Chiefs Say Goodbye to Larry Johnson

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

On the first day Larry Johnson was eligible to return to the Chiefs, they chose instead to cut him loose.  Instead of the open-arm treatment after another loss, they gave him the pink slip.

Johnson has been shelved for the past two weeks due to a suspension stemming from "conduct detrimental to the team." 

After a few public 'gay slurs' and comments attacking the credibility of the head coach, the Chiefs chose to go in another direction with the running game.

So what does that mean for the Chiefs ground game?  It means more of what we saw in Jacksonville on Sunday, but hopefully with more attempts. 

Jamaal Charles led the Chiefs with 36 yards rushing off six carries.  He was complemented by Kolby Smith with four carries for 17 yards. 

With the Chiefs playing catch-up the majority of the game, they chose only to run 12 times the entire game.  However, we were able to get a glimpse of what these two backs' roles will most likely be for the rest of the season. 

Charles had the majority of the yards, but most of it was gained through draws and plays to the outside.  Smith looks to be the between the tackles runner going forward with the Chiefs.

With the release of Johnson earlier this morning, it seems that the Chiefs are content to go on without Johnson, and to hand the reigns over to the two-back approach.

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