L.J. holdout? Chiefs fans shouldn’t worry

By Mike Ash  |   Friday, June 29, 2007  |  Comments( 30 )

Kansas City Chiefs
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Over the past few weeks, a lot of attention has been given to the possibility of a training-camp holdout by the Chiefs' Larry Johnson. Johnson, who is slated to make less than $2 million for the 2007 season, has been open about his desire to get a new contract that better reflects his status as arguably the second-best running back in the league (LaDainian Tomlinson is No. 1, of course).

Much of the media coverage of the story has taken on a negative tone, suggesting that negotiations may be tense and that the situation may prove to be a distraction for the Chiefs. Some, including Yahoo! Sports' Jason Cole, have even suggested that Kansas City may look to trade Johnson in light of the looming problems.

Tense negotiations, a distraction for the team, the possibility of an extended holdout? These all seem like pretty serious issues. So why don't many Chiefs fans seem too concerned about it?

One reason is that those who follow the team just don't seem to expect the kind of lengthy, drawn-out contract situation that most of the media is predicting. Why? Because Johnson is, without question, a "Peterson guy." General Manager Carl Peterson forced Johnson on then-coach Dick Vermeil during the 2003 draft, selecting the ex-Penn State RB in the first round despite the fact that the Chiefs already had the services of Priest Holmes.

In just a few years, Johnson has already become one of the best draft picks of Peterson's lengthy tenure with the Chiefs. Although he isn't on the level of likely Hall of Famers Derrick Thomas, Will Shields and Tony Gonzalez just yet, Johnson may reach that lofty status in time.

Aside from their excellence on the field, what do the careers of Thomas, Shields and Gonzalez have in common? Thomas and Shields played every snap of their career as Chiefs, and with the new contract he signed during the offseason, Gonzalez should finish his career in Kansas City, as well. Peterson has worked hard over the years to make sure that his best selections would never get away.

Johnson should be no different. Peterson is known for taking care of his guys, and even though he may be wary of giving Johnson the "L.T. money" he's allegedly looking for, there's no reason to suspect that this situation will drag on and hurt the team. It wouldn't be surprising if Johnson and Peterson agree on a new deal prior to training camp, ending the talk of a holdout before it ever has a chance to happen.

For the time being, though, all of that is speculation. The main reason Chiefs fans aren't concerned about a holdout is something that, from his actions, can be proven: Johnson wants to stay in Kansas City.

That issue has been a delicate one for Chiefs fans over the past few years. It has long been speculated that Johnson, who famously celebrates touchdowns by holding up "The Roc" symbol to reflect his relationship with rapper Jay-Z, would prefer to leave the Midwest for a larger market like New York. But by using the threat of a holdout to gain a new contract, the moody running back is locking himself in Kansas City for the long haul. And that, more than anything, has Chiefs fans excited.

So if Peterson won't give you the money, go ahead with your holdout, Larry. Try to get every last dime from him that you can. Because the harder you fight for that new contract, the more your fans will smile at the thought of No. 27 pounding his way into the Arrowhead end zone for many more seasons to come.

RealFootball365.com: Where there's no such thing as an offseason for Kansas City Chiefs football.
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