LJ to become a free agent...

by TrevorR on Oct 28, 2009 9:33 AM CDT Comment 24 comments

I know he basically imploded here with the Chiefs but if he is released as some expect, wouldn't you be interested in at least seeing what he could do in Green? I am not a Grant fan, he looked good in one maybe 2 games this year other than that he is just an okay back. LJ is a good blocker and a tough runner and wouldn't you rather see him on the roster than Ahman Green? SERIOUSLY! We have the cap space, get him for a 1 year deal with some escalators and option years or something. I don't think too many teams would want to take him on but wouldn't he be worth the risk??? Whats the worst that could happen?

http://www.sbnation.com/2009/10/27/1103259/larry-johnson-chiefs-banned-team-activities

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If theres one thing I don't want the Packers to do,

its sign a relatively high priced free agent running back closing in on thirty. The fact that I hate the idea without even having to mention that free agent running back would be a joker like Larry Johnson, tells you what I think about.

Maybe in order to understand mankind, we have to look at the word itself: "Mankind". Basically, it's made up of two separate words—"mank" and "ind". What do these words mean? It's a mystery, and that's why so is mankind.
-Jack Handey

by jobe on Oct 28, 2009 10:30 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

We only tolerate bigots

who are truly extraordinary football players.

For example.

LJ is not an extraordinary football player.

So, no, I would not rather see this clown on the Packers’ roster over Ahman Green.

by 400metres on Oct 28, 2009 10:47 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Does talent trump mouth?

Sure LJ hasn’t looked great this year but have you seen the Chiefs play? This is a BAD team that he is on. You’d honestly rather have a guy who hasn’t played in 18 months over a guy who was a starter and who has posted huge seasons not too long ago? Sure he made some really stupid bigoted comments but he could be a really interesting piece to add to that backfield. Honestly he’s a better back, at 30, than our number 2 or 3 options now and actually might give Grant a run for his money.

by TrevorR on Oct 28, 2009 11:04 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Fair enough, Trevor

I get your point and it’s well made.

But nevertheless, I think a guy like LJ, regardless of whatever ability he has left and taking into consideration the fact that he had two undeniably amazing seasons, he’s still exhibiting all the signs of being a total cancer and a distraction, which is the last thing this Packers team needs right now as it seems to be finally coming together as a cohesive unit for the first time since 2007.

And I cannot disagree more that the 2009 version of LJ would in any way give Grant “a run for his money.” I agree that Grant has underperformed, but he still has far more ability right now than LJ has shown in years. I have little patience with folks who want to blame all our rushing woes on Grant considering how fickle McCarthy has been in his stated commitment to the run and how out of synch the OL has been all year. I still firmly believe that if McCarthy would give Grant 20-25 carries a game, 75% of the time Grant will eclipse 100 yards and contribute mightily to wearing down the opposing defense overall.

Not to mention that’s about 10-15 more offensive snaps per game with zero chance of Rodgers getting sacked.

by 400metres on Oct 28, 2009 1:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Grant is good

He is starting to run angry again.

I bet he has 90+ against the vikings.

I agree with Jobe, LJ is almost done. No need.

by Acme on Oct 28, 2009 11:23 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

He carried 416 times one year

and is almost 30. Unless he drinks from the same fountain Priest Holmes does, he will not be a relevant back in the NFL again. The decline is obvious and I’d rather go after a young stud like Jonathan Dwyer

by PackaCracka on Oct 28, 2009 11:48 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Donald Driver seems to have access to that same fountain so who knows?

In reality though I don’t have any interest in picking up Larry Johnson, though it was worth considering.

Frye is honestly gotta be one of the top 10 3rd Stringers in all of the NFL right now--colbyb

by verno329 on Oct 28, 2009 1:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

not the same

Driver doesnt take consistent pounding from 300 lb d-linemen.

He rarely takes a direct shot because he is so slippery.

LJ will probably be done with football within the year.

by Acme on Oct 28, 2009 2:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

might be right...

We’ll see. ITs hard to say, he’s had two injury plagued seasons before this one. I just remember how good he looked in his prime. He was toug h to bring down and could pack a punch but he has always been a bit of an ass. I remember when Edwards made the diaper comment about him…doesn’t seem like it was THAT long ago.

by TrevorR on Oct 28, 2009 2:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was kidding

Frye is honestly gotta be one of the top 10 3rd Stringers in all of the NFL right now--colbyb

by verno329 on Oct 28, 2009 2:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think he would want too much money and brings way to much baggage

for a 30 year old RB who’s last great season was in 2005.

by Charlie Kelly on Oct 28, 2009 2:48 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I'd hate to see him brought in here.

Packers are a very young team and a negative attitude might have a larger impact b/c of that. Doesn’t seem like there are many bad attitudes in the locker room now, let’s keep it that way.

Some people say the glass is half empty, some say half full. I say, are you going to drink that?

by BleedsbluinMI on Oct 28, 2009 4:14 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

It worked for Cincinnati..

Most people thought Cedric Benson was a total bust, cancer to the team, no work ethic, etc… Look at him now.

All things considered, I would’ve rather had LJ over Deshawn Wynn, but Ahman was a better move.

Johnson and Grant have very similar running styles too, so you’re not even getting a change of pace back. This is someone who should be able to contribute in a big way. Maybe take a look at him in the offseason if he doesn’t get signed, but otherwise? I’m not sure.

by vitaminx on Oct 28, 2009 9:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Benson is three years younger with almost half the carries LJ has had

Plus, if I’m not mistaken, he was a pretty cheap signing for the Bengals whereas I could see LJ wanting a ton of money. Also, Benson made mistakes but has since cleared them up and has been upstanding player since. LJ is probably calling someone another homophobic slur over twitter as we speak.

by Charlie Kelly on Oct 28, 2009 10:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

money

I don’t see him demanding the big bucks. I think he just wants out of that team…he’s wanted out for years. Nonetheless, for a one year deal you really think money is a concern? We have TONS of it and people want Management to spend it.

I can’t even comprehend how one could think that Ahman would be an upgrade over LJ. In Ahman’s last year he looked even worse than LJ, was injured and is a couple years older with even more wear on him. Plus he is 1.5 years removed from the league. That just doesn’t make sense to me.

I don’t know if LJ would work out…and maybe his attitude would kill things or maybe a new situation clears up his attitude. Not really sure…

by TrevorR on Oct 28, 2009 11:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why doesn’t he just retire and then change his mind? Then he can go wherever he wants, right? Cause he changed his mind and just wanted to play? Seemed to work for this other guy.

Frye is honestly gotta be one of the top 10 3rd Stringers in all of the NFL right now--colbyb

by verno329 on Oct 28, 2009 11:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't know for sure how much money he would want but if any of his previous history indicates anything

it’s that he feels he’s worth more that he actually is. And yes, the Packers have plenty of money but I’d rather they spend it on retaining Kampman or Collins. Also, I never said Ahman was an upgrade over LJ. I don’t personally think either move would bring much to the team from a talent standpoint. I do know however, that Ahman has almost always been a class act while LJ continues to cause problems.

by Charlie Kelly on Oct 29, 2009 6:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

oh yeah you can’t deny that Ahman kills him in the class department!

by TrevorR on Oct 29, 2009 9:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

We do not need a jerk with diminishing skills at RB

Larry Johnson is a bad guy. He got his big signing bonus, and went into the tank. On top of that he is, by all accounts, a big jerk. The Pack does not need a big jerk who has limited character and declining skills. A no brainer for me…..pass on this guy.

by hokecole on Oct 28, 2009 4:26 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Running backs

Wait till AP becomes a free agent next year and buy him away from the Vikes. Favre and running game problems solved in one move. We have 3 times as much cap money as they do. Boy would that piss them off aye.

by cheddarhead on Oct 28, 2009 5:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

haha

Would LOVE that but it will NEVER ever happen.

by TrevorR on Oct 28, 2009 11:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yea, it would be cool but there is no way MN lets AP leave.

by Charlie Kelly on Oct 29, 2009 6:22 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not totally crazy to think that

Adrian Peterson is getting worn down to the ground, especially with the way the Vikes are running him. AP will soon demand a big contract, and Minnesota might balk at paying him big bucks when he could soon hit a wall like Shaun Alexander and LaDainian Tomlinson have.

Also, being a Blazer fan I remember this past offseason we threw a ton of money at Paul Millsap knowing full well that the Jazz would have to use up all/most of their cap space to match the offer sheet. Not sure if AP is a RFA or UFA, but I assume he’s the former and we could really screw Minny over by pulling that move.

Of course we’ve got guys like Collins and Kampman that we need to worry about re-signing a little bit more as well…

by vitaminx on Oct 29, 2009 9:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs