ESPN AFC West Blog

Posted by ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson

While Larry Johnson, who turns 30 this month, has had off-field issues and he has declined on the field, there will likely be interest in the running back who was cut by Kansas City on Monday.

Johnson is subject to the NFL’s waiver process. He will know about 4 p.m. ET Tuesday if he is claimed or if he is a free agent. If Johnson is claimed, a team would have to pick up just less than half of his $4.55 million contract for this season. So, Johnson could pass through waivers and become a free agent.

The following is a look at some of the teams that could look at Johnson:

Chicago: The Bears have injuries in the backfield and Johnson could take some pressure off quarterback Jay Cutler.

New England: The Patriots have some needs at running back and they have a pattern of bringing in productive, but risky veterans. Some folks think the Patriots are the favorite to land Johnson.

Philadelphia: The Eagles have injuries at the position, but this could be a long shot.

Pittsburgh: The contender could use the help, but his off-field issues would likely make this a bad pairing.

Washington: Coach Jim Zorn said Monday that the Redskins have talked about Johnson. It’s a possibility.

Here is a look at the AFC West teams and if Johnson would fit:

Denver: Josh McDaniels comes from New England and he has the same philosophy that he Patriots do. But the Broncos really don’t need Johnson right now. There could be interest if the Broncos were to suffer an injury.

Oakland: The Raiders can’t use all the running backs they already have.

San Diego: The Chargers could use Johnson. They have the No. 32 ranked run offense in the league and Johnson would be a good short-yardage back there. But it is highly unlikely general manager A.J. Smith would add a character risk to a good locker room of a team that is turning the corner.

Posted by ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson

I just checked in with the always helpful Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc. to break down the Kansas City’s decision to cut Larry Johnson and move on with Jamaal Charles and Kolby Smith as the team’s running backs for the rest of the season.

Williamson on the decision to cut Johnson: “It was the right call. He was worthless to them.”

Williamson on Charles: “His main attribute is speed. He can fly. He has been compared to Chris Johnson, but he’s not in that class. He doesn’t have a runner’s instincts and he is not a pounder. But he can be a solid runner. I think Kansas City needs to make him the main running backs and give him opportunities to use his speed.”

Williamson on Smith: “He’s solid in all areas, but he’s not above average in any areas. He’s a guy you always like to upgrade from. But he can help Charles and they can work out fine for the rest of the season.”

What Kansas City should do at the position in the offseason: “I don’t think the Chiefs need to use their top pick on a running back. They could use Charles and Smith and add a guy in the third round or find a cheap veteran in free agency. The Chiefs need to use the New England offense which makes quarterback Matt Cassel comfortable. Spread it out, go with the shotgun and go from there. Kansas City needs to add a dynamic No. 2 receiver to go with Dwayne Bowe and use what they have in the running game. I think that team needs to use its resources elsewhere on offense. Go get a receiver and help the line.”

Posted by ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson

Running back Larry Johnson made a big impact in Kansas City since he joined the team in 2003 as a first-round draft pick. ESPN Stats & Information put together several charts that illustrate Johnson’s interesting career in Kansas City, which ended Monday.

Most Rushes, Single Season

• '06 Larry Johnson, 416, Chiefs
• '98 Jamal Anderson, 410, Falcons
• '84 James Wilder, 407, Buccaneers
• '86 Eric Dickerson, 404, Rams
• '00 Eddie George, 403, Titans

Larry Johnson Since 2004 Season 2004-06 2007-09 Games 42 27 Rushes PG 20.7 17.9 Rush YPG 98.1 66.3 Yds per rush 4.7 3.71 Rush TD 46 8

Larry Johnson Yards From Scrimmage Per Game, Since 2006

• 2006, 137.4<<
• 2007, 93.1
• 2008, 79.0
• 2009, 62.0
• >>3rd-highest in NFL

Posted by ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson

The Kansas City Chiefs just cut a player who was one decent game away from becoming the team’s all-time leading rusher, and it seems like it’s the right move for everybody.

It is time for Larry Johnson to leave Kansas City.

	G. Newman Lowrance/Getty Images
	Larry Johnson was just 75 yards away from breaking Priest Holmes' team rushing record.

Both sides tried to make it work, but the new Kansas City regime did Monday what it probably should have done in the spring. At least everyone knows the Chiefs gave Johnson a chance to finish his career with them.

Now both the Chiefs and Johnson will move on. And they probably won’t miss each other.

Off the field, Johnson remained a distraction, and on it, Johnson, who turns 30 this month, wasn’t giving the young team much. The 1-7 Chiefs clearly weren’t giving Johnson any motivation.

The Chiefs probably have been planning Monday’s move since Oct. 28, when they suspended Johnson for Sunday’s game at Jacksonville after he made gay slurs and questioned the credentials of Kansas City coach Todd Haley. Last year, Johnson was suspended four games by the Chiefs and the NFL after two separate incidents involving women in Kansas City nightclubs.

General manager Scott Pioli and Haley were impressed by Johnson’s work ethic in the spring when he was committed to the team’s offseason program. In July, Johnson, who in the past asked to be traded from Kansas City, said he was re-energized because of Pioli and Haley.

But the losses started piling up for Kansas City in the first half of the season and Johnson was ineffective because of a combination of him wearing down and a porous Kansas City offensive line. He has 358 yards on this season and was averaging 2.71 yards per carry. According to ESPN Stats & Information, Johnson’s per-carry average this season is the fourth worst in NFL history for players with 100 or more carries.

Johnson is clearly no longer the same back he was in 2006, when he set an NFL record with 416 carries. According to ESPN Stats & Information, Johnson’s per-carry average in that special season was 4.7; since it has been 3.7.

Still, despite his decline, Johnson, a No. 1 pick in 2003, was close to becoming the franchise’s all-time leading rusher. He was 75 yards from breaking Priest Holmes’ team record.

Holmes is still revered in Kansas City, while Johnson has been vilified because of his long history of off-field issues. Many Kansas City fans voiced their displeasure about Johnson last week and wanted him to be released. Some fans began a petition to urge the Chiefs not to allow Johnson to break Holmes’ record.

The team listened and it will move on with youngsters Jamaal Charles and Kolby Smith. The two didn’t do much Sunday at Jacksonville when they were just temporary Johnson replacements. Now Johnson is in Kansas City’s rearview mirror and Charles and Smith need to step up their game.

If they don’t, Kansas City will be able to live with it. Johnson is no longer a Chief and that appears to be the best scenario for everyone involved.

Posted by ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson

Nothing like a blockbuster move in the division to start a the day. The Chiefs have released running back Larry Johnson on the day his one-game suspension ended.

I will have more on this shortly. Here is the statement:

CHIEFS RELEASE RB LARRY JOHNSON

The Kansas City Chiefs released RB Larry Johnson on Monday. In 75 games (55 starts) with Kansas City, Johnson rushed 1,375 times for 5,996 yards (4.4 avg.) with 55 touchdowns. He also registered 151 receptions for 1,369 yards (9.1 avg.) with six TDs. He concluded his Chiefs career with 30 100-yard rushing games and also added two 100-yard receiving games.

Johnson established an NFL single-season record with 416 rushing attempts in 2006 when he set a franchise single-season mark with 1,789 rushing yards. He originally entered the league as the Chiefs first-round selection (27th overall) in the 2003 NFL Draft out of Penn State.

Posted by ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson

DENVER -- Here are five keys to Monday night’s game for Denver (6-1) against visiting Pittsburgh (5-2):

Start fast: If Denver has had a problem this season, it is starting slowly. It has had to rely on great second-half play. The second-half luck ran out in Baltimore in Week 8, but the Broncos must take pressure off of themselves and jump to a lead. It will be interesting to see how this team would react to not have to scramble back into games. Plus, there’s bound to be a lot of Pittsburgh fans at the game (the streets of Denver were teeming with folks in Steelers’ gear Sunday), so the Broncos must take the Steelers fans out of the game early. In the 2005 AFC Championship Game, the Steelers took early control of the game and their fans took over the stadium in a 34-17 Pittsburgh win. Denver can’t allow that to happen again.

Control the no-huddle offense: There has been talk that the Steelers will try to use more no-huddle to keep the Broncos off balance. The Ravens had great success using the no-huddle in Week 8. Denver has responded well to everything thrown at them this season, so if the Steelers come with the no-huddle, the Broncos have to be ready.

Take advantage of the Steelers' injury issues on defense: The Steelers may be without three key defensive starters because of health issues. Defensive end Travis Kirschke, inside linebacker Lawrence Timmons and safety Ryan Clark are all unlikely to play. The Broncos must take advantage and get their offense going against the limping Steelers. This is a great opportunity for the Broncos.

Run the ball: The Broncos must keep Pittsburgh’s defense honest by running the ball. Correll Buckhalter and rookie Knowshon Moreno have been a good tandem for most of the season. But the pair struggled at Baltimore. These two must establish the run to create an offensive rhythm. That will allow Denver quarterback Kyle Orton to play his game and be more effective than he was against the Ravens.

Tighten the special-teams coverage unit: Denver allowed a punt return for a touchdown against San Diego and a kick return for a score last week against Baltimore. It can’t surrender a special-teams touchdown for the third straight game. This game probably will be closely contested. Denver can’t give an excellent team such as Pittsburgh a freebie as it did the past two games.

Posted by ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson

Random notes from the Chargers’ 21-20 win at the New York Giants:

Running back LaDainian Tomlinson continued to struggle. He had just 22 yards on 12 carries. He is not making much of an impact. He has just 289 yards this season.

The Giants were very cautious with returner Darren Sproles as they kicked away from him. Sproles made his presence felt with a big catch on the game-winning drive.

The Chargers overcame the loss of inside linebackers Kevin Burnett and Tim Dobbins.

Safety Eric Weddle had a big day with eight tackles.

San Diego tight end Antonio Gates uncharacteristically dropped two passes.

The Giants ran 11 more plays than San Diego did.

Punter Mike Scifres continued his excellent situational punting.

The Chargers have 15 sacks in the past three games. Linebacker Shaun Phillips has five sacks in the past three games and Shawne Merriman has four sacks in the past two games.

Posted by ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson

Eli Manning may have his Super Bowl ring but Sunday more proof was presented that the San Diego Chargers got the better of the 2004 draft-day trade with the Giants.

Philip Rivers is simply a better player than Manning.

You want evidence?

How about Rivers’ brilliant 80-yard drive in the final moments to lead San Diego over the Giants on Sunday?

Rivers capped the drive with a touchdown toss to receiver Vincent Jackson in the final seconds. It was the first time Rivers and Manning played against each other since the trade that sent Manning to New York and Rivers to San Diego. The Chargers also got draft picks that turned into linebacker Shawne Merriman and kicker Nate Kaeding in the deal.

Merriman continued his resurgence with two more sacks. He has four sacks in the past two games after being shutout in the first six games.

Rivers was the star of this game. He completed 24 of 36 passes (several balls were dropped) for 209. Rivers was brilliant when he had to.

Not only did San Diego’s comeback help validate the trade, but it kept it in the playoff hunt. The Chargers are 5-3 after three straight wins. If Denver loses to visiting Pittsburgh on Monday night, the Chargers will trail Denver by just one game.

If San Diego ends up in the playoffs, Sunday’s last-minute drive engineered by Rivers, will be remembered as a crucial moment of the season.

Posted by ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson

Random notes from the Chiefs’ 24-21 loss in Jacksonville:

The Chiefs have to be thrilled with the debut of receiver Chris Chambers. Chambers had three catches for 70 yards from quarterback Matt Cassel. Two of the catches, including a 54-yarder, came for touchdowns in the fourth quarter.

Chambers was claimed off waivers Tuesday, one day after he was cut by San Diego. The Chiefs have been looking for the right mix at receiver all season. Chambers may be the answer. Dwayne Bowe and Chris Chambers are two pretty good starting receivers.

Second-year safety DaJuan Morgan started his first NFL game. He has six tackles and a fumble recovery. Morgan could continue to get extensive playing time with Jarrad Page out for the season.

Guard Mike Goff had a streak of 113 straight starts snapped because of injury.

No. 3 overall pick Tyson Jackson continued to play well. He had seven tackles.

Chiefs running backs Jamaal Charles and Kolby Smith combined for 53 yards on 10 carries during Larry Johnson’s one-game suspension.

Receiver Lance Long, promoted from the practice squad two weeks ago, had eight catches for 74 yards. He looks like he could be a decent contributor.

Posted by ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson

The Kansas City Chiefs finally showed some life.

Yes, it was in a defeat, but it really doesn’t matter. At 1-7, the Chiefs’ 2009 season is over. It’s all about showing signs for the future; yes, even with a half of the season remaining.

Sunday, even more so than its win at Washington three weeks ago, Kansas City played its best football of the season. It came in the fourth quarter.

After playing listless on offense for the first three quarters, Kansas City exploded for 15 points in the fourth quarter. The comeback fell short, but new coach Todd Haley has to bottle his team’s fourth-quarter play.

Perhaps the key is for Haley to just let quarterback Matt Cassel air it out. The Chiefs came back in the fourth quarter on the strength of Cassel’s arm. He found new receiver Chris Chambers for two touchdowns in the quarter.

Dwayne Bowe and Chambers are a nice receiving pair. Cassel needs to throw to them as much a possible down the stretch.

In the end, it was just another loss for Kansas City, but the team has to feel encouraged by the heartbeat it showed in the final 15 minutes of the game.

Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden and Ron Jaworski preview the Steelers-Broncos Monday night showdown.

Posted by ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson

ESPN’s Chris Mortensen Sunday reported that the NFL will require Oakland coach Tom Cable to undergo an evaluation by a doctor and psychologist as part of its investigation into allegations of assault made by Oakland defensive assistant Randy Hanson.

Also, Mortensen reported Kansas City running back Larry Johnson may be leaning toward not fighting the team if it decides to deactivate him or pursue other discipline after his one-game suspension ends Monday.

The future of Johnson, who is 75 yards away from becoming Kansas City’s all-time leading rusher, in Kansas City could depend on how young running backs Jamaal Charles and Kolby Smith perform Sunday at Jacksonville.

New Kansas City receiver Chris Chambers is active and will play some today. Chambers was claimed Tuesday after he was cut by San Diego.

Here are today's inactives from around the league.

Posted by ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson

Kansas City activated running back Kolby Smith off the physically unable to perform list as expected. Smith should get some action Sunday against Jacksonville as he backs up Jamaal Charles. Charles is starting due to a one-game suspension being served by Larry Johnson.

Should Charles and/or Smith play well against Jacksonville, Johnson’s role with the team could lessen.

To make room for Smith, Kansas City waived veteran receiver Bobby Engram. Engram was signed in the offseason to be a veteran leader, but he had little impact. Engram, 36, played in five games and had just five catches this season.

• Ty Law may play Monday against Pittsburgh, 48 hours after signing with Denver.
• Denver defensive lineman Ryan McBean was ruled out of the Pittsburgh game with a knee injury. LeKevin Smith will start in his place.
• Oakland had a visit with defensive lineman William Joseph on Friday. Joseph has bounced on and off the Raiders’ roster this year.

	Getty Images
	Josh McDaniels and Mike Tomlin, two of the youngest head coaches in the league, face off on Monday night in Denver.

Posted by ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson

When Josh McDaniels and Mike Tomlin face each other Monday night for the first time as head coaches, the football world will watch two of the game’s brightest young coaches at work.

Observers will also see two men who took strikingly similar paths.

McDaniels and Tomlin are bright, engaging men who worked their way up from being small-school athletes to Super Bowl-winning, coveted assistant coaches. Both took over for Super Bowl-winning legends in cities steeped in football tradition.

“These are two similar guys,” said retired safety John Lynch, who played under both McDaniels and Tomlin during his career. “Both Mike and Josh are highly intelligent, strong-minded football men. They really are similar.”

As we prepare for a pivotal AFC matchup in Denver, let’s look at the career paths taken by these 30-somethings who look as if they will be roaming the sidelines for a long time:

Age

McDaniels: 33 (33 when hired).

Tomlin: 37 (34 when hired).

The playing field

McDaniels: The son of a legendary high school coach in Canton, Ohio. He went to John Carroll, where he was a receiver.

Tomlin: Grew up in Newport News, Va. Tomlin was a standout receiver/tight end at William & Mary.

Reputation

McDaniels: A great quarterback coach who uses an energetic, friendly personality. But he’s not afraid to hurt feelings for the greater good of the team, and can be stern when needed. He’s a detail-oriented coach who has a firm grasp of the X's and O’s part of the game.

Tomlin: A high-energy, never-say-die defensive-minded coach whose brain is like a sponge. He craves football knowledge. He is not afraid to challenge stars to be better.

The other side of the ball

Last week, I spoke with Gary Horton of Scouts Inc., who said he was impressed by McDaniels’ ability as a defensive coach. McDaniels has a strong knowledge of defenses, Horton said, enabling him to prepare his offensive players for what to expect. McDaniels has experience coaching on defense and Tomlin has some history coaching on offense.

McDaniels: He was a defensive assistant in New England for 2002-03. He worked with the defensive backs in 2003.

Tomlin: In 1995, he was the receivers coach at VMI and in 1997, he coached the receivers at Arkansas State.

Highlights as an assistant

McDaniels: He was with the Patriots during all three of their Super Bowl-winning seasons. He was the offensive coordinator when the team went 16-0 in the regular season and set an NFL record for scoring.

Tomlin: Tomlin was Tampa Bay’s defensive backs coach when it won the Super Bowl in the 2002 season. In 2006, he turned around Minnesota’s defense in his one season as a coordinator.

Highlights as a head coach

McDaniels: The Broncos won their first six games this season despite being expected to be a bottom-feeder in McDaniels’ first season. Denver is 6-1 and McDaniels is a favorite for the NFL Coach of the Year award.

Tomlin: Taking over for Bill Cowher, Tomlin cemented his own name in Pittsburgh’s history by winning the Super Bowl last year in just his second season as a head coach.


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