When Herschel Walker was asked if he got tired carrying the ball 30 times a game, he said, "The ball ain't that heavy." When Larry Johnson was asked a similar question, he responded, "I don't get hit. I give hits."
Two great runners, two great competitors.
Some Chiefs fans are hoping that's not where the similarities end.
The Vikings were loaded at the time—and according to many experts only a star running back like Herschel Walker away from the Super Bowl. Unfortunately for Minnesota, the Vikes went on to lose in the first round of the playoffs to the vaunted San Francisco 49ers...while the Cowboys would turn their new draft picks—used on the likes of Emmitt Smith, Russell Maryland, and Darren Woodson—into the beginning of a dynasty.
So what does all that have to do with Larry Johnson and the Kansas City Chiefs?
First of all, no, Chiefs GM Carl Peterson isn't about to field any five-player, eight-draft-pick offers for Johnson. A deal like that, which still remains the largest player trade in NFL history, is a once-in-a-lifetime coup.
However, if the Chiefs can cajole even a quarter of that compensation (likely suitors would include Green Bay, Buffalo, Cleveland, and both New York teams), they've got to entertain the notion of a trade.
What would a quarter of that compensation look like? It could come in the form of first- and third-round picks. It's hard to say whether that would be enough—trading for draft choices always amounts to something of a gamble. But as laden with gems as this draft class appears to be, there's no time like the present for such a gutsy move.
Then again, things in Kansas City aren't nearly as desperate as they were for the Cowboys in the late 80s. This isn't a call for management to openly shop Johnson—it's merely a reminder that every player is for sale...and that there may be some team out there waiting to make the next big mistake to launch the next big dynasty.
The Chiefs have already moved return specialist Dante Hall to the Rams in exchange for a fifth-round pick. Trent Green should be headed to Miami by tomorrow, which will net Peterson two additional selections. If a deal for Johnson gets done by Saturday, the Chiefs could be looking at as many as eleven picks in the draft—including six on the first day.
It's no Herschel Walker deal, but it's one that even Jerry Jones would have to admire.
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about 1 year ago
i make 2 offers ...
1- swap 1sts this year
buffalo's 2nd rnder this year
next years 1st
or send them #11 this year and next years 2nd
about 1 year ago
I've heard this rumor swirling around for a couple days now. Are there any details out there (who's interested, what they'd offer, etc)?
about 1 year ago
Green Bay, Buffalo, Cleveland, NY Giants, NY Jets. I'll tell you one of these teams has reportedly put an offer on the table.
about 1 year ago
Buffalo and Green Bay are the two teams that most desperately need a running back. I'm still not sure hoow either would have enough to get a deal done (Green Bay is rebuilding and has a lot of needs , why would Buffalo trade McGahee only to turn around and sell the farm for Johnson?)
I think that Thomas Jones is serviceable in NY for at least two years. The Giants might need a long-term solution at running back, but they'll probably give the Droughns / Jacobs combo a real shot. And remember, they were just burned by the Manning trade a few years ago - no way they'll pull something like that again...you would think.
Cleveland is another team with a lot of needs, but doesn't seem to be in love with anyone particular at the top of the draft. I could see them expressing interest in Johnson, but I doubt they'd give up any more than two first rounders (this year and next year).
about 1 year ago
I took the blog temp on this one...seems that the Packer fans are pretty into the LJ idea.
about 1 year ago
The Chiefs just reported that there's no truth to these rumors. Aka, they really wish they hadn't been leaked.
about 1 year ago
Why trade a superstar for the off chance that one of those draft picks turns out to be an LJ-calibur stud. Sure, you could get greedy and say 'two good players are better than one', but who's to say that a single one of those picks will materialize?
There's an old saying I heard for the first time in a while: "The team that gets the best player wins the trade." I don't care who the suitor is... LJ is the best player in the trade. And you know what? There was a LOT more to those Cowboys wins than "The Trade".
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