L.J. to visit Raiders?

[R8RMR]

Interesting that a day after recently-cut running back Justin Fargas was scheduled to visit Kansas City, former Chiefs back Larry Johnson was reportedly scheduled to visit the Raiders this coming Sunday. This according to profootballtalk.com

Johnson has been tormenting the Raiders in the mold of former Chargers tailback LaDainian Tomlinson for years.

In 10 career games against the Raiders while playing for the division rival Chiefs, Johnson rushed for 938 yards and scored 12 touchdowns. He was shown the door in Kansas City midway through last season - he raised hackles with criticism of first-year coach Todd Haley and with homophobic remarks aimed at a reporter on Twitter - and was picked up by Cincinnati but was a shell of his former self.

A two-time Pro Bowler and 2006 All-Pro, Johnson rushed for 1,750 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2005 and for 1,789 yards and 17 TDs in 2006. Since then, though, Johnson has a combined 1,611 rushing yards with nine total TDs while battling injury and attitude problems.

No doubt Michael Bush and Darren McFadden are interested in this report.


Raiders Blog and Q&A: L.J. to visit Raiders?

[psj3809]

Johnson in his prime was a great great back for KC, but IF we sign him i hope its a low offer and nothing silly, surely it wont be high because of McFadden/Bush.  A veteran backup would be good in case McFadden does his usual and fumble and doesnt do much and then its down solely to Bush

[R8RMR]

the way things have gone in the past few seasons, it has borne out the good sense of retaining3 RBs. I'm not sure that LJ is the answer for the 3rd on the depth chart, but even if he was only at 75% of his former ability he would be very difficult to stop.

[psj3809]

Yeah agree we need a decent 3rd stringer or whether Johnson gets a fair few carries and Mcfadden is more of a threat in the passing game but either way, for the 4th overall pick McFadden is quickly going towards bustville.  Shame

[R8RMR]

DMac can still make an impact. Reggie Bush has taken some time to establish his role in the Saints O and has made a big difference to them. DMac has been likened to him so we may see an improvement this season if he is used more in the dual role.

[SuperRaider]

McFadden will back up to Bush; and be used on the surprise mode.

But Larry Johnson is worth a gamble!

Starting to sound like Russell worst nightmare, L.J moaning to Russell that he not getting the ball, T.O. moaning to Russell that he not getting the ball, and then Russell said ' I had enough' and just quits; hmm maybe that what Al Davis is trying to do, get Russell to quit so he won't have to pay him!

[R8RMR]

Can't see Russell quitting. He gets too much money for doing, well, not a lot.

But you never know, maybe having TO and LJ on his back all the time could help.

[psj3809]

I've learnt in the NFL prepare to be surprised !  TO could be a great signing, obviously you think he'll be a complete pain and moan a ton but all TO wants to do is win.  Going to Buffalo he did seem to be pretty quiet , cant believe he went there as they never had a good QB situation.

Coming here would be a good risk but who knows, must admit i would love the move.

[R8RMR]

I've learnt in the NFL prepare to be surprised !  TO could be a great signing, obviously you think he'll be a complete pain and moan a ton but all TO wants to do is win.  Going to Buffalo he did seem to be pretty quiet , cant believe he went there as they never had a good QB situation.

Coming here would be a good risk but who knows, must admit i would love the move.

Though I appreciate that TO has tons of talent and wants to win, I still consider that he will return to his true nature when things don't go his way. The time in Buffalo may have appeared to mellow him somewhat, you could still see his displeasure at not getting his way, though simmering and less demonstrative than in previous years it is still there.

I consider it a huge risk to bring him to Oakland. Not a risk that I would be willing to take.

[psj3809]

Totally get your point, but every year theres surprises and you never know, we need a bit of luck !

But i said it on another thread, sad state of affairs when a 36 year old WR who would catch 60 passes would be our best WR by far.  I'm still hanging onto crazy hope that Schilens turns into a 900/1000 yard type WR but its a big if.

[SuperRaider]

Well Schillin, Murphy, Higgins and Bey will be one year older; and some NFL experience....

Then there Dez Bryant; you should be available when it the Raiders turn to draft.

You know; if the Raiders drafted Crabtree instead of Bey; I mean almost every mock draft had the Raiders drafting Crabtree, then would we be even thinking about getting a wr!

[psj3809]

Well Schillin, Murphy, Higgins and Bey will be one year older; and some NFL experience....

Then there Dez Bryant; you should be available when it the Raiders turn to draft.

You know; if the Raiders drafted Crabtree instead of Bey; I mean almost every mock draft had the Raiders drafting Crabtree, then would we be even thinking about getting a wr!

Yep i wanted Crabtree back then and was sure Al would love him, still no point looking back at drafts.  People wanted us to draft Leinart when instead we went for Huff and that wouldnt have turned out well.  Even last year it was Russell or Quinn and there doesnt look a clear winner there.

Crabtree was excellent when he joined the Niners though, cant see DHB doing anything similar but DHB HAS to improve next year, surely, please no more 9 catch seasons !    Murphy was a great find last year but still think we need someone like TO.  Schilens cant seem to stay healthy but still nervous of him as the main guy

[SuperRaider]

The reason I mentioned Dez Bryant as a guy that the Raiders will draft with the first pick is because he a project; he could be a great wide-out, but he could be average; that what Al Davis drafts.

They are saying that he should stay in school another year and that he coming out to early.

Another Note; Bruce Allen has signed Larry Johnson.

[MancSilverBlack]

I always felt bringing Johnson in for a visit was a strange one, so I'm glad he's gone to Washington, the further away the better!! I know he signed a three year deal, but I bet he doesn't last beyond a year. It's a deep draft class of RBs this year, we currently have two 3rd round picks, and I think we'll get another for Morrison, pick one up in the 3rd. Maybe we'll get a Shonn Greene or a Jamaal Charles.

[psj3809]

Same here, Larry Johnson wouldnt be a bad pick-up but i didnt want the Raiders spending much on him.  Would much rather see Bush/McFadden get the majority of carries (even though that didnt look good at the start of last year) but we then pick up a veteran 3rd stringer to get a bit of time.

Still hoping McFadden breaks out and has 800 yards or so but sadly its looking another disappointing pick, gutted !