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Mon Nov 09, 2009 8:33 pm EST

Larry Johnson, former fantasy luminary, is looking for work

By Andy Behrens

http://a323.yahoofs.com/ymg/ept_sports_fantasy_experts__21/ept_sports_fantasy_experts-430744338-1257800087.jpg?ymYWhLCDXH57e5l5

If you're relatively new to fantasy football, then Larry Johnson(notes) is an uncomplicated character. LJ's release from the Chiefs is a non-event. All the recent anecdotal evidence suggests that he's a complete tool; all the recent statistical evidence suggests that he could be finished as a productive NFL back. Johnson is not a player who requires serious analysis.

But if you're not new to fantasy football – let's say, hypothetically, that you owned LJ in a highly incentivized dynasty league from 2004 to '06 – then his release still feels like news. The guy scored 51 touchdowns over 38 games before crashing. It was a profitable ride.

The Texans and Redskins are both reportedly kicking Johnson's high-mileage tires, so don't think this is the last LJ headline you'll encounter. Gary Kubiak says "We're going to do our homework" on Johnson. Jim Zorn acknowledged that his team has "had internal discussions."  Other teams are likely to investigate, too – and they're looking at game tape, not personnel files. In the NFL, solid character is almost a distraction.

The immediate fantasy fallout for KC is fairly well known; we've been through the drill before. You can expect Jamaal Charles(notes) and Kolby Smith(notes) to form a low-yield committee in LJ's absence. The Chiefs don't yet have a rushing TD this season, although the Week 10 trip to Oakland may fix that shortcoming. Both Charles and Smith belong on rosters in deeper, competitive leagues. 

But let's not focus on them today. Instead, let's gather in comments to celebrate LJ, a first ballot fantasy Hall of Famer if ever there was one. And still an absolute tool.

---

Photo via AP Images

Related: Fantasy Football

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123 Comments

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  1. sean
    1. Posted by sean Mon Nov 09, 2009 8:46 pm EST

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    tool
  2. rugrat307
    2. Posted by rugrat307 Mon Nov 09, 2009 8:53 pm EST

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    they got ride of not only because he got in trouble but because he wasnt doing anything 4 them
  3. eaglefan1616
    3. Posted by eaglefan1616 Mon Nov 09, 2009 9:00 pm EST

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    he had no blocking in Kansas City...
  4. eric
    4. Posted by eric Mon Nov 09, 2009 9:02 pm EST

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    I sure hope the texans pass his over. That would be so disappointing to see him on my team.
  5. Mark L
    5. Posted by Mark L Mon Nov 09, 2009 9:12 pm EST

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    He had 2 good seasons... that makes him a fantasy hall of famer? I think it makes him more of a fantasy let down. This guy should have had a remarkable career, instead he flamed out and has been useless ever since, and a thorn in the side of anyone who owned him (like I did last season).
  6. Bush
    6. Posted by Bush Mon Nov 09, 2009 9:15 pm EST

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    Why the hell would the Redskins want this guy? It's idiotic. Headline: Disastrous Franchise Seeks Washed Up Moron.
    LJ owners should hope he signs with the Texans; Moats/Slaton owners should shudder at the thought.
  7. J.A.Y
    7. Posted by J.A.Y Mon Nov 09, 2009 9:20 pm EST

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    weeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
  8. cmizzle88
    8. Posted by cmizzle88 Mon Nov 09, 2009 9:22 pm EST

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    What if you're all wrong and L.J. goes all Cedric Benson on your asses. That'd be grand......definitely still a tool though.
  9. Sammy
    9. Posted by Sammy Mon Nov 09, 2009 9:23 pm EST

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    I'm not understanding why the hell the Texans would even want him? They seem to have 2 talented RB's in Slaton/Moats....
  10. playtowin
    10. Posted by playtowin Mon Nov 09, 2009 9:23 pm EST

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    So sick of all you fantasy geeks talking all this trash about football players who will chew you up and spit you out if you dare to talk that trash face to face.
  11. Bush
    11. Posted by Bush Mon Nov 09, 2009 9:29 pm EST

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    I'm not sure Moats is all that talented and Slaton can't hang on to the football. But both might still be better than LJ.
  12. Paula R
    12. Posted by Paula R Mon Nov 09, 2009 9:34 pm EST

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    Every once in a while, a complete tool of a man is blessed with the talent to earn buckets o cash, but then never develops into a worthwhile human being deserving of any respect . . . . I look forward to the continued self directed freefall of one of the NFL's all time greatest tools as he becomes little more than the embarrassment to his family that he already is and an occasional paragraph in the police blotter. As a former female college athlete who never quite understood the elevated staus automatically afforded some athletes . . . it's a pleasure to watch this happening.
  13. Kevin
    13. Posted by Kevin Mon Nov 09, 2009 9:35 pm EST

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    I love seeing someone whose played in 48 fantasy leagues in the last 9 years call someone else a "fantasy geek"
  14. Winter
    14. Posted by Winter Mon Nov 09, 2009 9:36 pm EST

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    Good luck finding a job, you discriminatory piece of crap LJ.
  15. Lee Majors
    15. Posted by Lee Majors Mon Nov 09, 2009 9:40 pm EST

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    You crack me up, Playtowin. LJ could not handle my judo.
  16. Anrkist
    16. Posted by Anrkist Mon Nov 09, 2009 9:48 pm EST

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    We've moved on to LT now.
  17. moe a
    17. Posted by moe a Mon Nov 09, 2009 9:49 pm EST

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    HATERSSSSSSSSSS LJ is one of the best running backs ever, and hes gunna prove it whereever he goes
  18. neyeckay
    18. Posted by neyeckay Mon Nov 09, 2009 9:50 pm EST

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    Oh now Charles is low yield? Last week he was, um, top 15? Interesting...
  19. Hitman
    19. Posted by Hitman Mon Nov 09, 2009 9:57 pm EST

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    He is now an official member of the elite club consisting of worthless so-called professional athletes. He fits in perfectly with; Pac Man Jones, Isiah Thomas, Allen Iverson, Plaxico Burress, and Michael Vick.
  20. Crono
    20. Posted by Crono Mon Nov 09, 2009 9:58 pm EST

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    Are they going to give Charles more carries over time, or is this week's workload what we can expect from him down the fantasy stretch?
  21. Lee Majors
    21. Posted by Lee Majors Mon Nov 09, 2009 9:59 pm EST

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    No, I really liked Charles vs. JAC. And it might have worked if they gave him the ball.
    Just meant that the team's running game, over the full year, seems low-yield...what with the zero touchdowns.
  22. What sHisName
    22. Posted by What'sHisName Mon Nov 09, 2009 10:01 pm EST

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    judo tool
  23. Rob
    23. Posted by Rob Mon Nov 09, 2009 10:03 pm EST

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    Playtowin's Fantasy list. And he says you're all geeks.
    Baseball 2009 3 of 12 Greenies Yahoo Winner 128628 No No
    Baseball 2009 1 of 12 The Bada Bing! Yahoo Public 124506 No No
    Football 2009 7 of 8 * Bada bing bada boom! Legends # 2 No Yes
    Football 2009 1 of 12 * Bada Bing! Fantasy Gladiators No Yes
    Football 2009 2 of 10 * The Bada Bing! Legends # 1 No Yes
    Baseball 2008 1 of 12 Yankee Stadium Yahoo Public 232116 No No
    Baseball 2008 3 of 12 Yankee Stadium Yahoo Public 12469 No No
    Football 2008 5 of 10 The Bada Bing! Fantasy Gladiators No Yes
    Baseball 2007 2 of 12 The Bronx is Burning Yahoo Public 201740 No No
    Baseball PLUS 2007 3 of 12 Bada Bing! Yahoo Public 5917 No No
    Football 2007 1 of 12 Wrong Doin' 2007 The Return of Spartacus! No Yes
    Football 2007 2 of 16 Bada Bing! The NFeLL No Yes
    Baseball 2006 6 of 12 YOUNG GUNS...... Yahoo Public 8070 No No
    Football 2006 4 of 10 The Bada Bing! Yahoo Public 8342 No No
    Football 2006 1 of 12 The Bada Bing! Spartan Tour - Pasadena '07 No Yes
    Baseball 2005 2 of 12 YANKEE BASEBALL Yahoo Public 167267 No No
    Baseball 2005 1 of 12 Yankee Baseball! Baseball Junkies Yes Yes
    Football 2005 10 of 12 Bah Humbug!!!!! Superbowl Shuffle No Yes
    Football 2005 2 of 10 The Bada Bing! Yahoo Public 364042 No No
    Baseball 2004 2 of 12 The Bada Bing....... RSDC HARDBALL No Yes
    Baseball 2004 4 of 12 The Bada Bing....... Yahoo Winner 24890 No No
    Baseball PLUS 2004 5 of 14 The Bada Bing....... FRM Fantasy Baseball club Yes Yes
    Baseball PLUS 2004 1 of 10 Newark Bears First Res Take 2 No Yes
    Football 2004 1 of 14 The Bada Bing! FRM Fantasy Football Club Yes Yes
    Football 2004 7 of 10 The Bada Bing! Yahoo Public 53478 No No
    Football 2004 7 of 12 The Bada Bing! Fifth Third [profane]ers No Yes
    Pro Football Pick'em 2004 3 of 11 The Bada Bing! AMEN FOOTBALL No Yes
    Tournament Pick'em 2004 7% The Queenbee Overall No No
    Baseball 2003 3 of 7 The Bada Boom..... FRL Yes Yes
    Baseball 2003 1 of 14 The Bada Bing...... FRM Yes Yes
    Baseball 2003 1 of 12 BIG BAD YANKEES.... Yahoo Public 86174 No No
    Baseball 2003 3 of 12 The Bada Bing....... Yahoo Public 82395 No No
    Basketball 2003 4 of 11 Crunch time FRM Hoopsters No Yes
    Football 2003 3 of 14 The Bada Bing...... FRMN FOOTBALL CLUB Yes Yes
    Football 2003 2 of 10 The Bada Bing..... Yahoo Public 483295 No No
    Pro Football Pick'em 2003 11 of 19 Mathematically OUT..... football 03 No Yes
    Survival Football 2003 dead The Bada Bing FRM SURVIVAL FOOTBALL Yes Yes
    Basketball 2002 9 of 10 The Bada Bing...... FRM No Yes
    Football 2002 6 of 15 The Bada Bing FRL Yes Yes
    Pro Football Pick'em 2002 1 of 18 Lanceromance 2002 Fantasy Football Pick'em No Yes
    Pro Football Pick'em 2002 1 of 17 The Bada Bing.... 1st Residential No Yes
    Baseball 2001 4 of 12 Southpaw Yahoo Public 22406 No No
    Baseball 2001 5 of 12 Southpaw Yahoo Public 168953 No No
    Baseball 2001 3 of 12 Southpaw Yahoo Public 50760 No No
    Baseball 2001 12 of 12 Southpaw Yahoo Public 178822 No No
    Football 2001 3 of 10 GODOFTHUNDER Yahoo Public 126007 No No
    Football 2001 5 of 10 The Lancers Yahoo Public 141567 No No
    Football 2001 8 of 10 The Bada Bing Yahoo Public 122245 No No

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