RUMOR: Norm Hitzges: Chiefs interested in trading LJ to Cowboys?

[parchy]

This sounded completely ridiculous but Norm made it sound like the rumor had some weight... which hopefully it doesn't.

He was just talking on the radio about how the Chiefs are interested in trading Larry Johnson (who's in his contract year, I believe) to the Cowboys for Marion Barber and one of our first round picks.

I don't know about you, but I wasn't a fan of the idea.

 

[WoodysGirl]

from DMN blog:

Let's make a deal for Larry Johnson

RB Larry Johnson is threatening to hold out if the Chiefs don't give him a new deal that reflects his status as one of the NFL's elite backs. As a result, NFL scribes with nothing better to do before training camps begin are speculating on the possibility of Johnson being traded.

Well, I don't have anything better to do, so let's get the Cowboys involved in the conversation. I reckon I ought to mention that the Cowboys turned down a chance to get Johnson cheap in 2004, right after Dick Vermeil publicly accused him of wearing diapers. Johnson certainly won't come cheap after rushing for 3,539 yards and 37 TDs the last two seasons.

Prolific e-mailer J.T. suggests offering the Chiefs next season's No. 1 pick and Julius Jones. Sounds great from a Cowboys' perspective, but the Chiefs would want more than the twentysomethingth overall pick and an average back who will be an unrestricted free agent.

I called someone who knows much more about the NFL trade market than I do and asked what the price might be for the Cowboys. His answer: Marion Barber and the Browns' first-rounder.

That's a bit rich for my blood. The knock on Barber is that he hasn't been a feature back since high school. Sounds like Priest Holmes when he signed with Kansas City, and he managed to rack up 6,566 total yards and 61 touchdowns in his first three seasons with the Chiefs. The Browns' pick will probably be in the top five. Johnson is a horse without too much tread on his tires, but I couldn't give up that much for a guy who you've got to give a huge contract.

Here's the deal I suggest Jerry offer the Chiefs: Barber and the Cowboys' first- and third-rounders next year. You folks down with that?

Posted by Tim MacMahon http://www.***BANNED-URL***/sharedcontent/dws/img/standing/icons/email.gif at 1:39 PM (E-mail this entry) | Comments (50)

 

[Boyzmamacita]

Marion Barber and the Browns' first-rounder.

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

Heck NO, no way in the world will Dallas do that... Completely stupid. Julius Jones and Marion Barber III is just as good!

*Remember this is the offseason and people DESPERATELY NEED something intestering to write about or talk about on their shows

 

[Vintage]

No. I am not down with either deal. Draft our own running back if we need too. Not pack away a good player and a couple of picks....

 

[Champsheart]

 

[Eddie]

So ... was there any real merit to the Antonio Bryant for LJ rumors back in 2003?

Should have taken it.

 

[Jarv]

Not interested at all. Keep our picks.

 

[Jenky]

No thanks, especially when you have a chance of drafting Mcfadden, Slaton, or Stewart, along with a ton of other RBs. It will probably only cost us one pick to snag any of these guys anyways (Depending on the browns pick, we could have the first overall).

Who knows, one of our RB's could establish himself as a franchise player this year and we won't even have to draft another RB next year.

I wouldn't do it.

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

So ... was there any real merit to the Antonio Bryant for LJ rumors back in 2003?

Should have taken it.

I definitely would have made that trade back in 2003!

 

[theogt]

I'm intrigued by this. I certainly wouldn't write it off as quickly as some are.

 

[Hostile]

Larry Johnson says he will hold out unless he is paid an amount equal to the deal that LaDanian Tomlinson got as the highest paid RB in the league.

That alone kills any desire on my part to make a trade for him. I don't even need a draft pick involved to say no.

 

[superpunk]

If he hadn't just come off a 400+ carry season, and if it was Jones instead of Barber, that would be a steal.

As none of those things apply - that would be a horrible idea.

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

Everyone loves the backup running back until he's the starter..

 

[YosemiteSam]

If I were KC, I would be willing to trade LJ for eight month old french fries out of a McDonald's dumpster and would consider that a steal for KC.

:angryno:

I hate LJ and absolutely do not even want him in the great State of Texas.

 

[Vintage]

I'm intrigued by this. I certainly wouldn't write it off as quickly as some are.

Here's the thing though...

Jones would be gone in the offseason because we aren't going to be able to keep Larry Johnson and his new Highest Paid RB in NFL History salary plus Julius Jones. So next offseason, we are going to have to draft a backup RB for a cheap solution....

Combined that with the new salary of Tony Romo's contract (that should easily outstrip anything Schaub got) and Newman's in the near future (Newman says "I see you Clements, and I raise you...")....this is going to be expensive.

 

[Jenky]

Larry Johnson says he will hold out unless he is paid an amount equal to the deal that LaDanian Tomlinson got as the highest paid RB in the league.

That alone kills any desire on my part to make a trade for him. I don't even need a draft pick involved to say no.

Yep I've heard that too. It's killing me in my fantasy football draft, since I have the 3rd overall pick. I know for sure #1 and #2 will be LT and S. Jackson. Now I have to be weary of a LJ holdout.

 

[Verdict]

Larry Johnson says he will hold out unless he is paid an amount equal to the deal that LaDanian Tomlinson got as the highest paid RB in the league.

That alone kills any desire on my part to make a trade for him. I don't even need a draft pick involved to say no.

I will second that. L.J. is a good back, but certainly not the talent L.Tomlinson is.

You could draft the next L.J. next year and save a ton of cap room by doing so.

 

[DanTanna]

Keep your pampers on.

 

[bbgun]

Um, no. We'll keep our RB tandem and all of our picks. Have a nice day.