Re: Redskins Sign Larry Johnson
 

[quote=SmootSmack;673776]A lot of those are allegations aren't they? Allegations that were never necessarily proven I believe. Could be wrong though, and like I've said before even one time is one time too many.

But I mean I guess it's like Gmanc said at the beginning of this thread, even though we don't really know what goes on in the personal lives of any of these players as long as we don't I guess it's ok to root for them. Ignorance is bliss.[/quote]

Four public allegations following arrests or detentions, one conviction, two civil suits and two cases dropped due to the victims either recanting or receiving financial compensation. And that's just what we know about. He is currently serving two year probation for simple assault and disturbing the peace for the fourth incident.

Yes, there is a good chance that other players are guilty of similar or worse, and that doesn't make it right, either. However, the argument is moot because LJ's indiscretions are known, and while I agree with second chances...four strikes is three too many for second chances.

I maintain my position: good football player; crappy human.

Re: Redskins Sign Larry Johnson
 

[quote=SmootSmack;673764]I actually don't think Grossman will be here (I mean he might be a last minute, as in close to training camp, signing) but I don't really see him making the final roster....could be wrong though[/quote]

Yeah, Dude! Sexy Rexy! That's because LJSmack is just wrong on so many levels.

Re: Redskins Sign Larry Johnson
 

Definitely doesn't make it right.

If there's one thing I've learned in my nearly 15 years of covering pro sports it's to separate the player on the field from the person off the field. Ideally everyone is Charles Mann, a great player on the field and a better person off the field. But often times if you expect for your favorite player to be a great guy off the field (whether it's just being rude to being a thug/felon/what have you) you're going to be disappointed.

I guess it's just a matter of what you can tolerate. Are you rooting for the guy to get your team wins and are you willing to ignore what he does and how he represents your favorite team outside the game, or are you rooting for him as a player/person and won't accept anything less than the full package.

Re: Redskins Sign Larry Johnson
 

LJ has a long and well documented history of assaults on women, including brandishing a firearm and slapping one, shoving another to the ground, choking a third, and spitting on then threatening to kill yet another. He has been arrested or detained for four separate incidents since 2003...that's 7 years he's had to clean up his act and failed to do so.


Now, just how do you embed the above into the Poll question?

Re: Redskins Sign Larry Johnson
 

[quote=backrow;673784]LJ has a long and well documented history of assaults on women, including brandishing a firearm and slapping one, shoving another to the ground, choking a third, and spitting on then threatening to kill yet another. He has been arrested or detained for four separate incidents since 2003...that's 7 years he's had to clean up his act and failed to do so.


Now, just how do you embed the above into the Poll question?[/quote]


Are we building a Boy Scout troop or a football team? I expect him to stay out of trouble and produce on the field for our team. The past cannot be changed but as long as he doesn't embarass our team, I will cheer for him.

Re: Redskins Sign Larry Johnson
 

[quote=53Fan;673666]^ Why is he not listed on any Redskins rosters? That just sounds like a copy from Wikipedia. It's strange.[/quote]


Running back Larry Johnson to visit Redskins

Next visitor up: running back Larry Johnson.

A league source confirmed this afternoon that Johnson is scheduled to visit Redskins Park on Thursday. The news was first reported by ESPN.com.

Johnson is the oft-troubled running back who was released mid-season by the Chiefs last year after making offensive remarks. He finished the year with the Bengals as a reserve. On the season, Johnson had 581 yards on 178 carries and no touchdowns.

His last 1,000-yard season was 2006, when he rushed for a career-high 1,789 yards and had 17 touchdowns.


The Redskins are clearly in the market for a back who could complement Clinton Portis. Free agent Willie Parker met with the Redskins Monday night and again on Tuesday but left town without a contract in place.

Johnson would be an intriguing addition. He's 30 years old, and though the Bengals reported no problems, he's had more than his share of off-the-field troubles. He lost his job in Kansas City after he was suspended twice within a 12-month period, finding himself in hot water
for remarks he made on Twitter about Chiefs coaches and gay slurs he used to members of the media.

[B]Johnson's father, Larry Johnson Sr., played one season with the Redskins, as a linebacker in 1974, according to his bio, though he doesn't seem to be listed in the team's media guide.[/B]

Re: Redskins Sign Larry Johnson
 

[quote=backrow;673784]LJ has a long and well documented history of assaults on women, including brandishing a firearm and slapping one, shoving another to the ground, choking a third, and spitting on then threatening to kill yet another. He has been arrested or detained for four separate incidents since 2003...that's 7 years he's had to clean up his act and failed to do so.


Now, just how do you embed the above into the Poll question?[/quote]
This will probably sound hypocritical, or double standard, or something else basically wrong, but

Since we aren't bringing him in to be a staple and leader for the team, he is merely a bit player, and getting paid as such, I can live with the signing. I don't think he is going to be a go to guy, and he may not make it past training camp unless he produces on the field. So I can live with it, he isn't getting a hero's welcome, and he is allowed by the nfl to play, so I hope his signing helps the Skins. If he does mess up, than he is off the team and we say see ya to him. I don't think this will be the last person of questionable repute that Shanahan brings in, he is not cut in the same way as JG was. As long as we don't become a revolving door for the shady underside of the NFL like Cinci or Dallas, I can deal with this one.

Re: Redskins Sign Larry Johnson
 

[quote=CRedskinsRule;673796]This will probably sound hypocritical, or double standard, or something else basically wrong, but

Since we aren't bringing him in to be a staple and leader for the team, he is merely a bit player, and getting paid as such, I can live with the signing. I don't think he is going to be a go to guy, and he may not make it past training camp unless he produces on the field. So I can live with it, he isn't getting a hero's welcome, and he is allowed by the nfl to play, so I hope his signing helps the Skins. If he does mess up, than he is off the team and we say see ya to him. I don't think this will be the last person of questionable repute that Shanahan brings in, he is not cut in the same way as JG was. As long as we don't become a revolving door for the shady underside of the NFL like Cinci or Dallas, I can deal with this one.[/quote]

I agree. I don't like the guy at all, and I agree with Backrow that he's a proven scumbag. I don't like the singing. But I'm not going to cheer against him when he's got the ball for us. Name one successful franchise where all the players are choir boys? We're within the rules to sign him obviously, and we don't expect to more than a role player. He no face of the franchise like, say Ben Roethlisberger...

Anyway, like you said, I can live with it.

Re: Redskins Sign Larry Johnson
 

[quote=SmootSmack;673781]Definitely doesn't make it right.

If there's one thing I've learned in my nearly 15 years of covering pro sports it's to separate the player on the field from the person off the field. Ideally everyone is Charles Mann, a great player on the field and a better person off the field. But often times if you expect for your favorite player to be a great guy off the field (whether it's just being rude to being a thug/felon/what have you) you're going to be disappointed.

I guess it's just a matter of what you can tolerate. Are you rooting for the guy to get your team wins and are you willing to ignore what he does and how he represents your favorite team outside the game, or are you rooting for him as a player/person and won't accept anything less than the full package.[/quote]

Your point is not lost on me. I am not looking for perfect people, there are none that I've ever met.

I guess I just have to draw the line somewhere, and LJ is it. I can handle a guy who makes juvenile mistakes or is even a real jerk off the field. I have no problem with petty jerks so long as their crimes are "victim-less." TO, or Romanowski come to mind. When I see, however, a series of repeated mistakes over time, disrespect for women, disrespect for teammates and coaches, and generally a nuisance to society, I take issue with that person being a part of the team I have been a lifelong fan of.

I am no boyscout, nor am I looking for the players to all be Kurt Warner types. There are certain things that just can't be ignored, and for me, this is one of them. Any man capable of beating or abusing a woman is a pathetic human and no one I want near the Redskins.

Re: Redskins Sign Larry Johnson
 

Only thing about LJ that stops me from freaking out is that he doesn't have a Chris Brown type incident. Other then that it's obvious that he's a POS, but not enough to boycott the team.

[url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/71617-a-memo-to-larry-johnson-beating-up-girlsbad]A Memo To Larry Johnson: Beating Up Girls=Bad | Bleacher Report[/url]

Re: Redskins Sign Larry Johnson
 

Didn't Haynesworth step on someone's face (sure, it was a Cowboy - (Gurode?), but still...) Ray Lewis killed a man, so did Stallworth while drunk driving,

These guys clearly are not Boy Scouts. Now, I don't like paying to watch hoodlums play, and I'd rather have our Redskins untarnished with these guys.. But the reality is that it's not uncommon for the football players to get into trouble off the field.

Personally, I'm a little dubious of a trouble-maker RB who's 30yrs old doing anything for a struggling franchise. But I'll reserve judgement for now..

Re: Redskins Sign Larry Johnson
 

Huh, when did Ray Lewis kill someone? Don't think I've heard that before....

Re: Redskins Sign Larry Johnson
 

[quote=backrow;673780]Yeah, Dude! Sexy Rexy! That's because LJSmack is just wrong on so many levels.[/quote]

At least we know that Rexy has a pic with a hot chick, because you know, wins don't mean anything if your QB doesn't have a pic with a hot chick:
[IMG]http://loserwithsocks.files.wordpress.com/2007/06/rex1.jpg[/IMG]

Re: Redskins Sign Larry Johnson
 

[quote=ethat001;673803] Ray Lewis killed a man,
[/quote]

Umm, no he didn't. Ray Lewis isn't OJ. If anything Ray Lewis was more then likely a witness to the crime, nothing more. His true crime is perjury.

In the meantime
[YT]9XZDzOGFXts[/YT]

Re: Redskins Sign Larry Johnson
 

[quote=Mc2guy;673800]Your point is not lost on me. I am not looking for perfect people, there are none that I've ever met.

I guess I just have to draw the line somewhere, and LJ is it. I can handle a guy who makes juvenile mistakes or is even a real jerk off the field. I have no problem with petty jerks so long as their crimes are "victim-less." TO, or Romanowski come to mind. When I see, however, a series of repeated mistakes over time, disrespect for women, disrespect for teammates and coaches, and generally a nuisance to society, I take issue with that person being a part of the team I have been a lifelong fan of.

I am no boyscout, nor am I looking for the players to all be Kurt Warner types. There are certain things that just can't be ignored, and for me, this is one of them. Any man capable of beating or abusing a woman is a pathetic human and no one I want near the Redskins.[/quote]


Well, the NFL is just like any segment of society. If you take a sample of 53 men there are going to be drug users, alcoholics, gamblers and unfortunately an abuser or abusers of women. It is just naive to think otherwise.

Like I said earlier, and I have no doubt that our coach and GM have told him, if he messes up he is out. I am not expecting any problems. Larry doesn't have very many stops left.

Re: Redskins Sign Larry Johnson
 

[quote=ethat001;673803]Didn't Haynesworth step on someone's face (sure, it was a Cowboy - (Gurode?), but still...) Ray Lewis killed a man, so did Stallworth while drunk driving,

These guys clearly are not Boy Scouts. Now, I don't like paying to watch hoodlums play, and I'd rather have our Redskins untarnished with these guys.. But the reality is that it's not uncommon for the football players to get into trouble off the field.

Personally, I'm a little dubious of a trouble-maker RB who's 30yrs old doing anything for a struggling franchise. But I'll reserve judgement for now..[/quote]


Dude, do a little homework before you present someone as a murderer.

Re: Redskins Sign Larry Johnson
 

[quote=Mc2guy;673800]Your point is not lost on me. I am not looking for perfect people, there are none that I've ever met.

I guess I just have to draw the line somewhere, and LJ is it. I can handle a guy who makes juvenile mistakes or is even a real jerk off the field. I have no problem with petty jerks so long as their crimes are "victim-less." TO, or Romanowski come to mind. When I see, however, a series of repeated mistakes over time, disrespect for women, disrespect for teammates and coaches, and generally a nuisance to society, I take issue with that person being a part of the team I have been a lifelong fan of.

I am no boyscout, nor am I looking for the players to all be Kurt Warner types. There are certain things that just can't be ignored, and for me, this is one of them. Any man capable of beating or abusing a woman is a pathetic human and no one I want near the Redskins.[/quote]

So how do you plan on reconciling your differences here? What if we plays a critical role for us this season. What if we're down by 4 late in week 5 against the Giants and LJ breaks off a 25 yard rd for a TD to give us the lead and ultimately the win? Will you be cheering for the Redskins (and LJ) or not?

Re: Redskins Sign Larry Johnson
 

[quote=SmootSmack;673825]So how do you plan on reconciling your differences here? What if we plays a critical role for us this season. What if we're down by 4 late in week 5 against the Giants and LJ breaks off a 25 yard rd for a TD to give us the lead and ultimately the win? Will you be cheering for the Redskins (and LJ) or not?[/quote]

Personally I only care so much. By the time the Redskins are truly competitive again (like championship contenders), LJ will be all but useless and that could be in as little as two years though it will more then likely be 3 or 4. In the meantime we might have to settle for a "happy to be a playoff team" type attitude.

In the meantime, as I said before, the only way I can really reconcile this is to point to the fact that in terms of violence towards women, LJ's record is relatively tame. To my knowledge he has never outright hit a woman. Opting instead to spit, wave a gun, and yell verbal obscenities. Death threats are reserved for boyfriends of spitting targets.

One day all athletes will have the intangibles of Tim Tebow, and what a glorious day that will be. He truly is a savior.

Re: Redskins Sign Larry Johnson
 

[quote=SmootSmack;673825]So how do you plan on reconciling your differences here? What if we plays a critical role for us this season. What if we're down by 4 late in week 5 against the Giants and LJ breaks off a 25 yard rd for a TD to give us the lead and ultimately the win? Will you be cheering for the Redskins (and LJ) or not?[/quote]

That question will definitely get your attention!..Larry Johnson's short term future is with the Redskins, and that which is past and gone is irrevocable, I'm only concerned with the three years he'll be here if he fulfills the contract.

I'm reminded of something you made mention of in an earlier post....we don't know that we're not rooting for players every sunday that share in Johnsons' transgressions. We should really be more concerned about what he does as a Redskin, only he has to live down his past. Dope users..Woman beaters in the HOF. Like someone mentioned earlier, this is the NFL not the boy scouts.

Re: Redskins Sign Larry Johnson
 

My only question is can he carry the load for 10 to 12 games however many when Portis gets hurt or struggles....you know it will happen.

Can Larry Johnson go almost a full season? I hope so. I hope we can make a good player out of him...he had a lot of issues.

Re: Redskins Sign Larry Johnson
 

DUI Manslaughter and testing positive for dope at the same time = murder in my book. A man was killed. I bet if it were a regular 9-5 working man the outcome would be differnt. There are tons of players who have messed up just like LJ. I dont think it makes him a horrible person. He appolgized and realized what he did was wrong. Give the guy some credit. He is human just like us. I know I have made mistakes in my life that some could say are just as bad. Lets wait and see how he acts as a redskin.

Re: Redskins Sign Larry Johnson
 

[quote=dirtythirty;673856]DUI Manslaughter and testing positive for dope at the same time = murder in my book. A man was killed. I bet if it were a regular 9-5 working man the outcome would be differnt. There are tons of players who have messed up just like LJ. I dont think it makes him a horrible person. He appolgized and realized what he did was wrong. Give the guy some credit. He is human just like us. I know I have made mistakes in my life that some could say are just as bad. Lets wait and see how he acts as a redskin.[/quote]

Yeah, I'm thinking, or at least hoping that LJ has reached an age of maturity and being tossed around to the Bengals and Redskins without much interest from other teams would be a wake-up call that he needs to make the most of his remaining time on the field as it comes closer to the end. The days of him going #1 in fantasy drafts are long gone, but it doesn't mean he's completely finished. He DID have horrible lines in KC and really doesn't have too many carries on him compared to other backs his age...in a split role with Portis, they could both be productive and stay on the field, prolonging each other's careers.

Re: Redskins Sign Larry Johnson
 

This thread is starting to sound like a family therapy session. Only LJ is the missing prodigal son coming home for Thanksgiving, and we're sort of fighting over where he should be seated. Interesting.

Anyone here know which side of thirty John Riggins was on he joined the Skins? I'm just curious.

Re: Redskins Sign Larry Johnson
 

[quote=SFREDSKIN;673795]

[B]Johnson's father, Larry Johnson Sr., played one season with the Redskins, as a linebacker in 1974, according to his bio, though he doesn't seem to be listed in the team's media guide.[/B][/quote]

Thanks SFREDSKIN. Isn't it odd that it all seems based on his bio? He's not pulling a George O'Leary here is he? ;)

Re: Redskins Sign Larry Johnson
 

[quote=12thMan;673883]This thread is starting to sound like a family therapy session. Only LJ is the missing prodigal son coming home for Thanksgiving, and we're sort of fighting over where he should be seated. Interesting.

Anyone here know which side of thirty John Riggins was on he joined the Skins? I'm just curious.[/quote]

He was actually 26 years old and turned 27 during the season in 1976. But he was also not a worn-out 26. he was relatively fresh.

Re: Redskins Sign Larry Johnson
 

[quote=12thMan;673883]This thread is starting to sound like a family therapy session. Only LJ is the missing prodigal son coming home for Thanksgiving, and we're sort of fighting over where he should be seated. Interesting.

Anyone here know which side of thirty John Riggins was on he joined the Skins? I'm just curious.[/quote]

heh.. guy I used to lift with came home for Thanksgiving from WVU; his parents paid for him to stay at the Courtyard for a week as opposed to having him around the house

Re: Redskins Sign Larry Johnson
 

[quote=SmootSmack;673825]So how do you plan on reconciling your differences here? What if we plays a critical role for us this season. What if we're down by 4 late in week 5 against the Giants and LJ breaks off a 25 yard rd for a TD to give us the lead and ultimately the win? Will you be cheering for the Redskins (and LJ) or not?[/quote]

It's a good question. I'll have to figure that out by the time the season roles around.

No matter what I end up deciding, it will certainly dampen my enthusiasm for the team if he plays a major role, and that is really the reason that the Skins should consider carefully picking up these bad character guys.

My wife, for example, won't watch ANY game with Mike Vick in it, including when the Skins play the Eagles. It's a dollars and cents thing...if she doesn't watch, buy a ticket, or put our kids in Skins gear, that's less money for the franchise, and she's not alone. This forum is really the minority of true-red-blooded fans who will forgive just about anything for a winning team. There are lots of "fair-weather" fans that don't pay attention to details, yet get turned off to the sport when they hear about players acting the fool and getting away with it.

Again, I'm not looking for a team of angels, just "normal" citizens who like all of us may make mistakes, but who respect their fortune and try hard on the field. As for the comment about "slice of society," while it may be true there are other abusers/thugs out there in society, I am not paying part of their salary by watching the team either. (BTW, I have the same opinion of any team that would employ Leonard Little, Donte Stallworth, or Brandon Marshall).

Re: Redskins Sign Larry Johnson
 

[quote=tryfuhl;673897]heh.. guy I used to lift with came home for Thanksgiving from WVU; his parents paid for him to stay at the Courtyard for a week as opposed to having him around the house[/quote]


Were they fans of the Virginia Cavaliers or something? :D

Re: Redskins Sign Larry Johnson
 

I'm not a fan of LJ the person, but if he can produce on the field, I can be a fan of LJ the player.

Re: Redskins Sign Larry Johnson
 

LJ seems bright enough. I saw him on cold pizza a few years back & he spoke like someone who's pretty mature. Of course, he hasn't acted that mature at times. I hope being in his home area will have a positive impact on him. The timing is right for both he and the skins. I wasn't excited about his signing, but at the same time I think he's got more in the tank than LT & fast willie, maybe more than TJ too.

Re: Redskins Sign Larry Johnson
 

[quote=freddyg12;673918]LJ seems bright enough. I saw him on cold pizza a few years back & he spoke like someone who's pretty mature. Of course, he hasn't acted that mature at times. I hope being in his home area will have a positive impact on him. The timing is right for both he and the skins. I wasn't excited about his signing, but at the same time I think he's got more in the tank than LT & fast willie, maybe more than TJ too.[/quote]

I might be the only person, but i think the signing of a guy like LJ makes me think that the redskins are very cautious with Portis, or are just being smart and having a plan B incase Portis isn't the answer. We will know more after the draft...

Re: Redskins Sign Larry Johnson
 

[quote=SolidSnake84;673937]I might be the only person, but i think the signing of a guy like LJ makes me think that the redskins are very cautious with Portis, or are just being smart and having a plan B incase Portis isn't the answer. We will know more after the draft...[/quote]

cautious in what way? I think it's obvious they're cautious of his ability, it's highly unlikely that he'll even get 20 carries in any game this year if LJ et al are healthy. So yeah, I agree w/your plan B theory.

If you mean they're cautious due to his concussion, I really don't think that comes into play. He's had his injuries over the years & they certainly have to have a good backup since Betts is gone.

Re: Redskins Sign Larry Johnson
 

[quote=SolidSnake84;673937]I might be the only person, but i think the signing of a guy like LJ makes me think that the redskins are very cautious with Portis, or are just being smart and having a plan B incase Portis isn't the answer. We will know more after the draft...[/quote]

I think it means we're going to see a platoon in the backfield. The days of CP being the #1 workhorse and getting 20-25 carries a game are over with.

Re: Redskins Sign Larry Johnson
 

[quote=Mattyk;673954]I think it means we're going to see a platoon in the backfield. The days of CP being the #1 workhorse and getting 20-25 carries a game are over with.[/quote]

definitely. I could even see a rookie late rounder working his way into the rotation & CP being #3 by year's end.

Re: Redskins Sign Larry Johnson
 

I don't want to be a Debbie Downer, but I'm just getting bad vibes about this offseason. Mike Shanahan has never been known as that great of a GM in terms of acquiring players (draft or free agency) though he is great at wheeling and dealing (getting 3rd and 4th rounders from the Redskins for Ashley Lelie (via TJ Duckett), getting a 2nd rounder in addition to Champ Bailey from the Redskins, getting a 3rd and 4th rounder for Jason Campbell's draft slot from the Redskins).

This move just screams of another useless Travis Henry signing. I mean, we might as well have just kept Ladell Betts.

Re: Redskins Sign Larry Johnson
 

LJ isn't the one coming off of a torn ACL (for the second time in less than five years), he's also younger than Betts

Re: Redskins Sign Larry Johnson
 

[quote=SmootSmack;674194]LJ isn't the one coming off of a torn ACL (for the second time in less than five years), he's also younger than Betts[/quote]

True but Larry Johnson has taken a heck of a lot more beatings and also has some character issues. I thought by unloading Betts, we would be looking for young blood or someone cheaper... LJ is essentially neither. My gut feeling is that this was a pointless signing, but it's not going to make or break the Redskins.

Re: Redskins Sign Larry Johnson
 

I think it's a harmless signing. I still fully expect us to draft a RB of the future, and if LJ pays off then that's great. If not, it's not much of a hit to us.

Re: Redskins Sign Larry Johnson
 

Blount will still be in Washington

Re: Redskins Sign Larry Johnson
 

[quote=diehardskin2982;674208]Blount will still be in Washington[/quote]

I want him, but if we do still go RB in the draft, I got a feeling it will be for a speed back.