Post by theultimatekcchiefsfan on Nov 3, 2005 0:38:42 GMT -5
Chiefs' Larry Johnson still unhappy...
Chiefs' Larry Johnson still unhappy with backup role
By DOUG TUCKER, AP Sports Writer
November 2, 2005
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Larry Johnson, still seething in his role as backup to Priest Holmes, said he's decided not to rock the boat and will wait until he might get a chance with some team other than Kansas City.
``I can never swallow the situation right here,'' Johnson said Wednesday after the Chiefs went through a practice without many of its top players. ``You can't ask that of any back who's been used to getting the ball in college like I was getting it.''
The Chiefs (4-3) have had success with a two-pronged running back strategy, generally giving Holmes two series and then Johnson one. Although the scoring on goal-to-go situations is down from last year, they are averaging 131 yards rushing, sixth in the league. Holmes, who missed practice Wednesday to get a second opinion on the blow he took last week to the head, has rushed for 451 yards on 119 carries.
Johnson, a No. 1 draft choice out of Penn State in 2003, has 75 carries for 399 yards. He's averaging 5.3 yards per carry and making no effort to hide his displeasure at not starting.
He could get most of the load this week against Oakland if doctors tell Holmes to take it easy. But neither Johnson nor coach thingy Vermeil expects anything to change once Holmes is back to 100 percent.
``You know thingy Vermeil. I know thingy Vermeil,'' Johnson said. ``I know that ain't going to happen. I'm just going to let the situation ride out. Just go on as planned and get whatever I can get my hands on.''
Vermeil seemed to agree with his disgruntled running back.
``Priest Holmes is our starting running back,'' he said. ``I wouldn't be a bit surprised if Larry Johnson had a great game if he did play (against Oakland) because I've seen him do it before. Priest is the starter.
``We know that situation and they know it. But if Priest isn't ready, then Larry will take it and go. I have great confidence he'll do a heck of a job.''
Holmes, who took a blow to the head last week at San Diego, said he expects to play although he won't be back in time to practice until Friday.
``We're still waiting on the diagnosis of the images from the MRI, but I definitely know that once that's done, we'll have a better of idea of how exactly I can proceed with the rest of the week,'' he said.
``I'm feeling good. It's one of those things where it's not an injury where you can physically see and determine. It's one where you have to go through the different tests and then once that's determined, they're going to do everything to protect me, but make sure I can get out there as quickly as possible.''
Johnson also said he's turned over a new leaf as far as challenging the Chiefs publicly for more playing time.
``I can't force this organization to do anything,'' he said. ``I've tried that before when I was a rookie and I tried that last year. It got me absolutely nowhere. It got me a reputation where I'm the bad seed in the organization. So I'm not even going to try that route. I'm going to play it out and whatever teams open up that want me, a lot of teams out there that don't have good rushers. So whatever opportunities open up for me.''
Vermeil said Johnson's attitude is not a problem.
``I wouldn't want him to be happy with it. I would hope that all our backups are unhappy with not starting,'' he said. ``But he's handled it well.''
Losing Holmes, a goal-line specialist, would hurt an area that's already a concern. The Chiefs have scored touchdowns on only seven of 15 goal-to-go situations in seven games. Last year they were near the top of the league, with 27 touchdowns in 33 opportunities.
``We know now what it's like to be a more normal NFL team,'' Vermeil said. ``We haven't been normal down there (in recent years). We've been extraordinary. You get spoiled.''
Holmes was one of a parade of top players missing work on Wednesday. Also held out were guard Will Shields, offensive tackle Willie Roaf and starting cornerbacks Patrick Surtain and Eric Warfield. Quarterback Trent Green was in St. Louis for services for his father, who died last week.
Surtain, who injured a knee last week against the Chargers, could be the starter most likely to be out this week. Out for sure, Vermeil said, is backup safety Jerome Woods and wide receiver Samie Parker.
Chiefs' Larry Johnson still unhappy with backup role
By DOUG TUCKER, AP Sports Writer
November 2, 2005
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Larry Johnson, still seething in his role as backup to Priest Holmes, said he's decided not to rock the boat and will wait until he might get a chance with some team other than Kansas City.
``I can never swallow the situation right here,'' Johnson said Wednesday after the Chiefs went through a practice without many of its top players. ``You can't ask that of any back who's been used to getting the ball in college like I was getting it.''
The Chiefs (4-3) have had success with a two-pronged running back strategy, generally giving Holmes two series and then Johnson one. Although the scoring on goal-to-go situations is down from last year, they are averaging 131 yards rushing, sixth in the league. Holmes, who missed practice Wednesday to get a second opinion on the blow he took last week to the head, has rushed for 451 yards on 119 carries.
Johnson, a No. 1 draft choice out of Penn State in 2003, has 75 carries for 399 yards. He's averaging 5.3 yards per carry and making no effort to hide his displeasure at not starting.
He could get most of the load this week against Oakland if doctors tell Holmes to take it easy. But neither Johnson nor coach thingy Vermeil expects anything to change once Holmes is back to 100 percent.
``You know thingy Vermeil. I know thingy Vermeil,'' Johnson said. ``I know that ain't going to happen. I'm just going to let the situation ride out. Just go on as planned and get whatever I can get my hands on.''
Vermeil seemed to agree with his disgruntled running back.
``Priest Holmes is our starting running back,'' he said. ``I wouldn't be a bit surprised if Larry Johnson had a great game if he did play (against Oakland) because I've seen him do it before. Priest is the starter.
``We know that situation and they know it. But if Priest isn't ready, then Larry will take it and go. I have great confidence he'll do a heck of a job.''
Holmes, who took a blow to the head last week at San Diego, said he expects to play although he won't be back in time to practice until Friday.
``We're still waiting on the diagnosis of the images from the MRI, but I definitely know that once that's done, we'll have a better of idea of how exactly I can proceed with the rest of the week,'' he said.
``I'm feeling good. It's one of those things where it's not an injury where you can physically see and determine. It's one where you have to go through the different tests and then once that's determined, they're going to do everything to protect me, but make sure I can get out there as quickly as possible.''
Johnson also said he's turned over a new leaf as far as challenging the Chiefs publicly for more playing time.
``I can't force this organization to do anything,'' he said. ``I've tried that before when I was a rookie and I tried that last year. It got me absolutely nowhere. It got me a reputation where I'm the bad seed in the organization. So I'm not even going to try that route. I'm going to play it out and whatever teams open up that want me, a lot of teams out there that don't have good rushers. So whatever opportunities open up for me.''
Vermeil said Johnson's attitude is not a problem.
``I wouldn't want him to be happy with it. I would hope that all our backups are unhappy with not starting,'' he said. ``But he's handled it well.''
Losing Holmes, a goal-line specialist, would hurt an area that's already a concern. The Chiefs have scored touchdowns on only seven of 15 goal-to-go situations in seven games. Last year they were near the top of the league, with 27 touchdowns in 33 opportunities.
``We know now what it's like to be a more normal NFL team,'' Vermeil said. ``We haven't been normal down there (in recent years). We've been extraordinary. You get spoiled.''
Holmes was one of a parade of top players missing work on Wednesday. Also held out were guard Will Shields, offensive tackle Willie Roaf and starting cornerbacks Patrick Surtain and Eric Warfield. Quarterback Trent Green was in St. Louis for services for his father, who died last week.
Surtain, who injured a knee last week against the Chargers, could be the starter most likely to be out this week. Out for sure, Vermeil said, is backup safety Jerome Woods and wide receiver Samie Parker.
