As he spoke to the media about moving on, Larry Johnson said playing against the Kansas City Chiefs on Dec. 27 would be the “best Christmas gift I can get.”
It seems like Johnson is harboring some bad feelings toward his former team. But why?
Johnson came out of this mess, which he created, in pretty good shape. He left a team that is 2-7 for a team that is 7-2 when he signed with Cincinnati this week. Also, because he wasn’t claimed after Kansas City cut him, Johnson will receive his entire $4.55 million salary from the Chiefs. Plus, he received a prorated contract from the Bengals. So Johnson, who averaged 2.7 yards per carry this season, is getting a bonus.
Sounds like a good deal. Johnson was suspended and ultimately released after using a homosexual slur and questioning the credentials of Kansas City coach Todd Haley via Twitter.
"I’d be lying if I said I ain’t looking at [the Chiefs game] as a game I want to definitely play in," Johnson said. "But we take it a game at a time, one situation at a time. I’m just trying to get on the field as of right now, if that happens, it’d be the best Christmas gift I can get.”
Johnson needs to let go of any ill feeling he has toward the Chiefs. He's the one to blame for his release. He was a distraction in Kansas City several times since being the team’s No. 1 draft pick in 2003. If anything, it should be some Chiefs players, who had to endure the distractions Johnson created, who should be looking forward to the game on Dec. 27, not Johnson.
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AP Photo/David KohlThe Chiefs are on the hook for all of Larry Johnson's $4.55 million salary.
Johnson came out of this mess, which he created, in pretty good shape. He left a team that is 2-7 for a team that is 7-2 when he signed with Cincinnati this week. Also, because he wasn’t claimed after Kansas City cut him, Johnson will receive his entire $4.55 million salary from the Chiefs. Plus, he received a prorated contract from the Bengals. So Johnson, who averaged 2.7 yards per carry this season, is getting a bonus.
Sounds like a good deal. Johnson was suspended and ultimately released after using a homosexual slur and questioning the credentials of Kansas City coach Todd Haley via Twitter.
"I’d be lying if I said I ain’t looking at [the Chiefs game] as a game I want to definitely play in," Johnson said. "But we take it a game at a time, one situation at a time. I’m just trying to get on the field as of right now, if that happens, it’d be the best Christmas gift I can get.”
Johnson needs to let go of any ill feeling he has toward the Chiefs. He's the one to blame for his release. He was a distraction in Kansas City several times since being the team’s No. 1 draft pick in 2003. If anything, it should be some Chiefs players, who had to endure the distractions Johnson created, who should be looking forward to the game on Dec. 27, not Johnson.
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Bill Williamson
Williamson joined ESPN.com in 2008 after four seasons covering the Denver Broncos for the Denver Post. He previously covered the Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks.
