Larry Johnson is a Bengal

[ValleyBengal]

Just for that Polamalu hair pull he gets my vote.

I think LJ's woes in KC have more to do with a shitty O-line than his talents. He always was a gamer, just not very smart off the field. Look at Matt Cassel there this year. After his great year in NE, he's stinking it up this year. And I don't think it's because his skills have regressed...

[|Bengal Migration|]

[quote name='TeeBengal' date='17 November 2009 - 06:40 PM' timestamp='1258450856' post='829257']
You know I was OK with the LJ signing but after thinking abot it for a while I remembered it was LJ who pulled Trop Polomulu(sp?) hair on an interception.

HELL YES SIGN HIM UP!!!!

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVO93amUv7Y[/media]
[/quote]

[SchmittFaced]

Not a fan of LJ but if they keep winning then it's ok with me.

[Bengals1181]

[quote name='BengalBacker' date='16 November 2009 - 11:49 PM' timestamp='1258429771' post='829161']



Two team leaders on Monday endorsed the move with right guard Bobbie Williams and left tackle Andrew Whitworth saying Johnson is an exciting player that can help them if injuries arise in what is now a playoff stretch and that the revamped locker-room chemistry is strong enough to absorb new personalities at this late date.


"We're loading up," Williams said.


"I think it's a move that solidifies us," said Whitworth, who has helped Benson to the NFL's sixth-best rushing total. "The way (Johnson) runs fits us and I think this locker room is so strong and our leaders so good that this isn't going to be an issue. This team has a way of going about things now. We're a family and he'll realize that when he sees it that there is a way we like to do it."


"I think with Marvin on this. An insurance policy. Everyone knows Ced is our guy," Williams said. "I just think (Johnson) felt he needed a change of scenery from Kansas City. If he's willing to play hard and contribute to the game, I'm really excited to have him. I don't see him in that light by the media. We have guys who were supposed to be like that, but we don't have problems. This seems to be a team where guys come to get their career back and have a renewal."

Whitworth agrees that the three backs already here aren't going to be affected. "They don't have to worry. They're all good players," he said. "This gives us depth."


[/quote]



That seals it for me. If two team leaders are signing off on it, I'm not worried about him affecting the locker room. I have to imagine that Marvin sought their input before they decided to sign him, and I'd be surprised if LJ didn't have a sit down with some of the team leaders as well so they could feel him out.

[Hooky]

[quote name='Bengals1181' date='17 November 2009 - 08:56 AM' timestamp='1258462598' post='829270']
That seals it for me. If two team leaders are signing off on it, I'm not worried about him affecting the locker room. I have to imagine that Marvin sought their input before they decided to sign him, and I'd be surprised if LJ didn't have a sit down with some of the team leaders as well so they could feel him out.
[/quote]

So what's the status? Is he signed? Still waiting? Pending physical?

Here's my take on the common concerns:

Ability to contribute - Definitely, I think it goes without saying. Ditto on KC's crappy OL, offense in general, over-rated QB.

Locker room - The locker room has become too strong for one man to destroy. He's in no position to talk shit, make demands. He's on thin ice. He knows better to start shit with a coach or player because nobody will have his back and he's out of here. No big loss, they were doing great without him.

Media shitstorm - Who cares? They're always going to hate on the Bengals, aren't you used to it? Any other team could've picked him up and got a pass from the media for the most part.

Personal opinion - I've never liked him, but if he contributes, fantastic. I didn't want the Bengals to get him and don't think they need him, but I was worried when there was talk that he wanted to be a stealer. I think he could do some damage there. If he's cheap, I don't think it would be a bad pick-up to keep him off of another team that might play the Bengals in the play-offs. I'm really surprised that the Pats didn't grab him.

[Bengals1181]

[quote name='Hooky' date='17 November 2009 - 10:28 AM' timestamp='1258468112' post='829318']
So what's the status? Is he signed? Still waiting? Pending physical?

[/quote]


multiple sources have confirmed the signing (for the prorated league minimum), but not the Bengals (which is typical). He worked out for the team yesterday, so I'm guess he did his physical then. I'd imagine there will be a press conference in the next 3 hours to announce the signing.

[oldschooler]

[size="5"][b]LJ will officially join Bengals on Tuesday morning, agent says[/b]
[/size]

Larry Johnson has his second chance. The troubled former Chiefs running back will sign Tuesday morning with the Cincinnati Bengals, Johnson's agent told The Star late Monday night.

Peter Schaffer wrote in an e-mail that Johnson's deal would be finalized early Tuesday, a day after Johnson reportedly was in Cincinnati to meet with Bengals coaches. Reports surfaced Monday that Johnson, who was released last week by the Chiefs after 6 ½ seasons, was being courted by the Bengals after running back Cedric Benson suffered a hip injury in Sunday's win against Pittsburgh.

Bengals coach Marvin Lewis told local reporters Monday that, if his team signed Johnson, the 29-year-old rusher would be "insurance" to Cincinnati's ailing running backs corps. Johnson will at least start his time with the Bengals as their fourth-string running back.

Johnson was released Nov. 9, the day he was eligible to return from a two-week suspension for detrimental conduct. He averaged 2.7 yards per carry and did not have a touchdown in seven contests with the Chiefs.





[url="http://chiefsblog.kansascity.com/?q=node/1103"]http://chiefsblog.kansascity.com/?q=node/1103[/url]

[oldschooler]

[b][size="3"]LJ reaction[/size]
[/b]Wow...what a difference a week makes. Last Thursday night I made the case for bringing in Larry Johnson.
I was mocked. I might have been called names.
89% of those voting in the poll question said NO to LJ.
Not even a week later the poll is running 76% YES to LJ. What changed?
As I said Thursday night........even before Ced was hurt.....why not?
LJ fills a position of need
Cedric already had 198 carries....and was on pace for 396, the 7th most carries in NFL history.
Benson's career high is 214....meaning he's about to hit uncharted territory for his NFL career.
Most teams rely on at least two backs to carry the load
It's going to get cold and snowy and tough down the stretch
LJ could give you 10-15 carries a game to spell Cedric
Nobody was going to feel comfortable handing things to a rookie down the stretch, in cold weather (Bernard Scott)
No way you can count on Scott to carry 25 times
This team has been built on second chance guys/castoffs
LJ would be moving from a losing situation to a winning situation
He averaged 4.5 yards per carry last year
If he wants to keep his career alive, he will play with his head on straight here.
Use the final half of the season for LJ to rebuild/polish his resume and to help the Bengals
This is a strong locker room with good leaders. As Marvin said, he has problem fixers....guys that have taken ownership of the locker room. Let them keep LJ in line. He does it their way or hits the highway
What's the downside? There isn't one.
I can't figure out why everyone thought this was such a bad idea.
What do they have to lose?





[url="http://www.1530homer.com/pages/lancesBlog.html"]http://www.1530homer.com/pages/lancesBlog.html[/url]

[oldschooler]

This AP article says he has already signed.


Monday night Johnson signed a deal to join the team for the remainder of this season.


[url="http://www.local12.com/news/local/story/Bengals-Sign-Larry-Johnson/cqYwyvtGG0WQrrIGc4p_Xw.cspx"]http://www.local12.com/news/local/story/Bengals-Sign-Larry-Johnson/cqYwyvtGG0WQrrIGc4p_Xw.cspx[/url]



I guess the team just hasn't officially announced it.

[Hooky]

[quote name='oldschooler' date='17 November 2009 - 10:38 AM' timestamp='1258468690' post='829324']
[b][size="3"]LJ reaction[/size]
[/b]Wow...what a difference a week makes. Last Thursday night I made the case for bringing in Larry Johnson.
I was mocked. I might have been called names.
89% of those voting in the poll question said NO to LJ.
Not even a week later the poll is running 76% YES to LJ. What changed?
As I said Thursday night........even before Ced was hurt.....why not?
LJ fills a position of need
Cedric already had 198 carries....and was on pace for 396, the 7th most carries in NFL history.
Benson's career high is 214....meaning he's about to hit uncharted territory for his NFL career.
Most teams rely on at least two backs to carry the load
It's going to get cold and snowy and tough down the stretch
LJ could give you 10-15 carries a game to spell Cedric
Nobody was going to feel comfortable handing things to a rookie down the stretch, in cold weather (Bernard Scott)
No way you can count on Scott to carry 25 times
This team has been built on second chance guys/castoffs
LJ would be moving from a losing situation to a winning situation
He averaged 4.5 yards per carry last year
If he wants to keep his career alive, he will play with his head on straight here.
Use the final half of the season for LJ to rebuild/polish his resume and to help the Bengals
This is a strong locker room with good leaders. As Marvin said, he has problem fixers....guys that have taken ownership of the locker room. Let them keep LJ in line. He does it their way or hits the highway
What's the downside? There isn't one.
I can't figure out why everyone thought this was such a bad idea.
What do they have to lose?





[url="http://www.1530homer.com/pages/lancesBlog.html"]http://www.1530homer.com/pages/lancesBlog.html[/url]
[/quote]

I think most people thought that the Bengals didn't need him and didn't think that he would be cheap enough to have as a utility back.

And people seem to be really concerned with the inevitable media shitstorm. And the silly idea that he would destroy the chemistry of the locker room single-handedly. Basically they had the same reaction as they did with Cedric Benson last season before he signed.

I'm kind of para-phrasing my last post here, but I think those are the reasons and I think very few people think that he's washed up and can't contribute on the field.

[oldschooler]

[b][size="5"]What will Bengals gain with LJ?
[/size][size="3"]Johnson visits with first-place Cincinnati today.[/size][/b]
[url="/matt-bowen.html"]Matt Bowen[/url]

November 16, 2009, 04:20 PM EST

According to reports, former Chiefs running back [url="http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Report-LJ-expected-to-sign-with-Bengals.html"]Larry Johnson is heading to Cincy today[/url] and is expected to sign a contract for the rest of the 2009 season—and we shouldn’t be surprised.

From my point of view, this is a direct move based off of the injury suffered by feature back Cedric Benson yesterday in the Bengals’ 18-12 win over Pittsburgh. This offense has been able to move the ball and produce points throughout the course of the season due in large part to their ability to run the football and control the clock on offense. And in the AFC North, this is the exact brand of football that wins.

But, what does this move mean for L.J.—a player who was looking for work after being booted out of Kansas City for being, well, as unprofessional as they come?

Johnson needed a team, and at this point of the season, running backs are signed for one reason—and that is to provide depth due to injuries. He isn’t going to walk into Cincy and suddenly start piling up carries, because a 7-2 team that has just swept the Steelers isn’t looking for a feature back. They have that in Benson, and he will resume his role whenever his injury allows him to. L.J. is merely insurance.

Sure, he could see some game action along with rookie Bernard Scott—who filled in for Benson yesterday—but I can’t see him playing that big of a role for the Bengals.

However, that isn’t the hope for Johnson. He needed a job—an active job—in the league, and Cincy does provide that. The hope for L.J. and his camp is that he can get enough on film to persuade customers come this offseason. He needs to show the league that the 2.7 yards per carry average that he had in Kansas City was more a byproduct of Todd Haley’s offense and the lack of talent around him than it was his dwindling talents as a running back in the NFL.

Yes, L.J. could prove me wrong by going out and producing for the Bengals behind a better offensive line, better receivers and a nasty defense under Mike Zimmer that is providing field position and scoring opportunities for Carson Palmer and the Bengals. But I still don’t see it.

Regardless of my opinion and yours, this is still an opportunity for Johnson to mix in well with a locker room and a head coach, because despite the talents we may or may not think that L.J. still has, he has a duffel bag full of red flags that will be going with him to Cincy—and those can cause issues.

But, beyond any of that, Johnson is just another free agent off the street brought in during a season to fill in for an injured star.






[url="http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/What-will-Bengals-gain-with-LJ.html"]http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/What-will-Bengals-gain-with-LJ.html[/url]

[Hooky]

[quote name='oldschooler' date='17 November 2009 - 10:46 AM' timestamp='1258469214' post='829327']
This AP article says he has already signed.


Monday night Johnson signed a deal to join the team for the remainder of this season.


[url="http://www.local12.com/news/local/story/Bengals-Sign-Larry-Johnson/cqYwyvtGG0WQrrIGc4p_Xw.cspx"]http://www.local12.com/news/local/story/Bengals-Sign-Larry-Johnson/cqYwyvtGG0WQrrIGc4p_Xw.cspx[/url]



I guess the team just hasn't officially announced it.
[/quote]

That's why I was asking about the status. I was half asleep, but I thought that Channel 12 was reporting it last night like it was done.

[oldschooler]

[b][size="5"]Johnson worth the risk for Bengals [/size][/b]


Posted Nov. 16, 2009 @ 3:16 p.m.
By Mike Wilkening


Ex-Chiefs RB Larry Johnson expects to sign with the Bengals, ESPN.com reported Monday, citing a source close to the negotiations. Cincinnati's starting tailback, Cedric Benson, suffered a hip flexor injury in Sunday's 18-12 win at Pittsburgh. According to ESPN.com, the contract is expected to be for the prorated league veteran minimum.

The Chiefs released Johnson last week after suspending him for a pair of incidents in which he reportedly used anti-gay slurs.

Johnson, who turns 30 on Thursday, started seven games for the Chiefs this season, rushing for only 377 yards on 132 carries (2.9 ypc). He has rushed for 6,015 yards in seven NFL seasons.

Benson reportedly said Monday that he intends to play in Cincinnati's next game Nov. 22 at Oakland, but he sat out the second half of the victory against the Steelers. Rookie Bernard Scott and veteran Brian Leonard saw an increase in work with Benson out of the lineup.

According to the Bengals' official Twitter account, head coach Marvin Lewis indicated Monday that Benson could play against the Raiders, but the club would exercise caution. Also, per the Bengals' Twitter account, Lewis said that if Johnson were to sign this week, he would be inactive vs. Oakland and would be the club's fourth back.

[b]The PFW spin[/b]

Johnson would be a fine fit with the Bengals for a variety of reasons, and the reported mutual interest between both parties is understandable. In many ways, the Bengals need Johnson, and Johnson needs the Bengals.

Here's why the deal makes sense:

• It might allow the Bengals to eventually decrease Benson's workload and give them an accomplished, capable replacement for Benson if the hip flexor injury lingers. Through the first eight games of the season, Benson was on pace for nearly 400 carries, and he had appeared on the injury report with ankle, knee and hip ailments before being forced to the sideline with the hip-flexor injury Sunday.

• Johnson could benefit from less work. He hasn't been the same since logging 752 carries in the 2005-06 seasons. He carried 416 times in the '06 regular season alone.

• Johnson would have the luxury of working with a far better supporting cast than he has had in several years. The Bengals' offense is superior in about every way to the Chiefs' attack. Johnson would be running behind a much better line, and he wouldn't be facing defenses geared up to stop the run; teams facing the Bengals, of course, better be concerned about QB Carson Palmer and a talented group of receivers, too.

• The Bengals have had success giving players second chances before, with Benson the most obvious example of Cincinnati gambling on a talented player and winning. Players who sign with the Bengals have to know they are going to get a fair shot from Lewis, the coaching staff and owner Mike Brown.

• If signed, Johnson would be worked into the mix slowly. No unreasonable expectations would be placed upon him. What's more, Lewis isn't going to upset the status quo, considering how well the team has played without Johnson. Per the Bengals' Twitter feed, Lewis has told Benson he remains the lead back, a nod to both Benson's outstanding production and team chemistry. Benson has earned that role and deserves to keep it if healthy.

• RB coach Jim Anderson, one of the most respected assistants in the game, should be able to garner Johnson's respect. Anderson had a major hand in the Benson signing and has worked with every star Bengals back dating back to James Brooks. Johnson, the son of a coach, needs to understand how much Anderson can help him.

• Johnson has every reason to be motivated. He would be joining a winning team that's a legitimate contender. What's more, a successful short stint in Cincinnati might allow him to earn one more lucrative, multi-year contract next offseason.






[url="http://www.profootballweekly.com/2009/11/16/johnson-worth-the-risk-for-bengals"]http://www.profootballweekly.com/2009/11/16/johnson-worth-the-risk-for-bengals[/url]

[oldschooler]

[b][url="http://cincinnati.com/blogs/bengals/2009/11/17/thoughts-on-lj/"][size="5"]Thoughts on LJ[/size][/url][size="5"] [/size][/b]
Posted by [email="jreedy@enquirer.com"]jreedy[/email] November 17th, 2009, 10:15 am



It's now not a matter of if the Bengals are going to sign Larry Johnson, but when. And since the debates have been in full swing about whether or not this is a good move or a bad one. So, here's one more opinion to weigh in.


[b]It's a good move if …[/b]
[list][*]Cedric Benson's hip flexor injury turns out to be worse than the original diagnosis. Benson's injury has the potential to turn into the Carson Palmer elbow watch of last year but at this point we don't know how bad it is. Even this season, Roy Williams tried to come back twice from a nagging injury (in his case the forearm) and suffered setbacks twice before finally going on IR.[*]Indeed Bernard Scott and Brian Leonard's roles do not change as Marvin Lewis said on Monday. Scott has shown the potential to be that nice change of pace back, but there are questions if he can carry it 20-25 times a game. Leonard has embraced the role of the third-down superspecialist, especially when it comes to catching passes out of the backfield, but his carries on third down in the run game still leave a little to be desired.[*]Johnson has indeed turned the page and is ready to embrace a fresh start, like people close to him have said. The seventh year running back can learn a lot from some of the former castoffs in the locker room like LB Dhani Jones, Benson, FS Chris Crocker, WR Chris Henry and DT Tank Johnson.[*]This ends up being done on Marvin Lewis' terms. This has all the feel of last year's re-signing of Chris Henry where one side is pushing more than the other, but that other side is the one deciding who gets the playing time.[/list]
[b]It's a bad move if …[/b]
[list][*]Johnson is the player he has been since 2007, where he looks two steps slow, mainly because of a foot injury.[*]Johnson has not learned the mistakes of the past and doesn't listen to people in the locker room.[*]Johnson is indeed the next Corey Dillon — tremendous talent but a problem to deal with. Dillon became more a headache and distraction than the team could bear.[/list]


[url="http://cincinnati.com/blogs/bengals/2009/11/17/thoughts-on-lj/"]http://cincinnati.com/blogs/bengals/2009/11/17/thoughts-on-lj/[/url]

[Orange 'n Black]

ESPN reporting he's officially signed.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4662947

EDIT: Scratch that last comment, just realized they were talking about his guaranteed KC contract.

[Jason]

[quote name='oldschooler' date='17 November 2009 - 10:52 AM' timestamp='1258469544' post='829329']
[b][size="5"]What will Bengals gain with LJ?
[/size][size="3"]Johnson visits with first-place Cincinnati today.[/size][/b]
[url="/matt-bowen.html"]Matt Bowen[/url]

November 16, 2009, 04:20 PM EST

According to reports, former Chiefs running back [url="http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Report-LJ-expected-to-sign-with-Bengals.html"]Larry Johnson is heading to Cincy today[/url] and is expected to sign a contract for the rest of the 2009 season—and we shouldn’t be surprised.

From my point of view, this is a direct move based off of the injury suffered by feature back Cedric Benson yesterday in the Bengals’ 18-12 win over Pittsburgh. This offense has been able to move the ball and produce points throughout the course of the season due in large part to their ability to run the football and control the clock on offense. And in the AFC North, this is the exact brand of football that wins.

But, what does this move mean for L.J.—a player who was looking for work after being booted out of Kansas City for being, well, as unprofessional as they come?

Johnson needed a team, and at this point of the season, running backs are signed for one reason—and that is to provide depth due to injuries. He isn’t going to walk into Cincy and suddenly start piling up carries, because a 7-2 team that has just swept the Steelers isn’t looking for a feature back. They have that in Benson, and he will resume his role whenever his injury allows him to. L.J. is merely insurance.

Sure, he could see some game action along with rookie Bernard Scott—who filled in for Benson yesterday—but I can’t see him playing that big of a role for the Bengals.

However, that isn’t the hope for Johnson. He needed a job—an active job—in the league, and Cincy does provide that. The hope for L.J. and his camp is that he can get enough on film to persuade customers come this offseason. He needs to show the league that the 2.7 yards per carry average that he had in Kansas City was more a byproduct of Todd Haley’s offense and the lack of talent around him than it was his dwindling talents as a running back in the NFL.

Yes, L.J. could prove me wrong by going out and producing for the Bengals behind a better offensive line, better receivers and a nasty defense under Mike Zimmer that is providing field position and scoring opportunities for Carson Palmer and the Bengals. But I still don’t see it.

Regardless of my opinion and yours, this is still an opportunity for Johnson to mix in well with a locker room and a head coach, because despite the talents we may or may not think that L.J. still has, he has a duffel bag full of red flags that will be going with him to Cincy—and those can cause issues.

But, beyond any of that, Johnson is just another free agent off the street brought in during a season to fill in for an injured star.






[url="http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/What-will-Bengals-gain-with-LJ.html"]http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/What-will-Bengals-gain-with-LJ.html[/url]
[/quote]

THIS article is a sign that our image is changing nationally. Last year, they would have been all over the Bengals adding another thug, whereas had the Patriots added him it would have been seen as adding depth and taking an easy gamble. That they see it this way now for the Bengals means the corner has finally been turned.

Freakin finally.

[JC]

Please, please don't deactivate Brian Leonard in any type of big game. If that happens, then i'm A okay with LJ coming in, but I really see him as the 4th running back. Scott deserves his carries and Brian needs to be in on third down. Excellent pass blocker and great hands.

I'm wondering if he might not be a bad idea at Tight end as well. Leonard that is.

[BengalsNYC]

[quote name='Orange 'n Black' date='17 November 2009 - 11:38 AM' timestamp='1258472285' post='829356']
ESPN reporting he's officially signed.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4662947

EDIT: Scratch that last comment, just realized they were talking about his guaranteed KC contract.
[/quote]

I think the Chiefs are on the hook for most of the $4 million price tag. Someone else on here can keep me honest though. I think we are giving him peanuts.

[oldschooler]

[url="http://twitter.com/joereedy"][b][color="#0a0501"]joereedy[/color][/b][/url] [url=""] [/url] Larry Johnson has signed his contract. And now we wait for the team to make the announcement [url="http://twitter.com/search?q=%23bengals"][color="#0a0501"]#bengals[/color][/url]
[url="http://twitter.com/joereedy/status/5798481571"]2 minutes ago [/url]from [url="http://www.tweetdeck.com/"]TweetDeck[/url]

[oldschooler]

[quote name='BengalsNYC' date='17 November 2009 - 10:41 AM' timestamp='1258472501' post='829360']
I think the Chiefs are on the hook for most of the $4 million price tag. Someone else on here can keep me honest though. I think we are giving him peanuts.
[/quote]



Yeah, the Bengals signed him for league minimum.
He will be paid about $304,000 for the rest of the season.

[Jeb]

So (if LJ still has gas in the tank), ...is the team going to allow LJ to start week 16 against KC?

Exorcize his demon?

[turningpoint]

[quote name='Jeb' date='17 November 2009 - 11:55 AM' timestamp='1258473300' post='829366']
So (if LJ still has gas in the tank), ...is the team going to allow LJ to start week 16 against KC?

Exorcize his demon?
[/quote]


I really hope they do, i think Benson will probably let him, or ask they let him too.

[Jeb]

[quote name='turningpoint' date='17 November 2009 - 12:03 PM' timestamp='1258473781' post='829370']
I really hope they do, i think Benson will probably let him, or ask they let him too.
[/quote]

I know Benson would understand better than anyone. I also know this team loves Benson so he's bound to feel comfortable making the offer if he chooses to do so.

[bgwilly31]

i would rather oakland be his first start. See how he does, and give Benson an extra week rest.

[oldschooler]

[url="http://twitter.com/joereedy"][b][color="#0a0501"]joereedy[/color][/b][/url] [url=""] [/url] Benson on the Larry Johnson signing: "It’s good for him. I was once in that position and he’s getting his opportunity again." [url="http://twitter.com/search?q=%23bengals"][color="#0a0501"]#bengals[/color][/url]
[url="http://twitter.com/joereedy/status/5798916707"]12 minutes ago [/url]from [url="http://www.tweetdeck.com/"]TweetDeck[/url]