[vincesanity82]

Chiefs running back Larry Johnson tells Jason Whitlock of the Kansas City Star that Johnson might be forced to hold out if he doesn't get a new contract by the start of training camp.

"I'm prepared," Johnson told Whitlock. "They [my agent and father] got me saving money. I'm hustling to get more money to put in the bank. They already started setting aside different accounts, if that would have to happen. They're already telling me to be cautious about how I spend, where I go and stuff like that. To make sure that if it goes down like that, then I've got to be able to pace myself so I won't be in trouble."

Johnson said he believes that Chiefs president Carl Peterson is going to "test" him in connection with contract negotiations that could turn contentious quickly -- especially in light of the fact that the Chiefs were making it known earlier this year that Johnson was available via trade.

Johnson's agent, Alvin Keels, attended the interview, and added a few thoughts. Including this one: "The point I'd like to get out," Keels said, "is that if we were to have to hold out, it would be for the sake of good business, not being greedy. I think the picture that is being painted right now in the eyes of the fans is that we're coming into this negotiation being greedy. It's not good business for a player who rushes the ball 416 times in a season, back-to-back Pro Bowl seasons, back-to-back 1,700-yard seasons, back-to-back broken Kansas City Chiefs records, it's not good business for him to come back in and play for $1.7 million. And that's a sensitive area because $1.7 million is a lot more than most people in Kansas City make."

But the real question, as we see it, is whether Johnson is a truly great runner, who will get his yards even with shoddy blocking, or whether his production is the result of the strong offensive lines that the team has enjoyed over the past few years. (But no more.)

Indeed, the retirement of Willie Roaf in 2006 might have directly contributed to that 0.9 yard-per-carry dropoff last season. And with Will Shields now out of the picture, too, there could be another slip in 2007.

And that could be why the Chiefs want to see what Johnson can do with an even weaker wall of blocking before paying him a bunch of money.

Still, we see Johnson's side of it. "If they really want it to hit home, look at Earl Campbell," Johnson said. "He's not complaining, but he can barely walk. He's sitting in wheelchairs. He can't sit at banquets for a long amount of time before he has to leave. It's sad to have to watch him go through what he has to go through. You look at me; I don’t want to be like that. But I may end up like him. Who knows? I have to be able to plan for that, plan for my kids. I don't know if I'm going to be running back and forth taking my kids to soccer practice."

So why should he take another 400-carry punishment in 2007 for only $1.7 million? Though it would have been nice if he had considered this before, you know, signing his contract, the fact that he could be carrying the entire offense on his back this season suggests to us that, in all fairness, an adjustment is necessary.

Thus, our gut feeling on this one is that it could very well be another Deion Branch situation, with a lengthy holdout followed by a trade.

If, that is, there's someone who wants him bad enough to both pay the player and pay his team. If, after all, King Carl demanded a fourth-round pick for a quarterback he no longer needed, Peterson might ask for a Ricky Williams package when it comes to a running back he no longer wants.

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[Lefty Noob]

No surprise. He's said for a long time he wants more money, and the trade rumors aren't exactly new either.

LJ will wind up somewhere else before the end of the 2007 season. That much I'm sure of. The only question is where, and how soon.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

No surprise. He's said for a long time he wants more money, and the trade rumors aren't exactly new either.

LJ will wind up somewhere else before the end of the 2007 season. That much I'm sure of. The only question is where, and how soon.

He has a legit gripe...416 freakin careers last year!...they will kill him before he can cash in...come on KC do the right thing.

[Lefty Noob]

Originally Posted by Gotham Dark Knight

He has a legit gripe...416 freakin careers last year!...they will kill him before he can cash in...come on KC do the right thing.

I doubt they'll pony up. Peterson seems obessed with his team getting younger (and less expensive, as a result). Expect an LJ holdout.

[vincesanity82]

Does an L.J trade seem possible if K.C cant pony up the cash...

[Lefty Noob]

Originally Posted by vincesanity82

Does an L.J trade seem possible if K.C cant pony up the cash...

Definitely possible. Probable, even, much like Branch from last year. The Chiefs will eventually want to cut their losses with him.