whom the team released last Friday. As for Johnson, "I don't know," Zorn said.
"I need to have a longer conversation than I've had to make a decision," Zorn said.
Because of his Johnson's salary -- he'd be paid a prorated sum of $4.55 million base salary for the remainder of the season -- Johnson is expected to clear waivers.
"A part of him is excited and a part of him is very regretful," Johnson's agent, Peter Schaffer, told The Associated Press today. "There's a lot of feelings going on right now. It's analogous to breaking up with a girlfriend. Maybe you saw it coming, but it still hurts when it happens."
Johnson hasn't had a 1,000-yard season since 2007. This season he had 358 yards on 132 carries before the Chiefs suspended him two weeks ago. On Oct. 25, Johnson insulted fans on his Twitter account, questioned coach Todd Haley and used a gay slur. The following day, in the Chiefs' locker room, he repeated the slur to reporters, prompting the suspension.
Johnson has plenty of local ties to the area. He was born in Pomfret, Md., his father, Larry Johnson Sr., coached high school football in Southern Maryland for years at Maurice J. McDonough High -- followed by two seasons at T.C. Williams -- before taking an assistant coaching job at Penn State in 1996.
By Rick Maese | November 9, 2009; 1:38 PM ET
