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Punt, pass and Judge
By Clark Judge
CBS SportsLine.com Senior Writer
Updated: Apr/25/2007 12:19 PM
Don't jump to any L.J. conclusions just yet
I wouldn't read too much into those Larry Johnson-on-the-block rumors. Not yet.
Yes, the Kansas Chiefs are concerned about reworking a deal for the star running back, mostly because the numbers required to re-sign the guy could eclipse the $60-million deal San Diego did with NFL MVP LaDainian Tomlinson.
But sources within the club Wednesday insisted the Chiefs have not spoken to clubs about Johnson's availability and are not shopping the running back. If clubs try to speak to Johnson or his agent, of course, that's tampering, but there's no indication that has happened.
The Chiefs insist they're happy with Johnson, whose contract expires after this season. They also concede that a new deal will not be easy. But they said they're not trying to unload Larry Johnson and are not speaking to specific clubs about potential trades.
Remember, this is the same team that was supposed to lose star tight end Tony Gonzalez to the NBA. Then, he was supposed to become a free agent. Uh-huh, sure. The last time we checked Gonzalez was still in a Kansas City uniform.
• Speaking of the Chiefs, when does the Trent Green deal get consummated? Miami wants him. Green wants to play with the Dolphins. And the Chiefs are ready to move on without him.
So what gives? No, the question is more like: Who gives?
Kansas City wants a second-rounder for Green, and that's shooting high -- way too high -- for a quarterback coming off a serious concussion and about to turn 37. Miami will offer a seventh-rounder, and that's too low -- far too low -- for the Chiefs to consider.
So the two sides remain stalemated until one blinks.
This reminds me of when Kansas City was shopping for Green prior to the 2001 draft. The Rams wanted a first-round draft pick for him; the Chiefs refused to budge. So St. Louis played hardball until Kansas City caved in shortly before the April draft.
But Green was 30 then.
Miami claims it holds the leverage here because it's the only team interested in Green and the only team Green wants to join. Furthermore, the Dolphins say, Kansas City is in a delicate position because it's running out of options short of cutting the guy.
But the Dolphins might want to take a look at their roster. They have Cleo Lemon and Gibran Hamdam to take snaps at quarterback, and tell me another team in a worse position. Plus, there's a growing suspicion they're ready to release Daunte Culpepper, and will do so once they acquire Green.
Something has to give. Excuse me, someone has to give.
• A Green trade would have all sorts of implications at the top of this year's draft. If say, Miami swings the deal, the Dolphins probably cut Culpepper. We know that. But if Culpepper hits the market, whom do you think steps up first to sign the guy?
Yep, I'd make Oakland a frontrunner, too.
OK, so things would have to happen in a hurry for the Raiders to be involved. But let's say things do. And let's say Miami cuts Culpepper loose. That would mean the Raiders could draft wide receiver Calvin Johnson, not JaMarcus Russell, with the first pick and leave the LSU quarterback to Detroit.
The Lions probably would pass, which means it would be Cleveland's turn at the plate. I don't know that Russell could get by the Browns, and if he doesn't ... what happens to Adrian Peterson?
We probably won't find out. The scenario, I admit, is a little far fetched and would have to take place almost immediately. Listening to Kansas City and Miami I don't get the feeling that there's a sense of urgency in either city.
By Clark Judge
CBS SportsLine.com Senior Writer
Updated: Apr/25/2007 12:19 PM
Don't jump to any L.J. conclusions just yet
I wouldn't read too much into those Larry Johnson-on-the-block rumors. Not yet.
Yes, the Kansas Chiefs are concerned about reworking a deal for the star running back, mostly because the numbers required to re-sign the guy could eclipse the $60-million deal San Diego did with NFL MVP LaDainian Tomlinson.
But sources within the club Wednesday insisted the Chiefs have not spoken to clubs about Johnson's availability and are not shopping the running back. If clubs try to speak to Johnson or his agent, of course, that's tampering, but there's no indication that has happened.
The Chiefs insist they're happy with Johnson, whose contract expires after this season. They also concede that a new deal will not be easy. But they said they're not trying to unload Larry Johnson and are not speaking to specific clubs about potential trades.
Remember, this is the same team that was supposed to lose star tight end Tony Gonzalez to the NBA. Then, he was supposed to become a free agent. Uh-huh, sure. The last time we checked Gonzalez was still in a Kansas City uniform.
• Speaking of the Chiefs, when does the Trent Green deal get consummated? Miami wants him. Green wants to play with the Dolphins. And the Chiefs are ready to move on without him.
So what gives? No, the question is more like: Who gives?
Kansas City wants a second-rounder for Green, and that's shooting high -- way too high -- for a quarterback coming off a serious concussion and about to turn 37. Miami will offer a seventh-rounder, and that's too low -- far too low -- for the Chiefs to consider.
So the two sides remain stalemated until one blinks.
This reminds me of when Kansas City was shopping for Green prior to the 2001 draft. The Rams wanted a first-round draft pick for him; the Chiefs refused to budge. So St. Louis played hardball until Kansas City caved in shortly before the April draft.
But Green was 30 then.
Miami claims it holds the leverage here because it's the only team interested in Green and the only team Green wants to join. Furthermore, the Dolphins say, Kansas City is in a delicate position because it's running out of options short of cutting the guy.
But the Dolphins might want to take a look at their roster. They have Cleo Lemon and Gibran Hamdam to take snaps at quarterback, and tell me another team in a worse position. Plus, there's a growing suspicion they're ready to release Daunte Culpepper, and will do so once they acquire Green.
Something has to give. Excuse me, someone has to give.
• A Green trade would have all sorts of implications at the top of this year's draft. If say, Miami swings the deal, the Dolphins probably cut Culpepper. We know that. But if Culpepper hits the market, whom do you think steps up first to sign the guy?
Yep, I'd make Oakland a frontrunner, too.
OK, so things would have to happen in a hurry for the Raiders to be involved. But let's say things do. And let's say Miami cuts Culpepper loose. That would mean the Raiders could draft wide receiver Calvin Johnson, not JaMarcus Russell, with the first pick and leave the LSU quarterback to Detroit.
The Lions probably would pass, which means it would be Cleveland's turn at the plate. I don't know that Russell could get by the Browns, and if he doesn't ... what happens to Adrian Peterson?
We probably won't find out. The scenario, I admit, is a little far fetched and would have to take place almost immediately. Listening to Kansas City and Miami I don't get the feeling that there's a sense of urgency in either city.
