Shutdown Corner - NFL

Shutdown Corner

Mon Nov 16, 2009 2:50 pm EST

The Bengals, for some reason, are about to sign Larry Johnson

By MJD

Today is that rare day in Bengals history where everyone in the organization can hold their heads up proudly and command the respect of the professional football world. The Bengals are competent. They are powerful. They are successful.

And it's as if they didn't want that feeling to last longer than 24 hours. Multiple reports indicate that the Bengals are about to sign running back Larry Johnson, who was recently released by the Kansas City Chiefs after publicly criticizing his head coach and repeatedly using a homosexual slur. He's also got a spotty history with the law.

In short, he's exactly the kind of guy who would have fit in perfectly with the Bengals in their recent "We will hire anyone who can get arrested and fail to win football games" phase.

You'd think that now that the ship is sailing smoothly, they wouldn't want to mess with it, especially for a guy expected to be a situational player. The locker room seems united and harmonious. Much of the criminal element is gone, and what remains seems to have fallen in line. Why bring in a potential distraction now? Why bother with a guy who has recent and serious transgressions?

Cedric Benson(notes) was injured yesterday, but Marvin Lewis says the injury isn't serious and that Benson was likely to play against the Raiders this week. Even if he wasn't, Bernard Scott(notes) and Brian Leonard(notes) are capable fill-ins.

And even if you don't like them, you can't find someone other than Larry Johnson(notes)? He was averaging 2.7 yards per carry before the Chiefs -- the Chiefs, as in, the Chiefs who are way worse than the Bengals -- cut him because they didn't want to look at his face anymore.

If you need to bring in an outsider, Bengals, dip in to the UFL and bring DeDe Dorsey back to the squad. He knows the system, you know exactly what he's going to bring to the table and he's in game shape.

While I don't think it's a smart move for the Bengals, it works out beautifully for Larry Johnson. He gets to go from the Chiefs, who had virtually no chance of making the playoffs, to the Bengals, who look like one of the better teams in the league. A break like that should go to someone a little more deserving.

Popular stories across Yahoo! Sports:
• NFL owner fined $250,000 for obscene gesture
• Tiger Woods' club-tossing antics are out of control
• Video: Harvard guard hits unbelievable game-winner

digg delicious
more

419 Comments

Post a Comment
  1. Brendan
    1. Posted by Brendan Mon Nov 16, 2009 3:02 pm EST

    Report Abuse

    Completely disagree with you here. Yes, we're looking at LJ with 2.7 yards per carry with the Chiefs. But take a look at his line. He definitely wasn't getting much support. The Bengals offense is explosive this year and their line has provided more than enough protection not only for Benson but also for Palmer.
    Not only that, yeah, he may have a bit of a criminal attitude. The Bengals have been slow to mature, but I figure this is a good personal move for them because it allows the team to look at LJ as someone who's where they once were. This will be good for him because it will provide him, possibly, with some tools to mature in the locker room - and good for the Bengals because it will foster team unity.
    Benson is a workhorse, but let's be honest - he's on his way to some record number carries this year, and being utilized more than he ever has been. The Bengals are slightly weak at the tailback position. This move will perhaps knock his fantasy numbers down, but ultimately will help the Bengals to the postseason because it provides more depth than previously had.
    Lastly, they're signing him for the league pro-rated minimum. If it works, great. If not, they cut him with no repercussions. Either way, this looks like a win-win for everyone involved.
  2. Peter D
    2. Posted by Peter D Mon Nov 16, 2009 3:03 pm EST

    Report Abuse

    what if Larry gets back to '06 form? him an Benson could possibly form one of the best 1-2 punches in the league, and thats running back 1-2 punches, not waitresses
  3. Mike
    3. Posted by Mike Mon Nov 16, 2009 3:06 pm EST

    Report Abuse

    Its a win win for both sides. We can get him for nothing and he is in a sense running for his life which makes him very dangerous. Ced has had a bunch of carries and we need him fresh for a run in the playoffs.
  4. AngeloM
    4. Posted by AngeloM Mon Nov 16, 2009 3:07 pm EST

    Report Abuse

    Who is the dunce who wrote this entry? Genius, Randy Moss went from the Raiders, who didn't want to see his face, to the Patriots, where he is one of their best players. Johnson is a capable back. The 2.7 yards per carry behind the worst offensive line in Chiefs history and maybe one of the worst in NFL history is nothing to be proud of----but on a competent offense, he can still gain a lot of yardage. I don't know enough about the Bengals to know whether this will be a good fit or not----but frankly, they are getting a guy only a couple years removed from back to back 1700 yard seasons. Could be a big bargain.
  5. chubby
    5. Posted by chubby Mon Nov 16, 2009 3:07 pm EST

    Report Abuse

    This has Mike Brown written all over it.
  6. younzer
    6. Posted by younzer Mon Nov 16, 2009 3:19 pm EST

    Report Abuse

    : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) The knowing smiles of Steeler Nation...
  7. grs29
    7. Posted by grs29 Mon Nov 16, 2009 3:27 pm EST

    Report Abuse

    If he comes in and causes a distraction then its not a win-win for everyone. I agree that with the right team he might be able to right the last few years of his career. But with this team who seems to have finally gelled, so to speak, I don't think it's a good idea. I just think about the fact that Benson was a bit of a problem with the Bears in a shared carries offense. He like being "the man". So, say Benson misses Sunday with the hip injury and LJ plays and has a good game (not out of the question with that o-line) then he starts wanting more carries, because he's done it before. Now you have friction. It's a stretch but always possible.
  8. Hitman
    8. Posted by Hitman Mon Nov 16, 2009 3:31 pm EST

    Report Abuse

    Recycling thugs. Says a lot about the NFL - National Felon League.
  9. Daniel K
    9. Posted by Daniel K Mon Nov 16, 2009 3:37 pm EST

    Report Abuse

    #4 Yeah seriously, Randy Moss wasn't wanted, Cedric Benson wasn't wanted. Everyone said Junior Seau couldn't play anymore. You get those guys on good teams and they come alive. Win Win for WHOEVER signs him.
  10. Oliver Klosov
    10. Posted by Oliver Klosov Mon Nov 16, 2009 3:37 pm EST

    Report Abuse

    They looked around... realizing that they are leading the division and had nobody in jail, managment will now bring in a thug, ruin the chemistry, allowing Pittsburgh to continue its push to the playoffs and another SB victory...
    just a thought!
  11. Lee G
    11. Posted by Lee G Mon Nov 16, 2009 3:38 pm EST

    Report Abuse

    Good luck Bengals. You can kid yourself and say Larry Johnson's woes were all about the KC offensive line, but Jamaal Charles just put up 5.7 yards per carry this Sunday. LJ is a straight-ahead runner who has lost a step and can't make plays without the seas being parted for him. Plus he's never been a blocker, so you have to take him out for pass blocking or Carson will be on his tush.
  12. JamesW
    12. Posted by JamesW Mon Nov 16, 2009 3:41 pm EST

    Report Abuse

    If he's smart, LJ will fit in just like Marbury fit in with the Celtics last year until the season was over. Benson needs to be fresh for playoff football in January, and so this allows LJ 4-5 weeks to get to know the offense, and if he is used primarily as a running back, and not a blocking back, then I wouldn't want to play them come playoff time with a rested Benson and a fresh LJ alternating throughout the whole game.
  13. schmal81
    13. Posted by schmal81 Mon Nov 16, 2009 3:41 pm EST

    Report Abuse

    MJD, I wonder if sometimes you get disconnected from reality.... "In short, he's exactly the kind of guy who would have fit in perfectly with the Bengals in their recent "We will hire anyone who can get arrested and fail to win football games" phase." .....get the hell out of here. That's pathetic.
  14. pianow
    14. Posted by pianow Mon Nov 16, 2009 3:47 pm EST

    Report Abuse

    What, Bam Morris wasn't available? Hmm.
  15. carson palmer
    15. Posted by carson palmer Mon Nov 16, 2009 3:47 pm EST

    Report Abuse

    Lee G - KC just played the Raiders. They're not so good these days. Charles had 5.7yds/carry against a high school team. Great, LJ is a straight up runner, so is Benson and look at his numbers. Why are his numbers so good? Because the Cincy O line has been making some large holes for him. They can do the same for LJ. Win-win. LJ is on a mission to prove any remaining value he has left. Benson and him switch off carries, wear defenses down, win games. Benson is a changed man. Yes, there was a time when he wanted to be "the man" on the team. Now, he realizes, admitingly, that it's about the team and not an individual. He just wants to win and if LJ can help with the mission, so be it.
  16. Lee G
    16. Posted by Lee G Mon Nov 16, 2009 3:49 pm EST

    Report Abuse

    schmal- is that statement really "disconnected from reality"? The Bengals have had arrests numbering in the teens over the last 3 years or so and are coming off of 7-9 and 4-11 seasons.
  17. Lee G
    17. Posted by Lee G Mon Nov 16, 2009 3:50 pm EST

    Report Abuse

    Like I said, good luck to you Carson. Maybe it will turn out the best for everyone. Most in KC have their doubts.
  18. ken
    18. Posted by ken Mon Nov 16, 2009 3:51 pm EST

    Report Abuse

    LOL @ #9's comment, "National Felon League"!!!
  19. carson palmer
    19. Posted by carson palmer Mon Nov 16, 2009 4:05 pm EST

    Report Abuse

    Lee - check your math. While no doubt Cincy has had a terrible run with players and the Law, those issues are well behind them. Sure, MJD is a hack and probably puts out 2-3 stories a year, but he is true to form in the above. Cincy has been clean as a whistle with regards to player arrests. Look around the league, currently and the last cpl of years, and you wont see Cincy anywhere near the names.
  20. carson palmer
    20. Posted by carson palmer Mon Nov 16, 2009 4:06 pm EST

    Report Abuse

    Also, why should anyone in Cincy, or any other football market, care the slightest bit if some KC staff have their doubts about LJ or any other Chief player? The Chiefs are HORRIBLE this year on the field and in the front office.
  21. ericfmcclung
    21. Posted by ericfmcclung Mon Nov 16, 2009 4:12 pm EST

    Report Abuse

    It's a win-win for a Bengals. They are signing LJ to a prorated amount of the league minimum. If he's a jerk, he sucks or Benson is good to go they simply cut LJ and move on. If LJ can still play they are getting a good player on the cheap. What's the problem?
  22. THU
    22. Posted by THU Mon Nov 16, 2009 4:21 pm EST

    Report Abuse

    larry is so slow now..by the time he gets the handoff..and shuffles his feet, its over..
  23. pezhead
    23. Posted by pezhead Mon Nov 16, 2009 4:21 pm EST

    Report Abuse

    Really do not care if he was getting 15 yards a carry glad to see him go. Let him spit in some of your fans faces. we here in Kansas City might have a team that is not winning, but we will stand behind good men. He is not one. Happy to see him go. Hope you have better luck with him. But remember....if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck it is a duck. Tony G we miss your class, and wish you the best.
  24. davynavy1045
    24. Posted by davynavy1045 Mon Nov 16, 2009 4:24 pm EST

    Report Abuse

    Backs from run oriented schools dont make it in the nfl.curtis enis,ron dayne.etc......

Shutdown Corner

Add to My Yahoo! RSS

MJD

Shutdown Corner is an NFL blog edited by Matthew J. Darnell. Email him, and follow him on Twitter.

Contributors:
Chris Chase, Doug Farrar, Kevin Sullivan, Mark Pesavento, Shane Bacon, Kerry Rhodes, Jay Busbee, Brett Michael Dykes,

Teams

Customize to follow news and rumors on your favorite teams. [ Sign in ]

Related Photo Gallery

More NFL Photos »

Y! Sports Blogs

Shutdown Corner Recent Readers

(provided by MyBlogLog)