If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed or follow us on Facebook. Thanks for visiting!

The Cincinnati Bengals are expected to signed oft-maligned running back Larry Johnson, something I’m incredibly ecstatic about. Just read the comments of the linked article for further proof. Anyway, the biggest contributor to Larry Johnson being released by the Kansas City Chiefs was his childish, homophobic meltdown, courtesy of everybody’s favorite social media site, Twitter. Not only did he accost fans, Johnson also called out his coaches — although, I suspect Jason Whitlock quietly supports LJ’s criticism of first-year coach, Todd Haley. Obviously, Johnson has already shown his abilities as a master social media marketer, something he obviously thought the Bengals would enjoy as well.

What else explains his Facebook status update, found courtesy of Kent Babb’s Twitter? I know — Johnson is simply another fine example of the live and don’t learn motto. Seriously, it’s OK to keep making the same kinds of mistakes that got you cut in the first place, so please, don’t stop know.

Granted, I have no doubt Johnson wants to run over every Chief he sees when they play on December 27, but does he really need to run to Facebook and let the world know, especially now that the folks in KC are watching his every move? Perhaps Johnson should take some lessons from the Bengals’ resident social media expert, Chad Ochocinco.

Sure, Chad engages with fans and opposing players, but there doesn’t seem to be undercurrent of anger Johnson displays in his communications.

Instead of putting potential performance escalators in Johnson’s contract — I’m not even sure if they are apart of his Bengals offer — perhaps Marvin Lewis should simply restrict Johnson from using social media. If he can’t use it correctly, the toy should be taken away. It’s either that, or he can get cut. Again.

H/t to Arrowhead Pride for the Twitter find.

The career rushing record for the Kansas City Chiefs is once again safe from the clutches of self-inflicted punching bag, Larry Johnson, after he was told his meager services would no longer be needed. Johnson’s release brings an end to the running back’s star-crossed stay in Kansas City, one that began with him being called a baby by then head coach Dick Vermeil and ended with Johnson pathetic use of homophobic slurs on Twitter after being accosted by disappointed fans.

While Johnson did everything in his power to hasten his departure, it will be hard not to look back on his tenure and wonder what could’ve been. What could’ve been if Johnson was as committed to being great as he was enjoying the Kansas City nightlife, a pleasure that proved to be just as painful as it was enjoyable. For more on that, just take a look at Johnson’s police blotter.

Johnson has been arrested four times since 2003 on various assault charges against women. In 2003, he was arrested for felony aggravated assault and misdemeanor domestic battery for waving a gun at his then-girlfriend, during an argument at his home. The charges were dropped when Johnson agreed to participate in a domestic violence diversion program. In 2005, he was again arrested for assault when a woman accused Johnson of pushing her to the ground, but the case was dropped after the alleged victim failed to appear in court for three different hearings.

His third arrest for assault came on February 24, 2008, after allegedly pushing a woman’s head at a nightclub on February 24.[18] On October 10, 2008, Johnson was arrested for the fourth time and charged with one count of non-aggravated assault for allegedly spitting a drink in a woman’s face at a Kansas City nightclub on Oct. 11…

As I was saying, Larry “The Roc” Johnson will go down as a “what could’ve been” player. Unfortunately for Johnson — besides the legal and social media-related trouble — after two brilliant seasons in 2005 and 2006, he’s been awfully pedestrian. In fact, besides those two years of glory, Johnson never cracked the thousand-yard rushing mark again, making one wonder why he was kept around. Obviously, Herm Edwards and his current successors had dreams of 1700-yard seasons dancing in their collective heads.

Alas, Johnson apparently could not or wasn’t interested in reproducing those kinds of results.

And so, this brings a close to Johnson’s once-promising career with the Chiefs, a fact petition-happy KC fans will certainly enjoy. With that in mind, allow me to say “so long, Larry.” Hopefully, the Chiefs can find someone as interesting to replace you. With Jared Allen, and now you gone, the Chiefs are now devoid of interesting personalities — unless Todd Haley is considered a suitable replacement.

If Larry Johnson throws up “the roc” every time he scores a touchdown, he might want to throw one up for all the Kansas City Chiefs fans he’s scoring points with. In light of Johnson’s amazingly-brilliant Twitter rant and subsequent suspension, Chiefs fans have had enough of Number 27 and because of that, they don’t want him to get any closer to the franchise’s all-time leading rusher record, one that’s currently held by fan-favorite, Priest Holmes.

In fact, Chiefs fans are so against the idea of Johnson owning that record, they’ve brought out the big guns to express themselves:

An Internet petition.

Now before you scoff, some petitions have been used to save television shows, so who knows, maybe the Chiefs fans can get their point across in such a manner. If not, I’d recommend a torch-carrying mob descend on 1 Arrowhead Dr and rabble-rouse to their heart’s content. Hey, they do have a right to assemble for peaceful demonstrations, so why not take advantage of it? I mean, just as long as you are only using those torches to light your way.

Anyway, back to the petition. Chiefs fans want nothing to do with Johnson having records they cherish, and hey, when you consider Johnson’s impressive 2.7 YPC on top of everything else he’s managed to screw up, you begin to see their point. A snippet of their plea reveals more:

After the jump >>

In a move that should surprise absolutely no one, the Kansas City Chiefs have told the non-Twitter savvy Larry Johnson his services won’t be needed for the time being, as they deal with the fallout from stupidity that came from Johnson’s mouth since the Chiefs got manhandled by the San Diego Chargers last Sunday.

A team statement stated that the Chiefs are “continuing to investigate the alleged comments made by Larry Johnson. Until that review is complete, the Chiefs have instructed Larry to refrain from practicing with the Chiefs or participating in other team activities.”

In case you missed Johnson’s petulant, homophobic tirade, Queerty has much, much more. Apparently, before he was told to stay away, Johnson issued an apology, because nothing says “I’m sorry” like apologizing to save face, as opposed to heartfelt contrition. See for yourself:

“First of all, I want to apologize to the fans of the Kansas City Chiefs and the rest of the NFL, Commissioner Goodell, the Chiefs organization, Coach Todd Haley, his staff, and my teammates for the words I used yesterday. I regret my actions. The words were used by me in frustration, and they were not appropriate. I did not intend to offend anyone, but that is no excuse for what I said.

“I also want to apologize to all the kids who view athletes as role models. I was not a good role model yesterday and hopefully I can become a better role model. We all make mistakes, and the challenge is to learn from them. I will do my best to learn from this one as I move toward becoming a better person, teammate, and member of the Kansas City Chiefs team and community.”

In other words, had I not got into to trouble over this, I wouldn’t even be acknowledging the fact I said anything.

Larry Johnson apparently wants to turn over a new leaf for his new bosses. After asking to be traded shortly after Todd Haley and Scott Pioli took over at Arrowhead Stadium, Johnson has changed his tune and is planning to report to the Kansas City Chiefs voluntary minicamp, which starts tomorrow and goes through Sunday. Johnson’s “good teammate” turn comes after the resolution of multiple legal situations the Chiefs running back was facing.

Jason Whitlock; however, does not think Johnson should be a Chief any longer.

There’s no reason to believe Larry Johnson or his new agent…

Scott Pioli should go ahead and release Johnson now. If somehow Kansas City’s new general manager is able to trade Johnson for anything — chinstrap, mouthpiece, blocking dummy, a jockstrap to be named later — Pioli would have to be an early candidate for NFL executive of the year.

Johnson has no trade value. He refuses to block. He’s an unreliable runner. He has a bad attitude. His best years are long gone. A team would be foolish to trade for Johnson.

That’s not the most ringing endorsement I’ve ever heard, but perhaps Whitlock makes a point. Is it worth the effort/trouble/risk to give Johnson another chance? His recent track record, on and off the field, says no. Conversely, his 4.5 YPC might disagree with Whitlock.

Larry Johnson looks like he’s happy. You don’t see too many sad people wearing camouflage pants and trucker hats capable of fitting over Kid’s high-top fade. Maybe it’s the new quarterback his team traded for? Maybe it’s the facelift his team is currently undergoing? Is he excited about playing for Scott Pioli and Todd Haley? His Pro Bowl offensive lineman isn’t, but why should Johnson let that spoil his wardrobe fun? Question: Does anyone REALLY think Johnson is going to survive the new management purge, especially when you consider some of the legal issues the running back is dealing with? You have to think, considering how the Patriots were ran when Pioli was in New England, that this kind of behavior won’t be tolerated by the Chiefs.

Does the ending bode well for Johnson?

The image in question was taken in Las Vegas this past weekend at the PURE nightclub and first appeared on Spy on Vegas. H/t to Pacman Jonesin’ for the find.

This lovely lady’s name is Ashley Stewart and she is suing the Chiefs running back for an incident at a Kansas City nightclub — but was it this one or this one?

Actually, it was drink-spitting episode but they both were so close together, it’s hard to tell the two incidents apart. Stewart is apparently the one Johnson spit the drink at (and threatened to kill her boyfriend) and so a former Woman of KU is suing LJ for what seems like mental cruelty for being involved.

More Ashley Stewart after the jump >>

If anyone should be facepalming themselves, it’s Kansas City running back Larry Johnson. After getting into yet another situation involving a nightclub, a woman and a spit drink, apparently, Johnson had a much-needed moment of clarity and issued a statement saying he was disgusted with himself and the direction his life and career are going.

An excerpt:

More fun with LJ after the jump >>