L.J.: “Hit Them Like A Bullet … Not A Tank”
From River Falls, Wisconsin
After spending nearly 30 minutes signing autographs for fans at the Chiefs first training camp practice, a smiling Larry Johnson took some time to talk.
L.J. is slim and trim and says he’s in the best football shape of his life. Todd Haley asked him to lose some weight and it’s obvious Johnson followed through. He said he was 223 Saturday morning and figures he’ll be at 220 by the time camp is over. Over his career with the Chiefs, Johnson has played at 230 to 235 pounds.
“I’m going to hit them like a bullet with some speed and not a tank,” Johnson said. “I really feel good and I do feel faster.”
He certainly looks faster and showed that speed during the morning workout. In a goal-line drill, Johnson was forced to run outside and he was able to beat the defense to the corner of the end zone. “I don’t want to get caught from behind anymore,” Johnson said with a smile. Against the Broncos last year, L.J. had a 65-yard run where he was caught from behind before he got into the end zone.
It’s his torso and upper body where Johnson is slimmer and trimmer. From the waist down, he’s still got the big powerful legs. “Nothing I can do about those … they came from my Dad,” Johnson said with a laugh.
More on L.J. coming tomorrow morning from River Falls.
Real Rin ®
daddy-o’s “The NO SPIN ZONE” (nod toward O’Reilly)
Hey Lar… now that you’re more ‘aerodynamic’ as twere, are you going to be able to pass block or will you continue to glide (effortlessly) off to the side nee side-stepping the pass rusher while waiting for that swing pass that will ne’er get to you (because QB was sacked) & that regardless of said you would likely have dropped anyway?
Go Chiefs? 2009 . . . (Rin just loves His enthusiasm)
That’s my Boy!
“Rookie cornerback Jackie Bates made an athletic dive to knock the ball away from wide receiver Dwayne Bowe during one-on-one drills. The play got a lot of cheers from Bates’ fellow defensive backs.”
Interesting.
Quarterback Matt Cassel was the first quarterback to run the team’s 7-on-7 drill. His first pass was a completed pass to running back Larry Johnson behind the line of scrimmage. This received some heat from linebacker Mike Vrabel. Vrabel yelled across the field, “You’re one-for-one on check downs! They don’t throw check downs in Foxborough! No check downs for Tom!” Vrabel was referring to the New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. Cassel backed-up Brady for three years before stepping in when Brady injured his knee. Vrabel was also on that team.”
LMAO, Get em, Vrabel!
“Quarterback Matt Cassel completed his first six passes in the team’s 7-on-7 drill. Three of those passes were perfectly-timed sideline hitch routes to wide receiver Dwayne Bowe. Cassel came back and completed three more passes before the drill’s completion. He ended up finishing 9-9. Quarterback Tyler Thigpen stepped in after Cassel and had a little trouble. His third pass was picked off across the middle by Weston Dacus. Dacus also knocked down a ball two passes later. Thigpen finished the drill 5-8. Quarterback Brodie Croyle was then handed the reigns and one-hopped his first pass. Croyle completed his next four passes and ended 4-5.”
Hard to say with LJ, I was never an LJ fan, but if he comes with that good attitude, in shape like he is…im completely fine having the chiefs get a ground game started with LJ and Charles..Especially with Kolby on PuP.
Nice read on Cassel’s Ability, I expect foxsports and a few other websites to start praising the haley way by tomorrow morning
Bob,
Thanks for the updates. All good stuff (except for the smell of dog&%$* if you catch my drift). Any further word on Jackson?
I will throw in that if LJ doesnt improve his blocking…it will be very difficult for the chiefs to have any sort of first down passing game
WANTED: A stick for Johnfromfairfax for his vexing shoe effluvium problem…as this dog wags the tail his, go fetch John…
I’m not sure why the Author hasn’t put this in on of his blogs but, http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/rapid-reports/team/KC is the link to his new gig with CBS.
LJ may just be what the doctor ordered this year.
I’m beginning to believe the man has something to prove this year.
I say, keep on proooooooovin… LJ.
Let’s see, what 60′s group did that song. The words were “grooovin on a sunday afternoon” was it the Animals?, Lovin Spoonful? Anyone know?.
Maybe that would be a good song @ Arrowhead on game day.
1967, The Young Rascals
Some how I don’t think LJ and that song go together.
Book it Larry if healthy which I think he will be will rush for over 1300 yards and make the pro-bowl. This guy even last year when giving opportunity with more than 11 carries ran for good yardage. He had a good 4.5 yrds per carry avg last year. I expect Larry if not make the pro-bowl he will have a pro-bowl season. This guy still has 2 pro-bowl seasons left in that body before he sees some slow down in his game.
anonymous
Thanks, Gotta love that name young rascals.
Ed,
I’m with you. Whether some of you like LJ or not, he could be out ticket to the playoffs.
Remember, as a fan, we all have our favorites. No one player should be subjected to a popularity contest. Always Team… Go Chiefs.
I’d personally love to see Larry bring back some toughness to Arrowhead, plus, I’d be able to wear my #27 jerseys with pride again!
* Some folks be ‘real’ like Rin ®
daddy-o – we walk our talk. As another Champion:
- “Float like a butterfly sting like a bee” – Ali
(he did too)
* Others just like to talk -
- “I can take any 22″ / “any 22 will do” –
(by appointment only…use the service entrance.)
* And some just sound like a broken record -
- “Hit Them Like A Bullet…Not A Tank” – Johnson
(one hundred & second verse, same as the first)
Regards the latter two, Shakey Bill said it best:
“To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,
To the last syllable of recorded time,
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
the way to dusty death: Out, out, brief candle!
Life’s but a walking shadow a poor player
that struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
and then is heard no more. It is a tale
told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing”
- application: sound of “TAPS” Chiefs 2009 season
[...] "I’m going to hit them like a bullet with some speed and not a tank," Johnson said. "I really feel good and I do feel faster." (BobGretz.com) [...]