scout.com reports packers have offered 1st and 4th for LJ!

Pack93z

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From ESPN at 4:31 PM 4/26/07 Central time :)

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2850484

The Kansas City Chiefs quickly dispelled rumors they are shopping Pro Bowl running back Larry Johnson before this weekend's NFL draft.

Team spokesman Bob Moore said Thursday the Chiefs have not offered Johnson to anybody and that no team has been given permission to speak with him.

Larry Johnson
Running Back
Kansas City Chiefs

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2006 SEASON STATISTICS
Rush Yds TD Rec Yds TD
416 1789 17 41 410 2


"Anybody who is reporting it's true is simply not telling the truth," Moore said.

Johnson, 27, has been participating in the Chiefs' offseason program, but is entering the final year of his contract. He has made it clear he wants a deal worth more than the eight-year, $60 million contract San Diego Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson signed two years ago.

Rumors that Kansas City wants to trade the brooding back, who carried the ball an NFL-record 416 times last season, surfaced as the team scrambles to acquire draft picks. The Kansas City Star, without citing a source, reported Thursday that the team had offered Johnson up for trade.

Johnson's agent, Alvin Keels, said Thursday he preferred not to comment.

Kansas City unloaded return specialist Dante Hall to the St. Louis Rams for a fifth-round pick Wednesday, falling in line with coach Herm Edwards' desire for a more youthful roster built via the draft.

"When you have a veteran football team, that's very, very good," Edwards said recently. "But at the end of the day, you have to acquire young players along the way."

The Chiefs invited four running backs -- California's Marshawn Lynch, Ohio State's Antonio Pittman, Florida State's Lorenzo Booker and Louisville's Kolby Smith -- for interviews, and have said they are willing to draft a running back in the early rounds.

Trading Johnson would make sense to those who view the Chiefs as undertaking a major rebuilding effort.

Kansas City is poised to start the season with untested second-year quarterback Brodie Croyle and journeyman Damon Huard, who played well last season when Trent Green missed parts of eight games with a concussion.

The offensive line is full of holes, after the retirement of 11-time Pro Bowl tackle Willie Roaf last season and 12-time Pro Bowl guard Will Shields earlier this month. The wide receiving corps has little depth behind aging Eddie Kennison, and defensive tackle and defensive back remain areas of concern.

Johnson's value has never been higher, either. After rushing for 1,750 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2005, he gained 1,789 yards and had 17 touchdowns last season. His 2,199 yards from scrimmage accounted for 43 percent of the Chiefs' total offense.

"He's still a guy in his prime," said former Houston Texans general manager Charley Casserly, who believes the Chiefs will sign Johnson to a contract extension. "I don't know what they could get to replace him. Certainly a draft choice isn't going to replace him."

Another way the Chiefs could acquire more draft picks is by dealing Green, the two-time Pro Bowl selection who returned from his concussion midway through last season but never played at the same level.

The Miami Dolphins have reached a tentative agreement with Green, who will be 37 when training camp opens. But the teams have not agreed on compensation, and it is becoming increasingly unlikely a trade will be done by the start of the draft.

The Chiefs are seeking a second-round pick and a late-round pick for Green.
 

warhawk

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It's not going to be a "firm" offer until KC let's a team talk to LJ and his agent to see what the cost will be.

The question than becomes is an offer "contingent upon" finalizing the terms with LJ considered "firm" or not?

As far as the last paragraph goes I think I would be pissed if I were LJ having carried the rock 800 times in two years and now they don't want to pay?
I would be a little tempermental myself.
 

Greg C.

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Re: scout.com reports packers have offered 1st and 4th for L

What this rumor means to me is that we need to get this draft over with so everyone can settle down. I view the LJ rumors the same way I view the Moss rumors: either move would be VERY interesting, but in the end, I don't think I like them. The moves just don't seem to jibe with how Thompson is trying to build the team--but then, I thought the same thing when Thompson was going after Charles Woodson. Thompson went right ahead and got Woodson, and at least after the first year, he's looking like a good addition to the team.
 

MassPackersFan

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Hey guys. Latest word seems to be that we offered a 1st and a 4th for LJ, and the Chiefs gave us permission to negotiate a contract extension, but are looking for another first day pick or a 1st rounder next year. This basically means the deal is 99% dead, unless someone budges. And I really don't want to budge as much as they want us to. Screw that.
 

Arles

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Re: scout.com reports packers have offered 1st and 4th for L

Hey guys. Latest word seems to be that we offered a 1st and a 4th for LJ, and the Chiefs gave us permission to negotiate a contract extension, but are looking for another first day pick or a 1st rounder next year. This basically means the deal is 99% dead, unless someone budges. And I really don't want to budge as much as they want us to. Screw that.
What I hear is IF (and this is a big IF) GB can get a contract done in principle, KC would be willing to take this year's 1st, 4th and a third next year to seal it. That isn't too bad (especially when you look at what it took to get McGahee) and I would do the deal.
 

Chevelle2

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why would gb make a trade offer if they didnt already have a contract offer in place with LJ?
 

Arles

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Re: scout.com reports packers have offered 1st and 4th for L

why would gb make a trade offer if they didnt already have a contract offer in place with LJ?
I think it was to gauge his price. If KC was adament about wanting 2 first round picks, why even go through the process of negociating with LJ? I'm guessing any offer to KC was contingent upon a successful contract negociation. That's how most big-name trade offers go down (same will hold true with Moss).
 

PackFanInSC

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A 1st and 4th actually seems low for a player that is the 2nd best RB in the league (after LT) considering the tags put on Turner and Schaub were for a 1st and 3rd -- even though neither has ever proven anything as the starter. I would think KC would demand more -- unless it was a high 1st rounder.

I would love to see what LJ could do here but fear that the line is not what KC has so we may not see the same back here. It would also only work IF Morency split carries with him to cut down on the ridiculous number of carries he is getting.
 

MassPackersFan

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KC's line is in horrible shape right now. Not what it was a few years ago.

Given where things are right now, I highly doubt a deal with LJ is anywhere near being negotiated completely, unless it's been secretly in process for a few weeks.
 

OregonPackFan

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I would like to see us trade 1st and 4th in 2008 for Larry Johnson and pick Marshawn Lynch this year.

We would have some backfield.

The king and his heir.
 

warhawk

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I would like to see us trade 1st and 4th in 2008 for Larry Johnson and pick Marshawn Lynch this year.

We would have some backfield.

The king and his heir.

Give 'em this years picks. Next years draft has way more talent in it.
 

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