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

[stilltheguru]

Damn man i love LJ but hes too old at this point and i have a feeling that cleveland pic is gonna be good and im still hoping for d mcfadden.hehe

 

[joseephuss]

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.

I agree.

He had a record 416 rushing attempts plus another 41 receptions. That is a lot of use for a single season. It is going to be interesting to see how his body reacts to that type of use. Other than Eric Dickerson, guys that had over 390 carries in a single season did not do too well the following season.

If they make the trade and LJ did decide to play in Dallas and not hold out, then the Cowboys would have both LJ and JJ. Both guys would be free agents at the end of the year. Dallas could lose both and have nothing to show for it since they traded away MBIII and a 1st round pick.

I believe LJ will hold out no matter if it is with the Chiefs are any team that trades for him. Is Dallas in a good position to take on that kind of salary? I don't know.

 

[THUMPER]

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.

That would be an incredibly stupid trade for us.

 

[dargonking999]

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.

gore and Addai, are both worth that #3 pick. Let LJ bet someone else headache

 

[28 Joker]

No way! Jerry has a legit shot at McFadden next year. Johnson has too much wear on him. That trade would be ripping us off.

McFadden paired with Barber would be lethal.

Jones and Barber can get it done in 2007.

McFadden could be the answer to Tomlinson, and we may run into San Diego down the road some day in the Super Bowl.

 

[Doomsday101]

Barber and a 1st rd pick? No!! I would not do it but for a bit less of a price yes. I think Larry Johnson is one of the top backs in this league.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

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 have no doubt that the Chiefs would have interest in that deal... But would we? No.

I am on record, though, as saying I hold LJ in higher regard than most people do. I think he's a legitimate stud, behind only LT as a running back today. He'd be so perfect for NFC East bad-weather games. If we got him, I'd start talking NFC Championship for us.

The high number of carries and his attitude would keep me from doing it for too high a price, but if the price came down some, I would love to get him on the team.

I'd almost feel sorry for Parcells if we got him. LJ is like the original O.J Anderson, only not as broken down as when Parcells got him and won that Super Bowl.

 

[ZeroClub]

I think LJ is far superior to MBIII, so I'd be happy to swap them and a first day (but not first round) draft pick - despite LJs salary cap hit.

LJ may not have many seasons left in him, but his addition gets the Cowboys much closer to a Super Bowl.

 

[bobtheflob]

Hmm, 28 year old injury prone running back who had a ton of carries last year and wants a huge raise versus one of the best backs to come out of college in a long time (who would form a great tandem with MB3 btw). I think I know where I stand on this one.

 

[AbeBeta]

What is the old adage - you don't give up picks for a guy who you also have to sign to a huge contract. If you want him that bad just wait until he goes FA.

 

[dargonking999]

I think LJ is far superior to MBIII, so I'd be happy to swap them and a first day (but not first round) draft pick - despite LJs salary cap hit.

LJ may not have many seasons left in him, but his addition gets the Cowboys much closer to a Super Bowl.

but it subtracts from our future

When did we start mortgaging our future, just to increase our chance at a SB.

It aint like we are that far away now.

 

[juck]

Every back has done well in KC its the Oline.LJ isnt all that.hes good,but man not worth this stupid trade.we can get a young top rb next year.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

Let's let KC work out their own problems.

 

[Doomsday101]

Every back has done well in KC its the Oline.LJ isnt all that.hes good,but man not worth this stupid trade.we can get a young top rb next year.

I don't think those of us who would love to have Johnson are suggesting that we give up Barber and a 1st for Johnson. A player (Barber or Jones and a 3rd) yes I would jump on that. I don't think KC would do it for that but I would be willing to at least make that offer.

 

[Royal Laegotti]

If I could absolutely trust Jerry and Co. with that pick next season I'd say a BIG NO to that trade. But since I don't trust him, I don't know what to do, because although LJ is a excellent back, I don't know if his character can be trusted, Vermeil had issues with him a couple years ago. If it was LT then I'd be all over the trade. JMO.

 

[28 Joker]

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.

Vintage has exposed this trade , and he is exactly correct. Why would you give up Barber and Cleveland's pick when Cleveland should lose many games this year? Why let Kansas City cash in on that probable high pick when Dallas struck gold with it first. Then Jones walks, and you are strapped with an over-priced running back that has too many miles on him, and he would drain your salary cap. Plus, you have to turn around and draft another running back to replace Jones. That is not smart business, and Jerry Jones will not fall for this attempt to rob the team blind. This is what teams like the Vikings used to do.

Romo and Newman will get paid; they are home-grown products. Paying a running back with too many miles on his tread takes money away from them, and they are not walking. Why not just draft your own with the Cleveland pick if you like what you see in the 2008 draft? That Cleveland pick is power. Why would you give up the power that could put you over the top? Dallas is a young team; we don't need age at RB.

Jones (2nd round) and Barber (4th round) have been doing really well, and they didn't cost a mint.

 

[Idgit]

LJ for MB and Dallas' 1st and 3rd is actually probably a fair trade. My problem with it, apart from the money and the *huge* carries LJ had last year, is that it puts us in a weaker tactical position next year in the draft where we're sitting pretty right not with a chance to take the best back on the board.

As far as LJ's money goes, his point is not that he's better then LT, it's that he's being used up so fast in the Chiefs' current system and he needs to frontload his earning potential if they're going to continue to overuse him. He's got a point.

 

[ZeroClub]

but it subtracts from our future

When did we start mortgaging our future, just to increase our chance at a SB.

It aint like we are that far away now.

Yup, but the distance between "not far away" and "there" is usually farther than it looks.

For me it would come down to price.

LJ is a "man among boys" type of RB. He'd be a huge addition. ... exactly the kind of component that would perfectly complement the Cowboys defense.

MBIII is a nice enough RB, but his departure wouldn't mean much in the long run. He's a somewhat above average RB. He's not a make or break kind of player. LJ is.

IMO, the "mortgage" component of the trade would mainly involve the draft pick that went to KC along with MBIII. If that pick was a 2nd or 3rd rounder, that's not huge, particularly considering that you've got two #1s next year ...

 

[Zaxor]

Now folks LJ has value... I think we should trade Coakley, Glover and we can throw in Coleman & Fowler to sweeten the deal

 

[Dday22t]

He's only been a full-time RB for 2 years, so it's not like he's almost done. He has another 5 good years most likely.

Stats Team G ATT YDS AVG TD
2003 Chiefs 6 20 85 4.3 1
2004 Chiefs 10 120 581 4.8 9
2005 Chiefs 16 336 1750 5.2 20
2006 Chiefs 16 416 1789 4.3 17

Career 48 892 4205 4.7 57


But I wouldn't trade a #1 pick for him, maybe a 2nd and a player (we won't need Barber & Jones if Johnson was here.)

Anyway.... I would have to consider it for a 2nd rounder and Jones.