patriot lifer

LJ is scheduled to make a pittance of what he is worth this season and is expected to be the same workhorse he was last year (400+ carries). Seeing how running backs have the shortest careers of all positions and Herman Edwards is only accelerating LJ's demise in the NFL, is he actually very just in holding out?
It looks as if by the time he gets his first big contract, he will be running like a beat-up older back, essentially hurting his chance of capitalizing on all his success.

Spirit of '76

Do you remember the Curtis Martin situation?

Erily similar.

The Pats waited until his contract was finished instead of tearing up the 1st contract and signing him to a deserved extension.

Larry Johnson is gone from the Chiefs when his contract is over. Do you remember the Vermiel comment about the 'diapers' in his rookie season?

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patriot lifer

I know if I were Larry Johnson, not making much now, I wouldn't want to play out my current contract like management wants me too. I know I am going to get beat and battered over the season and its not worth it. I would feel justified to sit out.
if they're planning on dumping him when the contract expires, then they're just going to "use him up" and give him another absurd amount of carries. I'd want outa there.

stinkypete

3 years at 400 carries a year won't kill a back. Remember, Johnson didn't see the field as a rookie and didn't become a regular until mid 2004.

Eddie George took a similar beating, and was an elite back for about 5 seasons. Even after that he remained a capable starter for 3 more years.

Barring injury, Johnson should have 3 elite years left in the tank.

patriot lifer

ok. I'll buy it

TeamPats

I'm not so sure I buy it. I have never advocated hold outs before, however you can already hear the rumblings about LJ's mileage when it comes to trades. If this is the grief he gets for having the best 2 years minus LT a back has had in the last 5 years, then what will happen if he takes a step back. Plus Edwards is notorious for running his RB's into the ground. We all know the shelf life on RB's is not a long one, look at Dillon to see how quickly the wheels can come off on a back with mileage. I know LJ is young, but look how quickly Priest Holmes fell apart under the same workload in the same offense.

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