Redskins Sign Larry Johnson

[Monkeydad]

Originally Posted by tryfuhl

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

Were they fans of the Virginia Cavaliers or something?

[MTK]

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.

[freddyg12]

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.

[SolidSnake84]

Originally Posted by freddyg12

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.

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...

[freddyg12]

Originally Posted by SolidSnake84

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...

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.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by SolidSnake84

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...

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.

[freddyg12]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

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.

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

[Audi]

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.

[Pocket$ $traight]

Originally Posted by freddyg12

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

I wouldn't bet on that but anything is possible. If Portis is on the opening day roster, he will be given every chance to have a huge year.

They aren't paying a 3rd string runningback 10 million.

[SmootSmack]

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

[Audi]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

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

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.

[Pocket$ $traight]

Originally Posted by Audi

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.

We haven't had the draft yet and FA is far from over.

I think that having 2 veterans and a project is better than 2 projects and a veteran.

[Pocket$ $traight]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

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

If anyone really thinks that Betts is a better back than LJ right now, they need to fix the gas leak in their house.

[SmootSmack]

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.

[diehardskin2982]

Blount will still be in Washington