Posted by admin | Posted in sports | Posted on 26-12-2009
Tags: chiefs, city, football, kansas, kansas city chiefs 2009 schedule, kansas city chiefs helmet texas, kansas city chiefs history, kansas city chiefs roster, kansas city chiefs tickets, sports
After being jobless for two weeks since the Kansas City Chiefs decided to release him, running back Larry Johnson has now signed a year-long contract with the Cincinnati Bengals. Johnson will receive $2 million from the Kansas City Chiefs and the prorated minimum, approximately $225,000 from [sv1] Cincinnati. The Bengals have a habit of scooping up troublesome players for low prices. The Chiefs dismissed Johnson after his second suspension of the year, when he posed a gay slur on his Twitter account and after his public questioning of the skills and experience of Todd Haley. Already sporting an unpleasant history, LJ was released from the team as a free agent two weeks ago when the Chiefs clearly decided to cut their losses. The Bengals acquired Johnson in a bid for backup aE" for life insurance, as the team said aE" for their all-star running back Cedric Benson, whose current backup is a sixth-round rookie. The issue becomes even more pressing as Benson is suffering from a hip injury that took its toll in the game against the Steelers on Sunday.
Although Benson is not expected to be sidelined for long, the team is looking for a secure replacement for the just-in-case. "That's what his role would be, it would be as a fourth running back and an opportunity as a backup player on this football team doing all the things backup players do, and that's work their tails off in the kicking game and showing looks and so forth that way," Cincinnati coach Marvin Lewis said. "And then he would be an insurance policy if something would happen down the line to one of our guys where he'd have a chance to be active.aE� Johnson decided to fly to Cincinnati to talk person to person to the team's headquarters to finalize the deal. The player needs to maintain a low profile after his disgraceful antics in the past. Johnson was sidelined for three games by Kansas City coach Herm Edwards for violating the team rules and was suspended for one game by Commissioner Roger Goodell for violating the league's conduct policy. He was accused of disturbing the peace twice and pleaded guilty, getting sentenced for a two-year probation. His performance, as he approaches 30, may have suffered in recent years aE" a foot injury in 2007 left him with only 559 yards and 3 touchdowns, while in 2008, he ran for 874 yards as the Chiefs sank to 2-14. His character, too, leaves much to be desired.
As a free agent, he cleared waivers, rejected by almost every team in the NFL. But 2006 shines like a beacon in his record. He rushed for 1,789 yards on only 416 carries, setting a team record and receiving a six-year deal worth $45 million, including $19 million guaranteed with the Chiefs. Now he's worth only a fraction of that money but still holds potential for the season. We'll see if he lives up to it for Cincinnati.
Kansas City Chiefs Top 10 plays of 2007-2008
