Two-Face Larry comes through in the clutch for KC

By Clayton Wendler  |   Tuesday, October 10, 2006  |  Comments( 0 )

Kansas City Chiefs
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It wasn't pretty. Then again, Larry Johnson's style has never been terribly pretty when it comes to football.

In the Kansas City Chiefs' 23-20 come-from-behind victory over Arizona on Sunday, Johnson was both the goat and the hero.

"Larry Goat" came early. With Arizona leading 7-0, the Chiefs took over on offense. Four plays later, Johnson and quarterback Damon Huard combined to fumble a handoff, and Arizona cashed in the turnover for a 14-0 lead.

It was tough sledding for Johnson from there on out. Fortunately, KC's defense stiffened, and shut the Cardinals out for the rest of the first half. That gave "Larry Hero" a chance to show up; and he did, just before the break.

After Chiefs rookie safety Bernard Pollard blocked a punt, Kansas City was just six yards from pay dirt. The next two plays netted a loss of three yards, and the Chiefs needed someone to step up. Guess who?

"Larry Hero" burst onto the scene. Johnson took a short dump pass from Huard, broke two tackles and dove into the end zone. It was a fantastic play, and the Chiefs suddenly had all the momentum, trailing 14-10.

And then "Larry Goat" showed up again. Johnson fumbled just before halftime, allowing Arizona to tack on a field goal.

The rest of the game was a slugfest. Johnson pounded away at Arizona's defense with little success, running into a wall of red on almost every play. The Cardinals packed the box and held Johnson to just 36 yards on 16 carries, the worst start of his NFL career.

But you had the feeling that "Larry Hero" hadn't made his final appearance just yet.

The Chiefs put together a clutch touchdown drive without him. Huard moved KC's offense down the field and hit Samie Parker perfectly with a 15-yard touchdown pass. The score was 20-17 with just over nine minutes left. Plenty of time for "Larry Hero" to show up and drag the Chiefs over the finish line, right?

Maybe. For a while, it looked like Ty Law would be the hero. With a little less than six minutes remaining, Law picked off rookie quarterback Matt Leinart, putting Kansas City at Arizona's 22-yard line. It was a perfect opportunity for "Larry Hero" to give the Chiefs the lead.

But it didn't come. Johnson did nothing in three plays, and the Chiefs were forced to settle for a tying field goal.

Kansas City's defense stopped Arizona on the ensuing possession. There was about two minutes left in the game. One last opportunity for Larry to play the Hero, or the Goat.

Johnson had endured a long, tough game. He had been battered into frustration. And then out of nowhere, when you least expected it, it happened.

"Larry Hero" burst out of a phone booth and saved the day.

Huard flipped a short screen pass to Johnson, who was seemingly bottled up. Then Johnson broke a tackle by Darnell Dockett and blew past three Arizona defenders, who fell to the ground like dominoes. "Larry Hero" raced down the sideline. Seventy-eight yards and a gruesome facemask later, "Larry Hero" was "Fallen Hero."

Fortunately, Johnson got up and walked off under his own power. The Chiefs kicked the go-ahead field goal. Arizona missed a game-tying attempt a minute-and-a-half later. It was a wild, dramatic, improbable ending to a great football game.

Brought to you by Jekyll and Hyde. Otherwise known as Larry Johnson.

Comments? Suggestions? Criticism? Contact C.E. Wendler at cwendler@realfootball365.com

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